United labor bulletin., 1914-08-29
COPPER STRIKERS
GET BETTER WAGE
Great Strike Was Far From
Being a Failure
Report Of Local Secretary at Recent
Convention in Denver Shows Men
Did Not Surrender Union Spirit

In the secular and a portion of the
labor press it has been repeatedly
stated that the strike of copper miners
in Michigan waged by the Western Fed
Grafton of Miners WAS failure. This
is a great error, for while the men were
forced for the time to surrender their
union cards, they did not hand over to
the copper kings their spirit of union
ism. Shorter hours of labor and in
creased wages for the mine and smelter
men was won by this historic industrial
conflict
During the recent convention in Den.
yer of the Western Federation of
Miners. Secretary C. T. Hietala of Dis
trict Union No. 10 of Hancock. Mich,
submitted a comprehensive report of the
strike, its hardships, the faithful sup
port given by the Western Federation
of Miners and other unions, and con-
cludes as follows:
Miners who worked previous to the
strike from 10 to l2 hour shifts. now
work only sh hour shifts, including
lunch hour, lowering into and hosting
up from the mine. Wages increased
from $3.50. s2.70 TO SO and s3 25 a day.
OF course. the one man drill we could
not get abolished. but the work that was
demanded previous to strike has been
shifts now instead of from 10 to l2
hours per shift. Wages increased from
s2 30 TO SO 50 and s2T5 after the strike.
We might say in general way that all
the underground workers now work So
hours day instead of 10 TO l2 hour
shifts as was done previous TO the
strike. with increased wages and better
working conditions. Mill and smelter
men who worked 10 hours a shift now
work strictly eight fsl hours with the
increased wages Surface men who
worked IL hours a day now work only
. hours n dRy with increased wages and
shorter working dAy.
In regard TO the conducting Of the
Michigan strike. I will say few words
concerning our international officers.
heartily extend our appreciation and
thanks TO the international executive
board in assisting us in our great fight.
Also extend in behalf Of the striking
miners our sincere thanks to the mem
bership Of the Western Federation Of
Miners for their financial assistance
which they have rendered to us during
our struggle. However. realize that
number OF our membership didn't
realize the importance Of paving their
assessments TO the Michigan strike, in
that wav compelling their fellow work
ers 20 starvc into submission and sur
render their membership in organized
labor
II also wish To extend our sincere
thanks to the various organizations that
have contributed their money 70 assist
our brothers during their struggle. es-
pccially tho United Mine Workers Of
America. tho Socialist party and vnri-
ous Graf. organizations affiliated with
the American Federation Of Labor Tho
womcn's department of the national
Socialist party and Socialist locals in
general for contributing clothing TO the
striking miners children.
"1n regards Of rcorganiring the copper
district Of Michigan would like TO say
that the spirit Of unionism in the men
of Michigan was not deposited into the
hands Of the mine managers with union
cards which the men were forced 70
hand over TO mine officials in lieu Of
work However. several hundred Of our
hest members have been Disseminated
and forced 10 look for work from the
other mining camps"