Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-04-30
An Effort to Unionize the Fac
tories.

An Effort to Unionize the Fac
The past week the Boxmakers' union
of this city, served the following on the
boxmakers of this city:
Wausau, Wis, April 25, 1907
We, the undersigned, representatives
of the Boxmakers' Union No. 2S8 OF
Wausau, herewith present our de-
mands, with one weeks time for con-
sideration.
Signed
Articles OF Agreement, entered into
this-day of--l907, by and be-
tween the firm of------------- -------
party of the FIRST part and the Box
makers Union No. 2SS of the Anal
gamated Woodworkers' international
Union of America, party of the second
part.
Sec. l. Party of the hrst part agrees
to employ as rip-sawyers, cross cut
sawyers, machine nailers, hand nailers,
printing machine operators, band
sawyers and general machine hands,
not under Is years of age who are
members of the Boxmakers' Union No.
2S8 of the A. w. w. L. u. of A. Party
of the second part, or who signify their
intention of becoming members OF said
Union within two weeks after their en-
ployment.
Sec. 2. The minimum scale of wages
shall be as follows:
Rip sawyers. cts per hour
Cross-cut sawyers........lS4 cts. per hour
Machine nailers............19 cts. per hour
Hand nailers ...............165 cts. per hour
Printers operators ......l7l cts. per hour
Band SawyerS.-...........2O cts. per hour
General machine hands 10 cts. per hour
astYfF hn ia
minimum scale of wages at the time OF
putting this agreement into effect shall
not be subject TO any reduction In
wages.
Sec 3. Party of the first part shall be
allowed one apprentice to every 10 men
or majority fraction thereof, all appren-
tees must be not less than l6 years of
age.
Sec. 4. Ten hours shall constitute a
days work and shall be between the
hours of z a. m. and 6 p. m. All over
time shall be paid at the rate of
time and one-half, including such holt
days as New Years, Fourth of July aud
Christmas. No work shall be done on
Labor Day.
There shall be regular pay day
twice in each month.
To this the Box Makers have made a
reply, as follows:
Wausau, Wis April 27, 1907
Gentlemen:
This company is in receipt of your
recent communication of April Is. AS
we understand your demand, you do
not claim any material change of wages,
but you demand of us to enter into
contract requiring us not to employ, in
certain parts of our factory, any man
who is not a member of your union.
We recognize fully the right of every
American citizen to join any labor union
or other organization he may see lit,
but we deny the Fright of any labor union
or other organization, or any body of
men, to say that we shall or shall not
employ in our factory any man on
account of his belief, or membership in
any organization whatever We believe
this position to be the only true rule for
the safety of our people and free insti-
buttons. Therefore, we believe this
demand calls for contract not only in
conflict with our duties as citizens, but
inconsistent with the proper conduct of
our business. We have always been
ready to consider any reasonable re-
quest from our employees and To adjust
any cause of difference.
Trusting that the cordial relations
heretofore existing between our
in our factory, we remain,
Yours truly,
There is in this city an association
known as The Citizens Association of
Wausau, Wisconsin," and to this about
every manufacturer in the city belongs
Several meetings of the association
were held the past week and no doubt
the reply to the union had its unqual-
flied approval. The objects of the as
ISOLATION is 10 perpetuate the present
prosperous and peaceful conditions of
the employers and employees, and to
discourage strikes, lockouts and boy
cots; to protect its members and the
community at large and all who desire
to work, from unlawful interference.
There have been no evidences of dis
satisfaction among the laboring classes
in Wausau, no disturbances of any ma
ture, and the condition between CAPT
tai and labor in every way is ali that
could be desired. The trouble comes
from the outside; this demand to union
ize the city. IL has found followers,
perhaps because the seriousness of the
question has not been fully realized.
The PILor has always been friend
of labor and has fought many hard
battle in its behalf. 1t believes much
has been accomplished by labor organi-
fdilOnSs WlleTe lRe tNtFtine CONDITIONS,
detrimental to labor, demanded it.
There are no such conditions here. In
Wausau, a man can get the highest
wages paid for labor, according 10 his
ability, no matter what pursuit he fol
lows, and whatever differences may
arise, We are certain, can be easily adj
iusted. What more is wanted There
is no call To unionize the city under the
existing conditions. In many cities of
Wisconsin an attempt has been made
To have the ''cloSed shop" which means
that no man, unless he belongs 10 the
union, can secure work. The condi-
tons were the same as in WauSau-
good wages being paid, no fault to be
found, only desire by the agitatorS of
large cities to unionize The result was
strikes, boycots and bloodshed, and after
months of no work, the open shop"
prevailed and factories resumed work
Win the ordeal have TO be passed
through in WauSau 1t rests with the
laboring men, and the Pmor hopes that
good Judgment will prevail; that no
strikes will be declared to mar the
eity's good narne. If there are any
differences, real or faneied, between
the employers AID their employees, there
is no doubt but what some way can be
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