222 STATISTICS OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES. one-half the wages paid to the strikers, with the intention of training up to the desired degree of efficiency, when the rate paid to the candlers previous to the strike would be paid to them. Numbers of non-union men were also employed, and several of these were assaulted on their way to or from work by the strikers or others in sympathy with them. The movement for the substitution of girls for the striking candlers seems to have been to a large extent successful, and the strike began to show signs of collapsing about the beginning of August, when many of the men involved in it applied to their old employers for reinstatement. The wage loss was estimated on August 1st at $1,800.00. August 14-The workmen employed on the new Central School building at Orange quit work pending the settlement of disputes between the union carpenters and metal ceiling workers as to which of them should put up the "furring strips" for ceiling, and between the marble workers and masons as to which of them should have jurisdiction over the setting of the slate steps in the fireproof stairs. A truce was effected between the parties to the dispute, who agreed to refer both matters to the national officers of the several unions, and all the other journeymen returned to work. Meantime, the progress of the work in dispute was stopped until the decision of the national officers should be made known. August 14-Thirty-six men employed in the works of the Robinson, Roders Co., at Newark, went on strike against a reduction in wages of 20 per cent. The firm manufactures mattresses and pillows and their principal material is feathers. The reduction in wages was made because of the war in Europe. The firm found itself unable to procure the customary supply of feathers, which came largely from abroad, and could not therefore continue the business profitably under the old conditions. The strike lasted four days, and ended with the return of the men. The wage loss was, as reported, $200.00. August 20.-Thirty-one girls employed as trimmers by the Trimble Hat Co., of Orange, struck for an increase of wages, which was given to them. The wage loss was reported at $300.00. August 26.-The John A. Roebling Co. employs at its Trenton and Roebling works a large number of bricklayers all the year round, and at times, when new construction is under way, the ordinary force of these workmen is greatly increased. The bricklayers' revised wage scale, which provided for 62 cents per hour at the union rate from August 1st, was not approved by the company, which had been paying 60 cents per hour. Fearing that they might become involved in a strike and probably lose their employment, with the conditions of which they were quite satisfied, twelve of these men resigned membership in the union to which they had formerly belonged. September 3.-Sixty building trades mechanics employed on a new private residence at Short Hills went out on strike because the foreman plasterer, who had been employed on the job about two months, could not prove himself to be a union man when asked by the walking delegate to STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS. 223 produce his card. The strike was ordered by the delegate. The strike lasted three days, and was declared off only when the foreman had pro duced credentials showing him to be a member of the union. September 4.-A strike of 40 male and 25 female operatives of the Augusta Silk Works, at Paterson, which commenced on February 4, 1914, came to an end on September 4th, after having continued for seven months. The strike originated in a demand for a nine hour work day. The strikers were nearly all connected with the union known as the Industrial Workers of the World, but toward the end of the strike, which was a failure, all relinquished their membership in that organization. Only eight of the number who took part in the strike were reinstated when it was called off. It is the intention of the company to take more of them back eventually. The wage loss is reported at $25,350. September 29.-Twenty carpenters, steamfitters and electricians employed on the erection of a building at the foot of Eighth St., Hoboken, quit work after it became known that a few non-union men were employed by the contractors. These men were discharged and the strikers returned to work, having been out one day. The wage loss was estimated at $90.00. CAUSES OF STRIKES. TABLE No. 12. Strikes and Lockouts from October 1, 1913, to September 30, 1914. Number of Strikes. Number of Persons Involved. Aggregate Number of Days Idle. Average Number of Days Idle per Employee. For increase in wages.. 13 1,732 44,411 25.6 For increase in wages and reduction in working hours.. 2 150 620 4.1 1,200 8.00 2 For increase in wages and recognition of union... 3 230 8, 685 37.7 31,250 135.87 3 For increase in wages and to force the discharge of an objectionable foreman. For reduction in working hours. For recognition of union, increase in overtime rate and Saturday half holiday. Against employment of non-union labor. To force the discharge of non-union men and the reinstatement of union men. To force the reinstatement of a discharged employee and the recognition of union. To force the reinstatement of forewoman... To force the discharge of an objectionable foreman and against the rearrangement of piece price list... 1 46 40 1.0 50 1.25 1 To secure the institution of a three shift system......... To prevent discrimination against members of the I. W. W. organization. STATISTICS OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES. |