Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-04-12
EMPLOYING PRINTERS TO
FIGHT 44-ROuR WEEK
Resolve to Use Best Endcnyors to
Defeat Measure Insisted Upon
by Union Workers.
AFFECTs JOB OiFFICEs ONLY
Unless Demands Are Complied
Will, Craftsmen Will Walk Out
May I, According to Ultimutum
Served on Employers.

Gnalterablc aud unequivocal oppe-
sition to the forty-four hour working
week for employees OF printing shops
was passed yesterday afternoon at u
meeting OF employing printers held
In the Hotel Richmond.
The resolution reads, in full:
Whereas, this meeting OF employ
Ing printers OF Richmond is unani-
niously opposed 70 any action that
VIII reduce production or increase
Tie cost and likewise the selling
price OF printing. and
Increase Price of Printing.
hcreas, Il reduction in the work
week from forty eight 10 forty-four
crease in the price of printing 10 the
consumer. and III view OF the fact
that costs OF all other commodities
are decreasing in compliance with
public demand.
Now. therefore. be II resolved, That
We, in meeting assembled. unalter-
ably and uncfuivocnliy oppose the
demand for the forty four hour week
at TINS or am other time. and that
We. Will use our best endeavors to
defeat It,"
Amendment Is Adopted.
AS originally read to the meeting,
the resolution did not contain the
portion about uniting 10 defeat the
measure, and was passed unapi-
mously. There was some discussion
TO the amendment, hut il was added
to the resolution by Il vote OF twenty
eight to three
The passage ot this resolution. as
we'll as the cal! TO meet. was the re-
suit OF the demand OF the printers
that they be granted the forty four
hourweek, eight hours five days n
week. and four on Saturday. with
time and = half for overtime. The
four hour Saturday Is now observed
by many shops, but the extra time is
made mp during the remainder tho
working period.
Would strike May I.
Notice has been served on the own
ers of job printing establishments
their tasks on May !. except whore
June 20.
Should the printers be called on
strike, IL would also affect their allied
era Smen, rreSsnen, stereotyDers,
tookbinders ana clectrotyprrs The
enEraNcrs already have the forty
four-hOur week.
Affect Closed shops Only.
This demand would affect only the
closed" shops. or those where only
members of the International TYPO
graphical Union are employed. The
open shops, where any printer can
be employed. Will not be affected by
the calling out Of the craftsmen, but
representatives OF several such shops
were present at the meeting yester-
day and united with the others. as
they believed that in the event the
forty-four-hour week is granted TO
the CLOSED" shops, it will sooner or
later affect them.
Is Nation Wide Amir.
This proposed strike would not af
feet only Richmond, for II is I ma.
ton wide affair. ana should II come
TO pass that the printers did walk
out because the demands We're not
granted. u would practically tie IN
the job printing industry in America
Under the laws Of the unions. in
CLOSED" shops, q man who belongs
10 union cannot handle the product
OF a -nH!on man. While the other
shops, In the event that the printers
walked out, they would also be
called out by the national officers.
VIII Observe Contracts.
1t is the stated intention OF the In
ternatiOnal Typographical Union that
where there are contracts between
the union and the owners of print
ing establishments. the men VIII not
be called out until such contract eN-
p:res, which is six weeks after the
date SET for the general walk out
Should the men here hc called ou'
on strike, there would he about
ror;y-nvc leave their jobs. affecting
some eight or nine shops. some OF
the largest printing establishment
in Richmond would not thus he af-
fectcd. rs they adopted the open
policy about two wars ago wher
their employees we're called out OF
strike. Considerable disturbance re,
suited from this action