Denver labor bulletin., 1918-04-06

Scott Of the International Typographi-
cal Union was in Denver in an effort
TO assist the local union in reaching
an agreement on the wage scale con-
troversy with the publishers of the
News, Times and Post.
Several conferences were held be-
tween the publishers and the scale
committee of No. 80, President Scott
and l. T. U. Representative Frank J.
Pulver participating. The award of
the industrial commission Of Colorado
rendered in the case was taken as
basis for negotiations looking to an
agreement. Minor concessions were
made and a tentative agreement COW
ering all points at issue, save the wage
increase, was finally reached, but all
contingent upon getting together on
the wage section.
No. 30 had originally demanded a
81 per day increase over the scale
expiring January 20 last, which called
for S4Tj for day work and S5-25 for
night work The industrial commits
sion, after an exhaustive hearing of
the merits of the contention, handed
down an award, which on the subject
of wages said:
Industrial Commission Award.
"The demand (of the Typographical
Unionl for an increase in the wage
scale from $3.50 per week TO S3s.5O
per week on evening papers and from
S3l.5O per week to $3.50 per week
on morning papers is granted IN part,
that is to say: Beginning February
25, 1918, the scale on evening papers
be increased from $3.50 per week TO
S32 10 per week. and on morning pa
pers from S3i so per week TO $3.50
per week, and that the minimum wage
for superanuuated members be in
creased from SIS per week TO SlTlO
per week"
The publishers first offered an in
crease Of $1.50 per week, provided the
printers would work three hours more
per week, which the unions represen-
tatives declined to consider. Later the
publishers offered what they termed n
final and fat" increase Of 50 per
week. length of work day to remain
unchanged.
This was later submitted TO No.
80 in written communication, in
which the publishers contended the
daily newspapers Of Denver were
faced with rapidly declining receipts
and greatly increased expenses" The
letter also suggested that the contro-
versy again be arbitrated, after once
passing thru that procedure before the
nication was signed by F. G. Bonfils,
representing the Post Printing and
Publishing Company, and Samuel 5.
Sherman, representing the Denver
Publishing Company (the News and
Times).
No. 40 held special meeting
Wednesday afternoon, which was
largely attended.
Negotiations to date were reported
by the scale committee, and the award
OF the industrial commission pre-
sented in detail, as well as the pub
fishers final proposition.
With little discussion the latter
proposition was unanimously rejected
by the union.
Union Charges Delay.
The full scale committee then pre-
sented the following:
Whereas, On October 22, l9lI, Den
ver Typographical Union No. 40 pre-
sented to the publishers of this city
n proposed new wage scale and work
ing conditions, and requested an inn
mediate conference on these matters.
Said publishers delayed giving con-
alteration to the demands of this union
until the Goth day of January, 1918,
four days after the expiration OF the
contract then in force, from which date
negotiations were had covering pc
riod of three weeks, which negotia-
tions were absolutely barren of re-
suits as to reaching an agreement, at
which time, in compliance with the
state law, the matter was taken be-
fore the state industrial board, the
case being presented by n committee
from this union during period cover
ing ten days; and