Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-03
BUILDING CONTRACTORS
REFUSE UNION DEMANDS
Declare They Arc UnaltcrabIy OPP
posed to Dictation as to Their
Employees.
REFUSE TO HOLD CONFERENCE
Say Card System Cannot BE Con-
sidered-No Walkout Until Out
come of Industrial Conference at
Washington Is Announced.

Members of the Allied Building
Trades Association. who comprise %
per cent of the contractors and build
ing supply houses OF Richmond, are
absolutely opposed to tho demand of
the Building Trades Council of Rich
mond that all workmcn on construction
projects here carry The card OF the
council. The contention of the en-
p!oycrs is that they should enjoy the
they may select and that they are
mnalterably opposed TO dictation from
the union in this matter.
In Stacmcntt just issued over the
signature OF the secretary. the asso-
citation maintains that the members
claim their. legal and constitutions
right TO select their own employees
on such terms as may be agreed upon
ana and do not rccosnine the authority Of
buildings or in our shops" The build
closely with the building trades de-
parimcnt OF the American Federation
OF Labor
Refused to Hold Conference.
1t is understood that the matter
re2ched a crisis. yesterday when the
Allied Building Trades Association re-
used to meet with a committee from
question OF drafting an agreemnnt 'n ne
govern wages. hours, WORKING condi-
Tons and other details. When it was
out iniie Xihly for the use Of the card card
system the contractors refused to con-
s'q NGtiatt Gon df me- i is learned
Trades Council has been pronounred
IL II IS stated. The secretary. j. l.. Gray.
proposing to build residences that i,
would be wise 10 have the architect
mn IN the specifications OF the pro
organized labor. To take this stem vii
mean the avoidance OF any labor
rh"uple during the construction period.
inc letter says. Whether the ac;ion
SusScsted by the union will be taken
ihy those planning to build is MOI
A"hifinE Industrial Conference.
There Will he no walkou. of uo-L
men employed in construction WORK in
Richmond until the outcome Of the in
oustriaI conference in WASHINGTON
nlM. week Is made known Union
nave union men walk out iav before
Yesterday. but the action will he held
n anryance until the conclusion o:
been announced "
>, Members of the Allied Building
pades Association state that they do
Trades Council. because two imnor
tant unions have no connection with
the council. and further maintain that
system demanded by the union. Even
many union men are not in favor Of
II, is their declaration
Not Opposing Labor Unions.
There is no opposition TO labor
unions by the contractors a state
ment which the Allied Buildin-
Trades Association has prepared de-
ciares. The thing thar will he fourh;
Is the Introduction OF the card system,
because II is considered coercive and
Unfair and contrary 10 the cons,itu-
tional right OF every man to contract
without dictation from trades coun-
CHS. Contractors claim that adher-
ehCe 10 me card system will also cause
delay in building work Of different
classes, because there can be deal
inSS possible between firms employ
ing only union men and those usinc
only nonunion workmen
There are 1870 firms included in the
membership OF the Allied Building
Trades Association