The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-02-24
TWO BIG; !. UNIONS IN | FAIL All |. :.
To RICH AGREEMENT
Long Contested Struggle Be.
tween Carpenters and Wood
workers Is Unsettled.
Difference Over Trade Agree.
ment Causes Breach in Con-
ference at Indianapolis.

gotiations which have been pending
over period of six years, having
for their object the uniting of the
Amalgamated WoodWorkers of.
America and the United Brother
hood of Carpenters and Joiners, have
failed and the breach between these
organizations is as wide as ever.
Three days were spent in argument
by the representatives of labor pres
ent in an advisory capacity, before
it was seen that it was impossible to
reach an agreement.
John Wahlquist, of this city, who
has returned from indianapolis,
where he attended the meeting of the
executive board of the carpenters,
was present at the conference. While
expressing disappointment that moth
ing was accomplished in the way of
getting the rival organizations to-
gether, he still hopes that the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, which will
take the question up, will eventual
ly succeed in it's efforts to pour oil
on the troubled waters.
Mr.. Wahlquist said that the wood
workers were not ready to consider
the proposition to join issues with
the brotherhood. The former were
anxious that a trade agreement be
formulated, which would give them
control of certain lines Of work,
which the carpenters are not willing
to relinQuish, but this the latter re-
fused to consider unless a definite
time was set for an amalgamation of
the two bodies.
Propositions were submitted by
each, neither of which the other
would accept. The woodworkers
submitted a proposition that all fac
tory woodworkers now members of
the brotherhood, remain such unless
they Voluntarily desired to transfer
their membership; that the wood
workers be conceded the right to
organize the unorganized workmen
throughout the country without in
reference; that the purpose Of es-
tablishing closer relations fraternal
delegates be exchanged at the con-
vention of both organizations, and
that future relations be determined
by the conventions of the two unions.
The brotherhood offered coun-
ter proposition that trade agree
ment be entered into to expire July
1, 1906, after which the woodwork
ers would have to join the carpen-
ters' organization and be entitled to
all the benefits now paid carpenters.
President GOmpers assisted the
conference committee in the work Of
drafting a form of trade agreement
which provided that Finally Coop
Grafton, unity or amalgamation may
be accomplished" This form pro-
vided that the question should be
submitted to referendum vote Of
both organizations, and if not rati-
fled that the representatives meet
again within ninety days, so the eff
forts to bring about harmony would
be continued until a satisfactory So
; luton was brought about. This
! agreement provided also that during
the tendency of negotiations the gen
eral officers of both organizations
should use their best endeavors to
, the lend that all hostilities against
the Other should cease.
Among other things done by the
general executive board, the bonds
, of the general officers were renewed !;
$4,000 bank account was opened
with the Columbus National bank at
Indianapolis; a contract was let for
printing the official journal; over
? 100 trade agreements were passed
upon, covering all portions of the
Jurisdiction; appeals from decisions
of the general secretary in regard to
q the payment of funeral benefits were
considered; twelve appeals from
awards made by the general presi-
| dent were heard, and much other
business was taken care of. The
books were audited, and found to be
correct, and the financial condition
. of the organization is better than
| ever before. Numerically the organ
iZation is stronger.
: Reports to the board from all
> parts of the jurisdiction were of the
same bright tenor, indicating that the
outlook for the approaching season
is regarded everywhere as exception
ally bright and encouraging.
. Announcement was made in the
press dispatches some time ago that
New York building trade unions has
\ entered into an agreement which
] would expire on Jan. 1 of each year.
This is wrong: The new agreement
was made for eighteen months, and
that the contract period expires July
1. Chicago carpenters have just con-
cluded an agreement extending over
a period of three years with the
principal contractors in that city.
This year the carpenters will receive
raise of cents an hour, while for
the succeeding two years raise of
l21 cents for each will be given.