Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-02
Union TeamSters
and Declare for
Closed Shop
Say They Will Not Move
Fiesta Baggage for
Same Pay
Employers Insist That Present Scale
Is All That Earning Capacity
Will Stand-Unlon Ready to
Consult Employers

War was declared against the SIX
transfer companies which refused jto
grant the demands of the Teamsters'
union for an increase in wages and
recognition of the union yesterday at a
meeting of the members at the labor
headquarters on San Pedro street last
night.
The meeting was held as result
of the failure of committees appointed
nv the employers and the teamsters to
come to an agreement at meeting
held yesterday afternoon, at that time
the subject being discussed in all lts
phases.
Nearly 400 truck and transfer wagon
drivers were present at the meeting
and the large assembly hall was crowd
ed to the doors by those Interested.
There were several lively Debates but
all of them tending toward one end
Each of the union men agreed that the
demands which had been made by the
union were Just and that If necessary
a strike should be calleu 10 eIloi0o
them.
According to speakers, everything
possible had been done to ward on a
strike, but members of the Employers
association had refused to make any
concessions or to give way IN Inc
o. hey seem willing to pay the wages
lAemanded," said one speaker, "but in
sist on maintaining open shops" This
is apparently the point around which
the controversy swings, as the str1k-
ers insist that the companies shall
recognize the union and employ none
but nion men.
Men Report at Barns
All the men who are now on strike
reported at their barns bright and
early yesterday morning and hitched
their teams They then went on the
usual rounds delivering all perishable
goods, but promptly at o'clock they
returned to their barns, stabbed their
teams and went at once to the union
Headquarters. A meeting was tnsn
called and it was learned that the en-
ployers and clerks had taken out teams
from the barns during the morning
and delivered imperative orders and
II was this fact which caused the men
to walk out.
At the meeting it was decided to ap-
point committees and arrange for a
conference between the employers and
the union representatives later in the
day. The officers of the transfer and
truck companies were then telephoned
to and at 2 o'clock yesterday after
noon the committees from the union
met with them in conference.
At the meeting the new scale of
wages which the teamsters desired to
have take effect May 1 was discussed
and, according to the representatives
of the teamsters, the employers refused
to consider it in any way. The demand
which was made by the teamsters calls
for a ten-hour day, with wage in
crease of so cents day and so cents
an hour for overtime.
According to the union men this de-
mand is fair in every sense. They say
that in the past the wage scale in
their line has been far below that of
other laboring men, while they have
Ieen compelled to labor overtime with
out being paid for it. They have been
earning Sc a day for two-horse teams
and $3.50 for four-horse teams.
Cannot Afford Increase
According to the employers, the men
are now earning all the companies can
afford to pay, and they insist that 1t Is
unfair of the men to demand the extra
money for overtime.
"a man can take pretty much his
own time when out with wagon"
said one of the employers yesterday,
''and if we pay for overtime certain
ones would be apt to waste half
day in order to earn the few dollars
extra"
The scale which has been offered by
the union is $2.25 and $3.50 day for
wagon drivers $275 a day for two
horse truck drivers and $3.25 per day
for four-horse truck drivers.
They say this scale is fair to the
men, but, declare they will stand pat
for an open shop and refuse to allow
the union to say whom they may hire.
According to statements made by
the union men last night, they intend
doing all in their power to make the
strike quiet one, but insist they will
remain out until their demands are
granted They claim it is possible for
them to tie up every truck, van and
transfer company in the city and say
that If they do business will be at a
standstill here for some time to come,
I'VE are ready to hold consultation
with tie employers at any time,' said
Business Agent Butler of the team
sters' union at the close of the meet
ing last night. 1--WE have carefully
considered our plans and have de-
cided that our demands are just and
reasonable.
Unions Are DictatoriaI
zone of the things which we demand
and which the employers object to is
the one in regard to hiring new driv-
ers for trucks and transfers. In the
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