The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-03-12
NO WEAKENING OF
METAL TRADES IN
BAY CITIES STRIKE

shipyard strike finds the ranks of
the strikers holding fast and all or
ganized labor lined up to support
:he strikers in the greatest indus
trial battle in the history of the
Pacific Coast.
"The strike was never in better
condition than it is today" de-
clared Frank C. Miller, secretary of
the Bay Cities Metal Trades Coun-
Gil. Our Council represents the
skilled shipyard and foundry work.
ers of the bay district and the en-
ployers have learned that they
cannot operate without our consent
and aid.
Production in the foundries
and shipyards is at standstill.
The employers cannot get skilled
men to take the places of the work
ers on strike. A few yards have
been able to get fair supply of
laborers; but they have not been
able to get enough mechanics to
provide work for the laborers. The
result is that several yards have
been forced to discharge laborers
that they have been to great ex-
pense and trouble to get.
"One large shipyard in Oakland
that employed several thousand
men before the strike now has less
than 400 men. OF these but five
are skilled. Other shipyards are in
the same predicament. ] daily ex-
pect to see some of them closed. As
it is they are producing little if
anything. They keep their yards
open merely to deceive the public
and our workers.
Labor of the entire Pacific Coast
is backing us with a splendid soil
darity. Hulls that the shipyards of
the bay district cannot complete
because of the shortage of skilled
workers are being sent to southern
cities for completion. Without eX-
ception the southern workers have
refused to work on these bulls.
Labor is aroused to the issue.
We are fighting not only for the
|existence of our own organization
but for the preservation of union
labor principles. The employers
would like to destroy our organiza-
ton and to deny us the rights to
organize and to bargain collective
ly. Organized labor is determined
that this shall not be done"
The San Francisco Labor Council
has sent a circular letter to every
central labor body in the United
States and Canada asking for fl
nancial assistance to carry on the
strike. This is the first time that
San Francisco has appealed for
funds from outside of its own work.
ers.
The strike is characterized as "a
great battle against organized cap
ital for the preservation of organ
lied labor in this district" The
appeal Is signed by William T.
Bonser and John A. O'Connell,
president and secretary, respective
ly, of thee San francisco Labor
Council Several paragraphs OF
the appeal follow:
approximately 10000 metal
tradesmen have been on strike
against eight shipyards and the
metal trade shops In this vicinity
since October /. 1919, and are now
conducting a great battle against
organized capital for the preserva-
ton of organized labor in this dis
trict.
"The strike was forced upon the
metal workers by the action of the
shipyard owners and the California
Metal Trades Association, who
repudiated an agreement signed by
their Representatives and local union
representatives and officers of the
metal trades department of the
American Federation of Labor on
August 10, 1919. The agreement
repudiated by the employers pro-
vided for an increase in wages of
eight cents per hour for all en-
pioyes of shiDyards and metal
trades shops,
"The striking men are today
making a valiant fight and are
making tremendous sacrifices for
the cause of organized labor, They
must be supported with sufficient
funds with which to feed and
house their wives and children, We
are collecting all the money that is
possible here for this purpose, but
because of the large number of men
involved the SUN is insufficient.