The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-07-22

ORGANIZATION WORK #
sssr HAS ADVANCED WAGES
Timely Appeal to All Non Union
Men Of the Graft On the.
r. Iron Range. 5

When the International Brother
hood of Steam Shovel and Dredge
men began the work of organizing the
men Of our craft on the Mesaba
Range, the wages paid to engineers
and cranemen were just about one
half what they are today. In other
words, wages have been doubled, and
this applies to all the mining COM
panies and a majority of the contrac-
tors engaged in stripping. ..
Did the engineers and cranemen
who first responded to the call and
who enrolled themselves under the
banner Of our brotherhood make
mistake? Have they received good
turns on their investment? Let US
analyze the situation and see. =.
Situation Ann1yzed.
Engineers in our organization paid
dues amounting to So year. Since
the engineers on the Mesaba Range
Joined our brotherhood their wages
have been advanced $50 a month on
the average. If we count ten months
as the average working year, we find
that our engineers received $500 q
year in increased wages on an invest
ment of So a year in dues. We a-e
not indulging in any dreams, or ex-
planning a get rich-quick scheme, but
are stating plain facts which are
easily susceptible Of proof. 'f
Case of Cranemen.
Cranemen in our brotherhood paid
So year in dues, and tAe men who
Joined our ranks on the Mesaba Range
have had their wages increased $500
a month. On the same working basis
as given for engineers, our cranemen
have received returns of 5000 year
on an Investment Of So: If they
know, how to invest their money to.
better advantage thar ts Der shown,
they have no business to BE work
ing on the Mesaba Range. !.
The Shovel Man.
How about the non-union shovel
man who kept aloof from his fell
lows, but who has profited by their
work? Does he feel that he has done
his full duty? Has he any moral
right to the increased wages that lie
is receiving through the efforts Of
others? II all had followed his ex-
ample there would have been no in
crease In wages .r .
We know that the managers of the
steel trust will pat the non-un1on
man on the back and tell him not to
join the brotherhood, as he will get the
same wages as the union men, any,
way. That is what the managers are
expected to do. They are paid to
look out for the interests of their
employers, and we do not blame them
for doing what they are paid to do.
The first orders they receive on go
ing to the Mesaba Range is to use
their endeavors to keep out all labor
organizers.
Managers Not to Blame.
While we do not blame the man.
ayers, we do blame and pity the men
who allow themselves to be fooled
by this line of bunk" They fail
to gain the respect Of their fellow
men and they no not have the re-
spect for the managers We wonder
If they can respect themselves, when
they think how they are being duped.
Perhaps they do not think, and that
is the reason why they stay outside
the organization. If they could see
themselves as others see them they
might experience change of heart
and conduct. .-. -.
Only recently it was rumored that
| wages on the range were to be cut.
The trust managers were informed
promptly that any attempted cut
would be resisted, with a strike If nee
| essary. The wages were not cut, nor
will they be if men are true to their
| own interests and rally around the
standard of our brotherhood. AS In
! dividuals they are helpless. no matter
/ how much they may think Of them
selves, but as units in one solid or:
ganization they not only can resist
any wage reduction, but can advance
wages still further. ,f. .
| sy.@ses Timely Appeal.
| The appeal to non-union men In
our craft on the Mesaba Range and
elsewhere to wake up. u The doors OF
Iour Organization are open to Nevery
imam of good character engaged In
steam shovel and dredge work. We
Iurge them to join hands with their
fellowmen in advancing the cause o1
| organization Make application now
] for membership In the international
brotherhood Of Steam Shovel and
Dredge men, the only union in oul
craft that has and can protect your
Interests. & H #s is N II a
STEAM SHOVEL UNION MEN. ]
IS PUBLIC PRESS j FAIR? ,.5
l4zHWINNIPEG Man. July 2O. TIE