The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-05-16
CARPENTERS
SEND AN
ULTIMATUM

There was a mass meeting of the car
penters OF the city last evening at the
headquarters OF the craft I'm Labor temple,
at which IL was voted to send an ulti-
matum - the masters, and they were
given until Monday TO decide whether
to pay the union scale OF wages demanded
or not
There were six locals present they
being Locals a. 632, $40 1883 and 1870 Inc
membership I'm these locals is nearly lboo'
according 10 the report OF the business
agent, n. F. Kearney. and nearly all OF
the majority OF these men VIII be aHected.
In speaking OF the matter today. Mr..
Kearney said that there are ALREADY
number of the shops that had decided TO
pay the wages demanded by the unions,
and such shops would not be affected.
II Is also thought from the sentiment
OF the large number OF the masters that
many will sign the agreement before the
time given for the final action. He said
that the whole affair might have been
settled long ago had the employers met
the men in the spirit in which the men
tried 10 meet the employers
Some time ago an effort was made TO
settle the matter. committees from both
the masters and the Carpenters council
meeting i'm conference. At each Of these
meetings. however. there was no pos
sibility of agreement owing 10 the fact
that an arbitration clause was wanted by
the masters that tho members or the
union felt would not be satisfactory 10
them, inasmuch as the arbitration COM
mittee was made 10 consist of three or
the masters and none OF the men
II was wished by the masters that the
question OF wages he left 70 the arbitra-
ton committee but with the complexion
OF that body IL was readily forseen what
the result would be, and hence in the
agreement for the next year the men
wanted the question o fwages settled be-
fore the arbitration board was selected
No settlement could be reached and hence
the flnal action as voiced by the resolu-
tlon sent 10 the contractors OF the city,
accompanied by the agreement. The
resolutions are as follows:
To the Contractors and Builders or
Providence and Vicinity:
Gentlemen-As a result Of an unani-
nous vote OF a meeting OF the Carpen-
ters unions l am directed 10 forward
TO you the attached agreement and reso-
luton 10 take effect on May %. 1905.
We therefore send this agreement and
resolution adopted requesting your ia
vorable endorsement or same:
Whereas. The surrounding cities in the
New EnEldNu suites are gHiB HiNSiA
more wages 10 carpenters than is paid
In the city OF Providence, and as this
tends 10 depreciate as whole the craft
in our city because Of the natural desire
OF the more skilled craftsmen TO seek en-
ployment in the locality where the hnan
cial and other material Inducements "a
workmen are greater than exist in Provi-
dence and as the retention OF skilled
/ labor is essential to the interests Of the
public and the best progress OF our city,
! therefore be IL
Resolved. that the wages of all Journey
men carpenters beginning May 22. 1905
shall be not less than 37i9 cents per hour
for eight hours labor Overtime to bf
paid for as time and one-half. Sundays
and holidays 10 be paid for as double
time.
Any workman incapacitated by age oi
accident and apprentices shall be privi'
legged 10 obtain employment at less thar
the minimum rate Of wages.
We await your early (and hope favor
able) reply not later than May 21. 1905.
Respectfully yours.
]. j. SAVAGE.
Secretary Carpenters District council.