The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1914-10-23
NO STRIKE is LOST
Truth. of the Statement ConClu-
n siveIy Proved.
A RECENT CASE IN POINT.

Workers Shows Value of the Protocol
ldea-The Trade Union Makes For
Industrial Peace.
The agreement recently made be-
tween the Garment Manufacturers as
ISOLATION and the Garment Workers
union of Philadelphia provides for an
amicable solution of present difficulties
and permanent agencies for adjusting
grievances and for conserving the
peace by securing higher wages, a
shorter workday and better and safer
conditions of life and work.
This Philadelphia agreement marks
the extension of the protocol idea which
has done so much toward bringing a
greater degree of order and justice
into the turbulent sweated needle in
dustries of New York city. The pro
tocol, like al trade union methods and
agreements makes for peace and the
welfare of employees and safeguards
fair minded employers from cutthroat
competition. 1t makes for stability and
Industrial progress. 1t insures better
protected hence more efficient workers
Many times we have repeated the
declaration that no strike is lost. This
Philadelphia victory is particularly
nice illustration of that statement. Last
year the garment workers of Philadel-
phia presented demands which ethe
manufacturers denied The workers
went out on Il strike which lasted for
twenty-six weeks. Because they were
1T, oh;
dren were hungry. they returned to
work without having won their de-
mands. But they were not defeated
They remained organized and prepar-
ed for more insistent presentation
of their demands. They were organic
ing more thoroughly and marshaling
their forces because they knew the
cost of the struggle They knew the
feeling of growing hunger long unsat
istied. The manufacturers. too, had
learned the cost of such struggle;
they had learned how it disorganized
business and reduced profits.
In September the demands of the
workers were again renewed. When
they were not granted at first the
NOlk IilOSipu lItll dClcl
ton to insist upon justice. An i'm
mense mass meeting was held to con-
slider the situation. 1t was the privi-
lege of the president Of the American
Federation of Labor to participate in
the counsel and the meetings. A gen
eral strike was urged Others felt that
they should resort to a strike only
whom nil tho raSouraac of pao cnful no
gotiation had been exhausted. That
counsel prevailed
The representatives of the union
met with the representatives Of the
manufacturers and finally formulated
an agreement most gratifying to both
employees and employers. The agree
ment will establish better and closer
relations between workers and manu-
facturers because it is based upon
common interests.
The agreement provides for fifty-two
hour week with Saturday, half holiday.
Overtime is not to exceed six hours a
week nor two a day and is to be paid
for at the rate of time and a half. A
time wage scale is agreed upon with
provisions for adjustments. All prices
for piece work shall be made in ad
vance. Wages must be paid in cash on
a fixed day of each week.
The association agreed to cooperate
with the union to establish proper
standards and safety and sanitary
conditions in all factories and shops in
the cloak and suit industry. Home |
work is prohibited. No deposit ex-
cept 81 for return of machine parts be-
longing to the employer shall be made.
Employers shall not charge for oil.
power OF belts. Work shall be dis
tributed as evenly as possible during !
dull seasons No discrimination shall |
be made against employees because OF |
membership or activities in the union. |
The provisions which establish the
peace agencies are as follows: lndt- |
vidual grievances of employees shall |
be presented to employers by employ
ees or by chosen representative. If |
these grievances cannot be adjusted in |
this way they shall be submitted to |
the chief clerks of both organizations
or deputies they may appoint. AS |
last tribunal is provided board of |
grievances" to be composed of three |
representatives of the unions and
three of the manufacturers associa-
ton The chairman of the board is
George d. Porter, director of the pub
lie safety of the city of Philadelphia, |
or a person designated by him. In
case of a tie the chairman has the de-
Gliding vote.
This agreement Is indeed great vic
tory for the garment workers of Phila- |
delphia. 1t means for them the be-
ginning of a period of progress. 1t |
means better homes and better living. |
liz means greater opportunity for the
orderly and constructive work of trade
union organization in behalf of the |