The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-01-13
FURRIER BOSSES
DRIVING Union
into A STRIKE
Evade All Demands with
Tricky Talk

NEW YORK CITY, Jan. 1.-THE
fifth conference between representa-
tives of the Fur Manufacturers Asso-
citation and the Fur Workers Union,
held Monday, January 4, at the Hotel
Martinique, brot no definite results.
At the previous four conferences no
understanding was reached on any
one of the demands of the workers, as
embodied in the new agreement sub
mitted to the manufacturers. The
agreement In question is to replace
the present one, which expires Janu-
airy 81, 1926, and which has been In
force since February 1, 1924.
For Decent Standard.
The main features of the new
agreement are:
1. A forty-hour working week.
2. Thirty-two hour week during
the slack period.
3. Equal division of work all thru
the year.
4. Unemployment insurance fund
raised by a 3 per cent contribution
Of the total amount Of wages paid out
| by the manufacturers.
5. Manufacturers be punished for
violating the agreement.
6. rs per cent increase over the
present minimum scale.
Z. Skins must bear the union label
8. Foreman not to be permitted 70
work.
8. Shops be inspected by union
representatives.
The union regards every one OF
these demands as Of utmost import
ance to the life Of the organization,
and which are aiming at securing a
decent standard Of living for the
workers.
Questions, such as a 40-hour work
ing week and equal division OF WORK
have been laid over by the manufac-
turers for future discussion. while
some Of the other points. on which a
discussion was opened the manufac-
turers displayed a negative attitude.
Employers Evade Issues.
At this last conference the follow
ing points of the agreement were
discussed.
1. Trimming manufacturers not to
belong to the association.
2. The right for the union to in
spect the shops whenever it finds it
necessary.
3. Furnishing employers for violat-
ing the agreement.
No definite agreement was reached
on any of these points. AS TO the
first of these demands the employers
/ in conference declared that they
would take it under advisement, while
on the question of shop inspection
the manufacturers argued that the
union was always granted the per
mission TO inspect shops whenever it
presented incontrovertible proof to
the conference committee.
The union representatives on the
other hand stated, that the red tape
it is required to go thru before such
permission is obtained, and in great
number Of instances such permission
we're refused, are considered a great
obstacle to the inspection Of shops.
For an illness Fund.
AS to the punishments of employers
for violating the agreement, the union
suggested that for the first offense
the manufacturer should be compelled
70 pay twice the amount he has been
delinquent. one-half OF which is 70 go
to the workers of that shop. and the
other half TO the union, out of which
such accumulated fines an illness
Fund" to be created, which shall
serve for relief to fur workers afflict-
I'd with diseases caused by their oc-
upation.
For a second offense, the union sug-
rested the standing conference COM
nittee be authorized to impose a still
anger fine, while for a third offense
iuch manufacturer be expelled from
he association.
Do They Want a Striker
AT this conference as well as at the
previous four conferences, the manu-
acturers have shown themselves 20
be unyielding, from which II is evil
dent that they are driving the nego-l
tiations TO a dangerous end, the odt-
come Of which may result in compelI-
ing the union TO call the workers out
on strike.
The International Fur Workers.
Union as well as the New York Joint
board are preparing In the event such
should be the outcome OF the negotia-
tons.
In the meantime the Manufacturers'
Association scheduled another confer.
ence with the union representatives.
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