The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-03-16
L1BOR NOTES or
WIDE INTEREST
What Unionism Has Accomplished
in Barre-A Brief Sketch of
Rise of Local Or
CARNATIONS.
Granite Cutters Union.

When Barre branch of the Granite Gut
ters' National union was organized in
1856. there were about $50 cutters at
work and it was more from choice, rath-
er than necessity, that the cutters joined
the new organization. 1t took lots Of
hard work and argument to bring in
members enough so that as a branch
they could feel assured that the time
to improve the working conditions was
at hand
Naturally, the first of these improve
ments to be considered was the reducing
Of the hours of labor from ten to nine
hours day. The cutters had given
fair warning that they desired this
change to take effect May /, 1902, and
had hoped by such notice that the
change would come about without strike
or lockout. After long conferences.
which proved mavailing, a lockout was
declared and the greatest struggle in the
history of the granite industry was on.
Much depended on the result. as union
ism was fighting for its life. After five
long months Of want and misery endured
quietly and patiently tand patient they
certainly were for ! have il from good
authority that many families subsisted
on "dandelions" an agreement was
reached whereby the cutters gained the
nine hour dav. which was followed some
time later with the same pay as they
had previously received for the ten hours.
The eight hour day and the three
dollar wage rate we are mostly all fansil
lar with. Suffice it to say that the
granite cutters have reduced their hours
of labor from ten hours per day to IS
hours per week, and the wage rate has
been raised from 1915 for a ten-hour
day to minimum of 1920 for an eight
lour work day, and rising according to
ability TO $500 and in some exceptional
eases $500. True, the granite cutters
path has not been strewn with roses;
they have had to struggle through frost
and snow to secure their cherished ideals
and have done so like men, knowing full
well that their children will reap the
benefit of their endeavors,
Apart from the reduction Of hours OF
lahor and increase cf wages, the fact OF
reducing monthly paydays to weekly is
. notable victory in itself. The protec-
ton of workmen by awnings. the pro-
lection Of apprentices in the course and
trend of their labors, tie protection of
workmcn from unfair employers through
the medium of adjustment committees
the oh-age pensions to members when
they reach % years of age. the half-dues
system when a member reaches ~
Years: eve benefit; the protection given
70 members through death and local
funds-all warrant us in saying that no
amount Of argument can be produced
at the present time to show that any
Other system could produce like results
in the given period.
Many Of the Younger generation Of
granite cutters fail to realize the sacri
fees that had to he made by some of the
early pioneers Of the union in Barre.
to secure for them the establishment oil
unionism and the conditions they enjoy
to-day And they should never fail to
give our old gray-haired veterans that
honor which their achievements have
merited and respect for their judgment. |
a Judgment that has been tempered by
the memories of their earlier experi-
ences.
London. ~ The parliamentary labor
party has mapped out its plans for the |
present session Mr.. J. Ramsey Melon |
aid has been elected chairman. ]. Parker
vice chairman, c. Duncan secretary. 3. II. !
Roberts chief whip and J. Pointer junior
whip. A decision has been reached to +;
take up the following bills in the order
mentioned; First, trade union amend |
ment bill; second. right to work; third !
education administration provisionsl /; |
fourth, eight-ho day; fifth, railway
naturalization; sixth, compulsory weigh |
ing in certain trades; seventh. eviction