Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-08-21
THE STORY OF THE FIRST
WIRELESS OPERATORS STRIKE

lpetence of a wireless man at sea
means danger to human life.
The law passed by Congress requires
that wireless man have certain quail
fications and possess a government
certificate. During the strike the law
was not enforced, scab was given
an examination but if not qualified he
was given temporary permit on the
ground OF an emergency, but later on
/ 1t was decided that the situation was
not an emergency and stopped issuing
permits and let the men go out with
out any kind of papers.
They twisted and ignored the law as
it best served their interests.
Vessels sailing with unlicensed
operators are subject to a fine of not
dore than $1,000 or less than $500.
But in the case OF every violation
where a fine was insisted upon the
uiniuum was imposed, and the ship
allowed to proceed. The fine was col.
lected upon the return of the ship.
There is good reason to believe that
the Marconi Co. paid these fines fol
the reason that the steams ship com
panies were only waiting for an ex-
cuse to break their contracts with the
Wireless Co. Still further, the steam
ship companies were anxious to get
he old operators back again. There
Tas too much at stake to risk ships at
| ga with irresponsible and incompet-
ent wireless men, and so it was to
he interest of the Marconi to pay
| these fines.
The oyertures for the settlement OF
she strike were first made by the
strikers. They realized that there
was limit to the, strike benefit fund
and that it was better to go back to
work. Another and very important
reason that led the INTO offer com
romise and return to work was the
desire to become more thoroughly or
ganized for they realized that only
with an efficient and we'll organized
union can they resist to any degree
the encroachments of the employing
class
The most important gain was the
recognition of the union. While the
wireless stations are not strictly
'losed shops, yet it is significant that
| II the old active union men are being
eplaced and bonus on all business
Is allowed which will mean a small in
crease in pay. The cost of sending
| messages has been materially reduc-
d, and this means more patronage by
| passengers at sea.
| Other minor demands were granted
such as the men must receive full pay
or wireless service no matter what
other IVORY thew may do on the ship
for compensation. No man can be
arbitrarily dismissed by the company,
Any wireless work done while ashore
must be paid for, salaries are to be
paid by the month and the steamship
companies must give the men 81 per
Iday for meals when in port and not
serving meals on board ship.
The Marconi Co. is controlled by
the Western Union Telegraph com
] pany and to let the wireless men win
this strike would be the beginning of
(more power to the Commercial Tele-
graphers Union of America. since the
wireless division is a branch of the
commercial. If the men had been en-
Etirely successful it might have inspir-
ed the land operators to follow suit
That the destruction of the Union
was the big thing the Marconi Co.
was after is to be seen in the tactics
they pursued in demanding that the
men surrender their union cards ii
they wanted to hold their jobs. Men
VINO did so at once wrote to the union
officials telling them what they had
done. Very shortly the Marconi com.
pany sent these cards to the union
headquarters with the view of trying
to discourage thel eaders and show
them that the men were deserving the
union.
When it was found that the Marconi
company was doing this, the officials
sent out orders for all the union men
to surrender their cards and as fast
as the company1receiYed them they
were sent to the union headquarters.
The union officials then sent the cards
back to their original owners.
The recognition of the union and
the experiece of the men in the strike
has very materially increased the IN
ion spirit among the operators and the
J rest of the crew treat them as belong
} Ing to the ship since they are organic
led.
i This is the first strike in the history
lof the wireless operators and its limit.
ed success will aid very materially in
Strengthening the solidarity of that
portion OF the working class in it's
fight against capitalist exploitation
and ultimately the entire system.
Nome, Alaska, Aug. Bird.
G0ETAAIc Ann uIc