The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-05-12
LABOR NOTES or
VIDE INTEREST

For some time past the Vermont state
branch of the American Federation OF
Labor has been endeavoring to unionlze
the employees OF the Fairbanks Scale
company Of st. Johnsbury. That their
efforts are being watched by this cor
poration can be readily noted as shown
by the following extract from printed
| letter placed in the hands OF their EN-
ployes.
"To the employees of i. and t. Fair
banks and company: This company over
period of eightythree years has main
tanned and stood for justice, peace, good
will and the square deal between It's
management and those employed by it..
The management will be bitterly disap-
pointed and greatly surprised if the men
think it necessary to try methods that
are distinctly new for st. Johnsbury and
hostile to the cordial relations that have
EXISTED and are still maintained.
"Outsiders have come in and as usual
are seeking new ground by making
statements that have no basis in fact.
| We are informed that the management
| is not only opposed but favors labor
union as beneficial to the sale OF its
product. This false impression was
given entirely without the knowledge or
consent of the management directly or
indirectly Such statements are but the
| forerunner of much that gives credence
when such men are seeking following,
etc"
Then goes on as follows:
Now a word as to why the manage
ment deems it unwise, for the present
at least, to have the labor union organic
cd First. its men have always been
well paid. Second, such conditions OF
cordiality exist that there is every en-
enlargement given to the men to deal
| directly, instead of indirectly, with the
management. Third, the company glad
| " and without legal compulsion grant
ed the ninehou day and the weekly pay
day, also made wage adjustments, etc.;
have and will to-day spend large sums
tending to benefit our men from the
standpoint OF safety, health and ability
to get out more work with corresponding
cash returns to both men and company.
Fourth when, ii ever, conditions are not
satisfactory. it will then be time to fly
from the certainty of peace, justice and
square DEAL az at present prevailing,
to uncertainties of conditions under labor
edly proven. Fifth. the atmosphere OF
L st. Johnsbury is so free and independent
in its methods that it is not conducive
to labor practices. We do not believe
public opinion here to-day sanctions the
formation ef labor union.
sixth when conditions prevail in st.
Iohnsbury as they prevail in Pittsburg,
it will be time enough to organize here
Seventh. we do not desire outside parties
to break up what has proved boon to
ST. Johnsbury, to our employees and the
company. Eighth, we have been requested
to Join organizations opposed to labor
unions, but always declined. Conditions
not warranting our men to form labor
union, II was not necessary for us TO
Join such associations. Ninth, the OBJ
iect of the formation of a labor union IN
st Johnsbury would mean large sums
going from here to fight the battles OF
union labor elsewhere. Tenth, If the
trend of the agitation follows to its log
zeal end, ii will doubtless mean the de-
mand for closed shop Should this
result. conditions would prevail that
would necessitate the gradual removal
Of this plant from St. Johnsbury to some
more central point. Eleventh, inasmuch
as some who are sgitating the formation
of union have asked us frankly our
position we desire now as frankly to say
that we are absolutely opposed to the
formation of labor union in 81. Johns
bury. Having been so requested We
deem it best to declare our position to
each employee for the above reasons that
seem to us reasonable and Just. We
must state in all candor and fairness
that our purpose is to keep this plant
as always in the past, an 'opsn shop.
.We appeal Tor your cooperation, and
having that. we can safely promise that
the changes now being made, and if con-
ditions warrant it, yet to be made, will
bring even better, fairer and more equal
results than even the past has produced.
..Onr employees may take not alone
nv official. but personal word OF honor,
together with that of the board of d.
rectors, that we will strive to maintain
conditions that will strengthen and in
crease the invaluable asset that rests
on peace. good will and justice
I'VE make this appeal firmly expecting
that YOU will join us i'll this effort. |
Should you decide otherwise, there will
be no assurance of continued employ |
ment.
every cordially yours,
''E. and T. Fairbanks Co,
Frank II. Brooks, president
They can rest assured that labor will
not halt until she comes into her own.
am Distressing somewhat from my |
usual line of correspondence this week,
but think brief resume of the labor sit /
.,otiop in Aberdeen Scotland will be |
acceptable to the large contingent of
Aberdonians residing in Barre.
Aberdeen is at present experiencing an
unprecedented amount of labor unrest, |
Several strikes are in progress and
others are pending. Five hundred girl
fshworkers have secured an increase OF
one cent per hour and time and quart
or for overtime Their demand was for
two cents per hour. Strike lasted "a
hours. One hundred and fifty coach /
r