The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-12-16

DRIVERS
S T R|KE
One Hundred Quit in City
When Demands Are
Turned Down.
ASKED FOR UNIFORM
WEEKLY WAGE OF SIS
Newark Transportation and
Newark and New York Among
Companies Affected.

About one hundred express drivers in
Newark on on strike today for in
creased pay and the recognition of their
union, Local 475 of the International
brotherhood of Teamsters and Helpers.
The express companies so far affected
by the strike are the Newark Express
and Transportation Company, the New
ark and New York Transfer Company,
Lawshe Express Company and Lued
deke Express Company. There are
about dozen more. but SO far the
above are the only ones affected.
The only firm that has agreed to
grant the increase in wages is the
Stephens & Condit Transportation and
Forwarding Company.
All OF the companies were notified by
the union about ten days ago that on
and after December is the drivers
wanted uniform rate of wages of SIS
a week, and also that only union men
be employed. that all grievances be adj
justed by arbitration, and also that one
of the drivers in each stable be recog-
nized as a steward.
what the Strikers Say.
The strikers say that they have only
been getting from $40 to $12 a week
driving in the city and SIS was paid
to those who drove wagons in New
York, and that they worked from
O'Clock in the morning until all hours
OF the night. While they do not oEjeet
to the hours, Sthey do insist on uniform
rate of SIS a week for all.
in writing was the Newark Express
and transportation Company. of which.
Joseph H. Wood is treasurer and man
ager. His reply was as follows:
Explain Rejection Of agreement.
"1n order that our position may not
he misunderstood we desire TO place our
answer in writing to your demands as
covered by agreement presented by
your delegate This company does not
deem that 1t would be to our best in-
'trests at this time to enter into any
such agreement. We have no griev-
anoes or complaint from any of our
men, they all being perfectly satisfied
with their present situation
This company has always treated its
men with consideration, and, 7 believe,
properly shown their appreciation of
the efforts and good work done by their
employees. We do not wish TO be mig
understood in declining this PROPOSE
tion. We are not opposed to unions,
but believe that the union when prop
erly conducted viz, for the advances
nent and Improvement of conditions
under which labor is working, is ben
NEf aJ nd ,t,Ixr H.
vantage of the employer and employee
alike"
At meeting of the local union last
night 1t was decided that no driver
should go to work today Tor any COM
pany that did not accede to their de-
mands
Three mounted policemen We're sent
TO the canal bridge at the foot of Madi-
son street from the Third Precinct to-
day to prevent any trouble. but mons
has occurred so far.
Won't Raise Local Mems Pay.
At the Office of the Newark Express
and Transportation Company today Mr..
Wood said he was willing to pay tbs
New York drivers the wages that he
was paying, but would not pay the local
men any more than they were getting,
as they did not have to work.
"rheir demand" he said. sis SIS
week for drivers OF one horse wagons,
SIS for two horses and $17 for three
horses.
'They also want us to make new
men join their organization, or, In
other words. to recognize only union
men. That we win not do. but SO far
We have only union men in our en-
ploy
"The union is good thing for the
men, but l. for one, will not recog-
nize It,"
He made arrangements today 10 send
all of his freight and express goods by
boat TO New York, and employ express
companies in that city TO Distribute H.
The company has also arranged to
carry freight and express goods for the
Newark and New York Transfer, Law
she and Lueddeke companies.
The last two companies have prac-
tically closed offices for the day, In
order to see how the other companies
make out. Lueddeke paid his men Off
today and put his horses In the stable
Try to Tie Up Deliveries.
The strikers are taking steps to pre-
vent any Newark freight or express
goods delivered in New York by the
Newark Express and Transportation
Company boat being handled by union
men.
Frederick II. Mooney. president Of
the Mooney Express Company, said
that an effort would be made by a
number of the express companies to
meet representatives of the union to-
day and try to arrive at some under
standing in the matter.