New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-29
.SEAMEN AND STOKERS OF
SEVEN LINES CALLED OUT
Determination ofCoaStWiSe Conn.,
panieS to Stand Pat on Open
Shop Brings on Strike.
'LONGSHOREMEN MAY JOIN
Crews to Quit This Morning
$4,000 Marine Workers AT.
fected at Once and Pos
sibly $4,000 Later.

A strike was declared last night
against the seven coastwise companies
which insist on the open shop. At a
mass meeting Of the Atlantic Coast Sea
| mems Union and the Marine Firemen'
| Union at No 229 West street, the fire.
| mems headquarters. the decision was
| reached 10 walk out this morning.
The agreements with the companies
| do not expire until tomorrow night. but
the strike vote was precipitated by the
action of representatives of the com
| panies at a conference with a deputa-
tion Of the seamen and iremen in re-
lterating their determination not 10 re-
new agreements and TO begin on Mon
day 70 engage their crews on the open
shop plan.
George c. Bodine, secretary Of the
Seamen's Union, said after the mass
meeting that an effort would be made
10 get the longshoremen to go out in
sympathy with the seamen and fremen.
He admitted that the roustabouts were
not well organized, but said that strikes
Of unorganized men were often very
successful.
The leaders of the two unions said
that at least twenty-five thousand
marine workers would be affected by
the strike. Ultimately it might involve
fifty thousand
The closed shop was the main demand
submitted 10 the companies. Provision was
made for slightly increasing wages and
changing working conditions. but these feat
ures were unimportant. The union stipu-
lations in the proposed agreement Of the
tremen were regarded by the representa-
tives Of the companies as particularly OBJ
jectionable.
The conferrees took recess to hold sepa-
rate meetings. but adjourned finally with all
negotiations off The following resolutions
were adopted BY the committee Of the
companies, representing the Morgan.
Ocean, New York and Cuba, New York and
Porto Rico. Old Dominion, Mallory and
Clyde lines
Whereas, agreements which provide for
the employment Of certain members Of the
crews on board the vessels Of the steam
fhip companies here represented, and which
expire June 30 1872, have proven unsatis-
factory 10 the owners and inconyeIient 10
llc puDHC, therefore De IL
Reso!ver. That We cannot consider the
proposed new agreements which have been
presented, nor any agreement so diCtato-
| rial. or which contemplates the surrender
| ing to tho unions the right Of the COM
| panies TO employ crews from any source
| which seems 10 offer the best men.
That il is the purpose Of the lines here
| represented to engage crews for their ves-
! sells from such sources as they may deem
! proper. but IL should be understood that
| these companies are not opposed to engag-
| ing men who are members OF the unions,
| though they cannot commit themselves TO
engage union members exclusively;
That we will continue TO pay those now
| in our employ. and who remain IN our SER
| Vice, as we'll as those that may have to
| be engaged 10 take their places, the same
rate Of wages as are at present In force,
provided, Of course, that all such men per-
| form their respective duties satisfa ctorily,
| 10 treat all employees with fairness and
consideration, and carefully TO investigate
| and deal justly with any proper and rea-
sonable complaint
Representatives Of the seamen's union
said the companies were making prepara-
tons TO bring strike breakers here but
could not get many.
The marine cooks have also decided 10
go out.