The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-05-10
MASTER PAINTERS
DECLARE OPEN
SHOP
Action Was Taken This Morn
ing and Strikers Were All
Discharged.
CLAIM RIGHT TO
HIRE NON-UNION MEN
When Members of Union Can
Not Be Secured to Do
the Work.
CLAIM RIGHT TO
HIRE NON.UNION MEN

Contrary to statements published
this morning to the effect that the
master painters Of the city were weak
ening, and would sign up with the
striking painters, five of the employers
said today that they would fight the
strike to the end. Ed. Iverson, one of
the master painters, signed up for a
union shop last night, while the re-
mainder of the master painters this
morning declared for an open shop.
Its a fight to the finish from now
on" stated one of the master painters
this morning. Cup to this time we
have stood for union shop, but today
we declare for an open shop"
The five painters who today de-
clared for an open shop are J. H.
Lambe, K. H. johnson, N. Iverson,
Canniff company and F. T. Roat. This
declaration on their part followed the
refusal of the striking painters to re-
turn to work today. Yesterday they
sent letters to all striking painters,
telling them to return to work this
morning, stating that refusal to do so
would result i'm their positions being
declared vacant, and an open shop
would be declared. The strikers did
not return to work, and the master
painters made good their threat.
Some time in April, an agreement
was drawn up between the master
painters and the Brotherhood of
Painters, Decorators and Paperhang-
ers of America. This agreement was
to go into effect May 1. Among the
changes resulting from this agree
men was the granting by the master
painters to the union painters a nine
hour day instead of ten hour day,
as before. The first article of the
agreement reads as follows:
X X X X i * x X !: x x x y x
"EmplOy union members in good
standing"
X x !: * X i X x :: x y x X
The master painters do not interpret
this article to mean that they shall
employ only union men, but that when
needed, non-union men can be en-
ployed. Accordingly, when the rush of
work came on this spring, number of
non-union men were put to work. All
union men In the city were working,
there being none of them out of Job.
Last week it is claimed that the union
asked K. H. johnson to discharge
certain non-uniOn man in his employ.
Mr.. Johnson agreed to do this, pro-
viding that good man was furnished
in his place. No other man being
forthcoming, Mr.. Johnson retained his
services. On the following Monday. a
strike was declared.
The master painters claim that the
union has failed to live up to its agree
ment, and that they themselves have
done everything signed up for.
In the five open shops today, there
were twenty-five men working. There
are still about thirty union men out,
a small number having gone to work
this morning in the Ed. Iverson shop,
which Is a closed shop.
The Herald this morning stated that
there was probability of other mas
ter painters signing up, but>those who
today declared for an open shop, made
emphatic denial to this report. They
state that they are doing everything
possible to get men from out of the
city, and are successful to some ex-
tent.
Strikers Are Firm.
The striking painters have con-
tinued to hold out, and the giving in
of one shop, they consider partial
victory. They claim that they do not
have to work with non-union men, and
on this proposition will continue the
fight.
I'VE will stay out to the finish,"
said one striker this morning. "The
strike is on, and We propose to stay
out till we win"