The Connecticut labor news., 1921-04-15

The conference yesterday was at the
request of the building tradesmen
through the State Building Trades
Council, and was asked on March 20 in
formal letter to the Builders Ex-
change, before the trouble started on
Tuesday when Secretary Mckay, fol-
lowing meeting OF the exchange ex-
ecutive committee, replied to the request
and set the date for yesterday after
noon Although the notice was short,
the committeeman from about the state
appointed at the convention here March
r. were summoned by telegram by
President F. A. Fitzgerald and were all
present when the conference opened.
The committee met nrst at Trades
Council hall and went over the situation
IN line OF agreeing upon policy to be
put before the bosses. 1t was agreed
that every effort should be made to bring
about an adjustment and head off furth-
er strikes or 1ocllouts and while no set
proposition was made, the committee de-
cided that everything possible should be
suggested and agreed to that would
enhance building conditions and allow
work to proceed uninterrupted. No
definite promises could be made mas
much as the local unions must themselves
agree to whatever terms are offered.
A. William Sperry of the Sperry En-
glneerlng company of New Haven pre-
sided at the conference. The session was
opened by President Fitzgerald of the
State Building Trades Council by his
asking for information as to whom the
men were dealing with, whether they
were Union contractors or mon
union because as if the latter class pre-
dominated there would seem to be no use
of going into matters it would be of
no avail inasmuch as the ''non-llnion' or
open shop employers would not deal with
or employ union men and therefore it
would be a waste of time to argue if
they controlled the meeting
Mostly Fair" Bosses.
Mr.. Sperry replied by saying that
both sides were represented but the
majority present were what are termed
union employers A later checking up
showed only two entirely ''non-union'
representatives present. SO the confer
ence proceeded to a discussion of the
situation in general, and particularly as
to wages. Mr.. Sperry stated that the
employers had taken every opportunity
to inform the work1nen that reduction
in wages was necessary and intended and
that the contractors would not be able to
pay the prevailing scales. The workers,
he stated, had met these notices by votes
to resist any such wage cut and there
fore the employers had simply gone
ahead and determined to put them into
effect as soon as possible.
AS to the conference and the request
of the wOrknen for it, Mr.. Sperry stated
that the builders were of the opinion
that there was nothing to talk about but
that nasnuch as they were always will
ing to meet with their workers the con-
ference had finally been agreed to as
asked
Notices Came Late.
Mr.. Fitzgerald and other delegates
present inquired about the reported
warnings as to pending wage reduction
and finally elected the information that
the builders association had decided up
on it some time in February. 1t was
not officially put before the workers un-
til late in March, shortly before many
0f the existing agreements expired, and
IS result the workers at once resented
i aid many lockouts and strikes are now
i: throughout the state
The meeting although it lasted more
than three hours, was particularly har-
mOniOuS one, only on one or two OcCaS-
ions anything arising that might have
tended to disrupt it These were when
one two OF the employers became sar-
castle as to the attitude of the workers
and made yelled attacks on the unions,
Continued on Page Eight,)