New-York tribune., 1908-01-02
WON'T CUT HIGH WAGES
BUILDERS FOR HARMONY.
Employers Association he57ez0s
Conditions of TRADE.

. s,.t.me,t was issued Yesterday on behalf OF
the Building Trades Employers Asso|'a"
garding the immediate outlook In the ouiiohie -
dustry and the prospects OF the trace ioi VIC
ont wear the relations of the associated employers
IN the unions under the arbitration agreement anu
the present condition of the building ihous.'S'
er,nloyers say that although 50 per cent OF tne
building mechanics are Idle they have decided no.
to reduce the present wages, the hishest ever p"
to journeymen In the building trace
number Of unions under the arbitration agree
ment failed at their final conference with the EN-
ployers to agree to definite conditiohs Ior 'iS
and will continue work WITHOUT an
under the arbitration plan. AS the question Oh
wages is eliminated and the unions, with SO many
r,anbers unemployed do not want TO stfike, II 10
understood on both sides that the negotiations WI"
be continued. The statement continues IN part
The unions which have made agreements are sat SAT
evep TO maid in the building industry continued
and they are now hoping that With {he neW so
that more Of their members will be able TO WorN
at these wages. The outlook at present & building
Year and like the mechanics, the employers iasf Ean
only hope that the present has been 50
fectve in preserving peace in the bu1oins % lime
not to reduce wages. wishing for contnuiaiSb iiS bs
the harmony between then ana the men .r;Tas to a
minimum and It is the general sentiment on po'i
sides that it should be a permanent ins'i'u-io"
Under the trade agreements the unions are sup
from independent employers. The unions say ~
have always done this, the result peihs 'n@
agreements with the associated employers nav
come to be standard for the Independents 'oi
tractors The following unions. with tlieii ap
nroximate membership, including those "oi hiiie
for ndependent employers, have sgned agreeihei'7
with the associated employers governing "dse'
and conditions for this year:
Amalgamated Wood dworkers' Union, 5'ooo' blioA
LAYERS and Masons. 600. Elevator Constructors
Union, 2,OO0; Tile Layers Union. eOo; hoseahoie
and Movers Union. 1900 Hoistlne rhsiie't'
Union 5OO Electrical Workers Union, o.VVo' jour
neymen Stone Settlers Union, 5000: Marble cutters
Union 900; Marble Polishers' Union Lou" ram
and Ornamental PlastererS Society, o'""' Nlouei-
lers Union. 500; Hot and Cold insuiatoIs Chio''
5n0 and Wood Carvers Union, 800
The unions which still under the arpitratioi
n,an but have failed far to come to an agree
ment for this year follows:
United brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners
10 900; Metal Lathers'. Union. 1,5O; Amaigamateo
Sheet Metal Workers Union l3U; flulloers
Union 5000: Composition Roofers and Waterproof
ers Unicn. 1900, and Cement Masons Union -'ooV-
A number of building trades unions are not
under the arbitration agreement Ihe Brothei-
bood of Painters was ruled out last spring lor
striking In violation of the agreement Ihe open
shon was not officially declared against but the
nainters have since then been employed as inol-
viduals by the associated employers Another
organization the Housesmiths and Bridgemens
Union, was ruled out of the arbitration plan sew
eraI wears ago and the open shop declared
il.