Montana labor news., 1938-09-29
ST. REGIS BRIDGE
Job CONDEMNED BY
WESTERN unions

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The Missoula unions have had
very strenuous time with the con-
struction of the bridge at st. Regis,
Montana. This job was declared un-
fair and various efforts have been
made to straighten it up. The con-
tractor seems to want to persist IN
violating the rules of the unions
C. D. Lyon is the contractor in
charge of this work. The unions
should remember him in future road
and building contracts. The High
way Commission should also be in
formed of the character of the con-
tractor on this ST. Regis job.
The Montana Labor News is re-
printing articles in the Missoula
papers showing the trouble that is
taking place at Superior, Montana,
in connection with this bridge job
BRIDGE PICKETS
ARE DRIVEN OFF
Superior, Sept. 13.-(Special)-I
Two persons were slightly injured
this morning when a free-for-all
fight developed as pickets attempted
to prevent work on the new $4,000
st. Regis steel bridge.
Approximately 35 persons partici-
pated in the battle, which ended in
victory for workers, who went
back to their labors after the picket
line had dispersed.
John Graham, Jr, of Superior, one
of the worknen, was quite badly
hurt during the fracas. Bill Ensign
sustained cuts and bruises about the
head when his face was pushed into
the gravel.
When the work crew reported for
work this morning the picket line
had formed already. At 8 o'clock,
when it was time to take tools out
of the workshed, the picket line
formed on one side of the shed, the
workmen on the other.
G. D. Lyon, contractor, shouted,
s'Men, are you ready to 60 to work.
"We are" his workmen answered,
and made a rush for the shed, just
as the picket line rushed from the
other side, according to reports here.
The free-for-all ended after sew
eral minutes of fighting, with the
picket line, for the most part dis
persing. The workmen started to
their tasks
Work on the bridge was delayed
for months due to labor difficulties
Contract for the work was let last
November but actual work did not
start until this week, after residents
of Mineral county circulated peti-
tions asking that the work be re-
sumed.
VIOLENCE MARKS
MONTANA STRIKI
Superior, Mont, Sept. l3.-Bricks
two-by-fours and fists were uset
today by pickets of the local uniof
448, A. F. of L., and men hired BY
the Lyons Construction Company il
Superior yesterday. The union ha
been picketing the bridge job at ST
Regis since last year and whei
workers appeared on the job thi
morning trouble started immedi
ately.
One of the workers, Tom Nc
Laughlin of St. Regis, is in the Su
perior hospital with three broker
ribs. Other workers and pickets ar
sporting black eyes and cuts. Fami
lies are divided in this struggle Il
one instance a father was on tn
picket line and his sons are anon
the workers. First cousins also wer
battling on opposite sides Of tn
issue.
The sheriff, Roy Charatte, wa
called to the scene of the fight, bu
all the trouble was over when h
arrived. The union has been hold
ing the job up on the bridge be
cause they say Lyons is unfair
organized labor The union trie
to make concessions on the wage
if the job would 60 union, but, ac
cording to reports by the unior
Lyons would not have it unio
Job. The A. F. of L. local 44S say
it will continue in its efforts to max
it a union job.
CONSTRUCTION WORK UNDEl
WAY ON NEW MINERAL
c,r,r III