The controversy as presented seemed to involve questions which are not within the province of the State Board. Section 3 of the statute under which this Board acts excludes any controversy or difference"" which might be the subject of a suit at law or bill in equity," and the secretary of the Brewers' Association was so advised. After several interviews on the subject of a proper issue to present, an application was received alleging as a grievance that "the Robinson Brewing Company is forced, upon threat of a strike, to employ an undesirable man as engineer.' A copy of the application was sent to the union; and its reply was made known to the employers in the following letter: STATE BOARD OF ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION, H. V. HUSE, Secretary, Boston Brewers' Association, representing the DEAR SIR:On February 9 a certified copy of your application was sent to the International Union Steam Engineers, No. 16, of Boston, with a request for information whether the employees would join in presenting the case for settlement, either by conference and agreement, or by arbitration. We have this day received a reply, dated February 15, and signed by F. W. Dolloff, saying "that this union regards the case of Robinson Brewery as closed, and that we have nothing to arbitrate in the matter." I am directed to say that this Board will be pleased to receive any suggestion you may offer. Respectfully yours, BERNARD F. SUPPLE, Clerk. On the next day the employers replied, saying that there was "nothing to suggest in the premises." Nothing further was heard of the controversy. THE AMERICAN HIDE AND LEATHER COMPANY – LOWELL. A difficulty which was in some respects a sequel to that of November 8, 1899, stated in our report for that year under the title "White Brothers & Co.", culminated on January 24 in the same factories at Lowell, when the shavers employed by the American Hide and Leather Company struck for higher wages. In two days the strike extended to all departments, and about 550 men were without employment. On January 6 the following letter was sent by the management of the Lowell factories: Leather Workers' Protective Union, Lowell, Mass. GENTLEMEN:- Referring to our several conversations regarding prices for different classes of work, we will repeat what we have said before, that we were willing to pay the same prices for the same class of work as any other factory making the same line of goods controlled by the American Hide and Leather Company. In making up this schedule of wages, notice must be taken of the ages of men employed on the different kinds of work, also the conditions under which the men work. We are perfectly willing to meet any of the heads of your organization, we mean by that, the heads of the Federation of Labor, or any one who has authority to investigate and act in such matters. It is the aim of the American Hide and Leather Company to pay such prices as will demand the best work. If you will communicate with us and make an appointment, we will try and keep same. Yours very truly, AMERICAN HIDE AND LEATHER COMPANY. Subsequently, as stated, the shavers' work slackened, and on January 24 from 30 to 40 were suspended from the pay roll, whereupon the strike ensued. The shavers demanded 50 cents instead of 35 cents per dozen as a condition of returning, and further demands were made by the other leather workers, when the strike became general. The American Federation of Labor sanctioned the strike, and awarded a weekly stipend to those who had gone out. In view of several thousand dollars' worth of perishable stock on hand, the superintendent made concessions which the general organizer of the American Federation of Labor deemed sufficient warrant for advising the men to return to work, pending an adjustment of the whole difficulty and an agreement regulating the settlement of such grievances as might arise in the future, either by conference or arbitration. The advice was not promptly accepted. Pickets were posted on the streets leading to the factory. The superintendent then arranged for the removal of hides, and, as a precaution, invoked the protection of the police. There was, however, no breach of the peace. The workmen expressed a desire to handle the stock with a view to saving it, and requested that the concessions be put in writing; but the superintendent declined the offer and withdrew the concessions. On the second day of the strike the Board offered its services as mediator in case pending negotiations should result in a disagreement. On January 30, on the invitation of Messrs. John F. O'Sullivan and E. L. White, representing the parties, the Board endeavored to compose the difficulty, and at the end of three days arranged for a conference of parties, to take place on February 8, and for the reinstatement of all the strikers, without prejudice or discrimination, who should return to work on February 5. On returning to their former positions, about 60 employees were refused work by their foremen, who declared that they were laid off, but could not say for how long. Five of these were shavers. They deemed the laying-off a discharge, practically, at any rate a punishment, and quite contrary to the assurances transmitted by the Board. None of the shavers involved would accept re-employment in the circumstances. They thereupon notified the Board in writing and by telephone. The Board returned to the scene of the difficulty, and on the 7th all the shavers were reinstated according to the first intention, as the result of the Board's mediation;] but other leather workers who had been laid off were still to remain out. The appointed conference was had on the eighth day of February, the Board being near at hand, awaiting the outcome. After fixing prices in the shaving department and agreeing that all leather workers who were still out should return to their former places on the 9th, an adjournment was made to February 13, for the consideration of the leather workers' demands, with a view to referring to arbitration whatever remained unsettled. On February 23 an agreement was reached which was satisfactory to all concerned, and the difficulty ended. provision for settling future differences was made, however. No W. L. DOUGLAS SHOE COMPANY-BROCKTON. The agreement, entered into October 26, 1898, to remain in force until November 1, 1901, between the W. L. Douglas Shoe Company, of Brockton, and the Boot and Shoe Workers' Union, provided for the reference of price lists, all grievances of whatever nature, and all matters of dispute regarding wages or any other subject, to the State Board of Arbitration. Under the agreement, a dispute having arisen in the rough-rounding department of the factory at Brockton, an application, signed by representatives of both parties on February 5, was received. The following decision was rendered March 5: In the matter of the joint application of the W. L. Douglas Shoe Company, of Brockton, and its employees. PETITION FILED FEBRUARY 7, 1900. HEARING FEBRUARY 12, 1900. In this case the Board is asked to decide upon the question of wages for the work of rough-rounding soles. After hearing the parties interested, inquiries have been further prosecuted in a considerable number of factories in the immediate neighborhood, with the aid of expert assistants selected by the parties respectively. In view of the terms of the application and of all the facts and arguments that have been adduced in the case, the Board recommends that the work of rough-rounding in this factory be paid for at the rate of 8 cents per dozen, including single and double soles, samples and single pairs. By agreement of the parties, this decision is to take effect from February 5, 1900. By the Board, BERNARD F. SUPPLE, Clerk. |