STRIKES IN ITALY IN RECENT YEARS.

The Statistica degli Scioperi avvenuti nell' Industria e nell' Agricoltura durante gli anni 1892 e 1893 furnishes the data for the accompanying statement concerning strikes in Italy in recent years.

The number of these industrial disturbances during each of the years from 1879 to 1893 is shown in the following table, together with the number of strikers involved in strikes reporting as to number involved:

NUMBER OF STRIKES AND STRIKERS, 1879 TO 1893.

During the last two years included in the table strikes occurred with greater frequency in Lombardy and Piedmont than in any other of the provinces of Italy, they being the centers of industrial activity. In Sicily, however, quite a large number occurred also. These were confined mostly to the sulphur mines, where almost the whole of the workmen struck and where the difficulties were most frequent.

The distribution of the strikes as to the causes for which undertaken for the period from 1878 to 1891, for 1892, and for 1893 is shown in the following table:

CAUSES OF STRIKES, 1878-1891, 1892, AND 1893.

[In each of the years under consideration some of the strikes have been omitted, neither cause of strike nor number of strikers having been reported.]

Num- Per Num Per Num Per Num. Per Num- Per Num- Per ber. cent. ber. cent. ber. cent. ber. cent. ber. cent. ber. cent.

= 28

+8

100

Grand total..... 1,075

119

131

EA

In the last of the five groups are combined many causes, among which may be mentioned the following: Differences as to manner of payment of wages, whether weekly or fortnightly, etc.; as to the amount and methods of fines; as to cooperation of strikers; as to special technical conditions, etc. The per cent columns bring out very clearly the proportion of strikes falling under each cause. During the period from 1878 to 1891 64 per cent of the strikers engaged in strikes for the purpose of ameliorating their condition, while in 1892 28 per cent and in 1893 47 per cent of all persons involved were engaged in such strikes. On the other hand, only 11 per cent of the strikers were engaged in struggles to prevent a decrease of wages for the period from 1878 to 1891, 27 per cent in 1892, and only 13 per cent in 1893.

The table which follows shows the results of strikes for the period from 1878 to 1891, for 1892, and for 1893, so far as the strikers were concerned, classifying the strikes as having succeeded, partly succeeded, or failed in the object or cause for which they were undertaken.

RESULTS OF STRIKES, 1878-1891, 1892, AND 1893.

In each of the years under consideration some of the strikes have been omitted, neither cause of strike nor number of strikers having been reported.]

lition

Wi

Owe

24

div

As shown by the total columns, during the years from 1878 to 1891 24 per cent of the strikers, or persons involved in strikes, succeeded in gaining the object for which they struck, 47 per cent succeeded partly, while 29 per cent failed. In 1892 29 per cent succeeded, 19 per cent succeeded partly, and 52 per cent failed, while in 1893 29 per cent succeeded, 44 per cent succeeded partly, and 27 per cent failed. The

results of strikes for any of the causes shown may be found in the same manner by reference to the table.

The classification of strikes, for 1892 and 1893, according to the industries in which strikers were engaged is shown in the following table:

The textile, mineral, and metallurgic industries, and that of public works, in which most of the common labor is engaged, are more largely represented in strikes because in those industries the workmen are more generally organized.

Immediately following is shown, for a series of years, from 1879 to 1893, the total and average days lost by reason of strikes.

DAYS OF WORK LOST BY REASON OF STRIKES, 1879 TO 1893.

STRIKES IN AUSTRIA IN RECENT YEARS.

Volume XI of the Foreign Reports of the British Royal Commission on Labor gives the leading facts in regard to strikes in Austria during 1891 and 1892, quoting from Zusammenstellungen der in den Jahren 1891 und 1892 stattgefundenen Arbeitseinstellungen im Gewerbebetriebe, Vienna, 1892 and 1893.

The two tables immediately following are summaries of strikes by industries for the years 1891 and 1892, respectively. They show the number of strikes, establishments involved, total employees in such establishments, employees striking, and total days of work lost by strikes. These two tables show also the causes or objects for which the strikes were undertaken, classifying them under three heads, viz: For increase of wages or that and other demands, against reduction of wages, and all other. The number of strikes which succeeded, succeeded partly, and failed is also shown:

STRIKES IN 1891, BY INDUSTRIES.

[It will be observed that the addition of the items in this table will not in all cases produce the totals given. The figures, however, are all as given in the report before referred to, the original not being accessible.]

STRIKES IN 1891, BY INDUSTRIES-Concluded.

[It will be observed that the addition of the items in this table will not in all cases produce the totals given. The figures, however, are all as given in the report before referred to, the original not being accessible. ]

[It will be observed that the addition of the items in this table will not in all cases produce the totals given. The figures, however, are all as given in the report before referred to, the original not being accessible.]