The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-05-03

Editor The Star About 20 OF our
employee. who belong 10 the Candy
aud Cracker Workers union here,
went on "a strike "Wednesday. the
majority Of the boys belonging 20
this same union are stu az work
at the Nut House.
According To- ths business agents
own statement II all places were
conducted like the Nut House. there
would be no cause for unions,
The sailing department. Of the Nut
House has no reason for joining any
candy or cracker workers union;
and we agreed 10 sign AN agreement
covering the employees working Ia
the chocolate department, az this N
entirely separate from the sailing
department. However We insisted
that this agreement should be open
shop because We did not care TO tell
any Of aur girls down here that they
must JOIN the union Tho Nut
House feels that everyone should
have III. right 20 choos. for thsn'
selves. whether they want TO belong
10 this nasociation-we do not want
20 force anyone into Joining any
club. union. or any other Organize
ton.
Some OF the girls contended thai
we should have AN absolutely closed
shop. and these girls walked out
some Of thefp having worked at the
Nut House for over two years. and
they. themselves. admit that there
In no argument about wages. as the
Nut House pays higher wages than
any similar industry In the 4. y.
The Nut House also works on n
profit sharing plan. and last year
paid 10 all ita employees who had
worked with US year or more. a
share % the profits. the smallest
check being $50. and from this up.
according TO length Of aerylce and
position
We Furthermore. as Boon AZ We
found out about the state mini
mum aw being tia2o, voluntarily
Increased the girls salaries eight
weeks la advance. paying out an
extra ,s.eoo last fall 90 the girls
Every cmploya ~ the Nut House.
after they have been with ~ for
six months. 10 given a life lnsur-
ancc policy for 1900. which 10 In
creased each year-ali premiums
being paid by the company
The union agreement calls Tor
ak days work~no Saturday after
moons off. the Nut House pays for
six days work and gives the girls
Saturday afternoons off. ms va APP
preciats the fact that the girls
must have some time 81 do their
shopping. We have been doing this
for both the factory and office Girls
for some time.
The business runs. as nearly M
possible. on the cooperative plan
there are ruGDEsTios BOXES
turnout the establishment. and wc
consider the suggestions Of every
one from the office boy TO the gen
cral manager.
are sticking with We. rognrdisa. 81
the strike. and ". are proud Of them
as bright and Intelligent work@rs-
we arc also proud ~ those who
walked out and consider them like
wise bright and intelligent workers
who have helped build the Nut
House. and we did not like 70 sc~
thcm leave us However. the United
States IL "a free country. and No can
not compel them 10 work for us We
have always gotten along pleasantly
at the Nat House. and Y ut any time
any OF our employees are dl~aa tisficd
W. help them 10 get position else.
where. because VIC do not think that
person can do the hest work IN.
iess he In In fun sympathy with
the manaEcmsnt--it - teamwork.
Just like in baseball. that can put
any business over.
There must b. something right
abou, the Nut House 10 max. n
grow from one ernploye TO 2s3 en-.
pioyes-~frofn business Of a fcN
hundred dollars TO business Of
over n million dollars ycar--sil
don. In only ten years. with small
article like nuts. Some of our meth
DDS. some OF our policies, mus; he
right.-we must treat our employees
right. because our oldest employees
arc siili with va. and the new ones
who ar. going TO work for TN right
along are going TO Also help make
the Nut House n national institu.
ton.
Altho va would not Sign up any
closed shop contract with the bust.
nees agent. we have told him that
II. at any time. the Nut House was
not paying as large wages. did no,
have just M good or better working
conditions as any establishment In