The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-04-23
CLEAR STATEMENT OF THE CAUSE AND
STATUS OF METAL TRADES STRIKE

lective bargaining way whereby the
employees might have something t
say and be given a little consider
alton as to the conditions under
which they are to be employed"
The statement is signed by James
lO'Connell, President of the Meta
Trades Department of the A. F. oil
L.; Joseph F. Valentine, President
Moulders' Union of North America
William Jonston, President Inter.
national Association of Machinists;
James Wilson, President Pattern
makers League of North America
Joseph Reed, International Vice
President Brotherhood Boilermak-
ers and Iron Shipbuilders; John
Coefield, President United Associa-
tion Plumbers and Steamfitters; A.
Linn, President Brotherhood a1
Foundry Employees; J. Fielding,
representing International Black
! smiths Brotherhood: L. C. eraser,
International Vice President Broth
erhood of Electrical Workers.
These officers addressed a mass
meeting of the strikers called when
it was seen that there was no posi-
bility of a peaceful settlement of
the strike. The officers united in
paying strong tribute to the bay
district metal trades workers for
the tenacious and successful fight
they are waging.
you have kept shipyard and
foundry production at a standstill,"
James O'Connell declared. when
in Washington | saw reports of the
local shipbuilders sent to the Unit
ed States Shipping Board. In near
ly every case the reports read no
progress because of strike.'
The International officers urged
the strikers to continue the strike
to the utmost and promised the fl
nancial support of their organiza-
lions. They said they would en-
list the aid of other organizations,
so that organized labor of the
United States and Canada would be
squarely behind the strikers.
Keep us supplied with ammuni-
ton and we will do the fighting"
r. w. Burton, President of the Bay
Cities Metal Trades Council, de-
clared Our men are in the sew
enth month of the fight. Most of
them have received less than 500
in benefits during this entire time.
"The men have been fighting on
their courage and on the strength
of their union convictions. But
they need money; and they need it
badly. We appeal to our fellow
unionists in the United States and
Canada for their financial assist
ance.
Our fight is the fight of all or
ganized labor; San Francisco is one
of the strongest, if not the strong
est. union towns in the United
States
'"The unions involved in this
strike have been and are part of
the backbone of the A. F. of l.. If
these unions are broken, and the
employers see that the strongest
unions in one of the strongest
union towns in the country can be
broken, they will be encouraged to
attack all labor organizations.
"A victory for the local strikers
will show the employers that a well
established and resolute labor
union cannot be broken. We can
assure organized labor that this
victory will be ours, if organized
labor will do it's part.
That part is to send money for
the relief of the bay district strik-
ers. Every union man in the Unit
ed States and Canada should realize
that our fight is his fight; that
every dollar he sends to our sup
port is a measure of protection for
himself. The principle OF union
ism is at stake. Let every union
man show how much he values that
principle"
Burton said that checks for the
relief of the strikers should be
made payable to the Bay Cities
Metal Trades Council and should
be addressed to the Labor Temple
San Francisco, California.
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