Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1909-12-10

controversy between the Switchmen
and the representatives Of the rail
ways, the Managers Committee,
which has been conducting the nego-
tiatiOns. submits this statement for
your consideration.
On October 18th, 1909, President F.
L. Hawlev, Of the Switclmans' Union
of North America, addressed letter
to the former chairman of the Chi
cago Conference Committee, advis-
ing that the switchmen employed in
the Northwest territory had request
ell a conference with their respective
officials OH November 18th, for the
purpose Of discussing certain prOpo-
sitlons, among which was an increase
in wages for yar.lmen in that terri
tory.
That letter gave notice that Il con
ference was desired and was acknOwl-
edged by the chairman Of the old
committee, who advised that ioint
conference, representing all the lines
interested, would be arranged for.
Mr.. Hawley replied OH October
31st, giving the names of the roads
upon whom demands had been made
simultaneously and suggested a meet
ing at st. Paul.
The matter was then referred to the
Western Association of Railways,
the object Of this association being
Reconsideration of relations between
railroads and their employees.
The Western Association of Rail
ways appointed conference commit
tee to conduct negotiations with the
switchmen. The chairman of that
conference committee acknowledged
receipt Of Mr. Hawley's commurica-
tiOn and Stated, that, inaslnuch as all
concerted labor conferences had been
held in Chicago, and as these nego-
tiations must eventually, include all
Chicago lines, rs well as those of the
Twin Cities, it was necessary that the
conference lie held in. Chicago as here
tOfore.
| After intercllanges Of communica-
tions, and, feeling, that, as matter
Of expediency, the conference COM
mittee should go to st. Paul, the
chairman advised Mr.. Hawley that
! the committee would meet him and
and his committee in st. Paul at 2:OO
p. M. on the 10Th of November.
The first meeting was that after
noon ut two O'Clock, in the United
Commercial Travellers hall, st. Paul.
l'reliminaries were then arranged.
/ The lines represented were as follows:
Chicago, Burlington \ Quincy Rail
road.
Chicago, Milwaukee 4 st. Paul
Railway.
Chicago, st. Paul, Minneapolis &
Omaha Railway.
Chicago, Rock Island 4 Pacific
Railway.
Chicago, Great Western Railroad
Great Northern Railway.
Minneapolis, st. Louis Il Sault ste.
Marie Railway.
Minneapolis y st Louis Railway.
Northern Pacific Railway.
st. Paul Bridge Il Terminal Rail
way.
st. Paul Union Depot Company.
Mr.. uawley submitted the follow
ing propositions for discussion at the
conference:
"a Double time for Sundays and
holidays recognized by state or ma
ton, and double time for all over
time.
(2) An advance of six cents pen
hour in the wages OF sWitchmel
(Which includes fOremen and helpers
switchtenders, towermen and engine
hertlers; and corresponding advance
in the salaries of assistant yardmas
ters.
(3) The sixth hour shall be know
quired to work longer than six Is
consecutive hours without being al
lowed time for meals. Crews requir
ed to work fifteen Q5) minutes Of th'
| SlAtu IlOuA ulAON GU oAAtv wv
minutes for meals and paid one hour
"a Applicants for positions a
switchmen or switchtenders shall no
be compelled to submit to physica
examinations; nor shall SWitchmen
switchtenders, engine herders, or as
sistant yardmasters who are in tina
service be compelled to submit to
physical examination.
The practice of companies whel
employing switchmen, switchtenders
or engine herders. by which they re
quire applicants to be certain age
will be henceforth discontinued.
In reply to the first request tn
managers committee advised Nj
,1nr, 10, A>,.,p