United labor bulletin., 1911-02-16

FOR months the brothernooo carpenters
and several other organizations have
been out Of the local council, and at the
recent convention of the international
body the Brotherhood Carpenters and
the International Association Of Steam
filters were expelled from the Building
Trades Department Of the American
Federation Of Labor, and hence were
made ineligible to the local councils.
Following this step by the department
the secretary Of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor ordered the different coun-
ellis to take similar action, but few Of
the councils needed the order.
This left the building trades Of the
United States and Canada in a bad pre-
dieament. The councils that retained
the affiiiation Of these organizations In
opposition to the international body were
subject to suspension from the depart
ment, and those councils which were
without their affiIiation could not receive
them for the same reason.
The Brotherhood Carpenters were the
largest organization AFFILIATED with the
American Federation Of Labor, except
ING the United Mine Workers OF America.
and their per capita tax to that oroaniza-
tion nearly equaIed that paid by all the
other affIiations OF the department.
Their expulsion was necessary TO enforce
the rulings Of the department. but the
American Federation Of Labor could not
force the different councils to place the
building trades Of the different cities at
the mercy Of the contractors. The
strength Of the organization was lacking.
The councils would not act.
In order to get the trades into shape
SO that their strength could be eserted
for good something must be done and
that at once.
The denomination held by the Anti
Injunction League furnished a vehicle for
the purposes Of the brsiny men that con-
troll the situation in Denver.
The Brotherhood Carpenters were out
in strength, with several other Of the un-
affiliated organizations, with the local
council. The Building Trades Council or
qanizations received them in the parade
with open arms. Dennis Faiion, bust
ness agent for the council. and Frank
Bryan, acting president OF the council at
the time, were marshaIs in the demon
stration, and they gave the unaffiliated
locals places Of honor in the parade. This
created a feeling among the affiliated and
unaffiiiated organizations that In few
days ripened to such an extent that the
foremost men for a closer affiliation soon
were comforting with each other, talking
OF what could be done. Many men in
both factions should be given credit for
the good feeling that now exists.
On Feb. 9, one week after the parade,
several Of the leaders in the movement
conferred. and this resulted In another
meeting on Saturday. the nth. This COM
rittee further arranged for meeting Of
representatives from all the orsaniza-
tons that were interested. The meet
ing was held at 40 King block. Lawrence
street, and resulted In the drawing up Of
a proposed basis Of affiIiation In a local
building trade council.
The name OF the organization was
agreed on as the Associated Building
Trades Of Denver.
The object Of the organization is to
promote peace, harmony and prosperity
among the building trades and to ad-
vance the cause Of trades unions.
Representation was agreed on as fol-
lows: Three delegates for each orsani-
zation Of 100 members or less; 4 for $50
or over; for 200 or over: fo- 800 or
over; for 600 or over: for 1000 or
over; 10 for 400 or over.
Jurisdiction will be properly handled.
Revenues are provided for.
Representation on executive board VIII
be one member from each organization.
Eligible Trades-Any bona fide organ
ixation that Is employed In the construc-
tion, finishing or repairing Of buildings,
and that controls at least go per cent. Of
the trade Il represents.
Manner Of Representation-Any local
trade too small to protect itself or be en-
titled to representation shall seek It's pro-
lection and representation through the
trade represented with which II comes
nearest In contact.
This rough draft Of a constitution will
be elaborated on when the local council
is formed.
The organizations that have already
agreed to affiliate In the Associated
Building Trades are:
CEMENT WORKERS.
BROTHERHOOD CARPENTERS NOS.
IS AND 1874.
STRUCTURAL IRON WORKERS.
SHEET METAL WORKERS.
PAINTERS NO. 800.
TILEsETTERs.
PLUMBERS NO. 8.
ENGiNEERN.
sTEAMFITTERs NO. aos.
sTEAMFiTT ERs' HELPERS NO. se7.
PLASTERERs.
LATHERs.
HopcARRIERs NO. 1 (unaffiIiated).
HopcARRlEas NO. ts9 (atfiliated).
PAINTERS NO. 70.
ELECTRICIANS NO. 6s.
sToNECuTTERs.
MARBLE WORKERS.
ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS.