Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-31
MAY CALL STRIKE
Of METAL WORKERS
Members of Union Demand Better
Wages and Eight-Hour
Work Day
CONFER WITH M. & M. TODAY
WaIkout Would Affect the Entire
Coast and Extend to the
Auto Repair Shops
CONFER WITH M. & M. TODAY

It is possible that the next few days
will see a strike called affecting all
unions affiliated with the metal trades
council of Los Angeles and adjoining
towns, unless representatives of the
unions and the Merchants and Manu-
facturers' association can come to some
agreement on the subject of wages and
hours of work to be in force In Los
Angeles. The breaking or smoothing
over of the whole matter depends on
meetings which the Merchants and
Manufacturers association and the
trades council will hold this evening,
at which time the demands of the un-
ions will be discussed.
Some time ago the trades council
prepared a statement which was sent
to the manufacturers in Los Angeles,
stating their grievances and asking the
manufacturers to show why their men
should not be paid better wages and be
allowed to work only eight hours day.
So far, according to union leaders, their
petition has received no consideration
at the hands of the manufacturers,
and the former are now seriously con-
sidering strike.
The manufacturers, on the other
hand have called a meeting OF MEM
bers of their association for this even
ing, to be held in room 22S Wilcox
building at which time the entire stu
alton will be gone over by men thor
oughly conversant with 1t, and prob
ably some step taken toward settling
the labor difficulties. In a letter sent
out to each member of the association
Yesterday the secretary states that "a
serious labor crisis confrontS the city,
one which is most serious and vital to
the future life of Los Angeles. That
every merchant, manufactures ana
banker in Los Angeles is requested TO
attend this meeting. in order that they
may understand just what condition or
affairs exists. No request for contribu-
tions Of money will be made, as the as
sociation simply desires to secure the
moral support of the most influential
citizens of Los Angeles"
The trades council itself has issued
a statement setting forth the position
of the unions.
I'VE prepared a request and sent 1t
to the manufacturers association of
Los Angeles for a conference, at which
our requests for higher wages ana
shorter hours might be considered. Up
to date we have heard nothing from
that request, except to be told unofh-
cially that it had been thrown in the
waste basket Now we want some
consideration at the hands Of our en-
ployers, and we shall endeavor to get
it. We do not want the closed shop
and we believe we are not asking for
anything which is beyond our rights.
Ali we want is a chance to put our case
fairly and squarely before our em-
ployers." -,,-
In speaking of the possible strike
yesterday E. II. Misner, speclal organ :
izer for the International Association OF
Machinists, said:
'There will be no strike today, as
MANY seem to believe. We do not want
a strike. We believe that the manu-
facturers should pay us more, and not
require us to work more than eight
hours other concerns opeating on the
Pacific coast are paying the scale OF
wages ga a day) which we demand,
and are in competition with firms here
having less. Now, perhaps the firms
in Los Angeles cannot afford to pay
what we demand. Perhaps they cannot
afford to cut the working day to eight
hours If they can't, all well and good.
All we want is a conference with them
in which they can show that they can
not consistently comply with our oe-
mands. That is all we have asked Tor
at any time"
According to the local labor leaders,
the movement for shorter hours among
the metal workers extends the entire
length of the Pacific coast, ana VIII
AFFECT many industries and many men
If a strike is called. 1t would ai1ect
about 10 shops and 1400 men IN Los
Angeles alone If called, this including
automobile repair shops.