ference committee and seek an early opportunity for an interview with all parties, to prevent the strike. On the 16th the president of the union called, and announced that he had followed the advice of the Board, a committee on conference had been appointed, and the employers had been met and a settlement reached. WRIGHT & COLTON WIRE COMPANY-PALMER. On the 17th of October, by request of the employees of the Wright & Colton Wire Company, the Board went to Palmer and had interviews with the work people. It appeared that 175 men were idle in consequence of a strike on the preceding day, which was entered into as a protest against the employment of a man objectionable to the old hands, on the ground that he was an Armenian, and regarded as cheap help." It was apprehended that the introduction of one would lead to the introduction of others, and that in time the old hands would be displaced. The feeling of the town was understood to be similar to that of the work people; and the employees said that they would not have quit work had not Mr. Wright himself suggested it as an alternative, when they made known their objections to him. 66 On the following day a conference of parties was held at the Converse House, in the presence of the Board. The employer said that the apprehensions that the men had expressed were entirely unfounded; that he was not looking for cheap help, and had hired the man in question, not because he represented cheap help, but because he was in need of more help. He would receive the strikers back at their old places on the 21st, and was willing, with a view of preventing similar strikes and similar apprehensions, to enter into an understanding whereby such difficulties might be adjusted in some other way than by resorting to strike or lockout. The committee expressed its satisfaction, but felt an obligation to report to its associates at the meeting which was then about to convene. The committee reported on the conference, and upon the advice of the Board a vote was taken on the question of returning to work on the following Monday, and carried, and the strike ended. On the 17th of October a joint application was received from Condon Brothers & Co. and the stitchers in their employ. The following decision was rendered on November 29: In the matter of the joint application of Condon Brothers & Co., shoe manu- The following matters in controversy were brought to the Board in accordance with an agreement between the parties in interest which provides for the settlement of such disputes. Each party nominated an expert, as provided by law in such cases, and the two so nominated were appointed by the Board to assist in investigating prices and conditions of trade. Having heard the parties and made thorough inquiry at competing points, the Board awards the following prices for work performed in the factory of Condon Brothers & Co. :— Seaming on tops, cylinder work, Trimming balmoral tops, raw edge, flat, Stitching folded edges, balmoral tops, without under- Per 24-Pair Case. $0 09 10 14 12 Seaming vamps, California welt, two seams, union 08 35 14 10 Folding tops by hand, Stitching English backstay, 04 06 12 By the Board, BERNARD F. SUPPLE, Clerk. MCCARTY, SHEEHY & KENDRICK COMPANY BROCKTON. On October 22 a joint application was received from McCarty, Sheehy & Kendrick Company of Brockton. The following decision was rendered on November 26: In the matter of the joint application of the McCarty, Sheehy & Kendrick Company of Brockton and its employees in the sole leather department. PETITION FILED OCTOBER 22, 1901. HEARING OCTOBER 29. This case comes to us in accordance with an agreement between the employer and the Boot and Shoe Workers' Union, of which the employees in interest are members, and presents a request for prices on the following list of items: After careful consideration and investigation, aided by expert assistants as provided by law, the Board recommends that the following prices be paid for the work in question in this factory: SHEET METAL WORKERS - BOSTON. On the 24th of October the Building Trades Council, represented by Mark B. Mulvey, its business agent, requested that the Board procure an interview with representative employers of sheet metal workers, with a view to some understanding or agreement by which certain firms might not be put upon the unfair list by the Building Trades. After some delay in obtaining the collective opinion of the employers, the secretary of their association announced that it was ready to confer by committee with the sheet metal workers and the Building Trades Council, in the presence of the Board, at such time and place as might be appointed. Accordingly, on November 5, a conference was held at the Board's office in the State House, between a committee of the Boston Stove and Furnace Dealers' Association, representing the employers in question, on the one hand, and a committee of sheet metal workers, with their business agent, and another from the Building Trades Council, Mr. Mulvey, chairman, on the other hand. The employees stated their desire for some modification of the existing agreement that would enable the parties to treat of common affairs with more harmony in the future. Mr. Walker of Walker & Pratt Manufacturing Company claimed that, before considering any agreement, the strike which had been declared in his shop should be declared off. The firm of Smith & Anthony, through its representative, would make no proposition at the time. Mr. Walker, for his company, offered to take back all the old hands who might desire to return. The specific points of the controversy that were discussed were the 8-hour work day and the recognition of the union. The conference dissolved without any tangible result. On November 25 a visit was received from a representative of the Building Trades Council, who announced that the sheet metal workers' controversy had been settled and the men had returned to work. SHEET METAL WORKERS-BOSTON. On December 18 the agents of the Sheet Metal Workers Union and the Building Trades Council called and requested a conference on the subject of the 8-hour work day, saying that several employers had granted the 8-hour day, but the Walker & Pratt Manufacturing Company and some others had not yet done so. On January 6, 1902, an application, signed by Messrs. Mulvey & Turner for the Building Trades Council, announced a controversy, and requested a conference. A conference was had on the 10th of January, and again on the 14th, but no conclusion was reached. BOOK BINDERS-BOSTON. As a result of the demand for the following schedule presented by local Union No. 16 of the International Brotherhood of Book Binders, a conference was held on October 21, in Boston: Finishers,. Extra job forwarders, Assistant job forwarders, . $18 and $21 a week. Nine hours a day or 54 hours a week to constitute a week's work; over-time to be at the rate of time and a half; Sundays and holidays, double time; 1 apprentice to 5 men or fraction thereof. |