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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES)
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS)
M I S C E L L A N E O U S
XT
* -
S E R I E S
TRADE AGREEMENTS
1925
SEPTEMBER 1, 1926
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1926
J 1 Q
* * H O * * t l ;7
ADDITIONAL COPIES
OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D C.
AT
25 CENTS PER COPY
CO N TEN TS
Page
Introduction_______________________________________________________
1-6
General contents of agreements_________________________________
3-^6
Actors____________________________________________________________
6
Automobile workers_______________________________________________
6, 7
Bakers____________________________________________________________
7-11
Barbers___________________________________________________________ 11-13
Billposters_________________________________________________________ 13, 14
Brewery workers _________________________________ __________________ 14-18
Brick and clay workers_____________________________________________ 18-20
Broom makers_____________________________________________________
20
Building trades____________________________________________________20-63
Asbestos workers______________________________________________ 21-23
Bricklayers------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 23-25
Carpenters____________________________________________________ 25-27
Electrical workers_____________________________________________ 27-36
Elevator constructors___________________________________________
36
Engineers, steam and operating_________________________________37-39
Firemen and oilers____________________________________________ _ 39, 40
Hod carriers___________________________________________________40-42
Lathers_______________________________________________________ 42, 43
Painters_______________________________________________________43-48
Plasterers_____________________________________________________ 48-51
Plumbers______________________________________________________ 51-56
Roofers_______________________________________________________ 56-58
Sheet-metal workers___________________________________________ 58-61
Structural-iron workers__________________________ _______________61-63
Cigar makers______________________________________________________63, 64
Clerks, retail_______________________________________________________64, 65
Clothing trades___________________________________ ________________ 65-80
Boot and shoe workers_________________________________________ 65-68
Cloth hat and cap makers______________________________________ 68, 69
Fur workers___________________________________________________ 69-71
Glove workers_________________________________________________71-73
Ladies7garment workers________________________________________ 73-76
Men’s clothing workers_________________________________________ 76-80
Tailors________________________________________________________
80
Coopers___________________________________________________________ 80, 81
Glass industry_____________________________________________________ 81-83
Glass-bottle blowers____________________________________________
81
Window-glass cutters and flatteners____________________________ _
82
Window-glass workers__________________________________________
83
Hotel and restaurant employees_____________________________________ 83-85
Iron, steel, and tin workers_________________________________________
85
Laundry workers___________________________________________________
85
Leather workers____________________________________________________ 85, 86
Longshoremen_____________________________________________________ 86-89
Meat cutters________________ ’______________________________________ 89-91
Metal trades_______________________________________________________91-97
Boiler makers_________________________________________________ 91, 92
Machinists____________________________________________________92-94
Metal polishers________________________________________________ 94, 95
Molders_______________________________________________________
95
Stove mounters_______________________________________________ 95-97
Miners, coa l_______________________________________________________ 97-99
Anthracite miners_____________________________________________ 97-99
Bituminous miners_____________________________________________
99
hi
IV
CONTENTS
Page
Miners, metal____________________________________________________
Musicians____________________________________ __________________
Paper makers________________________ ___________________________
Printing trades___________________________________________________
Allied Printing Trades Council________________________________
Bookbinders_________________________________________________
Compositors, proof readers, etc________________________________
Lithographers________________________________________________
Photo-engravers_____________________________________________
Printing pressmen___________________________________________
Stereotypers and electrotypers_________________________________
Railways, electric________________________________________________
Shipping________________________________________________________
Marine engineers____________________________________________
Masters, mates, and pilots__________________________________ _
Seamen_____________________________________________________
Stone-working trades_____________________________________________
Granite cutters______________________________________________
Paving cutters__________________________________________ -___
Quarry workers______________________________________________
Stonecutters_________________________________________________
Teamsters_______________________________________________________
Telegraphers, commercial_________________________________________
Telephone operators_______ _____________________________________
Theatrical stage employees_______________________________________
Upholsterers_____________________________________________________
Wall-paper crafts________________________________________________
100, 101
101-103
103, 104
105-127
105
105
105-116
116
116-119
120-123
123-127
127-138
138, 139
138,139
139
139
139-145
139-142
143
143, 144
144, 145
145-149
149
149, 150
150
150, 151
151
BULLETIN OF THE
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
WASHINGTON
NO. 419
September, 1926
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
INTRODUCTION
This is the second bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics devoted entirely to trade agreements. The first, Bulletin
No. 393, contained extracts from agreements made during the years
1923 and 1924.
The present bulletin is devoted to agreements made during the
year 1925, except for the inclusion of the anthracite coal agreement
of February, 1926, which was the result of a controversy arising in
1925. None of the agreements given in the former bulletin are here
repeated, but references to the earlier bulletin are given in the case
of trades for which 1925 agreements were either not made or were
not available.
Agreements affecting railroads and their employees are not included
because of the voluminous character of such agreements.
Since 1912 the bureau has made an effort to collect agreements
made in the leading industries. The number of agreements made
annually is not known, as most of them are not printed. In fact,
probably the majority of them are not reduced to writing, but are
simply verbal understandings. That the number of agreements made
must be very large is evidenced by the fact that the bureau has a col
lection of 16,000 copies, of which nearly 2,000 were added during the
past year. It is evident that only a small percentage of them can
appear in a bulletin of this character.
Frequently a union has no agreement beyond its by-laws or work
ing rules, which include many items ordinarily incorporated into
agreements, and members are expected to observe them in working
for employers. In fact such by-laws or working rules are at times
submitted to employers for the latter to observe, thus taking the
place of an agreement, as—
To all employers in the construction of new buildings and all repairs requiring
to be done in masonry and brickwork in city of Providence and vicinity:
The following are the working code of rules adopted by the members of Brick
layers, Masons, and Plasterers' Union No. 1, of this city and adjoining vicinities,
on and from July 1, 1925.
Sometimes observance of the by-laws is called for by the agreement,
as in the agreement of Printing Pressmen’s Local No. 3, Chicago,
April 10,1925, as follows:
It is agreed that the constitution and by-laws of Chicago Printing Pressmen’s
Union No. 3 ,1. P. P. & A. U., and the constitution and by-laws of the Interna
tional Printing Pressmen and Assistants’ Union, as existing and in effect on date
of signing of this contract, a copy of which, in printed form, is hereto attached,
are made a part of this contract, and subject only to such cha ges as will not
alter or affect the relations of the principals to this document during the life of
this contract.
1
2
TRADE AGREEMENTS IK 1925
In the agreement of Typographical Local No. 23, Milwaukee,
August 8,19 2 5 (sec. 2), also, the constitution of the local and the gen
eral laws of the international organization are directed to be observed
(see p. 111). A similar case is the following section in the agreement
of the plaster tenders of the Hod Carriers, Building and Common
Laborers’ Local No. 177, Des Moines, Iowa, March 31, 1925:
Section 11. It is agreed by both parties to this agreement that no part of this
agreement shall be construed to change or abridge any part of the international
constitution or jurisdiction of Local No. 177, and said constitution shall be a
part of this agreement.
Occasionally, however, there is a provision not in harmony' with
the above, as in the agreement of Electrical Workers* Local No. 38,
Cleveland, Ohio M ay 1,1925, Article X X I V , which reads as follows:
It is agreed by and between both parties to this agreement that the “ working
rules” or “ by-laws” for the government of the parties of the second part shall
not in any way conflict with any article of this agreement.
There is no uniform method of making agreements. They may be
made by the national officers of the union, by delegates, by large sec
tions of the union, by district councils, or by small groups of locals
in a city and its vicinity, or by the locals or their officials. Gener
ally, after being signed, the agreements are referred to the locals for
their approval in open meeting, and frequently also to the national
officers. An example of the last is found in the agreement of Brew
ery Worker’s Local No. 215, New Orleans, for 1925:
Section 17. This contract is to be approved and ratified by the Central Trades
and Labor Council of this city, and indorsed by the general executive board of
the International Union of the United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, and Soft Drinks
Workers of America.
Likewise, these agreements are variously accepted by the employ
ers— frequently the agreement is drawn up by a joint committee com
posed of members representing the employers and the employees.
The exact wording is a compromise by the two parties and is referred
to the employers’ association and even individual employers for
approval.
After acceptance the agreement is signed by the officers of the
union and the individual employers, or some one designated by the
employers when they have acted as a group.
For the union the agreement is signed by the president or secretary,
or by both, or by the business agent, or a committee. The indorse
ment of the national officers or executive board follows.
Generally the agreement is executed in triplicate, one copy being
retained by the employer, one by the local, and the third being sent
to the nationalorganization, though sometimes in duplicate, as in the
following section from the agreement of Steam Fitters’ Local No.
537, Boston, Mass., July 15, 1925:
A rticle IX. Section 1. All heating and piping contractors hiring or desiring
to hire men in the jurisdiction of Local No. 537 shall sign in duplicate these
working rules and conditions before men will be furnished. One signed copy
shall be for the files of the employer and one for Local No. 537.
Where the agreement is printed it is generally done at the expense
of the union. Copies are given to each employer and to each mem
ber of the union. Frequently the employers print the agreement for
INTRODUCTION
3
their own use. Sometimes the agreements are posted in the shop
(see p. 8.)
In a few cases the national union issues a genera! form of contract
with blank spaces for hours of work, wages, and certain other items
that naturally vary with the different unions. Such forms also ser\e
as models for locals which print their own agreements (see p. 36).
GENERAL CONTENTS OF AGREEMENTS
Although there is scarcely a provision common to all agreements,
their general object is the same, and a number of subjects of a gen
eral character are covered, in more or less similar language, in vari
ous agreements. Therefore, in order to avoid undue repetition, these
general provisions are summarized under each heading. In addition
an outline of the general contents of agreements, with page refer
ences to a selected number of illustrative cases, is given below.
Agreements usually begin with a preamble stating the object and
purpose of the agreement (see p. 57). Generally the agreement pro
vides for a union shop (see pp. 66, 73, 100, 124), or states that the
employer shall employ only employees in good standing in the union.
Discrimination against the union by an employer is frequently ex
pressly forbidden (see pp. 63, 65).
Employers are often required to hire their employees through the
union officials (see pp. 37, 66). If the union is without an available
source of supply the employer may then obtain his needed additional
help from any other source (see pp. 59, 124). Generally such em
ployees must secure permit cards from the union before going to
work (see pp. 26, 43, 64, 84), and must join the local within a
certain specified time — a few days or immediately (see pp. 19, 69,
144, 147). In case such nonunion employee refuses or neglects to
join the union within the time specified or is deemed incompetent by
the union, his services are to be dispensed with by the employer as
soon as a union man can be found to take his place. Some agree
ments do not require such employees to join the union (see p. 35) , but
call for a preferential shop only (see pp. 77, 95), that is, one in which
union men are hired in preference to nonunion.
The refusal of
union men to work with nonunion men or on a nonunion job is
generally not considered a breach of the agreement (see p. 46). A
shop chairman or committee is elected or appointed in each shop to
look out for union interests (see pp. 9, 74, 77, 93).
The business
agent, the organizer, or a committee of the union is to be admitted
into the shop at any time for the purpose of settling differences (see
pp. 9, 74).
Generally foremen and superintendents are not required to be
members of the union (see pp. 16, 40, 144), for they represent the
contractor or employer, but occasionally such requirement is made
(see pp. 58, 63, 70, 119), especially if they do journeymen’s work.
Usually only one member of a firm or company is allowed to do
journeymen’s work unless he is a member of the union (see pp. 9,
46). In some cases journeymen are not allowed to act as contractors
(see pp. 58, 59), and in others only after registering (see pp. 46, 47).
Sympathetic strikes are forbidden in some agreements (see p. 52),
and aYlowed in others (see pp. 48, 71).
4
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Scarcely an agreement exists that does not state the wages to be
paid, always considered as a minimum, however, and generally for
bidding the lowering of existing higher wages (see pp. 65, 114) to the
minimum rate. Wages are frequently stated by the hour in agree
ments in the building and metal trades, but by the week in those of
most other occupations, with a provision that they are to be paid in
cash weekly, often at a given hour on a specified day (seep. 26).
The hours of work are always stated in the agreement. The
eight-hour day is very generally observed, as will appear in the
extracts from agreements that follow. The 44-hour week is practi
cally the rule in the building, clothing, metal, printing, and stone
trades. The agreements frequently specify the hour of beginning
and of ending work and the period to be allowed for the noon meal,
as in the following extract from the agreement of Hod Carriers,
Building, and Common Laborers’ Local No. 177 with the Master
Builders' Association of Des Moines, March 31, 1925.
A rticle III. P aragraph 1. Eight hours shall constitute a day’s work. From
March 15 to October 15 the hours shall be from 8 a. m. to 12 m. and from 1 p. m. to
5 p. m. From October 15 to March 15 the hours shall be from 8 a. m. to 12 m. and
from 12.30 p, m. to 4.30 p. m., except Saturday, when the hours shall be from
8 a. m. to 12 m.
A week is almost invariably defined as six days (see pp. 7 ,1 0 7 ,1 4 5 ).
Sunday is generally observed as the weekly day of rest, though in
continuous industries any day may be so observed.
State holidays are generally observed by unions as rest days, though
some unions do not observe every holiday. Thus in the agreement
of Bakers’ Local No, 26, of Denver, for 1925, only three holidays
are mentioned:
6.
Employees to be entitled to Fourth of July and Christmas; that they be
entitled to one day during the week in which these holidays occur—distribution
to the different employees to be at the convenience of the employers—no wages to
be paid said employees for said holidays. Employees working a holiday and not
receiving a day’s vacation in that week to be entitled to double pay therefor.
Further, employees shall be allowed a holiday on Labor Day. However, there
shall be no deduction in the regular weekly pay on account of this holiday. If
compelled to work on Labor Day, same shall be paid for at the rate of double
time. Jobbers working on holidays shall receive regular jobber’s wages.
On the other hand, some unions observe every holiday as a rest
day, an example of which is the agreement of the Steam and Oper
ating Engineers’ Local No. 74, Boston, April 1, 1925:
A rticle IV. The holidays recognized in this agreement are as follows: New
Year’s Day, Washington’s Birthday, Lexington Day, Memorial Day, June 17,
July 4, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day;
also all days which may become legal holidays. The days above mentioned
shall not be deducted from the weekly wages of the employees.
The agreement ot Barbers’ Local No. 657, Brooklyn, M ay 1925,
mentions 11 holidays, as follows:
Fourth. New Year’s, Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, International
Workers’ holiday May 1, Decoration Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus
Day, election day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas.
Jewish holidays are often observed by unions composed largely of
Jews (see p. 9).
As a rule men are not paid for a holiday when no work is done,
but the practice is becoming increasingly common, outside the build
ing trades, to pay for holidays, such a provision appearing in the
INTRODUCTION
5
Boston agreement above quoted and in many of the agreements con
tained in this bulletin (see pp. 8, 65, 80).
As a rule, work performed outside the regular daily schedule of hours
is paid for at the rate of time and a half, and work done on Sundays and
holidays at double rates, though there are many exceptions to this
statement, as appears in the agreements here printed. For examples
of straight overtime rate of time and a hali see pp. 8, 81, 93; for
examples of straight overtime rate of double time see pp. 29, 74, 92;
sometimes the provisions are for time and a half for the first hour or two
of overtime and double time thereafter (see pp. 94, 120, 126, 144).
Overtime work is opposed by the unions and many provisions are
lftade to reduce the amount of it. In some cases no overtime work
is allowed until the union officials have been notified (see pp. 8, 24)
and their consent obtained (see pp. 25, 43, 67). In other cases the
amount of overtime is limited to three hours a week (see p. 8), two
hours a day (see p. 71), or one hour a day (see p. 74).
In continuous operations and in trades where night-work exists reg
ularly, or the employees work in shifts, overtime rates do not apply.
Instead, there is a separate scale prepared for such cases, which calls
for either a slight increase in wages over the day scale or a decrease
in the number of hours worked per shift (see pp. 37, 59, 91, 108, 130).
There are a few examples of vacation with pay, a provision that
has recently begun to appear in the agreements (see pp. 65, 113,
147, 150).
The more prominent agreements usually contain some reference to
arbitration and forbid strikes and lockouts during the life of the
agreement. Generally an arbitration board is created, consisting of
an equal number of representatives from each side with a chairman
appointed by the other members of the board. The decision of the
board is always final and binding on both sides. Agreements con
taining full provisions relating to arbitration will be found on pages
17, 34, 38, 78, 128.
Many agreements contain apprenticeship provisions (see pp. 24,
27, 32, 53, 60). Under these an apprentice is articled to a certain
employer, is registered with the union, serves a stated length of time,
and is admitted as a journeyman on passing an examination given by
a committee of the union, frequently m conjunction with a committee
representing the employers. The apprenticeship period varies from
six months (see p. 8) to five years (see p. 106).
Outside of these five main provisions— union shop, wages, hours,
arbitration, and apprentices— many matters appear in the various
agreements, though not uniformly.
An important one is that of unemployment. Various attempts
have been made to tide over the slack periods of work. The usual
method in such circumstances has been to discharge the superfluous
help and keep at work only as many as are needed (see p. 93), in
which case the agreement generally provides that the older employees
shall be retained and those with a shorter service shall be discharged
first (see p. 89). Another method is to distribute the work as equally
as possible (see pp. 67, 70, 80, 84), and a third is a system of unem
ployment insurance, which is perhaps more thoroughly worked out in
the clothing industries than in others (see pp. 69, 78). Seniority is pro
vided for in several agreements (see pp. 20,100,129,150) especially in the
6
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
matter of discharges (see p. 94). The check-off is allowed in some
agreements (see p. 100), and seems to exist in others (see pp. 45, 58).
Various provisions are inserted relative to the comfort and safety
of employees (see pp. 50, 61). Satisfactory sanitary arrangements
are to be provided with toilet, wash rooms, dressing rooms, and
lockers (see pp. 7, 40, 72, 110). Establishments are to be kept in a
clean and sanitary condition (see p. 7) and buildings are to be inclosed
and heated in winter (see p. 50). Several agreements require employ
ers to carry liability insurance (see pp. 29, 46) and observe the re
quirements of sanitary standards and safety codes (see pp. 46, 75, 95).
In those trades where a union label exists which can be placed on
products its use is made compulsory (see pp. 9, 68, 75). A copy of
a label agreement is given on page 15. In places where service exists,
the use of a union card is frequently required (see pp. 13, 64, 83, 89).
Agreements are generally made for one year, though other periods
of time are adopted, as two years (see pp. 51, 69, 73), three yeara
(see pp. 58, 77, 124, 139), and five years (see p. 116). Agreements
for more than a year contain a provision allowing the wage section
to be revised yearly. M any agreements are indeterminate in length
and may be revised at any time (see p. 92); others may be revised
at yearly periods tsee pp. 8, 72, 94).
The extracts here given are not a reprint of those that have
appeared in the Labor Review, though several of the agreements
printed in this bulletin have appeard also in the Labor Review. In
the monthly publication the aim has been to show changes in agree
ments as they are made, unusual clauses that appear in several agree
ments and tend to show a trend in the labor movement, and extracts
from agreements made in foreign countries. Probably the question
of wages is the most vital one in the life of a union; hence the ex
tracts given in the Labor Review almost invariably include the wages
scheduled.
In this bulletin, however, the attempt has been made to give one
agreement typical of each trade, followed by extracts from other
agreements that seem to be worth noting. In general, wages are
omitted.
ACTORS
The Actors' Equity Association, composed of actors and performers,
has two agreements, similar in terms, one with the Managers' Pro
tective Association and one with independent proprietors not mem
bers of the association. The former agreement, dated M ay 12, 1924,
to be in effect for 10 years, is discussed in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 3 -6 ),
The agreement made by the association with the managers' asso
ciation in 1924 is given in fu]l in Bulletin No. 402, Collective Bar
gaining by Actors, pages 73-84 and that made by the Chorus Equity
Association on pages 94-102, of the same bulletin.
AUTOMOBILE WORKERS
The United Automobile, Aircraft, and Vehicle Workers of Amer
ica is a union composed of workers in the industries mentioned in
its title. The union is industrial in character and includes all work
ing on such vehicles— carpenters, painters, blacksmiths, electricians*
and machinists.
BAKERS
7
Extracts from an agreement dated M ay 22, 1924, were printed in
Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 6, 7).
BAKERS
The Bakery and Confectionery Workers’ International Union of
America consists of bakers organized, generally, with one union in a
city covering the various divisions of the craft— bread, cake, pie,
pastry, cracker, candy, and ice-cream workers. In a few cities there
are separate locals of candy, cracker, and ice-cream-cone workers.
Where there are Italian, Pole, Scandinavian, Bohemian, or Hebrew
bakeries in a city, and where bread is made according to formulas
followed in the old countries, separate bakers’ unions of such national
ities are often found. Salesmen generally affiliate with the teamsters*
union.
In a few cities bakeries are divided into machine shops and hand
shops, the difference between them being that in the former a mechan
ical dough divider, molder, or rounder is used. Workers in both
classes of shops belong to the same union. They are generally divided
into three classes, called dough mixers or spongers, ovenmen, and
benchmen; or first, second, and third hands. Sometimes the first
two classes are combined. Some shops have a foreman in addition.
The agreements, as a rule, are not lengthy. They are generally
made for one year and expire on the last aay of April. They usually
call for a 48-hour week, with Saturday or Sunday as a rest day, a
weekly payment of wages with no deduction for holidays, frequently
forbid nightwork, and where it is allowed provide for an increased
rate, and generally permit overtime only in cases of emergency and
usually at the time-and-a-half rate. Generally, not more than one
partner or one stockholder in a company or firm is allowed to work
as a journeyman unless he is at the same time a member of the union.
Foremen usually are not required to be members of the union. Pro
vision is made for extra men or jobbers and also for helpers, who do
laborers’ work around the bakery. Some form of arbitration is fre
quently provided for.
The following extracts from the agreement of Local No* 85, Sac
ramento, Calif., made for one year from M ay 1, 1925, are illustrative
of bakers’ agreements in other respects:
Section 2. All vacancies and jobbing places in bakery establishments shall be
filled by ike secretary-business agent of the union. Any person of good moral
character desiring to learn the baking trade and not having previously worked in
the trade and having expressed a desire to become a member of the union shall
be given a permit by the secretary-business agent of the union and shall at the
expiration of two months make application to become a member of the union.
Sec. 4. All baking establishments must be clean and sanitary, baking equip
ment included. All persons in said establishments and under the jurisdiction of
the union must under penalty maintain their personal cleanliness. The union
agrees to and reserves the right to discipline and impose severe penalties on all
members who in this regard injure and impair the public confidence to which
the baking industry is entitled. The employer shall provide and maintain for
the tise and convenience of their employees sanitary dressing rooms, toilets, wash
rooms, and clothes lockers.
Sec . 6. Six days or less shall constitute a week’s work, and no employee under
the jurisdiction of the union shall be permitted to work seven days per week. No
steady working employee shall be allowed to work broken shifts or broken weeks
or work as jobber where steadily employed. All wages must be paid weekly—
Saturday to be pay day.
8
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Sec . 9. After an apprentice has served six months at the trade he can make
application to the union to take an examination in three shops as to his capabil
ities of earning a minimum of $27 per week. In case he shall fail in said exam
ination he can not make another application within six months.
Sec . 11. Six days or less shall constitute a week’s work, except when a holiday
occurs, when five days shall constitute a week’s work.
Sec. 14. No employee under the jurisdiction of the union shall be allowed to
start work before 3 o’clock a. m. or work after 9 o’clock, p. m. except dough
mixers, and they shall not start before 10 o’clock p. m ; and it is further provided that
the dough mixer shall be allowed to use such time as he may have (waiting for
his doughs) to start making up sweet dough, etc., before 3 o’clock, a. m.t but shall
do no work on bread until after 3 o’ clock, a. m. All men who start work before
5 a. m. shall receive $3 more per week, including helpers.
Sec . 16. Overtime will be allowed when necessary, and the secretary-business agent must be immediately notified by the foreman of a crew about'to
work such overtime and must be paid for at the rate of time and one-half; also
any part of an hour shall be paid for as a full hour, and not more than two
hours will be allowed any one man during each working week.
Sec. 17. Jobbers are to be asked for through the office of the seeretary-business
agent on the day previous to the day needed.
Sec. 19. Employees will be allowed to work two hours overtime without pay
for said two hours on days previous to holidays to be observed and no overtime
shall be allowed on days previous to holidays not to be observed. Jobbers are
only allowed to work eight hours.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 317,
Concord, N. H ., M ay 1 ,19 2 5:
A rticle 2. Eight hours shall constitute one day’s or night’s work; six work
ing days or nights shall be considered one week. All overtime to be paid at the
rate of time and one-half. The eight hours must be worked in ten. No mem
ber shall be compelled to work more than three hours overtime in one week.
A rt. 7. No member shall be compelled to board with his employer.
A rt. 9. A copy of this agreement shall be posted in a conspicuous place in
each shop, and shall not be allowed to be torn down or defaced.
A rt. 10. There shall be at least one man on nights where an apprentice is
employed. Where more than five bakers are employed there may be two appren
tices and they shall be instructed in all branches of the trade within the period
of three years.
A rt. 11. This agreement shall be in full force and effect from date of signing
until April 30, 1926, and thereafter until a new agreement (the terms of which
shall be retroactive from the above given date), has been consummated and
signed; or this agreement has, upon notice, been canceled or terminated by the
employer; or by the local union with the sanction of the Bakery and Confec
tionery Workers’ International Union of America.
The following sections relating to apprentices and arbitration are
found in the 1925 agreement of Local No. 26, Denver, Colo.:
5.
One apprentice shall be allowed on each shift in any shop where one to
four journeymen are employed, and one apprentice for each additional three men
or fraction thereof employed on each shift. Apprentices shall be transferred
from one line of work to the other, so as to enable him to learn the trade thor
oughly. Apprentices shall be accepted only above the age of 17 years. It is
further understood that apprentices shall work at the trade at least three years,
and shall pass a practical examination in other shops than the one in which they
work before being transferred to a journeyman baker.
10.
No strike or lockout shall be called in any shop or factory. If any dis
pute shall arise between the employees and their employers an effort shall be
made by the employer and the properly accredited officers or committee from
Local No. 26 to adjust such differences; if such differences can not be adjusted
in this manner within 24 hours, arbitrators shall be selected—two to be selected
by the employer, two by the union, their officers or committee, and these four
to agree on a fifth. When so chosen, the five shall constitute a board of arbi
tration, to which all differences shall be submitted; each party shall name its
arbitrators within two days from the time it has been found impossible to set
tle the same in the manner heretofore stated. In case of failure of either party
BAKEBS
9
to name its arbitrators within the required time the claim made by the respec
tive party shall be deemed to be waived and forfeited to the other. The deci
sion of the board of arbitration on any matter in dispute shall be final and bind
ing upon employer and upon all members of the union.
The following articles relating to shop stewards and the business
agent are taken from the agreement of Local No. 229, Altoona, Pa.,
M ay 1 ,1 9 2 5 :
A rticle 8. A shop steward shall be elected in every shop, who shall have entire
charge of all matters relating to trade rules of that shop. He shall give decisions
in reference to disputes among members as to matters pertaining to union rules and
to collect dues from members in arrears and perform such other duties properly
a part of the office of shop steward. He shall not be hampered with or intimi
dated in the performance of his duties by any person in that shop, and the
carrying out of his duties shall not jeopardize his position in that shop.
A rt. 9. The business agent is not to interfere in the working of a shop, unless
called upon by the shop steward. If this shop steward is unable to adjust a
difficulty in reference to a question in dispute and the firm refuses to accept
this decision, he shall report the matter to the business agent, who must call at
the office of the bakery for conference and investigate in an effort to adjust the
difficulty with the firm.
The following sections referring to members appear in the agree
ment of Local No. 21, of St. Paul, Minn., M ay 1, 1925:
Section 2. In case of scarcity of union bakers, helpers, or apprentices, which
compels the employer to hire nonunion help, he agrees that if such help should
refuse to join the union upon request of the representative of Bakers' Union No.
21 that he will discharge such nonunion help.
Sec. 4. Every member joining our union is compelled to go through an ex
amination (by our board) to show his qualifications as a baker, his habits, and
that he has no communicable or contagious disease. Helpers who wish to trans
fer must also get an examination.
The following article relating to stockholders is taken from the
agreement of Local No. 208, St. Joseph, M o., M ay 1, 1925:
A rticle VI. If a superintendent, foreman, or stockholder is doing any work
in the shop he must be a member of Local Union No. 208; said stockholder
owning less than 20 per cent of the stock must be a member of union, but have
no voice in the meetings.
The following section relating to union labels is from the agree
ment of Local No. 14, Rochester, N. Y ., M ay 1, 1925:
Ninth. The union label is the property of the Bakers and Confectionery Work
ers’ International Union of America, and is granted to employers under following
conditions:
The union label shall be placed on every loaf of bread weighing one-half pound
or over. The loan of the union label (plain labels) is 8 cents, and the combina
tion labels is 12 cents or more per thousand. Union label must be paid by
delivery through the foreman of the bakery.
All bakeries where the union label is issued according to the agreement will
be recognized as union bakeries.
The peculiarities of agreements with Hebrew bakeries are shown
in the following extracts from the agreement of Local No. 453, Los
Angeles, Calif., M ay 1, 1925, and of Local No. 87, Brooklyn, N. Y .,
April 15, 1925.
Section 9. The holidays under this agreement, shall be paid: First day of May
(1 day); Feast of Weeks (2 days); Jewish New Year (2 days); Day of Atone
ment (1 day); Feast of Tabernacles (2 days); Feast of Laws (2 days); Labor
Day (1 day).
No work shall be performed after 12 o’clock midnight, April 30, until 12 o’clock
midnight May 1—full 24 hours must elapse before starting time.
Sec. 11. Every bakery must have a clock showing the correct time.
10
TRADE AGBEEMESfIS IN 1925
Sec. 12. Wages, m United States currency,, must be paid as soon as the week’s
work is finished.
Sec. 18. No employee can foe laid off only when his week is up, and by giving
notice to the business agent.
Sec. 20. There shall be no change of starting time in the middle of the week;
only in the beginning of the week and upon notification of the business agent,
10 hours’ notice before starting time.
Sec . 21. N o employee is allowed to come to the shop after his work is finished.
Sec . 23. Every union shop must carry compensation insurance.
Sec . 24. A man working over four hours shall constitute a day ’s work. [Agree
ment of Local No.453 of Los Angeles, Calif.]
1.
The party of the second part agrees to have his shop kept in a clean and
sanitary condition; also to have the shop whitewashed at least once in every
three months.
5. It is agreed and understood that in Zitzel bakeries containing 2 ovens a set
of workers of 3 bench hands and 2 foremen are to produce not more than 7 ovens
of bread, including a baker-out for 3 ovens of bread. In bakeries where on 2
ovens there are employed 2 bench hands and 2 foremen no more than 5 ovens
of bread are to be produced. In Zitzel bakeries of 3 ovens, 3 bench hands and
1 foreman should produce not more than 5 ovens of bread. No oven of bread
shall consist of any larger quantity than a dough made up of five 16-quart pails.
If the employer needs more bread, then only 2 ovens of bread should be pro
duced by 1 foreman and 1 bench hand.
6. It is further agreed that bakeries where rolls are baked, and where a set of
3 men is employed, no more than 1 oven of Zitzel bread is to be produced, and
that oven shall consist of a quantity of dough not larger than five 16-quart
paiis. In case more than 1 oven of Zitzel bread is produced, then the same
rules apply as provided in article 5 in this agreement.
7. It is further mutually agreed by and between the parties hereto that no
work in the bakery shall be started by 1 man, and if the party of the sec
ond part is not employing more than 1 man then the second party himself shall
replace the second man's work.
9.
No baker shall be allowed to do any work in the bakery on Friday. No
sponging, arranging flour in the bakery on Friday or after the regular working
hours shall be allowed. In case one of the regular weekly workmen is sponging
on Friday he shall be paid for a full day’s work.
14. It is mutually agreed to stop all work in the bakeries of the party of the
second part from the 30th day of April at 12 o’clock midnight until the first day
of May at 12 o’clock midnight.
*
h
c * The party of the second part agrees to pay for the 10 legal
holidays.
23.
It is also further agreed that no sweepers or any nonunion helpers are to
be allowed to do any work in the bakeries during the time the members of the
union are working.
25. It is also mutually agreed that in the event of the second party working
inside the bakery he shall not be allowed to work on the wagon outside, and
vice versa.
26. Every boss must recognize a substitute for a steady man, which is sent
by the local union, if capable.
27. In the event two partners are conducting a bakery, and both of them are
bakers, only one of the said partners shall be permitted to work, and only on
the same conditions as a member of the union. [Agreement of Local No. 87 of
Brooklyn, N. Y.]
Extracts from the agreement of Polish Loeal No. 49, Chicago, 111.,
M ay 29, 1925, follow:
5.
Not to employ more than one third hand in each department, and not
more than one apprentice boy for each establishment. No apprentice is allowed
to work if there is a third hand working.
13.
No journeyman or apprentice is allowed to work more than two hours
overtime in any one week, excepting substitutes can not be gotten from the
office, in that case overtime is to be, as far as practical, regulated according to
rotation.
17.
Bakery workers who are shareholders in a bakery concern may wori in
the bakery only when they retain their union membership.
BAEBEES
11
19. If superintending foreman is doing journeyman -baker’s work he must be
a member of the above-mentioned union.
26.
All journeymen bakers must have their weekly day off on Saturday or
Sunday.
BARBERS
The agreements of the Journeymen Barbers’ International Union
of America are invariably made with individual proprietors. The
fact that the proprietor usually works in the. shop, that the journey
men barbers are virtually his helpers, and that both sell service in
stead of goods, causes the contract to be somewhat different from
those made in other industries.
The hoxn*s are somewhat longer than in most other occupations.
In general, barber shops are open from 7.30 or 8 o’clock in the morn
ing to 7 or 8 o’clock in the evening. On Saturdays the closing hour
is 9 or 10 o’clock. In some agreements the hour of opening and of
closing is not mentioned, but the number of hours a barber may
work daily is limited to 8
or 10
but with 2 or 3 hours additional
on Saturdays. The shop is to close at the hour prescribed in the
agreement.
There are no overtime provisions: However, the practice is to
attend to all who enter the shop previous to the closing hour. In
some cities bona fide guests in hotels are permitted to be served out
of hours.
Wages are on a commission basis, varying usually from 50 to 70
per cent, with a guaranty generally of from $25 to $30 a week for
those working full time. The wages of journeymen are paid weekly
and no deduction is made because of a holiday. Where one works
less than the full week his wages are generally computed according
to^a different scale of guaranty or commission, designed to give him
a wage considered fair under the circumstances. Methods of com
putation are also prescribed for extra hands who work evenings only
or all day Saturday, the number of such extra hands being frequently
limited to one in a shop.
Naturally there is iio Saturday half holiday. Instead a half-day
vacation each week is frequently allowed without loss of pay, the day
to be designated by the proprietor of the shop and to be omitted in
any week in which a holiday occurs.
The paying of wages to a certain extent in commissions causes
the union to take a lively interest in the rate of charges to customers.
A price list is therefore frequently prepared by the union and stated
either in the agreement or its by-laws. A proprietor’s failure to
observe this list is considered a breach of the contract and renders
the proprietor liable to a fine. Arbitration is rarely mentioned in
the agreements except in a general way.
The following extracts showing hours and wages are from the agree
ment of Local No. 75, Portland, Oreg., July, 1925:
Section 1. Shops will open at 7.30 a. m. and close at 7 p. m., except Satur
days or days before holidays when shops are closed all day, the closing hours
shall be 9 p. m.
Sec. 2. On [seven] stated holidays shops shall remain closed all day, except
when they fall on Saturday or Monday, when working hours shall be from 8 a. m.
to 12 o'clock noon.
Sec. 3. A workday shall consist of 8% hours in any
consecutive hours,
except Saturdays or days before holidays when shops are closed all day when
members may work 11 in 12 consecutive houTs.
12
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Sec. 4. The minimum wage shall be $28 per week and 60 per cent over $41.
Sec. 5. Extra men employed by the week shall not work to exceed 4
hours
a day or 11 in 12 consecutive hours on Saturday. They shall receive a guaranty
of $2.10 a day, $6.50 on Saturday and 60 per cent over $22. No more than one
extra man shall be employed in any union shop at a time.
Sec . 6. Members of the union who are employed a day or part of a day or
part of a week shall receive not less than 65 per cent of their receipts up to $41
and 60 per cent thereafter per day, with a guaranty of $4.20 a day and the regu
lar scale on Saturday.
Sec . 7. Saturday men and men working extra on days before holidays when
shops are closed all day shall receive not less than $6.50 and 60 per cent over
$9.50.
Sec . 9. Steady men laying off a day or part of a day or part of a week shall
receive not less than 67 per cent of their receipts per day up to $41 and 60 per
cent thereafter of their receipts per day, with a guaranty of $4.20 per day and
the regular guaranty on Saturday.
Sec. 12. No member of Local 75 shall work on another customer after his
hours, except those whose 9 ^ hours expire at the closing hours, who shall serve
all patrons entering before the closing hours.
Sec. 13. Upon application the executive board of Local 75 shall have the power
to grant hotel shops the privilege to work no more than two chairs on holidays
from 8 a. m. to 12 o’ctock noon, when shops are closed all dav. The front blinds to
be drawn and only the traveling public to be accommodated.
Similar conditions are shown in the following extracts from the
agreement of Local No. 129, Cleveland, Ohio, April 1, 1925.
Section 1. Journeymen shall not work more than 9J^ consecutive hours of
any one day, except on Saturday, when they shall not work more than l lj^ con
secutive hours; days before legal holidays mentioned in section 7 of this agree
ment shall be considered as Saturday.
Sec. 2. Journeymen shall have one-half day off duty each week, commencing
at 12 o’clock noon, and he is not to report for duty until the following morning;
when off duty on account of a legal holiday, he is not to take any other time off
that week.
Sec. 3. Meal hours shall be 1J^ hours each day, provided for according to
shop rules.
Sec . 4. Journeymen shall not be required to contribute any part of their wages
toward any supplies in a shop, except bench tools and uniforms.
Sec. 5. Journeymen conducting one-chair shops shall comply with all the
working conditions in this agreement, except that they shall not be required to
take one-half day off duty each week.
Sec. 6, A rt. 1. The wages of a journeyman shall be a guaranty of $28 not less,
and 60 per cent over and above $38 of his receipts for a full week’s work.
A rt . 7. The wages of a journeyman barber who is employed for evenings and
Saturdays shall be 70 per cent of his receipts, with a guaranty of $2 for each even
ing, and 70 per cent of his receipts with a guaranty of $10 for Saturday; for a
full week evenings and Saturdays, the wages shall be a guaranty of $20 and 60
per cent over $26 of his receipts, the days before legal holidays * * * shall be
considered the same as Saturday, the evening man to start work at 4 p. m.
Sec. 7. Journeymen shall not work on [six stated] legal holidays, but shall work
until 9 p. m. the night before, and if any of the holidays fall on Sunday and
celebrated on Monday the journeymen shall not work on that day.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 657,
Brooklyn, N . Y ., for 1925:
Fourth. * * * The week’s work shall consist of five and one-half days. A
legal holiday shall count as one day’s work. One hour for dinner, and onehalf hour for supper daily.
Fifth. The employer agrees to close his barber shop and refuse the admit
tance of any customer to be attended after the closing hours as mentioned in
the above paragraph four, and agrees to permit the members of our union work
ing in the barber shop to turn off all lights in the windows and poles, to lock the
doors, and refuse the entering of any patron after closing hours.
Any barber shop running, operating, or managing a beauty parlor in rear or
some other place connected with the barber shop must close the beauty parlor
at the same time and hour as the barber shop.
BILLPOSTERS
13
Sixth. That the employer hereby agrees to discharge any and all of his help
at any time upon the request of the union.
Apprentices are barely mentioned in the agreements, as in the
following extract from the agreement of Local No. 16, Saginaw,
Mich., February 1, 1925:
Section 1. Proprietors of barber shops shall display the union-shop card, and
employ members of the union of the J. B. I. U. of A. having a permit from the
secretary or who can show a paid-up due book, and not employ more than one
apprentice, who shall first be registered with the union.
The following extracts are from Article X X of the by-laws of
Local No. 240, Lancaster, Pa., approved July 3, 1925:
No. 2. No union-shop card shall be displayed where nonunion men are
employed.
No. 4. In case a nonunion man is employed in a union shop he shall sign aa
application for membership and pay one-half of the initiation or readmission
fee before going to work in a union shop.
No. 5. Any union shop keeping open longer hours or charging prices below
the union scale shall not be entitled to the shop card.
No. 6. Union shops shall not open earlier than 7.30 a. m. nor close later thaa
7.30 p. m., except Saturdays, open 7.30 a. m. and close 8.30 p. m., and all holi
days the night before to close at 8.30 p. m.
No. 7. If any proprietor of a union shop desires a man he can send a postal
card to the secretary-treasurer, who will notify said proprietor or employer if
any member is out of work. Proprietors of union shops who may change their
help shall notify the secretary-treasurer by a postal card of that fact at once.
No. 9. Not more than one apprentice shall be allowed in a union shop. Any
registered apprentice leaving a union shop without just cause shall be referred
to the executive board and until adjusted he shall not be employed in a union
shop. Any employer employing such an apprentice shall be dealt with as
hereinafter provided for.
BILLPOSTERS
The following extracts from the agreement made by Local No. 15,
Springfield, Mass., September 1, 1925, of the International Alliance
of Billposters and Billers of the United States and Canada relate to
theaters:
1. It is hereby agreed that the party of the first part shall furnish an adver
tising agent, bill poster, and biller in any theater and moving-picture house doing
advertising which shall come under the jurisdiction of Local No. 15, International
Alliance of Billposters and Billers of the United States and Canada.
2. It is hereby agreed that all theaters and moving-picture houses advertising
in any manner, shape, or form outside of the theater, or in the interior of the
house, such as posters, photos, paper advertising signs, or any kind of advertising
shall employ an advertising agent to perform this work, and it is hereby further
agreed by the party of the first part and the party of the second part that they
cannot have any advertising company perform this work which it shall \>e the
duty of the advertising agent to perform and he shall be a man furnished by the
business agent of Local No. 15.
3. It is further agreed that the advertising agent ‘ * * * shall give the
manager or his employer two weeks’ notice on his leaving his position, and it is
agreed that the party of the second part will give his agent two weeks’ notice in
the event of his making a change. The agent shall not work more than eight hours
per day. The time spent in changing the house shall be deducted when conven
ient for the agent to do so. In the event of the party of the second part want
ing extra men he shall notify his agent and it will be his duty to apply to the
business agent of Local No. 15 for same. * * *
4. In the event of the agent not performing his duties, it shall be the duty of
the manager to notify the business agent to that effect and the party of the first
part shall have the right to remove the agent that does not live up to the rules
96588°—26— - 2
14
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
and requirements of said organization. Party of the second part shall furnish
the necessary evidence for advertising agent’s removal.
5. No advertising agent is to perform any other duties other than those of
advertising agent without the sanction of Local No. 15.
6. Biller’s work must be completed for the day or week before stopping; no
outside jobs to be taken during working hours, except with the written consent
of the manager.
8.
This local being a member of the Theatrical Federation of Massachusetts,
nothing in this contract shall be so constructed [construed] as to affect their
prior obligation to the constitution and by-laws of said federation.
The following extracts from the agreement made by Local No. 53,
Dayton, Ohio, October 3, 1925, relate to billposters:
2.
It is further agreed that the employers shall make no discrimination in men
employed, and every wagon shall have a wagon boss.
5. It is further agreed that 8 hours and 40 minutes shall constitute a day’s
work, and with a total of 48 hours per week of
days, which said hours shall
be as follows:
From 7 a. m. to 11 a. m. and from 12 noon to 4.40 p. m. except on Saturdays,
when the working hours shall be from 7. a. m. to 11.40 a. m., this total to consti
tute a full week’s work. All wagons are to stay out on the routes at the noon
hour when necessary. Men employed on country routes shall receive *75 cents
for each meal and $1.50 for lodging where necessary. Men not in from the
country routes by 6.30 p. m. are to receive 75 cents for supper meal.
6. It is further agreed and the union concedes to the said------its- rights to do
any and all kinds of billposting work of every kind, name, and nature whatever,
wherever, and in what manner it may so desire. The union and its members
shall protect and keep harmless to the best of their ability at all times all paper
posted for or on the boards of the said------, and said employees shall perform
other and further duties as is necessary and incident to said billposting business
so long as such duties do not conflict with the jurisdiction of any other union.
It is further agreed that the employees are to keep the ground and walks in
front of the billboards dean and in good shape to the best of their ability.
7. It is further agreed that the superintendent of the employers need not be a
member of the union. It is understood and agreed that the employers have
the right to employ nonunion employees to work about the plant, but in no case
must such employees post or assist in posting any paper for or on the boards of
the said employers.
10. It is further agreed and understood that in the conduct of their business, the
said------ shall have the right to employ as many or as few men as the exigencies
of their business demand, and are also allowed one apprentice for every four
billposters employed.
BREWERY WORKERS
The International Union of United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, and
Soft Drink Workers of America has jurisdiction over malt, grain
elevator, yeast, vinegar, alcohol, wine, cider, cereal beverage, and
mineral-water workers, and includes those engaged in manufacturing,
bottling, and handling beverages. The union claims jurisdiction
over the engineers, firemen, coopers, teamsters, chauffeurs, stablemen,
and helpers around the brewery. A union may include workers in
all the various lines here enumerated, but in cities where the indus
try is large separate locals of workers in each line of the work are often
formed. The engineers and firemen, often with oilers, icemen, ^nd
laborers, form locals of their own. Beer drivers are grouped with
bottlers, but soft drink drivers belong to the teamsters' union.
The agreements are generally made between local unions, or joint
executive boards in the larger cities, and individual employers. The
agreements cover the various workers of the local— as brewers, ship
pers, engineers, firemen, bottlers— and their conditions of work vary.
BBE.WEBY WOEKERS
15
Generally a closed shop is called for. The 48-hour week is common.
All holidays mentioned in the agreement are paid for. The over
time and Sunday rate is usually time and a half. When foremen or
chief engineers are not members of the union they are not allowed to
do journeymen’s work. All other employees, except the office force,
are generally required to be members of the union.
A form agreement prepared by the international union and gener
ally in use by the locals is as follows:
Section 1. Only good-standing members of Local Union N o . ------- of the Inter
national Union of United BreweTy, Flour, Cereal, and Soft Drink Workers of
America, shall be employed by the undersigned firms in the various departments
covered .by this agreement. When help is needed the secretary of Local Union
N o .------ shall be notified.
Sec. 2. The employer may discharge any employee for dishonesty, willful
neglect, or refusal to perforin duties, or for violation of the provisions of this
agreement.
Sec. 3. Employees shall be granted leave of absence for committee work in
the interest of the union. Such committee work shall be no cause for discrim
ination.
S ec . 4. In case of sickness an employee shall receive his former position after
recovery.
Sec . 5. Should dullness in business require a reduction in the working force
all employees may be laid off in an impartial manner in rotation for not less
than one day nor more than one week at a .time.
Sec. 6. A workday shall consist of eight consecutive hours interrupted by one
hour for meals. Six days shall constitute a week's work.
Sec . 7. Decoration Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, general election days,
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day shall be considered
holidays.
S ec . 8. All overtime and work performed on Sundays and holidays shall be
paid for at the rate of time and one-half time.
Sec . 9. Wages shall be paid weekly.
Sec* 10. In case of differences between employer and employees, an attempt
shall be made by the secretary of the union to settle such differences, with the
employer. If not adjusted satisfactorily, in this way, the matter shall be sub
mitted to an arbitration board, constituted in the following way: Two members
to be chosen by the local union and two by the employer. Should these four
arbitrators fail to agree, they shall select an impartial person as a fifth arbitra
tor. The majority decision of these arbitrators shall be binding upon both par
ties to this agreement.
Sec . 11. This agreement shall go into effect o n ------ 19— , and remain in force
until ------ 19—. At least 30 clays prior to the expiration of this agreement
notice must be given by either party desiring any changes in this agreement.
The combination label agreement is as follows:
First. That in consideration of the employment agreement in existence be
tween the undersigned firm and Local Union N o.------ of the International Union
of United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, and Soft Drink Workers of America, the inter
national union agrees to furnish the union label as long as the employment agree
ment is in force and existence. The union label may be used on sacks, barrels,
or packages containing union-made flour on which the firm may see fit to use
said label.
Second. In case of termination of the employment agreement by lapse of time,
or in case of violation of its terms or of this label agreement, when no new agree
ment can be consummated, or the differences adjusted, the undersigned firm agrees,
on demand of the international union or its duly authorized local representatives,
to at once discontinue the use of the union label and surrender the cut and prop
erty rights in said label to the International Union of the United Brewery, Flour,
Cereal, and Soft Drink Workers of America.
Third. In no ease shall the local or International Union of United Brewery,
Flour, Cereal, and Soft Drink Workers be required to refund any money for such
unused barrels, sacks, or other packages used by the undersigned firm to distrib
ute its product on which the union label appears.
16
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Extracts from a long agreement of Local No. 163, Wilkes-Barre,
Pa., with the Stegmaier Brewing Co., March 16, 1925, follow, showing
several matters not previously referred to.
A rticle I, Section 2. Foremen, shipping clerks, Sternewirth men, patrolmen,
or other men who perform no manual labor, and workmen not classified in this
contract, need not be union men.
A rt. II, Sec. 2. No employer need engage, except at his option, a former em
ployee or a workman who has lost his former position by reason of discharge for
drunkenness, disorderly conduct, dishonesty, quitting his former position without
the required notice, or who has been repeatedly discharged by other proprietors
for cause.
A rt. Ill, Sbc . 1. Employees must, when sick, if possible, give immediate notice
to their respective foreman. Such notice shall be given within 12 hours, and
when able to return to work a similar notice not less then one day in advance.
Sec . 3. Temporary help for the filling of positions, caused by sickness or other
causes, may be nonunion, provided no union man can be had. If a union man is
selected for such position, when the necessity for such service has expired he
may be laid off without notice.
A rt . IV, Sec . 1. Whenever the employer feels it necessary, the workmen may
be laid off impartially for not less than one day at a time.
Sec . 2. The employer shall have the right to lay the men off in rotation, to
close down one or more departments, or the entire plant, as long as the system
of layoff be impartial.
A rt . V, Sec. 1. During busy periods, from April 1 to October I, and two weeks
prior to election days, Thanksgiving Day, two Christmas Days, New Year’s Day,
and two Easter Days, temporary help may be employed. Should the union be
unable to furnish union men, the employer may engage nonunion men, as long
as such employment does not cause any layoff of the union men unless permitcard man is temporarily filling a union man’s position.
Permit-card men shall receive the union scale of wages, and if transferred to
higher position for a period longer than a half day shall receive the scale of wages
covering such position for the period employed at such position.
A rt . VI, Sec . 1. Employees absenting themselves from duty, except on ac
count of illness or justifiable cause, without permission of foreman, or infraction
of employer’s rules shall be cause for suspension of not more than one week.
Sec. 3. Two suspensions, carelessness, neglect of duty, disregard of employer,
superintendent, foreman, or any recognized man in authority, incompetency,
refusing to pay honestly contracted bills, drivers neglecting to pick up empty
packages, after being twice notified, and an excessive amount of packages found
with customers they serve are sufficient cause for discharge.
Sec . 4. Drunkenness, disorderly conduct on brewery, or bottling, or agency
premises, and dishonesty shall be cause for discharge without notice.
A rt. VII, Sec . 4. Beverages shall be furnished the employees free of charge,
and shali be regulated by the employer. They shall also keep go«d drinking
water in convenient places.
Sec. 5. Union-made malt and kegs shall be used.
Sec. 6. Building or remodeling of buildings on brewery premises shall prefer
ably be done by union men, provided union men of the respective crafts can be
obtained from the locality where such work is to be done.
Sec. 15. Employees will not be allowed to haul ice, ashes, furniture, or other
supplies for anybody but their employers.
Sec . 21. In the employment of drivers or chauffeurs for motor trucks only
such men as are thoroughly experienced and can make ordinary running repairs
shall be employed; but present employees shall be given a fair opportunity at
learning. They must hold paid drivers’ licenses issued by the State highway
department and must be subject to an examination and test run.
A rt. VIII, Sec. 2. Laborers doing brewery work not otherwise classified,
if position is permanent, must be union men. Laborers shall be permitted to
haul ashes, unload coal, etc. Such men who do part work need not be union
men.
Sec. 3. Only one apprentice shall be allowed to every 15 inside men or frac
tion thereof. An apprentice shall not be under 18 or over 21. His apprentice
ship shall be two years in one and the same plant, and he must be a member of
the union. He shall be advanced every six months to the various branches of
the trade.
Art. IX, Sec. 4. Firemen shall not fire more than four boilers.
BREWERY WORKERS
17
Sec . 9. Breweries are not required to employ ash men, unless in their judg
ment they think it necessary. But if an ash man is employed he must be a
member of the union, and his hours shall be whenever there are ashes to take
out, and at no other time, but he shall not work more than 8 hours in
24. When eight hours are demanded he may do labor or other work. When
ashes are always on hand he shall work nine consecutive hours, including one
hour for dinner. Six days shall constitute a week.
A rt. XI, Sec. 1. Icemen must be members of the union and shall be under
the same regulations as the brewery workers; however, they shall work eight
consecutive hours per day. Six days per week.
A rt. XIII, Sec . 8. Should a driver have finished his route previous to 5
o’clock he shall not be required to go out again unless he can return to loading
point within the nine-hour period, except Saturday or day preceding a holiday,
and on such days no driver shall be out after 7 o’clock p. m., except made nec
essary by driver’s neglect.
Sec. 11. In breweries or agencies, when less than 12 horses are kept, drivers
must do stablemen’s work. They shall, however, receive double the hourly rate
for care of horses, etc., for Sunday, holiday, lay-off day work.
Sec . 12. Harness, horses, and auto trucks and wagons shall be cleaned on
company’s time, when directed, but not on Sunday.
A rt. X IV , Sec . 1. [Seven named days] shall be considered holidays, with full
pay, for all employees except engineers, firemen, watchmen, and stablemen, and
work done on these days shall be paid an extra day’s pay.
Extracts from the agreement between the Corn Product Plant of
Anheuser-Busch (Inc.) and Locals No. 6, 43, 187, 246, and 279,
St. Louis, M o., November 1, 1925, relative to arbitration follow:
A rticle X. In case of disagreement as to the interpretation and application
of any article of this contract arising between the employer and the five unions
set out above, parties to this contract, an attempt at settlement shall first be
made between the secretary of the union and an authorized representative of
the employer. In the event that no satisfactory adjustment of the differences
can be made by the representatives of the union and the employer, the complain
ant, whether it be the union or the employer, shall submit its case in writing,
setting forth fully the cause of the disagreement and the circumstances relating
thereto. In all disagreements arising the complainant shall refer specifically
to the article of the contract under which the disagreement arose. A copy of
this written complaint shall be filed with the secretary of the union or employer,
as the case may be. The written complaint and answer thereto shall be submit
ted to a board of conciliation, which shall consist of three members and four
alternates to be selected by employers and three members and four alter
nates to be selected by the union. The written complaint and answer shall
form the basis of all hearings before the board of conciliation,, which shall pre
serve a complete record of all its proceedings. Members and alternates of the
board of conciliation shall serve for one year and until their successors are appointed.
The board shall meet every two weeks when there is business before it, or more
often by mutual agreement, to consider all disagreements presented, as herein
provided. Four members of the board, equally divided, shall constitute a quo
rum. A majority vote on all questions shall be binding on the board.
The board of conciliation is authorized to make rules and regulations for the
proper and orderly conduct of its members.
If the board of conciliation fails to arrive at a satisfactory settlement of the
disagreement presented to it, then either the union or the employer may demand
arbitration. The board of arbitration shall consist of two members of the union
and two representatives selected by the employer. In case of a disagreement the
four arbitrators thus selected shall agree upon a fifth, who shall be a disinter
ested party, out of the trade or union. Each side shall pay fees for its own
arbitrators. A stenographer may be employed by either party. When both
sides use the transcript made by the stenographer the expense shall be borne
equally, otherwise the expense shall be borne by the side employing the stenog
rapher.
All complaints and answers shall be submitted in writing, and arbitration
shall be confined to the subject in dispute. The written records of the arbitra
tion shall contain the complaint filed, the answer filed, names of witnesses and
the decision of the arbitrators and his reasons supporting the decision rendered.
The arbitrators shall meet at an agreed place within the city of St. Louis for
the purpose of completing the organization within one week after written request
18
TRADE AGREEMENTS IK 1925
is made for arbitration. Arbitration shall be completed within 14 days. Should
either side fail to comply with the request for arbitration within the specified
time, the side so failing shall forfeit its case.
Pending arbitration work shall proceed under this agreement and the written
decision of a majority of the board of arbitration shall be final and binding on
both parties.
Employees shall not cease work, walk out, strike, or engage in a shop strike,
during negotiations for a settlement of differences while arrangements are being
made for conciliation, or arbitration, or upon the conclusion and decision of the
board of conciliation, or board of arbitration.
Extracts from the agreement of Local No. 161, of New Orleans, La.,
and the Jackson Brewing Co., February 1, 1925, follow:
Section 9. One apprentice is allowed in any single brewery and two where more
than 10 brewery workers are employed in any single brewery. At the time of
their employment the apprentice or apprentices must be not less than 17 and,
not more than 21 years of age. The apprentice is to be instructed in ail brewery
crafts within a period of two years from his employment. His wages shall not
be less than $13 per week for the first year and $15 per week for the second year.
He must become a member of the party of the second part within four weeks
from date of his employment.
Sec . 12. No member shall be compelled to varnish without safety apparatus,
and no member shall be compelled to pile full half barrels three high without
assistance. Where racking machines are used that put out over 60 barrels an hour
2 men shall do the piling up.
Extracts from the agreement of Local No. 215 with the same com
pany and of the same date follow:
Section 3. Drivers shall not be required to make delivery of or collect monthly
statements; their collection shall be confined to daily sales and all other sales
except those on monthly accounts.
S ec . 5. Drivers shall be required to telephone at least three times daily to
their respective brewery between the hours of 9 a. m. and 4 p. m. to receive
instructions, if any, to make delivery to customers within their respective terri
tory. If orders are received after hours named above, delivery shall be left
over until the following day and delivery made by driver, reserving to the brew
ery the right to make delivery instanter. Where delivery orders are phoned to
the driver and he fails to make delivery no commission will be allowed on such
sales.
Sec . 8 * * * Route and extra drivers shall make such extra trips on Sat
urdays as may be required of them by the party of the first part, and the day
previous to the above holiday, for which work they shall receive no pay.
S ec . 10. The party of the first part shall have the right to hire and discharge
and in the exercise of this right hiring and discharging by party of the first
part shall be final and not subject to discussion or arbitration.
Sec . 15. A fidelity bond of not less than $250 shall be furnished, if required,
to the party of the first part by any or all drivers for the faithful performance
of their duties. Party of the first part to pay the premium on same.
Agreements with similar provisions are also made by the inter
national union with individual yeast companies that operate plants
in several cities Each plant arranges its own wage scale with its
employees.
BRICK AND CLAY WORKERS
Locals of the United Brick and Clay Workers of America are to
be found mainly in the Middle West. The union is industrial in
character and comprises within its membership all who work in and
around the yards, except foremen, superintendents, chief engineers,
shipping clerks, and the office force. The agreements generally pro
vide for a closed shop, an eight or nine hour day, with exceptions for
certain men, and overtime rates.
BRICK AND CLAY WORKERS
19
The following provisions are taken from the agreement of Local
No. 116, Danville, 111., with the Western Brick Co. of Danville for
the year 1925:
Section 1. The United Brick and Clay Workers of America, a national
organization, are a party to this contract and indorse all of its provisions, and
no change in the affiliations shall be made by the second party without securing
the consent of the first party. Nor shall the constitution and by-laws be in any
way changed so they will conflict with this agreement, and if they now conflict
they shall be changed to eonform.
One of the conditions in the making of this contract is the recognition by both
parties of the local union that under no conditions can a strike be called until
an investigation of both sides of the controversy has been made by a national
officer and his consent secured.
Sec . 3. * * * No new man shall be asked or required to join the union
until he shall have worked on the yard proper in processes connected with the
actual manufacture of brick at least 18 days. At the expiration of which time
the party of the first part agrees to remove man unless he joins the above union.
Immediately before presenting to the local a man's application, either for new
membership or reinstatement, the steward shall ascertain from the properly desig
nated parties whether the man is satisfactory to the company or not, and if not,
his application shall be refused.
At no time and under no conditions shall the union or its members interfere
with or have any jurisdiction whatever over men engaged in construction work;
any grading; the delivering of the products; in taking out or stripping coal; in
any hauling whether coal or brisk; or in any other than the actual process of
making brick.
It is agreed that the union shall have jurisdiction over drivers of carts engaged
in cleaning the yard.
S e c . 4. Under no circumstances shall the second party, nor any of its members,
try to determine when the yards shall be shut down, nor shall any excuses be
resorted to for shutting down the yards. The yards and all of their departments
shall be operated on every day that the manufacturers determine to operate
them.
The first party agrees to supply raincoats * * * and will endeavor to supply
satisfactory clothing for wheelers to wheel in bad weather.
This clause is the basic principle of this agreement, and in case any individual
gang, or group of men leave their work without permission from the foreman,
except in cases of sickness or emergency, they shall be considered as having per
manently quit their job. In instances where foreman and individual or gang
shall disagree, the matter shall be taken up in the regular way with the grievance
committee, work to be continued until the matter is settled.
S e c . , 5. Work performed on Sunday or Decoration Day, Fourth of July, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas shall be paid for at double time, and all actual
clock overtime as time and one-half, except in cases of burners and all weekly
men, and except in cases of actual necessity, when, for the proper running of the
plants, repairs must be made or any other work which must be performed which
can not be done when the plants are in operation; such work shall be done before
or after the regular hours established or on Sundays or holidays and shall be paid
for at the regular rates.
Eight clock hours on Saturday and eight and one-half clock hours on the five
other working days shall be the maximum day’s work when necessary to make
the quantity desired by the first party. If the men are kept overtime, except as
above noted, time and one-half shall be paid.
It is expressly understood that the quantity to be manufactured shall be abso
lutely determined by the first party, and that the second party shall in every
way help the first party increase the production of the plants, and that all men,
except as noted otherwise, shall be paid according to the amount of work done.
Sec. 6. A yard committee of three members for each yard shall be appointed
by the local union, who shall hear complaints and grievances of all kinds, and if
they find them well founded they shall endeavor to adjust the same with the
general manager or his designated representative, and may call in the president
of the local union to aid them. Failing in this, the matter in dispute shall be left
to the decision of one man who is to be agreed upon as umpire in all disputes,
and his decision shall be final and binding upon all parties.
It is understood that the evidence in disputed cases shall be submitted to the
umpire within two days and his decision rendered in three days unless unavoid
20
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1&25
ably delayed. This umpire shall be selected by the parties signing this agree
ment within three days from its signature, and he shall serve in that capacity
during the life of this agreement, unless a change of occupation shall reader him
unfit for the fair discharge of these duties, in which case, or in case of death or
resignation, another man shall be chosen within five days.
Sec. 7. A man shall be immediately discharged without notice and without
right of grievance for fighting, drunkenness, neglect of duty, gross carelessness,
or for intentional damage to product or property.
Other men not satisfactory to the company for any reason shall be discharged
without right of grievance (except no man can be discharged because of his
activity in union affairs) upon five days’ notice and after an investigation by
either the general manager or secretary of the company, provided a warning in
writing has been given him and his grievance committee of a previous offense.
Sec. 8. * * * In each department seniority is recognized as follows:
Iii filling permanent vacancies the oldest man is given preference where the
vacancy pays more money; temporary vacancies are to be filled by the first
extra man. If a man wants to change jobs with another man, or fill a vacancy
which pays less money, it will be entirely at the foreman’s discretion whether he
allows the man to change or not, except that the company will recognise any
partiality shown as a legitimate cause for grievance.
It is distinctly understood, however, that [certain named] jobs are not to be
filled by using seniority in any way.
Sec. 10. It is the understanding that in all departments in filling future vacan
cies that the oldest man shall have the preference where the job pays more money.
Runners will be paid only for the days they work. No pay for holidays.
*
* * When it is necessary for locomotive engineers to run Sundays or
holidays they are to be paid for their time at the regular rate per hour.
Sec. 13. * * * In no event shall a strike be called by the party of the
second part until the party of the first part shall have had an opportunity to
present their side of the controversy to the men, and thereafter not until twothirds of the entire membership of the organization shaU have declared itself in
favor of a strike by secret ballot.
BROOM MAKERS
Members of the International Broom and Whisk Makers’ Union
of America are generally employed on a piece basis. Their wage
varies with the weight, size, and character of the article made. The
international organization prepares a contract relating to the use of
the union label. This label contract, with a scale of wages attached,
is generally the only agreement entered into by unions with their
employers. The essential provisions of the label contract, with ex
tracts showing the conditions attached to wage schedules, were printed
in Bulletin No. 393 (p. 17).
BUILDING TRADES
Each of the crafts ordinarily grouped under the term “ building
trades” makes agreements with its employers according to its own
rules and customs. In several cities, however, it is customary for
these agreements to be approved by a body representing the trades
collectively, and also for the allied body to issue statements showing
the rates of wages in the various allied trades. In a few cities agree
ments are made by the building trades council with bodies represent
ing the builders. These agreements generally relate to preventing
or arbitrating disputes between employers and employees. The more
important parts of one made between the joint conference board of
the Building Construction Employers’ Association and the Chicago
Building Trades Council for three years from April 1, 1923, appeared
in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 18,19).
BUILDING TRADES
21
The agreements of local unions in the building trades show uniform
ity in many directions. In general, they are made for one year, and
provide for a union shop; an eight-hour day with Saturday half
holiday; overtime permitted only when unavoidable; overtime rates
generally of double time, though occasionally time and a half, and
double time for Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and holidays; entire
>rohibition of work on Labor Day; board when on out-of-town jobs;
ree transportation to and from work when the cost of same is more
than one street-car fare; permission for men incapacitated by age or
physical infirmity to work for less than the scale; weekly payments,
often stating the day and even hour of payment; payment for at
least two hours' work in cases where the men report for work and
find none; immediate payment in case of discharge; free drinking
water; suitable room and lockers for tools and clothing; no stoppage
of work or sympathetic strikes; the foreman to be the agent or rep
resentative of the employer; the actual hour of beginning and of
ending each workdaywith the time allowed for lunch; and the business
agent to be permitted at will to enter and examine cards and settle dif
ferences. (Generally but one member of a firm or corporation is allowed
to work at the trade. Where two or three shifts are used overtime
rates apply unless such shifts work at least four days a week. Some
method of arbitration is often mentioned, generally with two or three
to represent each side and an umpire when necessary.
f
ASBESTOS WORKERS
The International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and
Asbestos Workers comprises persons engaged in the application, in
stallation, and erection of heat or frost insulation and the handling
or distributing of insulating materials.
One general form of agreement, varying only in details, is in use by
many of the locals. The area covered by an agreement includes the
city where made and extends several (25 to 75) miles from the city
hall in every direction.
Generally but one improver, who receives about two-thirds a me
chanic's pay, is allowed to each mechanic employed, and he is al
lowed to work only in company with a mechanic. Improvers serve
four years before being allowed to take a mechanic's examination.
When work is allowed to be done on Labor Day triple pay is
required.
Extracts from the three-year agreement of Local No. 6, Boston,
Mass., April 28,1925, with the Boston Asbestos Manufacturers' Asso
ciation, relating to territory, travel, arbitration board, and expiration
of contract, are as follows:
A rticle II. * * * On January 1,1926, any request for an increase in wages
for the second year by the party of the second part shall be determined by arbi
tration.
On January 1,1927, any request for an increase in wages for the third year by
the party of the second part shall be determined by arbitration.
A rt . III. It is agreed that the provisions of this agreement shall be binding
upon each and every member of the Boston Asbestos Manufacturers’ Associa
tion individually and as members of said association, and upon each and every
member of Local No. 6 individually and as members of said union, within a 30mile radius of Boston railroad terminals, and without a 25-mile radius of Provi
dence railroad terminal.
22
TBADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
(A) The recognized territory covered by Local No. 6 shall consist of all that
territory which is in a radius of 30 miles from the Boston railroad terminals.
Rand & McNally’s new official railroad map shall be considered the official map
of the trade. All places on said map touched and intersected by radius circle
shall be considered in the territory, and in such cases the entire town or city
limits of such places shall be considered within the territory except without a 25mile radius of Providence railroad terminal. On operations outside of chartered
territory the nearest local union is to be given preference in the supplying of
labor. %
(B) No more than two members (mechanic and improver) from any local union
can work on any one operation of any one employer within the chartered
jurisdiction of another local union, unless the latter fails to supply sufficient men.
Such members must conform to the established rules governing the local in whose
jurisdiction they may work, and must notify nearest local business agent when
starting to work on such job.
(C) Local unions can grant resident membership to asbestos workers who re
side and operate in territory without chartered jurisdiction until resident mem
bership reaches seven, when a charter may be granted such resident members by
the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers.
AH registered resident members shall be governed by the law relating to travel,
time, board, wages, and conditions as understood by local working autonomy.
A rt . IX. Members of Local No. 6 shall be at a point 30 minutes’ travel time
from the shop employing them at 8 a. m. and 5 p. m. Day travel beyond said
point shall be paid for during “ regular” working hours. Night travel shall be
paid for at single time, except in cases where berth is provided, when no travel
ing time shall be paid.
A rt. X III, Section 1. There shall be a trade board, consisting of three master
felters and three members of Local No. 6, and said trade board shall have the
right to investigate all labor operations of the parties to this agreement within
its prescribed limits, so far as any of the provisions of this agreement are involved
in connection with which any question may arise, and for this purpose shall have
the right to summon, question, and examine any party to this agreement or their
representatives or agents.
Sec . 2. In case of any dispute arising, notice must be given in writing to the
secretary of the trade board by the aggrieved party within two days.
Sec. 3. The board shall be governed by the following by-laws:
(a) Meetings may be held quarterly in January, April, July, and October.
(b) Special meetings may be called by the chairman of the trade board on
written request from either side, stating the object for which the meeting is to be
called, but no matters shall be discussed at special meetings except those desig
nated in said written request.
(c) Four shall constitute a quorum, two men from each side; neither side shall
cast more ballots than the other.
(d) The vote on all questions of violations of this agreement shall be by secret
ballot.
(e) It shall require a majority vote to carry any question.
(/) The trade board shall have the power to impose fines or other penalties
where agreed by vote, as above provided for, if any of the articles of this agree
ment have been violated by either party to the same. Such fines or penalties
shall be imposed against either party of the first part or party of the second part,
as the case may be, and the trade board shall see to it that any fines or penal
ties so imposed are satisfied, and the disposition of moneys so collected shall be
decided by the trade board.
A rt. XVI. The party of the first part agrees to have all of its work in the appli
cation of all pipe and boiler coverings, and insulation of all hot surfaces, and ducts
and flues, etc., also the covering of all cold piping and circular tanks connected
with the same, within the territory as defined by Article III, executed by .goodstanding members of Local No. 6. This is to include ail alterations and repair
ing of work similar to the above, and the use of all materials for the purpose
mentioned.
The following provisions are taken from the agreement of Local
No. 14, Philadelphia, Pa.; Jan. 1 ,1925.
A rticle XIV. Local No. 14 shall maintain an office, with telephone connection,
and a business agent shall be there each week day from 8 to 9.30 a. m., and from
3 to 5 p. m. to answer inquiries and provide necessary service to the trade.
BUILDING TRADES
23
Art . XV. Local No. 14 agrees there shall be no limitations or restrictions placed
upon the individual working effort of its membership.
BRICKLAYERS
The Bricklayers, Masons, and Plastered International Union of
America includes bricklayers, marble and stone masons, and ceramic,
mosaic, and encaustic tile layers.
In addition to the agreements made locally, the national organiza
tion makes national agreements with individual employers and cer
tain national associations. Extracts from the general national
agreement with contractors, the agreement with the Tile and M an
tel Contractors' Association, and the agreement with the National
Association of Marble Dealers were pi inted in Bulletin No. 393
. 21-24)
he local unions are variously organized. In the small places they
include workeis in all branches of the trade; in the larger cities each
branch is often separately organized. The agreements are generally
made with contractors’ associations for one year.
Local No. 21, Chicago, made an independent joint arbitration
agreement, April 7, 1925, with the Associated Builders of Chicago
and with the Illinois Fire proofing Manufacturers* and Contractors'
Association of Chicago, which are similar to each other and to the
agreement between the Building Construction Employers’ Associa
tion and the Chicago Building Trades Council, given in Bulletin No.
393 (pp. 18, 19). Accompanying these are working rules similar to
each other, from which the following extracts of rules with the Asso
ciated Builders are taken;
Section 1. * * * Bricklayers will be on the floor where they are working
at starting time if the building is six stories or under; when the building is over
six stories time shall be called on the sixth floor.
Sec. 2. Night work; Eight hours shall constitute a night's work, which shall
commence at 7 p. m. when two gangs are employed, but when three gangs are
employed one shift may follow the other immediately and in that way work
may be continuous. Shifts to work as follows: First at eight a. m., second at
4 p. m., and third at midnight.
Sec . 12. Tile leveling off of all footing stone shall be done by stonemasons
when done on the building site. No stone cut by convict labor will be set.
Sec . 15. Members of the U. O. A. B. and S. M. No. 21 of Cook County, city
of Chicago, of the B. and M. P. I. U. holding a bricklayer's card will not lay
stone, and those holding a stonemason’s card will not lay brick, but the foreman
and apprentice may do both. The exceptions to this rule are in eases of areas,
or step or pier foundations that do not exceed one cord of stone and then only
in case there is no stonemason at hand, when a bricklayer may lay the stone in
said areas or pier foundation. Plastering and pointing of foundation wails shall
be done by stonemasons, but may be done by bricklayers if stonemasons are not
on the job when the above work is ready to be done.
Sec. 20. Each employer shall have the right to teach his trade to an apprentice,
but no contractor or firm shall take more than one new apprentice each year,
and they shall serve for not less than a period of three years, as prescribed in
the apprentice rules attached hereto, and be subject to the control of the joint
arbitration board for the U. 0. A. B. and S. M. No. 21 of Illinois.
Sec. 22. The uniform agreement of the Associated Builders of Chicago dated
April 7, 1925, is hereto attached and is a part of this agreement, and in case of
any discrepancies between clauses herein and the said uniform agreement the
terms of the said uniform agreement shall prevail.
Anything in this agreement that conflicts in any way with the laws of the city
of Chicago, the State of Illinois or the United States of America, shall be null
and void.
24
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
The apprentice rules are as follows:
.
Section 1 All apprentices in this trade, working for or with parties to this
agreement, shall be indentured by and be under the jurisdiction of the joint arbi
tration board which has the authority to control them and protect their interest,
subject to approval of indentures entered into.
Sec. 2. The names of all apprentice boys learning the mason trade in Chicago,
shall be registered with the secretary of apprentices of the joint arbitration
board and ail apprentice boys shall have a working card which will show the
length of time they have served at the trade.
Sec. 3. A contractor or firm can only take one new apprentice each year.
Sec. 4. A contractor entitled to an apprentice may take one on trial for two
weeks, provided the applicant holds a permit from the joint board. If, after
trial, the boy is u n s a t is fa c t o r y , he need not enter into indentures, but shall pay
the boy $9 a week for the two weeks. No boy will be allowed a trial with more
than two contractors.
Sec . 5. The issuing of permits for an apprentice to work for another contractor,
when the one to whom he is indentured has no work, shall be left for decision
to the joint arbitration board. If a permit is granted it must, to be valid, be
signed by the presidents of the Associated Builders of Chicago and the Brick
layers’ and Stone Masons’ Union, as chairman and secretary, respectively, of
the joint arbitration board, and by the secretary of the apprentices thereof.
Permits shall state date of indenture.'
Sec . 6. A contractor taking an apprentice shall keep him steadily at work; fail
ing to do so, shall pay him the same as though he had worked for him. In case
an apprentice, at the end of his term, for some cause is not a proficient work
man, he may be required to serve another year, if the joint arbitration board,
after a thorough investigation, so decides.
Sec. 7. The applicant for apprenticeship shall be under 18 years of age and
shall serve for a period of not less than 3 years.
Sbc. 8. An apprentice properly indentured shall work continuously throughout
the year, but he shall attend an evening school at the room of the bricklayers
and stonemasons’ union one evening each week during the months of January,
February, March, October, November, and December each year of the appren
ticeship time and have a certificate from said school stating that he has thor
oughly attended, as mentioned above. This will be required before he receives
his working card.
Sec. 9. The minimum rate of wages of an apprentice shall be $468 in weekly
installments of $9 per week for his first year; for his second year of service, $624
in weekly installments of $12 per week; for his third year of service, $936 in
weekly installments of $18 per week. When an apprentice stays away from
work on his own account he shall not receive pay for such time, except when
valid exeus3 is given.
Sec. 10. For every evening that an apprentice is tardy or disorderly at school
one day’s work without pay shall be added to his apprenticeship term.
Sec. 11. For every evening an apprentice fails to attend school during the
school term, except, in the opinion of the board, a valid excuse is given, two days'
work without pay shall be added to his apprenticeship term.
Sec. 12. An apprentice indentured and working in the trade under th« juris
diction of the arbitration board shall report to the secretary of apprentiees of the
joint arbitration board on the first Wednesday in January, April, June, and Octo
ber and receive his quarterly apprentice card.
Any apprentice not carrying proper quarterly card will not be permitted to
work.
Extracts from the agreement between Local No. 7 and the Gen
eral Contractors’ Association of Akron, Ohio, March 31, 1925, refer
ring to duties of employers and empkwees toward each other are
as follows:
A rticle II. Masons must be on scaffold ready to start work when whistle is
blown and remain on scaffold until whistle is blown for quitting time. No overtime
shall be worked unless leaving the work under construction shall endanger life
and property and unless the member doing such work shall immediately notify
the secretary of the union, who shall have the power to grant only temporary
permission to proceed. The one granting temporary permission to work over
time must immediately thereafter notify the joint arbitration committee of Local
No. 7 and the General Contractors’ Association of Akron, Ohio.
BUILDING TRADES
25
A rt . IX. Contractors shall protect bricklayers where necessary when working
on scaffolds. At no time shall wall be built over 5 feet 6 inches high for
scaffold height, unless in extreme necessity, and scaffold must not be raised above
height of wall. The foreman and steward shall determine the extreme
necessity.
A rt. X III. Sec. 5. The foreman shall be selected by and be the agent of the
employer and shall receive 12J^ cents per hour additional to regular wages.
A r t . X V . BricMayers, masons, or marble masons shall be prohibited from
receiving instructions from architects or owners. Only the bricklayer foreman
or employer shall have such authority.
A rt. XVI. The contractor shall not be entitled to more than two apprentices
or two improvers, or one apprentice and one improver without the consent of
Local No. 7.
CARPENTERS
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America aims
to include in its membership all who are engaged in carpenter work
of any description-milling, joining, assembling, erecting, fastening,
or dismantling of all material of wood, hollow metal‘ or fiber, the
erecting and dismantling of machinery, and the manufacture of all
wood materials where the training of a carpenter is required in the
operation of either machine or hand tools.
Where there are
sufficient members local unions are formed of bridge, dock, and
wharf carj>enters, shipwrights and boat builders, ship carpenters and
calkers, railroad carpenters, car builders, millwrights, machinery erec
tors, pile drivers, bench hands, floor layers, stair builders, millmen,
furniture workers, cabinetmakers, box makers, reed and rattan workers,
runners of woodworking machinery, and groups of the same.
The agreements vary somewhat in contents, depending on the
character of the work of the members of the unions. Unions affiliated
with the building trades have agreements conforming to those of the
other building trades. The millmen and furniture workers form
classes by themselves, the shipbuilding unions follow the rules of the
metal trades, and the car builders those of the railroad shopmen.
Where there is but one local in a town that local generally makes its
agreements with individual employers. Where there are several
locals in a place they form district councils and make joint agreements
'with associations of employers. Oftentimes the district councils
comprise only those unions working in the building trades. Some
times the millmen form a similar district council and the two act
independently of each other.
The agreements are generally short.
Most of those in the
building trades follow closely principles already mentioned. Those
in the other trades contain some variations. Millmen, however,
generally receive lower wages than building carpenters and they
occasionally work nine hours a day. Foremen are usually required
to be members of the union. When work is carried on with two or
more shifts the second and third generally receive eight hours' pay
for seven hours’ work. Several agreements require employees to be
protected under the provisions of the workman’s compensation laws
of the State where they are working.
The industrial contract between the Albany (N. Y .) Builders7
Exchange (Inc.), and the Carpenters District Council, M ay 1, 1925,
contains several articles to be found in many agreements, thus:
A rticle 4. (d) No overtime shall be worked between the hours of 7 and 8
a. m. or between 5 or 6 p. m., or from 12 noon to 6 p. m. on Saturday, except in
cases of emergency, such as repairing boilers, furnaces, filling foundations that
26
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1025
might cave if left open, or repairing buildings that are in a dangerous condition,
and in no ease shall it apply where the only object is to complete any portion of
the work. Such emergency shall be determined by the business agent and the
contractor.
( /) That the party of the second part shall have the right to quit work on
any job or building operation when ordered to do so by the general president of
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
(i) Wages of members shall be paid in United States currency on the job where
they are working on or before 5 p. in. Friday; pay to be in full up to Wednesday
at 5 p. m., and if not paid on time double time shall be paid for waiting time as
follows: “ Double time for one hour until 6 p. m. Men are to go to work on
Saturday morning at 8 o’clock and will be paid double time from 8 a. m. until
such time as they arc paid until Saturday noon in addition to regular wages/’
(k) That the party of the first part will furnish suitable and safe shelter for
tools and clothes for carpenters exclusively, to be of suitable size for number of
carpenters employed, and to be heated at noon in cold weather for mechanics.
Art. 6. That all carpenter foremen must be members of the United Brother
hood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, and when more than five carpenters
are employed one shall act as foreman and shall receive not less than 12J^
cents per hour above the prevailing rate of wages.
A rt. 8. That when 50 or more carpenters are employed on any one job the
steward on said job is not to handle tools.
A rt. 10. Both parties agree not to interfere with the other party in the dis
ciplinary measures used with their own members.
A rt. 12. That nothing in this agreement shall be in any way interpreted as
conflicting with the constitution of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America or any of their international agreements or the intents and
purposes thereof.
Other articles commonly found are in the agreement of Local No.
1143, LaCrosse, W is., M ay 1, 1925:
A rticle 3. * * * If there are no union men idle nonunion men may be em
ployed, but before starting to work they shall get a working permit from the
business agent and must make out an application immediately and deposit $5
with same and must join the union at the next regular meeting.
A rt. 5. It is agreed that the parties of the first part shall not let subcontracts
to nonunion carpenters or contractors not parties to this agreement.
A r t . 7. The parties of the first part agree that the business agent of the trades
and labor council, a representative of the parties of the second part, shall have
access to all work at any reasonable time, hut shall in nowise interfere with the
men while they are working except on business.
A rt. 9. It is hereby agreed that the parties of the first part may employ union
carpenters who are of advanced age or disabled and can not command the cur
rent wages by reason of such advanced age or disability. That the party of the
first part may pay such employee what wages as is mutually agreed upon with the
sanction of the local union.
A rt. 12. All members of the Carpenters Local No. 1143 will refuse, under the
conditions of this agreement, to work with a nonunion mechanic or workman
on any building, whether new, remodeling, or repair work, when such mechanic
or workman has an organization that is affiliated with and recognized by the La
Crosse Building Trades Council when so ordered by the local organizer or busi
ness agent.
A rt. 14. It is hereby agreed that any member of the Carpenters’ Union No.
1143 who goes contracting must register as such with the local union and shall
stay a contractor for one year from such date and shall work for no other con
tractor unless by the sanction of the local union.
The following sections are taken from the agreement of Local No.
1260, Iowa City, Iowa. April 1, 1925:
A rticle VII, Section 1. No members of the parties of the first part shall sub
let, piece, or lump out their carpenter work. Neither shall any journeyman
who is a member of the party of the second part be permitted to take piece or
lump work in any shape or manner, nor work for any owner or contractor who
does lump work whether he be a member of the parties of the first part or not.
A rt. VIII. That there shall be no restrictions of the use of any manufactured
material except prison made.
BUILDING TRADES
27
The apprenticeship rules adopted by the joint apprentice board of
the Master Builders of Wilkes-Barre and vicinity, and the Wyoming
Valley District Council of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners of America in the agreement of M ay 1, 1925, follow:
Section 1. Each responsible party to this agreement shall have the right to
teach his trade to apprentices and the said apprentice shall serve four years, as
prescribed in the apprentice rules as agreed upon by the joint apprentice board,
and shall be subject to the control of the said joint apprentice board.
Sec . 2. Apprentices shall be under the jurisdiction of the joint apprentice
board, which has authority to control them and protect their interest, subject
to approved indentures entered into with their employers and the rules adopted
by the joint board.
Sec. 3. In case an apprentice at the end of his term of four years for want of
proper instruction in the trade is not a proficient workman, and if after a
thorough investigation the joint apprentice board finds the contractor to whom
he was apprenticed did not give him proper instruction and an opportunity
to learn his trade, he may be required to serve another year with whom he and
the joint apprentice board may determine and at a rate of wages they may
determine.
Sec . 4. A contractor entitled to apprentice may take one on trial for eight
weeks, providing that applicant hold a permit from the joint apprentice board, and
if after said trial conditions are satisfactory to both parties they will be required
to sign indentures agreeable to the joint apprentice board. If not satisfactory
the contractor is not bound to indenture him. No boy will be allowed a trial
with more than two contractors or a contractor with more than two boys con
secutively.
Sec. 5. Each contractor shall be allowed one apprentice and no more only on
the following basis: Yearly average of four journeymen, one apprentice.
Sec. 6. The apprentice upon completing his indenture shall report to the
joint apprentice board and shall, after furnishing said board with satisfactory
proof of his competence as a skillful mechanic in his trade, receive a certificate
approved by the board which shall entitle him to a journeyman working card.
Sec. 7. The issuing of permits for an apprentice to work for another contrac
tor when the one to whom he is apprenticed has no work shall be left to the
joint apprentice board.
Sec. 8. An apprentice shall be between the age of 17 and 22. Once he is
indentured he can not leave his employer and go to work for another without
the consent of the first employer or the joint apprentice board.
Sec. 9. The apprentice boy shall make application to join the local union after
he has worked six months as an apprentice and be furnished writh a working
card, and said card to show that he is an apprentice; he shall attend the trade
school in his town or city; he shall be given credit of six months on his appren
ticeship when he can furnish proof to the joint apprentice board that his atten
dance at the trade school has been 80 per cent or more.
Sec. 10. The joint apprentice board shall be composed of three contractors
and three members of the Wyoming Valley District Council, who shall elect a
president and secretary and shall meet at the call when deemed necessary by the
president and secretary. The joint board shall work in cooperation with the
school boards of Wilkes-Barre and vicinity and render assistance wherever posisble, so that all apprentices may get the proper training in the trade schools.
ELECTRICAL WORKERS
The membership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers is composed of workers in various lines of industry— manu
facturing, installing, maintaining, assembling, and operating electrical
apparatus in buildings, subways, bridges, ships, vehicles, locomotives,
and various devices for purposes of lighting, heating, power, telephone,
telegraph, and transportation— grouped under four general branches:
Outside, inside, shop, and railroad.
Telegraph and moving-picture operators and mechanical operators
in transportation are each grouped into unions by themselves. M ost
of the rest are found in locals affiliated with the Brotherhood of
28
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Electrical Workers. The telephone operators form a separate depart
ment in the brotherhood and are considered by themselves (see p. 149).
Where sufficiently numerous in any community, locals of workers
of one class, as inside wiremen, fixture hangers, assemblers, linemen,
or shopmen, are found. There is generally but one local of a class
in a town, which makes agreements with associations of electrical
employers as far as possible. The inside wiremen are generally
affiliated with the building trades, as are at times the linemen, but
the latter are more frequently connected with power, transportation,
telephone, and telegraph service, though retaining their connection
with the brotherhood. However, for convenience, agreements of
inside wiremen, fixture hangers, and linemen are here considered
together.
No national agreements are made in the electrical industry. A
declaration of principles, however, was adopted in July, 1919, by the
convention of the National Association of Electrical Contractors and
Dealers; in September, 1919, by the convention of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; and in. December, 1919, ratified
by a referendum vote of the membership of the latter. These prin
ciples appear in many of the local agreements. They are general in
character, seek the elimination of the overlapping of functions of
various groups of the industry, recommend a mutually sympathetic
interest between employer and employee, urge the avoidance of strikes
and lockouts, condemn the making 01 agreements in restraint of trade
or granting special privileges to special groups, recommend fixing
qualifications for engaging in the electrical construction industry, and
recognize the right of collective bargaining.
The agreements are made for one year, recognize a closed shop,
the 44-hour week2 and the payment of double time for overtime, Sat
urday afternoon, Sunday, and holiday work, except in the case of one
man in a shop on Saturday afternoons who is there to attend to emerency calls only. Linemen occasionally work eight hours on Saturay. Rubber boots, coats, hats, and gloves are furnished by the
employer where required. The agreements are generally compara
tively short and vary considerably in contents. The folio wing pro
visions are found in the agreement of Local No. 1, St. Louis, M o.,
July 15, 1925:
Section 8. There shall be no restrictions of tools, machinery, or anything sim
plifying electrical construction work or erecting of appliances such as pipe-cutting
machines, electric and pneumatic drills, electric hoist, and other tools as may
be determined by the joint arbitration board as long as same is operated by
journeymen, party of the second part. All pipe to be cut on the job.
S e c . 10. All men sent out of the city on a job shall be allowed transportation,
traveling time, sleeper, and board by party of the first part. No traveling to be
done on Saturday afternoons or Sundays unless first ordered by party of the first
part, in which case double time is then to be paid. No pay to be allowed for
travel at night except on emergency, breakdown, or repair calls, in which case
double time will be paid. Time of traveling to be designated by party of the
first part.
Sec. 13. Party of the first part agrees to employ only such general foremen,
foreman, journeymen, wiremen, and helpers as are in good standing with the
party of the second part. Party of the first part further agrees that he will not
sublet the installation of any electrical equipment on a contract unless it is agreed
that the work will be done with men in good standing with the party of the
second part.
f
Sec. 15. Each contractor, when employing three journeymen, shall be aUowed
a helper; additional helpers to be employed at the rate of one helper to every
BUILDING TKADES
29
three journeymen after the first three journeymen; no contractor to employ more
than five helpers. Helpers to work same hours as journeymen and are not to
work overtime unless there are three or more journeymen on the job. In
case of emergency where one man and helper are working on any job helper to
be allowed to work overtime not exceeding four hours.
Sec . 16. No helper shall work on any job without a journeyman, nor more than
one helper on any job having less then five journeymen, nor more than two help
ers on any job. One journeyman working on any job may have a helper, pro
vided the foregoing ratio is maintained in the shop.
Sec . 20. Shift work shall apply only to foundation work, monolithic building,
and maintenance work; men on this work to be employed continuously during
the regular calendar week of seven days, weather permitting.
The hours of employment for each shift shall not exceed eight hours, and in
case that less than a full shift worked the men are to receive double time for
the actual hours worked. On shift work the men are to receive double time for
all work performed on Saturday, 12.01 a.m., and Sunday to Monday, 8 a. m.
and shall be allowed half an hour for lunch on every shift, with pay.
All men working on shift must receive two hours for reporting for work. The
hours of employment for such shifts shall be arranged between the employer and
the business representative of this union. Any member employed on a job or
shift and transferred to another shift on the same day shall be paid at the rate
of double time for the Work performed on the last shift.
The following provisions appear in the agreement of Local No. 38,
Cleveland, Ohio, with the Electrical Contractor Association, M ay 1,
1925:
A rticle IV. Eight hours shall constitute a day’s work, except Saturday. All
overtime shall be paid for at the rate of double time for all time on the job,
double time being paid for all Saturday afternoons, Sundays and legal holidays.
All riding time beyond the limits of the present 6-cent car fare shall be paid for
at the rate of single time.
*
* * Men shall remain at work until the regular quitting time, except that
they should be allowed sufficient time, at the contractors’ expense, to pick up
and properly store any tools, equipment, or material belonging to the contractor
or owner. When workmen are required to report at the shop they shall report
not earlier than 7.45 a. m. and shall be ready to receive orders or supplies but
shall not leave the shop before 8 o’clock a. m. Failure to comply with this arti
cle shall result in a reduction in pay for the time lost, and if men are instructed
to report at the shop for work and are not sent on a job they shall be paid for
four hour's time. If men are instructed to report on a job and they are unable
to work on account of weather conditions they shall receive no pay.
A rt. VII. It is agreed that on any job where there are employed five or more
men the foreman who shall be in charge of the men shall receive extra compensa
tion * * * to the extent of $1 per day.
When the foreman is in charge of 10 or more men he shall receive extra
compensation to the extent of $2 per day. It is not intended that this article
will in any way hinder the foreman from actual participation in electrical work
of any kind, and he shall be the agent of the employer.
A r't . XII. No party of the second part shall enter into a contract to perform
or to do any class of electrical construction work until he has first withdrawn
from Local No 38 I. B. of E. W. If any party of the second part is without
employment and shall find a job of work to be done he shall report same to any
party of the first part, who will give the party of the second part opportunity for
employment on this job.
A rt. XV. Any contractor not affiliated with the Electrical Contractors Associa
tion of Cleveland, members of which are parties to this agreement, may assume
the benefits and obligations herein contained by joining this association or upon
signing this agreement. No employer of labor for the installation of electrical
work shall be given any better terms or conditions regarding hours of labor, wages
per hour, etc. by parties of the second part than are given to parties of the first
part.
A rt. X XIII. The party of the first part hereby agrees to carry liability insur
ance as provided by the State compensation for all members of party of the
second part in the employ of the party of the first part.
96588°—26------ 3
30
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
The following working rules are incorporated in the agreement of
Local No. 58, with the Electrical Contractors, of Detroit, Mich., Octo
ber 15,1925:
4.
The ratio of apprentices shall be one to every three journeymen in the local
union. The following schedule of wages shall prevail: The first and second six
months at the discretion of the employer; the third six months, 45 per cent of
the wages of journeymen; the fourth six months, 50 per cent of the wages of
journeymen; the fifth six months 55 per cent of the wages of journeymen;
the sixth six months, 60 per cent of the wages of journeymen, the seventh
six months, 65 per cent of the wages of journeymen; the eighth six months,
75 per cent of the wages of journeymen.
7. Stewards shall not function during working hours. By this is meant that
they shall not devote any time to duties othei* than those of their employer
while they are on his pay roll.
8. There shall be no objection to the contractor having any part of his work
done in his shop or elsewhere in accordance with the terms of this agreement.
11. Men are not to be away from their work on employer’s time. By this it
is meant that they shall not leave their work for any purpose while on their
employer’s time.
12. Foremen are to receive a minimum rate 12^ per cent higher than that of
a journeyman wireman. The foreman is to be the agent of the employer. He
shall not be subject to arraignment or question by anyone because of his conduct
of the employer’s work without proper notice being served on his employer; it
being understood the employer is to be privileged to be present during each
and every session or hearing in which his work or business is under consideration.
13. Men are to work on jobs with other men without regard to the fact that
workmen other than electrical workers are members or nonmembers of any soci
ety or organization.
14. There shall be no sympathetic strikes without the approval of the inter
national office of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
The following working rules are attached to the agreement of Local
No. 103, with the Boston Electrical Contractors’ Association M ay
22,1925:
R ule II, Section B. Superintendents, being men who never handle tools, and
regularly employed as such, shall not have to be members of Local Union 103.
R ule VI, Sec. A. Helpers, at the option of the employer, may be employed
at the rate of one helper to two journeymen in the shop.
R ule X I, Sec . A. The employer shall, on all exposed jobs and where no other
stock room is at hand, provide a suitable locker for the protection of all tools
and clothing.
R ule XII, Sec . A. All employers employing members of 103 under the fore
going conditions shall be required to carry insurance under the workmen’s com
pensation act.
The following working rules are a part of the agreement of Local
No. 481, Indianapolis, Ind., April 1, 1925:
A rticle 12. There shall be no scale set for apprentices and helpers. A helper
is to serve four years, and at the end of the fourth-year period he may become
a junior journeyman, providing he has met the requirements of Local No 481.
A junior journeyman is to have the privilege of carrying on all work the same
as a journeyman.
A rt. 13. Each helper shall attend a night school for electrical instructions and
shall attend on an average of not less than five hours per week during school
period.
A rt. 15. Members of the party of the second part shall not contract to per
form or do any class of electrical construction work until he has first withdrawn
from Local 481,1. B. E. W. If any party of the second part is without employ
ment and shall find a job of work to be done he shall report same to any party
of the first part, who will,give the party of the second part opportunity for
employment on this job.
A rt . 19. No employer of labor for the installation of electrical work shall be
given any better terms or conditions regarding hours of labor, wages per hour,
etc., by parties of the second part than are given to the parties of the first part.
BUILDING TRADES
31
A r t . 21. Party of the first part may employ, if they so desire, laborers, to do
all digging of all ditches.
A rt . 22. The electrician in charge of the job shall be held responsible for all
errors or omissions on job, and shall correct any improperly performed or defec
tive work on his own time and without expense to the contractor.
The following provision is found in the agreement of Local No. 64
with the Electrical Contractors7Association, Youngstown, Ohio, M ay
1, 1925:
A rticle 7. The party of the second part hereby agrees that no member of
Local Union 64, I. B. E. W., shall establish any place of business, maintain or
offer for sale any electrical appliances, or do any electrical work for any other
than recognized electrical contractors employing at least two journeymen ac
tively engaged in the contracting business, having an established place of busi
ness with telephone connection listed in the telephone directory under proper
name, unless he secures withdrawal card from said Local Union 64,1. B. E. W.,
and engages in business on the same basis as members of the Contractors’ Asso
ciation and contractors. The party of the first part agrees that no members of
its organization or contractors shall use tools on any construction work, but
reserve the right of making all shop repairs on electrical appliances.
The following extract is from the agreement of Local No. 377 with
the Lynn (Mass.) Electrical Contractors, M ay 1,1925:
A rticle X. No man shall be allowed to act as foreman on job or in shop
unless In is a member six months in good standing in Local No. 377,1. B. E. W.,
or who holds a working card issued by said Local No. 377.
The following provision is found in the agreement of Local No. 93,
East Liverpool, Ohio, M ay 1 ,19 2 5:
A rticle 2. Eight hours on the job shall constitute a day’s work, with the ex
ception of out-of-town jobs, on which one-half the time going to and from work
shall be on the contractor’s time and the other half on the workman’s time, with
the exception of emergency jobs which shall be paid for both ways by the con
tractor; except when it is necessary to get up material or on Saturday, which
shall be four hours. Time to be counted from 8 a. m. to noon and from 1 p. m.
until 5 p. m. and (in case the electrical contractor should be delayed in starting
their employees at 8 a. m. by reason of the condition of the work), the employ
ees’ day shall not commence until the hour such work can be started; providing
in no case shall the delay exceed four hours, and in this case the employees shall
work eight and four hours, respectively, for a day, and this is to be an exception
and not a general rule.
The following provisions appear in the agreement of Local No. 226
with the Electrical Contractors of Topeka, Kans., August 1, 1925:
Section 3. That said contractors shall recognize members of the union as
journeymen and helpers to do electrical construction and repairing, and that
said contractors shall not employ any but said members of the union for said
electrical work, unless such nonmembers first obtain a working permit from the
union. And in consideration of such employment the union agrees that it will
not work for any contractor who does not sign and conform to this agree
ment.
Sec. 12. It is hereby further agreed that all applications for an agreement
shall be in the hands of the executive board of the party of the second part 30
days before date set by party applying for an agreement shall start contracting.
Any contractor before becoming a party of the first part shall have an estab
lished place of business, with tools and material in said place of business com
mensurate with said business to be done, and shall have a telephone and attend
ant for conducting their business. However, in case any member of party ^>f
the second part desiring to enter the contracting business and to become a party
of the first part shall also give notice in writing to the executive board of the
party of the second part at least 30 days prior to entering business, but will be
allowed 60 days in which to qualify with the full provisions of this agreement.
If unable to qualify in full after said 60 days’ trial, said journeyman shall
immediately cease contracting and again deposit his card with the party of the
32
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
second part, and shall not again enter the contracting business for a period of
six months, under penalty of fine, expulsion, or both.
The following extract is from the working rules of Local No. 106,
Jamestown, N. Y ., August 1, 1925:
A rticle 9. All foremen and leaders on jobs having three or more journeymen
shall receive $1 per day more than the prevailing rate of wages. All foremen
to be members of Local Union No. 106,1. B. E. W., in good standing.
The following provisions relative to apprentices are from the agree
ment of Local No. 141, Wheeling, W . Va., M ay 1, 1925:
6. Any contractor who is a signer of this agreement and employs at least one
journeyman member of Local Union No. 141 at least 10 months a year shall be
permitted to employ one apprentice for the first journeyman so employed and
one apprentice for each four additional journeymen so employed, but not more
than three apprentices shall be employed by any one contractor or contracting
firm.
7. All apprentices working for contractors must be registered in Local Union
No. 141 before being placed at work. Working permits will be issued to appren
tices by executive board of Local Union No. 141 or by the business agent.
8. Any contractor employing apprentices must furnish each apprentice with
steady work the year round, but no apprentice or apprentices shall be allowed
to do any electrical work unless the required number of journeymen are also
employed.
9. Apprentices shall do no electrical work except under the direct supervision
of a journeyman, except that apprentices may do bell work not exceeding twoday jobs.
11.
Should any contractor discontinue the employment of apprentices such
apprentices shall be placed on a waiting list and shall be given first choice by
any contractor needing an apprentice. This should not apply to any apprentice
discharged for just cause.
If an apprentice is to be discharged the contractor shall notify the executive
board of Local Union No. 141, I. B. E. W., and they will immediately take the
matter up with the contractor and determine whether the cause is a just cause
or not. The executive board will not issue any permit to any other apprentice
until the previous apprentice case is decided to be a just cause for dismissal.
The following provisions relative to apprentices and stewards are
found in the agreement of Local No. 5 with the Pittsburgh Electrical
Contractors and Fixture Dealers, March 1, 1925:
A rticle VII, Section 1. Each employer will be entitled to one registered
apprentice if he has had an average of four journeymen during the preceding
year.
Sec . 2. Each apprentice will be registered within 90 days after being employed
and shall carry a trial permit during this period. No apprentice shall assume
the duties of a journeyman, nor shall an apprentice work without a journeyman
for a period longer than 4 hours and then only when the journeyman has been
unexpectedly called off the work.
Sec. 3. All apprentices shall attend a trade school recognized by the Board of
Public Education of the city of Pittsburgh. Upon the establishment of a day
school the first year apprentice shall attend said day school 1 half-day session
per week for a period of 40 weeks and the employer shall pay the apprentice
for his school time unless the boy defaults in his attendance at school. First,
second, and third year apprentices shall have no excuse for nonattendance
(except in case of sickness, when the apprentice or some member of his family
shall notify the truant officer, who will be found at the school on school nights.)
Sec. 4. Fourth-year apprentices shall attend school (except when a contractor
fyads it necessary to have him working out of the city, where it is impracticable
to come in on school night, and then he shall not miss more than four consecu
tive school sessions or more than eight sessions during one year.
Sec . 5. When fourth-year apprentices are working under the exceptions in the
foregoing paragraph they shall notify the office of the local union in writing,
also stating their location.
Sec. 6. The local union shall appoint a truant officer for the proper conduct
of the pupils and who shall make a report to the advisory board.
BUILDING TRADES
33
Sec . 7. Any apprentice who violates the aforementioned rules shall be suspended
until after he has attended the following session of school.
Sec. 8. Registered apprentices shall be furnished alternately by the contractors
and by Local Union No. 5.
Art . XII, Sec 1. The first employee placed on construction work on a building
shall be the steward on that job, unless the job is of sufficient size to require five
or more journeymen continuously, in which case these five journeymen will select
from among themselves the man who is to act as steward. Should the employer
find it necessary to move the man that has been selected as steward to another
job the men remaining shall elect a temporary steward until the regularly elected
steward returns on the job.
Sec . 2. Should an employer find a steward’s actions or personality objection
able, his case shall be disposed of by the joint conference committee.
The following provision appears in the working rules in the agree
ment of Local No. 38 with lighting fixture dealers, Cleveland, Ohio,
M ay 1,1925:
A rticle H, Section I. Parties of the second part agree to assemble, wire, and
install lighting fixtures, and shall place a label of identification thereon. No
labels are to be placed on the outside of glassware or fixtures except those installed
on the exterior unless there be no exterior fixture in which ease labels shall be
placed on an interior fixture which is readily visible from the street. Said labels
must bear the signature of the members who did the installation and are to be
furnished by the parties of the second part.
Sec . II. Labels to identify the mechanic who installed the lighting fixtures,
also the company by whom he is employed, shall be posted on the meter board.
Electrical workers’ agreements with companies not connected with
the building trades frequently contain clauses varying somewhat
from those before given. The following provisions are iound in the
agreement of Local No. 66 with the Houston Lighting & Power Co.,
September 1, 1925:
A rticle I, Section 2. * * * Men employed in the underground depart
ment working from work carts stationed in the underground district shall, at the
request of their foreman, report direct to such work carts rather than to the
general or branch storerooms.
Men employed in the overhead department shall report to storerooms as des
ignated by the general foreman.
Where no camp is established outside of the city limits the first party shall
furnish transportation to and from some designated point within the city limits.
However, where camp is established the first party agrees to furnish suitable
accommodations at cost.
Sec. 3. All employees on a monthly salary shall be subject to call for special
duty and shall not be entitled to compensation when required to work over or
over [sic] than the specified hours. However, there shall be no deduction in
salary of any such employee when absent from duty on account of sickness or
on leave of absence by permission of the first party for any reasonable length of
time.
A rt. II, Sec. 1. All trouble men, as well as men engaged in the patrolling of
lines within the city, will be required to work a seven-day week for the regular
rate of pay during their eight-hour shift and will be allowed two days off in each
month, time off to be governed by the first party.
Trouble men on arc circuit trouble will be governed by this same section and
time off to be designated by the first party.
Sec. 2. Arc-light trimmers shall have two days off in every month, time to be
designated by the first party.
Sec . 3. No employees governed by this agreement shall be allowed to work
in two consecutive shifts unless paid at the overtime rate for all work performed
in excess of the hours fixed upon as a regular day's work, it being understood,
however, that the first party shall be entitled to arrange its shifts so as to most
advantageously take care of its operating problems.
A rt. IV, Sec . 2. There shall not be more than one apprentice to three jour
neymen electricians or fraction thereof in each of the power houses.
34
TKADE AGREEMENTS IN 1025
A rt . VI, Sec . 2. Where four or more men are employed in one gang one shall
be designated as assistant foreman, who shall be responsible to the first party
for the work.
The following provisions appear in the agreement of Locals Nos.
309, 383, 638, 702, and 703 in Belleville, Collinsville, Gillespie, Centralia, DuQuoin, and Mount Vernon, III., with the southern division
of the Illinois Power & Light Corp., August, 1925:
3. For the purpose of providing a means whereby questions in dispute may be
amicably settled there will be organized a general council. This council will be
composed of one member of the brotherhood from each town or city above
named and an equal number of persons selected by the management of the com
pany from its executive staff. Each representative of the brotherhood and an
alternate to serve in his absence shall be elected by the members of the broth
erhood employed on the property of the company in each town or city by ballot
annually as nearly as may be to the 1st of January of each year, but not later
than February 1, and at such times and places as shall be convenient, provided
that eaeh member of the brotherhood employed by the company in the said town
or city shall have due notice of said meeting held for the election of the repre
sentative, and in the said election two-thirds of the members of the brotherhood
employed by the company in the said town or city shall be necessary for a quo
rum to conduct the said election. The said representative shall be elected from
the members of the brotherhood employed by the company in each town or city
and the said representative shall have been a member of the brotherhood for at
least two years immediately prior to the election and shall have been in the emiloy of the company for at least two years and shall be at least 30 years of age.
n case there is no member having these qualifications the selection shall be made
from those members who are most nearly qualified.
4. It shall be the duty of the general council to hold regular meetings on the
first Tuesday of each alternate month, beginning with February, and such spe
cial meetings as may be called by the company or the brotherhood. At the
first regular meeting held in each year the council shall elect a secretary, who
shall perform the duties usually assigned to such an officer during the remainder
of that calendar year. It shall be the further duty of the general council to dis
cuss all matters of importance affecting the relations of the company to the mem
bers of the brotherhood. It shall be the duty of the secretary to notify in
writing all members of the council of all regular and special meetings, giving at
least five days’ notice thereof.
5. When the general council shall desire to submit a matter to the vote of the
members of the brotherhood the question at issue shall be drawn up in writing
by the general council and submitted to the members of the brotherhood employed
by the company in each community by letter, and each letter shall inclose a bal
lot which shall be returned to the secretary within the time specified in the no
tice, which shall, however, be not less than five days after transmitting same.
Upon receipt of the ballots by the secretary they shall be canvassed by the sec
retary and a committee of two selected, one from the members of the brother
hood on the council and the other from the members appointed by the manage
ment, and each member of the council shall be advised by writing of the result
of the ballot.
6. Each brotherhood member of the general council shall act as a local com
mitteeman in his respective city. There will also be elected by the members of
the brotherhood employed by the company in each department in each city a
steward, whose qualifications for office shall be the same as of a representative
to the council. In case a grievance of any nature shall come to the attention of
any individual member of the brotherhood it shall be his duty to immediately
present the same in writing to the steward. It shall then be the duty of the
steward to file a copy of said grievance with the company's foreman in charge
of the work and the steward and foreman shall immediately attempt to adjust
same. Failing of adjustment in this manner same shall be brought to the atten
tion of the local representative and the local manager of the company, who shall
attempt to arrive at an adjustment. Failing of adjustment in this manner the
question shall be referred to the next meeting of the general council, together
with a complete record of the grievance and the conferences which have been
held by the parties above mentioned in connection therewith. In case the com
pany has a grievance regarding general conditions the local manager shall take
f
BUILDING TBADES
35
the question up with the local representative* of the brotherhood. Failing of
adjustment by this means the question shall be referred to the next meeting of
the council. While these negotiations are pending and until the council shall
have determined that it can not arrive at an adjustment of the difficulty there
shall be no strike or lockout on the part of either the company or the brother
hood. In no case shall employees coming under these rules engage in a sympa
thetic strike with other trades nor in any strike without the approval of the
international officers of the brotherhood.
9.
Employees under these rules working 011 monthly salaries without overtime
pay shall be entitled to a week’s vacation with pay each year, provided they
have been employed by the company for a period of at least one year, and two
weeks if employed two years or more.
12.
The company shall not employ more than one apprentice for each five
journeymen linemen and each three journeymen wiremen.
17. The company agrees not to employ anyone except member of the brother
hood in good standing on any work coming under these rules.
These rules will not prevent the company from employing specialists from
manufacturing concerns to do any work of a special nature" on apparatus.
18. In towns where the company reguiarly employ one man. as manager and
lineman he need not be a member of the brotherhood, but in case additional
men are employed they shall be members of the brotherhood.
The following articles are taken from the agreement of Local No.
84 and the Georgia Railway & Power Co., Atlanta, Ga., June 30,1925:
A rticle II. That any and all electrical workers * * * employed by the
company shall have the right to join or not join the brotherhood, as they individu
ally prefer, it being agreed that there shall be no discrimination for 01*against any
employee in said department of the company on account of membership in the
brotherhood and likewise that no employee of the company shall be discriminated
against for nonmembership in the brotherhood, and that neither the brotherhood
nor any employees of the company, members of the brotherhood shall attempt to
coerce any employees of the company into joining the brotherhood against their
will, or interfere with them in any way because of failure or refusal on their part
to join the brotherhood.
A rt. V. That each of the employees known as “ operators” and that each of
the employees known as “ trouble men” (except commercial trouble men) who
are required to be on duty every day in the year take two days’ holiday in each
month without pay, and the remaining operators in the several stations and the
remaining trouble men in the several trouble departments, as the case may be,
shall perform the necessary overtime work in order to make up for the absent
operator or trouble man by working such longer hours as may be required for
this purpose, and are to be paid overtime rate for such overtime work in excess
of their scheduled day.
A rt . VI. That hereafter, in making promotions among the men in the respec
tive divisions of the electric department in which they are employed to vacan
cies occurring in such divisions, the general rule of seniority shall be followed,
provided the person who may be entitled by seniority to be promoted to the
vacancy shall be competent to fill such vacancy. Differences, if any, which may
arise between the company and the brotherhood as to the competency of any
man to be promoted to fill the vacancy may be treated and disposed of as other
grievances under this contract.
When a promotion is made under the seniority rule and a demotion made on
account of incompetency as above set forth the party demoted shall return to
the bottom of the list of seniority, so far as right to future promotion is con
cerned, but retaining all other seniority rights, including the right to be promoted
in all other lines.
When a promotion job is open and to be filled under the rule of seniority
herein the company shall give notice by bulletin posted in the department
where promotion is to be made for such time as the circumstances of the case
permit, so that the employees may advise who is entitled to promotion under
the seniority rule and so the employees may have time to make application for
the position.
When an employee is promoted to a position as “ trouble man” he shall be
assigned to work with an experienced “ trouble man” for a period of not less
than (90) days to give him time to learn the circuits.
36
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Promotion to positions of lowest-class journeymen shall be made from the
helpers, according to seniority rule.
A rt. XI. That the right to hire or discharge employees and the management
of the properties in all departments are reserved by and shall be vested exclu
sively in the company. The company shall have the right to determine how
many men it will employ or retain in all departments covered by this contract,
together with the right to exercise full control and discipline in the interest of
the proper service and conduct of its business.
The following provisions are found in the agreement of Local No.
62, Youngstown, Ohio, No. 33, New Castle, Pa., and No. 218,
Sharon, Pa., linemen’s locals, June 1, 1925:
2.
In case any line construction work, other than steel tower, or any line
maintenance work, irrespective of the type of construction, is let out by first
party to contractors, then said first party agrees to notify said contractors of
the existence of this agreement and cause said contractors to employ none but union
labor, members of the I. B. E. W., in good standing for the construction or com
pletion of said work.
.10. There shall not be more than one apprentice to every seven or majority
fractional part of seven journeymen linemen in each local union’s jurisdiction.
The number of apprentices to be employed to be computed as follows: Taking
the number of journeymen in the jurisdiction of one local as a unit and not other
wise. During the fourth year apprentices shall do regular journeymen linemen
work, but journeymen linemen shall have the preference of all work. Working
conditions and hours of labor, including overtime rates, shall be the same for
apprentices as journeymen linemen.
11.
A cable foreman shall not be allowed to do any journeyman’s work when
accompanied by two or more cable splicers.
14.
All promotions to be made from the ranks and seniority adhered to, pro
vided they are practicable; none but journeymen linemen or cable splicers shall
be promoted to the position of foreman.
17. The company shall furnish free transportation at all times to all employees
covered by this agreement.
19.
All differences between the union and the company shall be adjusted as
follows: All differences shall be submitted to the superintendent of lines of the
company (in writing when so requested) by the properly accredited officers of
the union and if they can not agree the manager of light and power shall be
called into conference. If this conference fails to arrive at a satisfactory result
the general manager shall be called into conference. If after such conference
there remains a difference the case shall be submitted to a board of arbitrators.
The board of arbitrators shall be constituted as follows: A temporary board of
three disinterested persons, one to be selected by the company and one to be
selected by the union, and the two so chosen shall choose the third arbitrator.
Both parties shall name its arbitrator within 10 days from the time of receiving
notice thereto from the other party. The two arbitrators so chosen shall meet
within five days and name the third arbitrator.
Provided further, that should the arbitrators so appointed by each of the
parties to this agreement fail to agree within a period of five days upon the third
arbitrator, then the officers of the company, with the officers of the union with
the two arbitrators selected, shall meet and see if it is possible to agree upon the
third arbitrator or make arrangements concerning the arbitration as they deem
advisable. After the three arbitrators have been chosen the arbitration board
shall meet from day to day until the arbitration is completed and a decision
rendered. Pending the adjustment of any difference there shall be no walkout,
strikes, or cessation of work by either party. Each party shall pay its own
arbitrator and the parties hereto shall jointly pay the third arbitrator. A deci
sion of the majority of the board shall be binding to both parties hereto.
ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS
Elevator constructors assemble, erect, and equip escalators and
elevators in buildings.
All agreements received by the bureau in 1925 were copies of the
standard agreement that appeared in Bulletin No. 393 (p. 30).
BUILDING TRADES
37
ENGINEERS, STEAM AND OPERATING
The International Union of Steam and Operating Engineers includes
engineers operating steam boilers or heating plants in buildings, and
stationary, marine, Diesel, gas, air, and electrical engines or any
machine that may displace the steam engine, irrespective of its mo
tive power, including “ dinky” locomotives, pumps, concrete mixers,
stone crushers, steam shovels, street rollers, siphons, pulsometers, air
compressors, cableways, pile drivers, and hoisting and portable engines
of all classes used in connection with building operations. In brew
eries the engineers and firemen often jointly form a local affiliated
with the brewery workers’ union.
. The following extracts from the agreement of Local No. 813, Scran
ton, Pa., M ay 1, 1925, show in general the provisions found in sta
tionary engineers’ agreements:
A rticle 1. Eight hours shall constitute a day’s work, except on Saturday, when
engineers shall stop work at 12 o’clock noon. Time and one half shall be allowed
Sor all work over eight hours, and double time shall be allowed for Saturday
afternoon, Sunday, and the following holidays or days observed as such: Christ
mas Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and no work
to be performed on Labor Day.
A rt . 4. An engineer employed on day rate shall report for work every day,
unless notified the day previous not to do so, and shall receive a full day’s work
every day that he reports.
A rt . 5. Engineers working on straight time can not change to broken time
only at the beginning of their week.
A rt. 6. Employers agree to furnish suitable shelter to protect engineers from
falling materials and the elements of the weather.
A rt. 7. It is agreed that the employers shall request the union for engineers
when required, but should the union be unable to furnish the engineers the em
ployers are at liberty to employ whomsoever they see fit until such time as Local
813" shall furnish the men for such work.
Art. 8. To prevent discrimination, if an engineer is discharged for any cause
his place shall be filled by the business agent. No member shaU be allowed to
take this position unless directed to by business agent.
Art . 9. No member shall quit a job of his own accord before said job is com
pleted to take a situation of the same kind in this jurisdiction without securing
a member of this local in his place under penalty of suspension of one month for
every offense.
The following extracts relating to overtime and holidays are from
the agreement of Local No. 74, Boston, Mass., April 1, 1925:
Article II, Section 3. All overtime after 5 p. m. on week days, Sundays, and
holidays to be based on 30-minute periods. Any fraction of a Sunday or holi
day between 8 a. m. and 5 p. m. counted as a half day, or a full day when the
fraction is not caused by the voluntary action of the engineer or assistant.
Sec . 4. All regularly employed engineers or assistants shall be paid for all holi
days as part of their regular wages, and if required to work, shall be paid $6.83
per day in addition. After 5 p. m. to be paid at the rate of $1.75 per hour.
Sec . 5. All regularly employed engineers or assistants when required to work
on a Sunday shall be paid at the rate of $14 per day; overtime at the rate of
$1.75 per hour; nothing less than a half day, or a whole day, to be considered in
estimating Sunday time.
Sec . 6. Any fraction of a night more than a half night shall be counted as a
full night, and any fraction of a night less than a half night shall be counted as
a half night in estimating the pay of engineers or assistants, night work to begin
at 8 p. m. and end at 5 a. m.
Beginning at 8 p. m., engineers will be paid $5.80 for any portion of a night’s
work up to 12 o’clock midnight. When working after 12 midnight pay is to be
$11.60 for full night’s pay up to 5 a. m.
The following provisions are found in the agreement of Local No.
139 of Milwaukee, W is., M ay 1, 1925:
38
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
A rticle X. When a member has been discharged he shall be paid immedi
ately after his discharge. If not paid as above stated, the engineer who has been
discharged shall receive the regular daily scale of wages until such time as he is
paid.
A rt. XIII, Section 1. Engineers shall not do other than engine work, namely,
fitting up, dismantling, repairing, and maintaining machine. All pipe work to
be done by the steam fitter.
Sec. 2. Members while temporarily absent from their engine or boiler must
not allow any person, except a member of this union, to handle or operate his
engine or boiler.
The following articles appear in a three-year agreement of Local
No. 108, Rockport, Mass., with the granite manufacturers, effective
April 1, 1925:
A rticle 1. Forty-five hours shall constitute a week’s work. Eight hours per
day the first five days of the week and five hours on Saturday. Working hours
to be from 7 a. m. to 12 o’clock noon and from 1 p. m. to 4 p. m., except on
Saturday, from 7 a. m. to 12 o’clock noon.
A rt. 6, Sec. A. It is mutually agreed that any grievance or contention that
may arise during the existence of this agreement as to its performance in good
faith by either party shall be referred to a committee of six members, three to be
selected by the employer and three from Local 108,1. U. of S. & O. E., which
committee shall act as an adjustment committee, and said committee failing
within five days to agree, by two-thirds vote, shall refer the matter in dispute to
an arbitration board of seven, two to be selected by the employer and two by
Local 108. In each instance the two thus appointed shall select one additional
member to serve, and these two members thus selected shall choose the last or
seventh member. The last three named shall be men of high standing, in no
way connected with the granite industry. The arbitration committee thus con
stituted shall hear the parties and make an award within 15 days by a majority
vote. Pending such arbitration in reference to the foregoing agreement it is
mutually agreed that there shall be no strike, lockout, or suspension of work.
Sec. B. It is further agreed that any grievance or contention that may arise
during the existence of this agreement that is not covered by this agreement shall
be referred to the adjustment committee, who shall render their decision within
five days; and any agreement that they may come to in the matter under con
sideration shall be accepted by both parties. If the adjustment committee fails
to agree the matter then shall be referred to the arbitration committee provided
for in section (A) of this article. Pending consideration by this adjustment
committee, it is mutually agreed that the cause of contention be not removed
the first five days, but said contention shall be removed pending consideration by
the arbitration committee, and it is further agreed that pending the consideration
of any contention by said adjustment and arbitration committee there shall be
no strike, lockout, or suspension of work. The award of arbitration committee
shall be finaL
A rt. 8. Should either party desire a change to take effect April 1, 1928, three
months’ notice shall be given in writing previous to April 1, 1928, specifying
changes desired. If no notice be given, this agreement shall hold in force for
another year, and from year to year thereafter, with notice of change as pro
vided above.
The following provisions are found in the agreement of the local
joint executive board of the international union, Chicago, 111., with an
engraving company, M ay 1,1925A rticle II. That they [employees] shall obey all orders of those in authority
and conduct themselves in a respectful and gentlemanly manner and work in
every way for the best interest of their employer.
A rt. IV. All operating engineers shall receive their orders through the chief
engineer, except in case of emergency, and the chief engineer shall be responsible
to his vmployer for the employees in his department.
1st. During the life of this agreement there shall be no further demands made
upon either party.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 270
with the Master Builders’ Association of D m Moines, April 1, 1925:
BUILDING TRADES
39
A r t ic l e VI. Where three shifts are employed seven and one-half hours shall
constitute a day’s work for each shift, for which a regular day of eight hours
shall be paid. Where two shifts are employed eight hours shall constitute a
day’s work for each shift; night shift shall not start later than 6 p. m.
A rt. VIII. Engineers must have suitable shelter over and around them to
protect their lives and health. Engine rooms shall be heated when gas, electric,
or skeleton engines are being operated during cold weather. The above must be
complied with immediately after the ejigine is set ready for operation.
The party of the second part agrees not to strike in sympathy with any other
craft unless ordered to do so by the president of their international union.
Extracts from the agreement of Local 874 with the Pile Driving
and Dock Building Contractors of Cleveland, Ohio, M ay 1, 1925,
follows:
A rticle 1, The parties hereto agree that, when this agreement goes into effect,
nine hours shall constitute a full day’s or night’s work on all marine work.
On building foundations ashore the work day or night shall consist of eight
hours when pile driver is on site of work. When more than one shift is employed
eight hours shall constitute a shift’s work.
A rt . 3. Overtime shall be paid for at the rate of time and one-half.
A rt . 4. Double time shall be allowed for any work performed on Sundays,
New Year’s Day, Decoration Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day, and Christmas Day.
A rt. 6. When more than one shift is employed on the same work no man or
men will be permitted to work on more than one shift in any 24 hours, provided,
however, that the party of the second part is unable to furnish sufficient number
of men to complete any other shift, then any man may be permitted to work on
more than one shift at the single time rate of wages.
A rt. 9. There shall be no limitation placed upon the amount of work to be
performed by any of the men.
xArt. 10. Satisfactory arrangements are to be made by the parties hereto,
through their representatives, as to transportation, when men are required to go
out of town. Should any man or men, so provided with transportation, fail to
report for work, the amount paid for transportation will be refunded to the
employer by the party of the second part or deducted from the man's or men’s
wages. Any member of the party of the second part who is sent to a job under
the above transportation clause must work until completion of the job, or at least
one week, before being entitled to fare one way. Men to receive their return
transportation when work is completed. If a man is discharged for cause within
the first week he shall not be entitled to transportation either way.
A rt. 11. The parties hereto expressly stipulate that this agreement represents
the full understanding of the parties and that no understandings or agreements
made by their respective representatives, whether written or oral, or custom or
habit, shall have any effect on its interpretation, and that this agreement is
complete in itself.
FIREMEN AND OILERS
The International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers comprises
oilers, water tenders, boiler washers, ash handlers, coal passers, and
boiler, retort, and stoker firemen and helpers. Their agreements are
generally made with individual employers, call for an eight-hour day,
with the usual overtime provision, ancl provide some method of arbi
tration. The following extracts are taken from an agreement made
by Local No. 32, Detroit, Mich., April 1,1925:
A rticle III. (a) * * * The chief engineer shall have full charge of all firemen, oilers, and other boiler-room help, and in his absence the engineer on duty,
appointed by the chief, shall have charge of all boiler-room help.
(b)
* * * Th& fireman in charge of boiler room, while on duty, shall not
perform any other duty which shall take him outside of said boiler room not in
connection with his said duty as fireman.
A rt . V. * * * Every man discharged by a subordinate shall, if he so de
sires, be given a hearing by the proprietor, president, or manager of the said fac~
tory; the business agent, chief engineer, or engineer on duty at the time of dis
charge may be present at such hearing.
40
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
A rt . VI. (a) * * * In case of sickness of any fireman or boiler-room help
a man in good standing in Union Local No. 32,1. B. of S. F., shall be employed
to fill the vacancy, and if the fireman or other boiler help, as the case may be,
returns to work before the expiration of three months he shall be reinstated in
his said position.
A rt . VII. * * * Whenever there are two or more firemen employed they
may, with the approval of the chief engineer, alternate at such periods as a ma
jority may agree upon.
A rt. VIII. * * * All firemen and other boiler-room help shall be obliged
to give a 24-hour notice before resigning their position, and shall receive*a 24hour notice when discharged from said position*.
HOD CARRIERS
The International Hod Carriers, Building and Common Laborers'
Union of America comprises persons doing laborers’ work in quarries,
factories, shipyards, mills, and building operations, digging trenches,
erecting piers and foundations, wrecking buildings, underpinning and
raising old buildings, constructing streets, sewers, and tunnels, laying
water, gas, and electric mains, tending carpenters, bricklayers, masons,
plasterers, making mortar, mixing cement, and building scaffolds for
masons and plasterers.
As a rule, a union comprises members
working at all branches of the trade, although in the larger cities
there are a few specialized unions.
The agreements are made by district councils, where such exist,
and with associations of employers wherever possible. Provisions
for arbitration are frequently made.
Extracts from the agreement of Local No. 224 with the Employ
ers’ Association and other contractors of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April
1, 1925, follow:
A rticle VII, Section 1. All nonunion men employed at work such as claimed
by the party of the second part will arrange to pay the total of their debit to
the party of the second part through the agent thereof in such manner as may
be stipulated by the said party of the second part, to wit:
All nonunion men may make such monetary payments as may be arranged
by the aforementioned agent or such man or men shall give an order upon the
employer in lieu thereof, and the employer upon the issuance of such order here
by agrees to accept same in good faith and compliance, provided that the above
in reference to the monetary obligation of nonunion men will not be enforced
on buildings or jobs during the first day of said nonunion man’s employment
where there are more than 3 or less than 25 laborers employed.
Sec. 2. Employers not maintaining listed offices shall remit to the business
agent either in person or by mail all moneys deducted as per orders of employ
ees within a period of two weeks from date of order; five per cent may be
deducted to cover cost of mailing, etc.
A rt . IX. When work is carried on by two or more shifts the first day shift
shall not be required to start work before 6 a. m. The second and third shifts
shall be considered as a regular day shift, and any less than eight hours on the
second or third shift shall be considered as overtime, unless owing to conditions
unavoidable by the employer or his agent.
A rt. XV. Suitable drinking water and toilet facilities shall be provided for
the parties of the second part by the parties of the first part, and should the
party of the first part be negligent in this respect then the said party of the first
part shall afford the party of the second part sufficient time in which to avail
themselves of such water and toilet facilities.
A rt . XVIII. There shall be no working rules requiring a foreman in charge
of this craft. It shall be discretionary with the employer whether there shall be
a foreman in charge of this craft, and he may place a foreman on the job at his
discretion and designate who shall be foreman. If the employer in his discretion
shall select a foreman as above provided, the wages to be paid said foreman
shall be at a rate agreed to between the employer and said foreman, and not
less than the laborer’s scale.
BUILDING TRADES
41
The following extracts are from the agreement of the district coun
cil of the international union with the Building Trades Employers’
Association of Pittsburgh, Pa., July 6, 1925:
A rticle II, Section 4. The employer shall pay all car fare outside of the
city fare, and when workmen are requested to work outside of the city such a
distance as to require them to get a car or train before 7 a. m., they shall receive
at least one hour extra for the traveling and all fare.
A rt. IV, Sec. 3. When men are regularly employed and report for work, or
when they are ordered out and not placed at work, they shall receive two hours’
pay. The above does not apply under conditions over which the employer has
no control.
A rt. V. Mortar mixers shall be allowed to start at 7.30 a. m. to prepare mor
tar for the mechanics with whom they work so that the mechanics may start at
the starting time.
A rt. VIII. There shall be no cessation of work for any cause, except where
nonunion men are employed, should any dispute or misunderstanding arise, the
same shall be taken up with the joint committee and their decision shall be final
and binding on both parties. Work to continue pending the decision of the joint
committee, which shall meet within 48 hours.
Provisions of the agreement of the district council of the interna
tional union, Rochester, N. Y ., April 1, 1925, follow:
Seventh. The party of the first part shall furnish all tools of standard size for
use required, rubber boots, coats, and hats, when working in or under dripping
water. This does not imply rainy weather, but no workingman shall be discrimi
nated against for quitting in rainy weather, except in case of emergency work.
Eighth. The party of the first part has the privilege to sublet to anybody any
work of the original contract, providing that said work shall be done by union
laborers, members of the party of the second part, and the subcontractor com
plies with all the conditions specified in this agreement. No members of the
party of the second part shall be allowed to work for others not members of the
party of the first part on building construction for less than the price named in
this agreement.
Tenth. The mortar mixers and the mortar carriers are allowed by the party
of the second part to start 10 minutes ahead of time in the morning and after
noon, to have the mortar ready in time for the masons, providing that said lab
orers stop 10 minutes ahead at noon and 5 p. m.
The following provisions appear in the agreement of Local No. 177
with the Master Builders* Association, Des Moines, Iowa, March 31,
1925.
A rticle III. All men tending masons to begin work previous to the hour of
starting in order to have material on the boards or scaffold by starting time
shall be left to option of contractor. * * * Men beginning 10 minutes before
starting hour to quit 10 minutes before quitting time.
A rt. V. The foreman for building laborers may be a brickmason, plasterer,
carpenter, laborer, or whoever the contractor may select and to whom authority
may be given for the hire and discharge of men. All new employees to report
to steward before starting work.
The following provisions appear in the agreement of the plaster
tenders of Local No. 177:
Section 9. Any employer doing work out of town where no other hod carriers’
union has jurisdiction shall use members of Local Union No. 177, and the em
ployer and employees regulate their own scale of wages, but not less than 90 cents
per hour. This refers to Polk County only.
Sec. 10. No steward shall be discharged for performing his duties, which he
shall do as much as possible outside of working hours.
An extract from the agreement of Local No. 165 with the Master
Masons’ Association, Peoria, 111., M ay 1, 1925, relative to strikes,
follows:
Section 2. N o member of the building laborers’ union shall go out on a sym
pathetic strike, and in order to avoid said strikes all parties to this agreement
42
TKADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
hereby covenant, contract, and agree that they will not tolerate nor recognize
the right of any other association, union, council, or body of men, not directly
parties hereto, to interfere with the carrying out of this agreement, and that they
will use all lawful means to compel their members to comply with the agree
ment and working rules as hereinafter or hereinbefore stated. No member or
members affiliated with the second party shall leave his work because nonunion
men in some other line of work or trade are employed on the building or job, or
because nonunion men in any other line of work or trade are employed on any
other building or job, or stop or cause to be stopped any work under construc
tion for any member or members affiliated with the first party except upon writ
ten order signed jointly by the presidents of the association and union.
LATHERS
The Wood, Wire, and Metal Lathers’ International Union comprises
members engaged in putting light iron construction, wood, wire, and
metal lath, or plaster board into position for the application of plastic
material. The following extracts are from the agreement of Local
No. 33, Pittsburgh, Pa., in effect June 1, 1925.
- A rticle II, Section 1. All buildings are to be inclosed from November 1 until
March 31.
Sec . 2. It is agreed and understood that the employer shall see that all mate
rial to be used by the lathers is protected from inclement weather previous to the
lathers’ arrival on the job. And it is further agreed and understood that the
lathers shall see that same is properly protected thereafter.
Sec. 3. All elevator shafts to be properly covered at least twro floors above
and one floor below the floor the lathers are working on, and no other men to be
working in the shaft at the same time.
Sec. 4. It is agreed that the lathers be riot permitted to work in any building
where there are no floors.
Sec . 5. For the safety of the public and as a protection to the owner, it is
agreed that not less than
inch hot rolled iron, or less than 2-inch pressed
steel to be used as purlins in all ceilings more than 6 feet wide. Said purlins
not to be placed more than 4 feet 6 inches apart, and hangers not to be placed
more than 4 feet 6 inches apart.
Sec. 6. When a lather is sent to a job and not put to work on that day at
starting time, where no valid reason exists to the contrary, he shall receive four
hours’ pay.
Sec . 7. When it is necessary for the men to board while working in the Pitts
burgh district they shall receive $1 a day extra, five days a week, and shall be
paid car fare to and from the job once a week. This api>lies only to all men
working on such work who have not had a permanent residence of at least six
months.
Sec. 8. On jobs outside the city, where the men are required to travel daily,
the employer will pay single time consumed by traveling before 7.15 a. m. and
‘after 5.15 p. m. Said traveling time to be agreed upon between employer and
employees’ representative. Employer shall pay all car fare over two fares from
city by street car and all fare if travel by steam car daily. This applies only to
all men working on such work who have not had a permanent residence of at
least six months.
Sec. 10. All men are to be paid on the job before 4.30 p. m. each Friday. In
case a man is laid off or discharged he shall receive his pay in full at the time
his services are discontinued. All waiting time regarding this section shall be
paid at the rate of double time.
A rt. IV, Sec . 1. It is agreed that the contracting plasterer shall be privileged
to employ lathers either through a contracting lather or direct.
Sec. 2. But at no time shall he be privileged to employ them both ways at
the same time. The employer shall signify which way he prefers to employ the
men for a period of one year, provided that he can change from one to the other
by notifying Local No/33 in writing 10 days previous to change taking place,
but no more than two changes shall be permitted during the life of this agree
ment.
Sec . 3 This clause shall not be construed to mean that a contracting plast
erer can not contract metal lathing to a contracting lather while employing his
wood lather direct.
BUILDING TRADES
43
The following sections are from the agreement of Locals Nos. 32
and 448, and the Employing Plasterers’ Association of Buffalo, N. Y .,
M ay 1, 1925:
Section 4. On all work done by the day, where three or more men are em
ployed on a building, there shall be a foreman, who shall receive $1 per day in
excess of the regular scale of wages being paid journeymen lathers.
Sec. 8. The parties of the second part agree to furnish competent wood and
metal lathers on all work pertaining to their trade, in order not to retard the
progress of work contracted by their employer.
PAINTERS
The members of the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators, and
Paperhangers of America apply and remove oil, paints, varnishes,
stains, and the like to and from any material for preservative or
decorative purposes, set glass, and hang paper on walls. In small
cities the various workers of the craft are grouped into single unions.
In larger cities individual unions are found of house painters, sign paint
ers, scenic painters, wagon painters, ship painters, car painters, hard
wood finishers, varnishers, gilders, paperhangers, glaziers, and decora
tive and art glass workers, grouped into district councils. As a rule, the
agreements are made with individual employers by district councils
where they exist. The 44-hour week is practically universal, but in a
few cities the agreements call for a 40-hour week, Saturday being ob
served as a whole holiday. The following extracts from the agree
ment of District Council No. 4, Buffalo, N. Y ., M ay 1, 1925, contain
many provisions found in most painters’ agreements, other than those
common to all building trades agreements:
A rticle 2, Section 1. The employer agrees to employ none but union labor,
except as hereinafter specified.
Sec. 4. The scale of wages for bridges and structural-steel work shall be at
least 10 cents per hour more than the prevailing rate of wages. By “ struc
tural steel” is meant the steel columns, beams, tie rods, etc., of a new steel-con
structed building which is to be painted before the steel is covered up or built
into the building.
Sec. 5. During the busy months, to wit: April, May, and June, when the
union is unable to furnish journeymen, the employer shall have the right to hire
men other than members of the union wherever he can get them, on condition,
however, that the employer notify the union or its business agent, and that the
men so employed secure a permit within 24 hours from the union; the union
reserving the right to refuse such permit unless such applicant pay an initiation
fee which shall not exceed the initiation fee provided for in the constitution and
by-laws of the union; said fee to be paid in full or in weekly installments, at the
option of the union.
In case there shall be a shortage of union labor at any time, the union reserves
the right to grant permits as above specified at any time other than April, May,
and June, but only on condition that the applicant pay said initiation fee in full
before permit is granted.
A rt. 3, Sec. 1. If found necessary to work after 4.30 p. m. to finish a job or
any distinct section of a job, straight time shall be paid up to 5.30 o’clock. If
new work is started or men are sent to a job after 4.30 p. m., the time and onehalf rate shall be paid, except as hereinafter mentioned.
Sec. 3. Where an emergency arises that would seem to make it necessary to
work Saturday half-holidays on certain jobs and where it can be shown to be
to the best interests of all concerned, permission may be granted by the busi
ness agent upon a written request from an employer in which the reasons for this
request are incorporated. The scale of wages on this work and all work performed
between the hours of 12 o ’clock noon and 12 o’clock midnight Saturday shall
be at the rate of double time.
A rt . 4. Employer may contract for work done at night in department stores,
banks, office and public buildings at the straight time rate during the months of
44
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
January and February. Such work to be performed by men not working during
the day. Men so employed to work no more than eight hours in any one day,
unless extra time is paid for at the overtime rate.
A rt. 8. Sympathetic strikes shall in nowise be considered a violation of this
agreement, but in the event of such strikes at least 24 hours’ notice shall be given
the employers affected.
A rt . 10. It is agreed that neither party to this agreement shall use, or cause
to be used, either directly or indirectly, paint-spraying machines of any make or
construction for the painting of any building or structure.
A rt. 12, Sec. 1. It is understood and agreed that in case any provision of
this agreement shall be found to be contrary to law, such finding shall not in
any wTay affect the other provisions of this agreement, which shall, notwithstand
ing, continue in full force and effect.
S e c . 2. A violation of any of the provisions of this contract by any member
of the union, without the sanction of the union, shall not constitute a violation
of this contract.
The following extracts from the agreement of District Council No.
1, Pittsburgh, r a ., April 1, 1925, contain other provisions in general
use:
A r t ic l e II, S e c t io n 3. Each shop employing an average of 10 men is entitled
to a foreman, who need not be a member of the union, and shall be entitled to
work only when it is necessary to give instructions or make samples.
A rt. Ill, Sec. 3. Workmen shall not be subject to censure or be discharged
for mistakes which may occur when specifications or written instructions rela
tive to the work are not furnished to the workman in charge of the said work.
A rt . VII, Sec. 2. Painting exterior of window frames, over and above three
stories in height, where swing work is not practical, safety belts shall be fur
nished by the employer.
A rt. IX, S e c . 1. Where drop cloths and rags are used they shall be furnished
to workman in a sanitary condition. No member shall be discharged for refus
ing to work with unsanitary materials or on a ladder or scaffolding which he
considers unsafe.
S e c . 2. Journeymen shall be allowed sufficient time before the hour of 4.30 p. m.,
or quitting time, for the purpose of placing materials, brushes, etc., where such
properly belong, not to exceed 10 minutes.
S e c . 3. All employers to this agreement must have their workmen insured for
the protection of the employees in accordance with the workmen’s compensation
laws of the State of Pennsylvania.
The following provisions of the agreement of District Council No.
18,
Rochester, N. Y ., April 1, 1925, relate to apprentices, health, and
safety:
Ninth. Employment of apprentices shall be governed as follows: An apprentice
must be under 21 years of age when engaged to learn the trade. An agreement
hall be signed by the firm or contractor and by the legal guardian of the appren
tice entering the employ of said firm or contractor, and shall be witnessed by a
committee of the above brotherhood, whereby said apprentice is indentured to
said firm or contractor for a period not to exceed three years, due consideration
being given to ability and time worked previous to indenture. At the expiration
of said agreement, if found necessary or expedient, it may be extended for a period
of one year. An apprentice shall receive at least $18 per week during the first
year of his apprenticeship.
The number of apprentices allowed to any one firm or contractor shall be deter
mined upon the presentation to the above brotherhood of satisfactory evidence
as to the number of journeymen at full rate of wages employed for eight months
during the previous year.
One apprentice being allowed to 3 journeymen or over.
Two apprentices being allowed to 10 journeymen or over.
Three apprentices being allowed to 15 journey mien or over.
Not more than three apprentices shall be allowed to any one firm or contractor.
Tenth. In no case shall any journeyman accept work unless protected undef
the provisions of the workmen’s compensation law.
BUILDING TRADES
45
Health and Safety
A rticle I. Journeymen are to care for and inspect all ladders, scaffolding, and
pJanks used by them for the protection of their own safety and in the interest of
the employer who provides and maintains the equipment."
A r t . II. Damp rubbing down and sandpapering shall be substituted for the
dry method on all painted surfaces.
A rt . III. Adequate toilet facilities within easy access shall be provided on all
painting operations.
A rt . IV. All hand mixing of dry lead, other leads, or lead paints, and any pro
cess involving the mixing, crushing, sifting, grinding in oil, or any other manipu
lation of lead or lead color, causing dust on the job, shall be prohibited.
Lead or products containing lead shall be given workmen only in the form of
paste or ready-mixed paints.
A rt . V. To offset the injurious effects of paint fumes on the health of the
men, windows shall be kept open to assure a sufficient supply of fresh air. In
the painting of area ways, elevator shafts, kitchenettes, and other confined places
where there is 110 possibility of fresh air, rest periods of 10 minutes in each hour
shall be allowed.
A rt . VI. In order to remove poisonous paint from the hands and face men
shall be allowed five minutes before the end of the morning and afternoon shift
for the purpose of washing up.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 447
with the Master Painters and Contractors of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April
1,1925:
A rticle III, Section 3. Party of the first part shall select their foreman; he
shall be a union man, a competent mechanic at his trade, and subject to the rules
of the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators, and Paperhangers of America Local
No. 447.
A r t . IX, S ec . 1. That the parties of the second part in this agreement shall
not work with any man or men of any craft who are not members of the craft
to which they rightfully belong, if said craft is locally or internationally affiliated
with the Building Trades Department, American Federation of Labor.
S e c . 2. It is further agreed that one working-day shall be given to unionize or
discharge any nonunion man or men of our craft that may come on the job to
work.
A r t . XII, S ec . 2. Apprentices are not to leave the employer to whom they
have been apprenticed without first notifying Local No. 447, and must show good
reason, ill treatment, or not taking proper interest in teaching the apprentice the
trade, or out of work being sufficient reasons. Employers before discharging an
apprentice must bring the case before Local No. 447 fora satisfactory adjustment.
The following provisions appear in the agreement of Local No. 41,
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., April 1, 1925:
A r t i c l e III. The party of the first p a r t hereby agrees to recognize pay order
when signed by men in their employ and presented by the representative of the
union.
A rt . VI. Men who are working a night shift must register with the represent
ative of the union and be paid at the rate of double time.
A rt . VIII. The party of the first part shall have the right to employ one boy
as an apprentice for the first three men employed the maior portion of the year,
and one additional apprentice for each ten men thereafter. Such boy or boys
shall be under 21 years of age when beginning his apprenticeship and shall be
bound by contract for a term of three years. Said party of the first part shall
furnish such boy or boys with indenture papers or credentials. Apprentices shall
not be required to work more than eight hours outside of shop, nor shall they be
allowed to work outside of shop ©n any job for a longer period than one day unless
with one or more journeymen.
A r t . XIV. During the months of April, May, September, October, November,
December, January, February, and March 44 hours shall constitute a week’s
work, week ending Saturday at noon. During the months of June, July, and
August 40 hours shall constitute a week’s work, week ending Friday at 5 p. m.
96588°—26------ 4
46
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
All employees shall be paid once each week, payment to be made on the job
in cash (no checks), and not more than two days’ pay to be held back. All time
waiting for pay after hours shall be paid for at the rate of double time.
The following extracts are from the agreement and working rules
of Local No. 498, Jamestown, N . Y., April 1, 1925:
A rticle VI. No member of the union shall be allowed to work for other par
ties after a day’s work has been performed for his employer, and no member of
the union is allowed to work for other boss painters or piiperhangers but parties
to this agreement. In all cases the boss painters, decorators, and paperhangers
shall be protected by the system of fines imposed by said union on any of its
members known to violate this agreement. The attached working rules shall
form part Of this agreement.
Art . X. The refusal of members to work on a nonunion or unfair job shall
not be considered a- violation of this agreement.
Working Rules
Section 4. Any journeyman working below the scale shall be fined such sum
as the union may direct, and any contractor who employs or endeavors to
employ, either directly or indirectly, any member of the union for less than the
regular scale of wages shall have all men withdrawn from his shop.
Sec. 5. No journeyman painter (not recognized as a regular contractor) shall
be allowed to contract for any work without first applying to the business agent
for a permit for each and every job. Failure to do so, charges will be preferred
against him. The business agent shall investigate all such jobs, and if the mem
ber can not make the scale of wages he shall not be allowed to do the work.
Sec. 8. It shall be compulsory for all contractors to carry liability insurance
covering all of his employees, under the laws of the workmen’s compensation law
of the State of New York, the business agent to be permitted to inspect the
policies and receipts for same.
The following provisions relative to contractors appear in the agree
ment of Local No. 476, Youngstown, Ohio, April 1 ,1 9 2 5 :
A rticle IV, Section 1. It is agreed that no more than one member of any
firm or company is to be allowed to work without a card from Local Union No.
476, and said firm or company must employ one or more men the year around
unless said contractor carries a card with Local Union No. 476.
Sec. 3. The business agent shall have absolute power to pull any job put on
the unfair list by this Local No. 476 or by the building trades council. The bus
iness agent shall also have the power to examine the pay roll of any firm of con
tractors whenever he deems it necessary.
Sec . 4. The business agent shall appoint shop and job stewards for the
enforcement of the working rules or decisions of Local No. 476. Such appoint
ments to be subject to the approval of the local. When a member is discharged
the steward shall be notified immediately by the man in charge of the work.
Any steward through faithful performances of his duties who is discriminated
against shall be entitled to and receive the full protection of Local No. 476. It
is fully understood that no man in charge of work shall be a steward.
Sec. 7. All contractors signing this scale must abide by the specific require
ments of the standard safety code, as compiled by the Industrial Commission of
Ohio, at all times.
The following extracts are taken from the agreement of Local No.
549, Erie, Pa., April 1, 1925:
Section 2. No overtime work shall be done except where business would be
interfered with if work was done in regular working hours. Any member being
compelled to work on Saturday between 12 o’clock noon and 5 o’clock p. m.
shall first get a permit from the local union before Saturday noon.
Sec. 4. All bosses, contractors, and jobbers working at the trade instead of
signing an agreement must become members of the union, unless employing one
or more men the major part of the year.
Sec. 7. Employers employing seven or more men throughout the year may
employ a superintendent, who need not be a member of the union; provided,
that not more than one superintendent shall be employed.
BTJELDIITG TRADES
47
Sec . 9. Any member of this union doing work for other than regular contrac
tors shall charge not less than [three dollars a day above the minimum rate].
The following provisions are found in the agreement of Local No.
49, Memphis, Tenn., April 1, 1925:
Section 5. Journeymen painters, paperhangers, decorators, etc., shallonly be
allowed to contract during strikes, lockouts, and unemployment. A journeyman
painter, etc., shall not be allowed to contract any work without taking out a per
mit for each job from the business agent. Failing to do so, charges shall be pre
ferred against him by the business agent. He shall state contract price, and the
business agent shall investigate the job, and if the business agent deems it necessary
he may call upon any boss painter or member of Local Union No. 49 or both to
help him estimate the job, and if the member or members can not make the scale
of wages, plus 20 per cent, he shall not be allowed to proceed with the job, and
if the member or members makes a misstatement in regard to the price of the job,
charges shall be preferred against him in the local, and if guilty, punished as the
union may see fit. If a member has been contracting for a year, he shall be con
sidered a regular contractor and shall be exempt from this section. Members
working for others than painting contractors, store, office or city buildings, where
men are employed regularly, shall receive 20 per cent more per day than regular
scale.
Sec. 14. When men are ordered to report at shop or job in the morning and
not put to work (weather permitting) they shall be paid for four hours’ time.
Sec. 15. Any boss painter who works himself agrees to work one or more jour
neymen every day he works himself, provided Local No. 49 can furnish a man
who is qualified to do this particular piece of work.
Sec. 17. When an employer discharges a member because he belongs to our
brotherhood or for upholding our trades rules, when* so proven to the satisfaction
of Local No. 49, shall be deprived of brotherhood men until the matter has been
settled and reparation made.
Sec . 18. On spraying and finishing of furniture, one man, other than a union
man, will be allowed to work on furniture only. Should more men be needed
members of Local Union No. 49 must be employed.
The following extracts are taken from the agreement of Glaziers
and Glass Workers’ Local No. 1274, Bridgeport, Conn., March, 1925.
Said employer further agrees, in consideration of the above, that he will
always keep in his employ not less than one member of said local in good stand
ing and that he will never discharge said member of said local except by mutual
agreement with said local.
In consideration of the above, said employer agrees that in regard to plate
glass setting, any two to five members of said local engaged by the employer
may have one helper, which helper may be either a truck driver or apprentice
who carries a card and is in good standing.
In consideration of the above, said employer agrees that all steel-sash workers
shall be permitted to have one helper for every two to five men in his employ,
who will not be permitted to clip, set, or cut glass.
The agreement of Sign, Scene and Pictorial Painters’ Local No. 830,
Chicago, April 1, 1925, contains the following provisions:
Section 4. Any member that furnishes vehicle to transport paint or parapher
nalia of contractor (excepting commercial box or bucket of brushes) shall be paid
$3 for each day or fraction thereof in addition to the regular rate of wages, and
said pay for use of vehicle shall be paid at same time, manner, and place as pro
vided in section 9 herein.
Sec. 6. Sign and pictorial painters and senior apprentices working “ on the
road ” shall receive the daily wage scale adopted by the local union having juris
diction over the locality from which they are traveling, and not less than $3.50
per day hotel expenses, together with all traveling expenses from date of leaving
until they return to their home town; provided that they must comply with the
working rules and laws of the locality in which they work and demand at all
times the shorter work day and higher wage scale. Members so engaged shall
receive a traveling card issued by the G. E. B. through their local unions, said
cards to be colored—-the color to be changed semiannually.
Sec . 8. Any member of the party of the second part working on tanks and
stacks or on any sign above 60 feet— sidewalk level— shall be paid 50 cents per
48
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
hour in addition to the regular rate of wages for the entire sign. Working on
stacks 100 feet or higher shall be paid for at the rate of double time.
Sec. 9. Any member of the party of the second part working on electric signs,
either horizontal or vertical, where the highest point of electric sign is more than
15 and less than 60 feet above sidewalk level, either new work or repaint, shall
be paid 25 cents per hour in addition to the regular rate of wages.
Sec. 13. The said party of the first part further agrees not to employ or cause
to be employed more senior apprentices than the combined number of journey
men in each shop. It is expressly agreed that no senior apprentice or apprentice
shall be permitted to work overtime in any shop unless assisting a journeyman.
No senior apprentice or apprentice shall remain in any shop after workmen have
quit (preparatory work excepted) unless there remain with them an equal num
ber of journeymen. Under no circumstances will a senior apprentice be allowed
to do sizing, cutting in, lettering, nor shall he do or finish any part of gold or silver
lettering, shading, outlining or high lighting, or varnishing window lettering.
No senior apprentice shall be permitted to work as a journej^man at any of the
branches under the jurisdiction of the painters’ district council.
S ec . 16. It is expressly agreed that no member of the party of the second
part be held liable for any damage or injury caused as a result of paint carried
by the wind, or any other accident on the part of the party of the second part while
in the services of the party of the first part.
S ec . 20. A sympathetic strike, when ordered by the board of business agents
of Painters’ District Council No. 14 shall not be a violation of this agreement.
S e c . 21. This agreement shall not take away the power of the business agent
of the painters’ district council or Local No. 830 to call a strike on any shop for
any reason that may appear to the painters’ district council or Local 830 to
be "sufficient.
S ec . 24. The party of the«first part hereby agrees with party of the second part
to comply with the State lav/ pertaining to guard rails on swing staging, and all
necessary safety devices that shall be in force, and will further comply with the
State law regarding the State of Illinois compensation act insurance, and will in
sure members of Local Union 830 only in insurance companies approved of by the
State of Illinois Industrial Commission, Local Union 830, and the Painters’ Dis
trict Council No. 14. The business agents of Local Union 830 are instructed to
secure written proof from the party of the first part that this rule will be strictly
complied with.
PLASTERERS
The Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Finishers, International
Association of the United States and Canada consists of two classes
of members— plasterers, who do plain and ornamental plastering of
cement, stucco, and artificial stone work; and cement finishers, who
spread and finish cement, concrete.; asphalt, and composition work in
buildings, bridges, elevators, gutters, streets, steps, sidewalks, tunnels,
sewers, cisterns, etc. The agreements are similar to those of the other
building trades. The following extracts are from the agreement of
Plasterers’ Local No. 31 with the Contracting Plasterers’ Association,
Pittsburgh, Pa., April 1, 1925:
No. 4 (d), * * * Saturday work will be eliminated beginning June 1,1925.
No. 8. No overtime work shall be done on any new or reconstructed building
except where it is absolutely necessary, and then only by permission from
business agent, president, vice president, or financial secretary of Local No. 31.
(Governs apprentices also.)
When there is a shortage of workmen in the shop industry permits shall be
granted to employers to work their men overtime when the necessitj^ arises.
This applies to work being done under the jurisdiction of Local No. 31 and
does not apply to work being done for employers in other cities.
Employers must secure permits before starting work as specified in section 8,
second paragraph.
No. 16. The original contractor should finish a job, or any part thereof, for
which he may have a contract, and no journeyman plasterers will work on
such jobs for anyone except the original contractor, unless requested to by such
BUILDING TRADES
49
original contractor. Final payment shall be evidence of completion of such con
tract. Any job that is not completed by the original contractor for the plaster
ing, owing to a dispute or inability same shall be finished by the journeymen of
No. 31 by the day, after a settlement has been made by the contracting plasterer.
Final payment to be evidence of settlement.
No. 20 (a). No apprentice shall be taken to learn the trade of plastering when
he is over the age of 18 years unless agreed to in conference committee, and then
only in conformity with the following apprentice rules:
(b) An employer must be one year or more in the business before he is allowed
any apprentice.
(c) An employer employing an average of three men per year shall not be
allowed more than one apprentice and an additional apprentice for every addi
tional five men.
(d) No employer shall have more than four apprentices except as provided for
hereafter under clauses of this section.
(e) All apprentices shall serve an apprenticeship of four years at the trade.
(/) All apprentices shall be required to sign an agreement, witnessed by the
employer and a representative of Local No. 31, and same to be binding on both
the employer and apprentice.
(ig) No apprentice shall leave his employer during the term of his apprentice
ship.
(h) When an apprentice is thrown out of employment for any reason his case
shall be referred to the chairman of the conference committee and business
agent of Local No. 31, who shall, if they deem it proper, use their best endeav
ors to have the apprentice placed in a shop where his apprenticeship may be
completed.
(i) When employer has work, provision must be made to keep apprentices em
ployed during their apprenticeship, or wages may be claimed by the appren
tice after being idle one week.
(j) When three men are to be employed on ornamental work, or cornice work,
the third man shall be an apprentice, provided there is one on the job or in the
shop.
0c) When an apprentice has served three years at the trade in any shop
where he has had no opportunity to learn ornamental or cornice work, the joint
conference committee may place such an apprentice in a shop where he may
learn this branch of the work, upon application of said apprentice, and where
such an opening exists.
(m) When an apprentice has been working at the trade six months (actual
time) and has shown sufficient skill at the business for this period he shall be
paid same rate of overtime as is paid to journeymen.
(n) If an apprentice fails to show such mechanical ability as would be ex
pected from him at the end of his first six months at the trade he will not be
entitled to the same rate as journeymen until he has been at the trade for one
year, after which time he shall receive same rate for overtime (double time) as
is paid to members of No. 31.
(o)
It is permissible for employers to allow apprentice plasterers to work in
the shop if so desired.
(p) Where apprentices are employed, members of Local No. 31 must, to the
best of their ability, instruct the apprentices in becoming proficient mechanics
at the trade.
No. 28. All jobs outside the city, where men are required to board train or
street ears daily will be governed by the following:
(а) When men are required to board train, car, or bus to out-of-town work
before 7.15 a. m. at city terminal or his nearest intermediate point, he shall re
ceive single-rate time for all time before 7.15 a. m. Same applies to all time
after 5.15 p. m., arriving back to city terminal or his nearest intermediate
point.
(б) On all work outside the city, where men go to and from daily, all trans
portation shall be paid by the employer.
(c) When men go from the city to work, and locate in the vicinity of such jobs,
same allowance for fare must be paid as if men went to and from the city
daily.
(d) On all jobs outside the city, where it is not practical for men to go and
return daily, the employer will pay round-trip transportation once a week; and
in addition thereto there shall be a board allowance of $6 per week, providing
the job is in the jurisdiction of or controlled by Local No. 31.
,S 0
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
(/) Members required to travel at night for their employer shall be given Pull«aan accommodations.
No. 30. All buildings must be inclosed between November 1 and April 1, or no
members of Local No. 31 will be allowed to start or continue at work on such
building or buildings. Buildings must also be heated or heat preparations be
.made ready to operate if weather conditions so require between November 1 and
April 1, same to be furnished by general contractor, owner, or architect, together
with proper light at all times when necessary, otherwise no member of No. 31
will be permitted to start work or continue work on such buildings.
No. 31. All elevator and other openings to be securely covered for the protec
tion of the men working in same, at least one to three stories above and one
story below, and no other workmen to work in shaft at the same time. No mem
ber of Local No. 31 shall be allowed to work in any building where there are no
floors.
No. 32. On all buildings over eight stories in height elevator accomodations
must be provided to take men from street floor to floor employed on, and vice
versa.
No. 33. (j) On all work where three or more men are employed, and the em
ployer does not look after the work personally, there shall be a foreman appointed.
This rule applies to all who employ members of Journeymen Plasterers’ Union
Local No. 31.
(k) A foreman shall be paid not less than $1 per day above the standard rate
of journeymen’s wages.
(I)
Journeymen plasterers shall furnish all tools neoessary for the completion
of his work, except wooden tools, which shall be furnished by the employer, and
they shall be such as can be used to do work in a practical manner. Journey
men shall see that tools furnished by employers are kept in good condition at
all times.
(m) No member of Local No. 31 shall be allowed to work for any employer
who may use the tools if said employer can not qualify as a competent plasterer.
(n) Not more than two members of a firm shall be permitted to work with
the tools of the plastering trade. Such employers or contractors must conform
to rules, hours, and conditions governing members of Journeymen Plasterers'
Union Local No. 31.
(q) No member of the O. P. & C. F. I. A. shall be allowed to work where x>pen
* alamanders, gasoline, oil, or any other torch which is injurious to the health of
our members are used. Salamanders, in particular, must be piped to a flue or
opening to carry fumes out of building. (International law.)
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 179
with the Plastering Contractors7 Association of Youngstown, Ohio,
March 1, 1925:
Section 2. A committee of three members from the plastering contractors
and a committee of three members from Local 179, O. P. C. F. I. A., shall con
stitute a joint board, to whom all violations of any questions arising under this
agreement and any and all other grievances and disputes which from time to
time may arise between the parties to this agreement shall be referred.
Sec . 3. Members of said board shall have full power to act, and its finding
shall be final in all cases. Four members shall constitute a quorum, but both
sides must be equally represented.
Sec . 4. Both parties to this agreement will at their annual election each year,
or at any special election called for that purpose, elect three members to serve
on this board for a period of one year.
Sec . 5. Local 179, 0. P. C. F. I. A., reserves the Tight of referendum and
recall at any time on the members of their committee.
Sec * 7. No member shall serve on this board unless actively engaged in the
plastering business as an employer or employee. No foreman shall serve on this
board except with consent of Local 179, O. P. C. F. I. A. In case of death,
resignation, or removal of any member of joint board, the vacancy to be filled
by the election of a member from the association from which his predecessor was
elected at the next regular meeting of the board.
In case of temporary absence of any member of the joint board, or in case
of any members being interested in questions brought before the board, the
president of his association shall appoint a substitute.
Sec . 8. All questions in regard to wages and other matters of mutual concern
to be settled by parties to this agreement through the joint board, and by that
way only.
BUILDING TBADES
51
All violation of working rules and all questions involved in Local 179 only to
be settled by Local 179 only.
Sec . 9. All questions to go before the joint board shall be reported in writing
to the joint board within two weeks of occurrence, or they shall receive no con
sideration.
Sec . 19. On forming the joint board, all contractors, parties to this agreement,
must be notified and they must register with board not later than two weeks
from that time; thereafter they must register on April 20 and October 20 of
each year.
All employers must have sufficient capital to take care of three pay rolls and
show that they carry workmen’s compensation insurance with the Indus
trial Commission of Ohio.
Sec . 20. Any party or parties wishing to become a plastering contractor must
show that he belonged to the O. P. C. F. I. A. for at least two successive years.
Sec . 21. Should any apprentice so desire, he shall attend a session of night
school during the last year of his apprenticeship for the express purpose of study
ing architectural drawing, said school to be agreed upon by both parties and
the tuition paid for by his employers.
Sec . 22. All work must be done in a workmanlike manner. All angles and
base to show straight and true. The employee shall do a reasonable day’s work,
and the employer shall allow a reasonable amount of time for having the same
done.
Sec. 23. The original contractor must finish any job for which he may have a
contract, and no journeyman plasterer shall be permitted to work on any job for
any other than the original contractor, except in cases of bankruptcy or foreclo
sure. Final payment shall be evidence of completion of such contract.
In foreclosed or noncompleted buildings where any plastering has been done the
job can be finished on a cost-plus basis by a contractor who must employ a foreman
on such job, or can be finished by members of Local 179, by the day.
Sec . 24. No party to this agreement will be permitted to do any work for any
person, contractor, or company who is indebted to any party to this agree
ment for plastering work done until debt is paid.
Sec. 25. No member of Local 179 shall be permitted to work for any contrac
tor who does not furnish all material for lathing and plastering on any job for
which he may have a contract.
Sec. 26. On all jobs where the elevator shafts are plastered there must be a
closed scaffold not more than two floors above and not more than one floor below
the journeymen while at work therein. Where the shafts are plastered from the
cage there must.be a closed hood over the journeymen not more than 8 feet from
the floor of the cage on which they are working.
PLUMBERS
The United Association of Journeymen Plumbers and Steam Fit
ters of the United States and Canada comprises, in addition to those
named in its title, gas fitters, sprinkler fitters, railroad fitters, marine
plumbers, marine fitters, hot-water fitters, general pipe fitters, fix
ture fitters, and their helpers or apprentices. In the smaller cities
locals generally include representatives of all the above classes; in
the larger cities locals are often found comprising but one of these
crafts.
The agreements are generally made by locals with employers’
associations. All the agreements mentioned below, except the last
two, are for two years.
The agreement of Plumbers’ Local No. 27 with the Pittsburgh
Master Plumbers’ Association, January 1, 1925, is very complete.
The extracts here given are fairly illustrative of the contents of other
plumbers’ agreements:
A rticle I, Section 2. Any journeyman reporting for work at starting time, un
less previously notified not to appear, shall receive one day's pay.
S ec. 3. Men leaving Union Station or any central street-car station or subrail
road station at 7.30 a. m. and returning to said starting point at 5 p. m.
r?ll
52
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
receive eight hours’ pay and train or street-car fare from said starting po'nt and
return.
Sec. 4. A journeyman who is employed shall not permit himself to be borrowed
or loaned to work for any other employer, except when all members of Local
Union No. 27 are employed at the time.
A rt . Ill, Sec . 2. Employees when working outside the city and do not return
daily shall be paid board, lodging, and car fare. When work is located 50
miles or over from the city, one round-trip car fare will be allowed. When em
ployer has work under the jurisdiction of some other local union at least one
member of Local Union No. 27 shall be placed on job as the foreman.
A rt . IV, Sec. 1. When two or more shifts are required, employees shall work
for straight-time wages as follows:
Sec . 2. First shift shall work eight hours, between the hours of 8 a. m. and
4.30 p. m., and other shifts shall work seven hours each and receive eight hours'
pay therefor.
S ec . 3. It is understood that unemployed members of Local Union No. 27
shall be placed on extra shift. Those working on one shift will not work on
extra shift, except when unemployed members of Local Union No. 27 are not
available.
A rt. V, Sec . 1. In the absence of a pipe machine in shop or on the job, the
master plumber may have pipe cut and threaded 2J^ inches and over to the
best advantage and employ whomsoever he sees fit to operate the pipe machine
in shop. When pipe machine is used on job, plumber shall operate same.
A rt. VII. It is understood and agreed that the superintendent of the shop
shall not handle tools.
A rt. VIII, Sec . 1. It is understood that in case of jurisdictional dispute
between other trades, members of Local Union No. 27 shall not cease work, except
when it affects members of the United Association.
Sec. 2. It is hereby understood and agreed that there shall be no lockout and
that Local Union No. 27 will not enter into sympathetic strike or remove their
men until at least one and one-half working days have lapsed after notification.
A rt. X. It is understood and agreed that no journeyman sha21 be allowed to
do plumbing or fitting on his or their own account when employed during the
day, and no master plumber shall work as a journeyman for another master
plumber.
A rt. XII, Sec . 1. No apprentice shall be placed at work until his application
has been approved by the joint conference committee. Master plumbers may
employ whom they choose as apprentices, subject to registration as may be
determined by the Pittsburgh Master Plumbers’ Association and Local Union
No. 27.
Sec. 2. All apprentices shall not be under 16 years of age and shall be under
probation for six months; and if he, the apprentice, be satisfactory, he shall be
registered by each association.
Sec . 3. The term of apprenticeship shall be five years, and no apprentice
shall be allowed to work alone until he has served three years; then he may be
given tools if found competent.
Sec . 4. Any employer having in his or their employ at the time of making
application one journeyman plumber and having employed a journeyman
plumber for six consecutive months, previous to making application, shall be
entitled to one apprentice.
Additional apprentices may be assigned by the joint conference committee when
proper application has been filed, showing that additional apprentices are required
and that the employer has employed during the previous 12 months and is at
present employing 6 or more journeyman plumbers.
Sec . 5. It is understood that the apprentices be under the jurisdiction of the
joint conference committee and may be removed after due notice is given the
employer. In no case shall there be more than three apprentices in any one
shop.
Sec . 6. Whenever it is determined by the joint conference committee that a
master plumber has ceased to employ the required number of journeyman plumbers
justifying additional apprentices in his employ, these apprentices may be removed
by the committee and assigned to other employers.
Sec. 7. N o apprentice shall be permitted to quit or leave his employer with
out first notifying the proper officers of the Pittsburgh Master Plumbers’ Asso
ciation and Local Union No. 27, who shall act on the case in joint session at the
earliest possible date. Violation of this section may cause the annulment of
registration in both associations.
BUILDING TRADES
53
Sec . 9. All apprentices will be compelled to attend a trade school under the
penalty of cancellation of registration. Both parties to this agreement will be
required to see that this rule is enforced.
Sec . 10. Any apprentice absenting himself from the Grant Public School with
out a reasonable excuse signed by the apprentice and his employer will be subject
to the following penalties by the joint conference committee and the Industrial
Commission: First offense, suspension for one week; second offense, suspension
for two weeks; third offense, cancellation of v/orking registration card by the
joint conference committee.
Sec. 11. The examining board of four members shall be appointed by the joint
conference committee, two members from the Pittsburgh Master Plumbers’ Asso
ciation and two members from Local Union No. 27, Journeyman Plumbers. The
duties of the examining board will be to have charge of the training, education,
and examination of apprentices who have reached the three-vear period prior to
being furnished tools. It is further understood and agreed that the joint confer
ence committee will have full control of the apprentice question.
Further provisions relative to apprentices are given in the agree
ment of Plumbers and Steamfitters’ Local No. 48 with the Plumbing
Contractors’ Association, of Baltimore, M ay 1, 1925:
Section 12. Each shop employing one or more members steadily shall be
entitled to one junior plumber and one additional helper or apprentice for every
three members employed.
A helper or apprentice after serving at least four years when deeming himself
competent to use tools shall apply to the joint examining board of plumbers
through his employer for an examination, by a written application for such. After
passing examination, each of the associations parties to this agreement shall im
mediately be notified so that a record be kept, said successful applicant be
permitted to work with his tools under instructions of a man in charge of the
job for the master plumber making the application for him at any wages they
may mutually agree upon for the period of one year, when they then shall make
application to the local as a member and are to receive the wages agreed upon
in this agreement.
All boys must receive examination through this joint examining board before
being accepted by Local No. 48 for membership, and no other method of exami
nation is to exist during the term of this agreement. Ali applications must be
accompanied by a fee of $5. If an applicant fails to pass he must return as a
helper or apprentice for 6 months, after which time he may again apply for an
examination as above.
It is understood that no more than one helper can apply for this examination
from any one shop during any one year and no shop can at any time have more
than one of these successful applicants working at one time, and none of these
applicants can work in any shop but the one that recommends him for
examination.
Should the applicant leave this shop he shall at once be paid the full wages of
a journeyman.
The joint examining board shall consist of four members—two from the Plumb
ing Contractors’ Association and two from the Plulnbers’ Local No. 48, and to be
elected annually.
The following extracts, from the agreement between the Plumbers
and Steam^t-ters’ Local No. 333 and the Erie (Pa.) Sanitary Associa
tion, M ay 1, 1925, and the agreement of Plumbers and Steamfitters,
Local No. 72, Atlanta, Ga., for 1925, are of interest:
Section 10. No plumber, steam fitter, or plumber’s apprentice shall work at
anything but his own craft unless all members of said craft are employed. How
ever, if a master plumber or fitter receives an emergency call pertaining to heat
ing or plumbing he shall be allowed to proceed with such work, using a plumber
or steam fitter on same, but said master plumber or fitter shall immediately
notify the business agent of the local of the amount of the work. Where a
foreman is required on same building a man from each craft shall be employed.
[Agreement of Local No. 333 of Erie, Pa.]
8. Plumbers and steam fitters shall work for none but legitimate licensed mas
ter plumbers and steam fitters with an established place of business and those
54
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
approved of by the joint arbitration board herein provided for, and shall do no
work for themselves outside of their own property and shall endeavor to have
all work go through the legitimate channels of business.
10.
White and colored laborers shall confine themselves to clearing sewers,
digging trenches, mixing cement, and lifting on heavier work, but in no case
shall a laborer handle plumbers or fitters’ tools. [Agreement of Local No. 72
of Atlanta.]
The following provisions appear in the agreement of Steam Fitters’
Local No. 537 with the Heating and Piping Contractors' Boston
Association (Inc.), July 15, 1925:
A rticle III, Section 1. Local No. 537 hereby agrees that it will not furnish
or allow its members to work for any other than a master steam fitter recognized
as such in the trade and conducting a regular shop for this expressed purpose,
and further agrees to give preference in the furnishing of workmen to the mem
bers of the Heating and Piping Contractors’ Boston Association.
A rt. IV, Sec . 2. Any helper who has worked at least five years at the busi
ness may appear before this joint examining committee for examination as a fit
ter, but in case he is rejected he can not appear for six months thereafter.
A rt. VIII, Sec . 1. A joint board of arbitration shall be established composed
of three members of each party to this agreement. If the board becomes dead
locked on any question it shall choose an umpire who shall preside and partici
pate in the vote until the question at issue is settled.
Sec . 2. The board of arbitration shall have the following duties: To decide
on any violation of the agreement, rules, or duties of a steam fitter when called
upon.
To interpret the meaning of the wording of this agreement.
To decide on any other matter which has been mutually agreed to be left to
this board.
To decide on any disagreement of the joint examining committee.
To amend from time to time the duties of a steam fitter, as the interests of
both parties may appear.
To adjust differences between an employer and an employee.
Sec. 3. It is mutually agreed that in case any of the rules or agreements are
being violated by either of the parties to this agreement, or by any of its
members, then no strike or lockouts against any member or members of either
party shall be instituted by either party without first submitting the grievance
or question at issue to the board of arbitration, and all the work shall continue
without interruption pending proceedings.
Sec. 4. * * * When a decision is reached by the board of arbitration
upon any matter submitted to it the said decision shall be final and binding
upon both parties. Any subsequent action of either party shall in no way
alter or nullify the effect of said decision, nor shall said decision be abrogated
by either party without the consent of the board of arbitration.
Sec . 5. It is hereby agreed that the joint arbitration board shall have full
power to impose such reasonable penalty not to exceed $100 upon a member of
either party hereto adjudged guilty by said board of violating any of the pro
visions of this agreement, as decided upon by two-thirds vote of the entire
board.
A rt . IX, Sec . 2. All heating and piping contractors signing this agreement
shall pay into the Heating and Piping Contractors’ Boston Association, each
month in advance, a fee for the purpose of defraying their proportionate share
t)f the expense incidental to carrying out the requirements of this agreement.
The following extracts relative to apprentices are from the agreement
of the Steam Fitters’ Local No. 120 with the Heating and Piping
Contractors’ Cleveland Association, M ay 1, 1925:
A rticle VII, Section 1. There shall be appointed, by each party to this agree
ment, a committee of three (the president of each party being ex officio a member) ,
to be known jointly as the joint apprenticeship committee, which committee shall
have complete and final control of all apprentices registered with it, so far as
they are concerned.
Sec . 2. When a heating contractor desires to employ an apprentice he shall
make application upon the form furnished by the joint apprenticeship committee.
Sec . 3. When an applicant desires to receive an apprentice card he shall
make application upon the form furnished by the joint apprenticeship committee.
BUILDING TBADES
53
Sec . 4. Each shop employing two steam fitters the year around shall foe entitled
to one apprentice (subject to interpretation agreed upon by both parties); each
shop averaging five steam fitters throughout the year shall be entitled to two
apprentices; each shop averaging nine steam fitters throughout the year shall be
entitled to three apprentices and one apprentice to each three steam fitters
thereafter.
Sec . 5. Applicants to be eligible to apprenticeship must be at least 16 and not
over 22 years of age, and must be recommended by three parties acceptable to
the apprenticeship committee. The applicant must be able to read and write
the English language and have the equivalent of common-sehool education.
Sec . "6. The applicant, if accepted by the joint apprenticeship committee,
shall receive from it a probationary permit card which shall entitle him to work
for the employing heating contractor for three months from the date of issuance
of such card.
Sec . 7. If after the expiration of three months the applicant proves satisfac
tory to both parties concerned, the employing heating contractor in such case
shall cause the apprentice to appear before the joint apprenticeship committee,
with application for apprenticeship card, upon the form prescribed by the com
mittee, and he shall receive an apprentice card bearing the date of the probation
ary card.
Sec. 8. The employer to whom the apprentice is assigned, after such appren
tice has passed the probationary period, shall undertake to keep him at work,
except in the case of lockouts, strikes, sickness, or other unavoidable causes, or
by the action of the joint apprenticeship committee. In case of dissatisfaction
during the three-month trial period, or at any time thereafter, the employer
shall immediately notify the joint apprenticeship committee in writing, give the
name of the apprentice, and the reason for said dissatisfaction, and disposition
of such apprentice shall be made by the apprenticeship committee within 10 days
of receipt of such notice.
S ec. 9. The joint apprenticeship committee may issue a permit for apprentice
to work either temporarily or permanently for another contractor than the one
to whom he is assigned, in which case the employer to whom he is reassigned
will assume all obligations of the original employer.
Sec. 10. An apprentice shall be allowed to work only under the direction of a
journeyman steam fitter, except when working in shop, and then only under
such working conditions and hours as are enjoyed by journeymen steam fitters.
Sec . 11. Apprentices’ wages shall be as follows, viz.: First year, 30 per cent
of fitters' wages per hour; second year, 40 per cent of fitters’ wages per hour;
third year, 50 per cent of fitters7 wages per hour; fourth year, 60 per cent of fit
ters’ wages per hour; and fifth year, 60 per cent of fitters’ wages per hour.
Sec. 12. An apprentice summoned to appear before the joint apprenticeship
committee must answer such summons upon the date set. Failure to respond,
without reasonable cause, to such summons shall cause the apprentice card to
be revoked.
Sec . 13. An apprenticeship shall be for a period of five years, at the expira
tion of which period his employer or employers shall prepare a statement for
consideration by the joint apprenticeship committee, which statement shall set
forth the deportment, experiences, and general knowledge the apprentice has
acquired.
An apprentice shall then be eligible as a journeyman, provided his knowledge
of the trade after a final examination conducted by the joint apprenticeship com
mittee is such as will satisfy the board that he is qualified as a good, efficient
journeyman. If the apprentice should fail to pass the final examination the
apprenticeship committee may order him to continue as an apprentice for an
additional six months, and at the end of such time another examination will be
given him. If he can not qualify at the end of six months he shall be referred
to the joint apprenticeship committee for final disposition.
Sec. 14. Apprentice shall carry card signed by the chairman of the joint
Apprenticeship committee and the secretary of the Steam Fitters’ Local Union
120, and this card shall designate the employer to whom the apprentice is assigned
and the year of service.
Sec . 15. The joint apprenticeship committee shall elect a chairman and secre
tary; chairman shall be member of one association, secretary of the other; set
a time and place for regular meetings and transact such business as may come
before them in a manner that will elevate the heating industry. Between meet
ings of the board routine matters may be handled by the chairman and secre
tary of the joint apprenticeship committee, acting jointly, and their action shall
be subject to the approval or revision of the joint board.
56
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Sec. 16. Expense incurred by the joint apprenticeship committee in carrying
out the provisions of this agreement shall be borne by the Heating and Piping
Contractors’ Cleveland Association.
Sec. 17. These apprentice rules shall not be amended, altered, or suspended
except by two-thirds vote of the joint apprenticeship committee, and then only
upon 30 days’ notice in writing to all members of the apprenticeship committee.
Sec. 18. All old helpers who have not had the necessary five years’ experience
are to be started as apprentices with credit allowed for the time they have
served as helpers, if they so desire.
The following provisions are found in the agreement of the Steam
Fitters Local No. 636 with the Heating and Piping Contractors’
Detroit Association, made December 3, 1925, and expiring April 30,
1927:
^ * * xhe party of the first part is a Michigan corporation whose mem
bership is composed of persons, firms, and corporations engaged in the heating
and plumbing business in the city of Detroit, county of Wayne, a certain por
tion of whom conduct their business with other than union fitters, and the
party of the first part enters into this agreement in the interests of those of its
members who now use none othre than union fittters and in the interests of those
of its members who in the future may elect to use none other than union fitters.
A rticle VI, Section 2. The Detroit Steam Fitters’ Protective Association,
Local 636, parties of the second part to this agreement, hereby agree not to
enter into nor sign any agreement with any other association or organization,
contractor, contractors, or individuals daring the life of this agreement, nor
will they, nor any member of the party of the second part, work for anyone
under less favorable conditions or terms than those contained in this agreement.
A rt . VII. The use of tools on a job by one member of the party of the first
part shall not be considered a sufficient reason for any member of the party of
the second part to leave any job on which he may be working.
A rt. VIII, Sec. 1. Any member of the party of the first part may discharge
any member of the party of the second part at the discretion of the party of
the first part and such action will not in any way invalidate or be considered a
violation of this agreement.
Art. IX, Sec. 1. No member of the party of the second part shall contract,
subcontract, or do piecework, or directly or indirectly engage in contracting or
piecework, or work in the employ of any person or corporation or firm, except
those legitimately engaged in the heating business, public maintenance work
excepted.
Sec. 2. No member of the party of the first part shall enter into any agree
ment with any members of the party of the second part,to do contracting or
piecework.
Sec . 3. No member or members of the parties to this agreement shall agree
to accept or give a bonus or bonuses at the completion of any jobs or at the
expiration of any fixed period or time.
Sec. 4. In the event of a fitter being hired or as an employee reporting for
work he shall at least receive one-half day’s pay.
ROOFERS
The United Slate, Tile, and Composition Roofers, Damp and Water
proof Workers’ Association is composed of the two classes of roofers
named in the title. The union was formed in 1920 by a consolida
tion of these W o classes of roofers and in the larger cities the two
branches have kept their separate existence.
The following extracts from the agreement between the Cleveland
Master Roofers and Waterproofers' Association and Local No. 44,
Cleveland, Ohio, M ay 1,1925, relate to matters peculiar to the trade:
A rticle II, Section 2. Roofers shall have full charge of handling all material
after delivery at hoist, or roofers may be used for delivering same at hoist, if so
desired by the employer.
Sec. 3. The employer shall be permitted to place and use his men in any capa
city he may desire, so long as he adheres to the scale of wages and employees’
position demands.
BUILDING TRADES
57
A rt, III, S&c. 1. When the business agent of the party of the first [sic] part
can not supply the employer with roofers the latter shall have the right to employ
persons not affiliated with the party of the second part, provided that such person
shall obtain from the foreman on the job, without charge, a working permit for
the balance of the current calendar week, such permit to be issued with the express
understanding that the holder thereof shall abide by the provisions of this agree
ment except as regards rate of wages, and to be revocable in case of any abuse
of the good faith of the party of the second part; that such permit shall be
renewable weekly in advance at the office of the business agent upon payment
of a permit fee of $1.50 for a period of not to exceed three months; and that when
ever the holder thereof shall qualify for membership in the party of the second
part all permit fees previously paid in by him shall be credited upon his initia
tion fee.
A rt. V. Sec. 1. * * * Wages of roofers shall be the nearest even money
(by the hour) within less than
cents of the average wage of the 20 trades
hereinafter named, provided that if the average wage falls on the 23^ cents the
roofer’s wage shall also fall on the 2J/£ cents. Wages of foremen * * *
shall be 10 cents per hour more than the roofer’s wage. The 20 trades on which
the average wage is based shall be: The asbestos workers, brick masons, carpen
ters, cement finishers, composition roofers, electricians, elevator constructors, floor
scrapers, glaziers, hoisting engineers, lathers, painters, plasterers, plumbers, sheetmetal workers, slate roofers, steam fitters, stone cutters, structural-iron workers,
and tile setters. The average wage shall be determined by adding together the
wage scales of the above trades, as of May 1 of each year, and dividing the sum
by the number of trades.
Sec. 3. Where more than one shift is employed the second and third shifts
shall work seven hours and receive eight hours’ pay; but if the work is less than
four hours employees shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half, and if
more than four hours' work they shall receive eight hours’ pay at straight time.
The above is to apply to waterproofing work only.
Sec . 4. When roofers are requested to report at emploj^er’s j^ard or shop they
shall be there 30 minutes before the regular starting time, but shall be paid for
actual time worked before 8 a. m. at straight time.
A rt. VII. Sec. 3. When employees are sent out of town to work and it is im
possible to go to and from the city each day they shall work 9 hours per day at
straight time, except Saturdays, when they shall work 4^2 hours at straight time.
The employer shall pay all board, railway fare, and traveling time in full, when
properly accounted for. All employees sent out of town to work shall have a
guaranteed wage of not less than 36 hours per week.
Sec. 4. When roofers are sent from Cleveland on jobs outside of the 25-mile
radius not less than 2 roofers shall be sent on any job of 20 squares or more.
A rt. XI. Sec. 1. Each article of this agreement and every part of each article
is hereby declared to be an independent article or part of article, and the hold
ing of any article or part thereof to be void or inactive for any reason shall not
affect any other article or part of article.
The following extracts are from the agreement between the Mas
ter Sheet Metal Roofers’ Association and Local No. 33, Boston, Mass.,
April 1,1925:
In order to insure the public against conditions of the past, to prevent strikes
or lockouts, and to insure a peaceable adjustment and settlement of any and all
grievances, disputes, and differences that may arise between any of the parties
to this agreement without stoppage of work, and to bring about as near as is
possible at this time uniform conditions that will tend to stabilize and encour
age the building industry, both parties have entered into this agreement.
A rticle 3, Section A. All men sent to jobs outside of Boston shall w^ork under
existing Boston conditions. Their board and transportation to be paid by the
employer. It is agreed that such men take the train nearest 7.30 a. m. leaving
Boston, provided the same does not leave before 7.20 a. m. They shall take the
train nearest 5 p. m. returning, except Saturday, which shall be train nearest 12
noon.
During winter months the returning time shall be train nearest to
4.30 p. m.
Sec. B. It is stipulated and agreed that living arrangements shall be made
immediately on arrival, and living conditions be satisfactory to members; car
fares to be paid to and from job. The unreasonable use of trucks in transport
ing men out of town shall be eliminated during winter months— November,
December, January, February, and March,
58
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
A rt . 7, Sec . A. It is agreed there shall be one helper to each three mechanics
employed, except on repair work and slate and tile roofing jobs, when the neces
sary number of helpers may be employed.
Sec . B. The helper shall be allowed to make himself generally useful on
the job, or at the shop, and shall be given every opportunity to learn the craft
so as to advance in his own interest and the interests of the parties to this agree
ment, but shall not interfere with the employment of the mechanic.
A rt. 9. Only firms who are members of this association, or those complying
with the articles of this agreement, will be considered union firms, and only such
firms shall the union support and furnish men. A list of these firms shall be
made available to all parties to this agreement.
The following provisions are found in the agreement between the
Master Slate, Tile, and Asbestos Roofers7 Association and Local No.
3, Pittsburgh, Pa., March 1, 1925:
A rticle VI, S ection 1. There shall be no cessation of work for any cause
except where nonunion men are employed, except as provided in Article VII.
Should any dispute or misunderstanding arise, the same shall be referred to a
joint arbitration committee, consisting of three members from the Master Slate
and Tile Roofers' Association of Allegheny County, and three members from
the slate and tile roofers’ union. In case they can not agree this joint arbitra
tion committee shall select an umpire and whose decision shall be final and
binding on all parties. The decision shall be rendered in six working days.
Sec. 3. Local No. 3 agrees that there shall be no cessation of work on account
of any jurisdictional disputes between any other trades, provided the decisions
of the building trades department or the national jurisdictional award board are
adhered to.
A rt. VII, Sec. 1. Contractors may employ any members of the union whom
they see fit. Should the contractor ask the union for men and the union is not
able to furnish the required number of reliable men, the contractor shall have
the privilege of employing whosoever he wishes.
A rt. VIII, Sec. 1. One apprentice for each shop employing one journeyman
regularly and one for each three additional journeymen. The apprentice shall
be registered with both the employers' association and the union.
A rt. XII, Sec. 1. No member of the union shall do contract work.
Sec. 2. * * * Slate roofers will not work on any roof over one-quarter
pitch, except when a safe scaffold is erected to within 24 inches of the eave and
at least 24 inches wide, to be built by the general contractor of the building.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 63,
Youngstown, Ohio, April 1, 1925:
R ule 2. When time to finish job on Saturday afternoon does not exceed one
hour, workmen shall stay and finish the job at straight time.
R ule 4. Time and a half shall be paid for overtime until 9 p. m. and double
time from 9 p. m. until regular starting time for next day’s work.
R ule 8. Employers will honor all orders for money due Local No. 63 when
issued by business agent or financial secretary and signed by debtor. The busi
ness agent to have access to shop or job where he has business pertaining to his
office at any time, but will make his visit as brief as possible when during work
ing hours.
R ule 10. No member of Local No. 63 shall be permitted to contract for work
or do work on his own accord other than on his own individual property while
employed by any contractor signing this agreement, but shall turn over all such
work to his employer.
R ule 13. Any foreman in any shop under the jurisdiction of Local No. 63
which has 10 or more men working under him is required to make application
for membership, pay same initiation fee as others, but will immediately take out
withdrawal card, the same to be renewed annually for the sum of $3.
The first and second of the above agreements are for three years,
the third for two years and the fourth for one year.
SHEET-METAL WORKERS
Members of the Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers' International
Association are coppersmiths or tinsmiths. The former make and
BUILDING TRADES
59
repair sheet copper andbrasswork— copper pipes, kettles, tanks, pans,
stills, and coils. The latter make and repair sheet-metal roofing, cor
nices, gutters, conductors, library stacks, hollo w-metal doors and
metal sashes, ceilings, picture moldings, furniture, shelving, signs,
lockers, ventilators, and furnaces. In only the larger cities are the
two classes of members found in separate locals. Workers in rail
road shops, automobile shops, and shipyards generally form unions
by themselves. Agreements are generally made with associations
of sheet-metal contractors.
The following extracts are from the agreement between the Sheet
Metal Contractors’ Association and Local No. 12, Pittsburgh, Pa.,
March 1, 1925:
A rticle II, S ection 1. Employees working within the city or within one car
fare zone from the City-County Building will be required to report on the job
and be ready for work at 8 o’clock a. m., and shall work eight full hours up to
4.30 o’clock p. m., excepting Saturday, when they shall quit at 12 o’clock noon.
When working outside of this one-car-fare zone if it is necessary for employees
to take train or car earlier than 7.30 o’clock a. m. and return on train or car
arriving in city later than 5 o’clock p. m. traveling time before 7.30 o’clock a. m.
and after 5 o’clock p. m. shall be paid at the straight-time rate. Such travel
ing time will be paid only to those men who must travel to reach the job.
When workingmen are hired on the job they will not be paid for any traveling
time.
A rt. IV, Sec. 1. It is understood and agreed that any contractor or journey
man violating any article of this agreement shall be summoned to appear within
one week at a joint meeting of the conference committee to answer charges of
violation, copy of charges to be sent to party committing the violation.
At a meeting of said joint committee both sides shall have equal number of
votes, whether all members are present or not. Seven members shall constitute
a quorum and compel their members to abide by said decisions, which are to be
final and binding. In ease parties tried by the joint committee shall be declared
guilty the respective association of which he is a member shall determine the
penalty.
Art . VI, Sec. 1. When two or three shifts are required, employees shall work
for straight-time wages, as follows:
First shift shall work eight hours, between the hours of 8 a. m. and 4.30 p. m.,
and the other shifts shall work seven hours each and receive eight hours’ pay
therefor.
A rt. IX, Sec. 1. Contractors may employ whom they see fit. Should the con
tractor ask the union for men and the union is not able to furnish the required
number of reliable men, the contractor shall have the privilege of employing
whomsoever he wishes until such time as the union can furnish the necessary
number of men. Employers shall notify business agent of their empi oyment.
A rt. XI, Sec. 1. Employers shall pay all excess car fare.
A rt. XIII, Sec . 1. Employees will be entirely under the direction of the em
ployers, and there shall be no discrimination against the location in which work
is to be done, nor against the character of the sheet-metal work to be done, and
on evidence of material willfully destroyed or time willfully lost a deduction in
pay shall be made to cover such loss.
The following provisions appear in the agreement of Local No. 5,
Youngstown, Ohio, April 1,19 2 5:
R ule No. 3. No member of this union is allowed to move material from job
or shop with his own conveyance.
R ule No. 8. Employers will honor money orders for money due Local No. 5
when issued by business agent or financial secretary and signed by debtor. The
business agent to have access to shop or job where he has business pertaining to
his office at any time, but will make his business as brief as possible when made
during working hours.
R ule N o. 10. No member of Local No. 5, while employed by any contractor
signing this agreement, shall be permitted to contract for work or do work on his
own accord other than on his individual property, but shall turn such work over
to his employer. Members of No. 5 will do all in their power to enforce this rule.
60
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
No work shall be done on Saturday afternoon unless by permit by business
agent.
The following extracts are from the agreement between the Sheet
Metal Contractors and Locals Nos. 91 and 299 of East Moline, Moline,
and Rock Island, 111., and Davenport, Iowa, June 1, 1925:
A rticle 5, Section 1. Each shop may employ one apprentice for the first three
journeymen, two for five, and three for eight, etc., providing, however, said shop
so hiring apprentice or apprentices gives steady employment to one man at least
eight months in the year.
Sec. 2. The time for &n apprentice to serve shall be four years.
Sec. 3. After the fuM service of two years he may apply for junior member
ship and appear before the examining board holding a certificate from his em
ployer showing that he has complied with all agreements signed by him.
Sec. 4. An apprentice shall have all the assistance possible, both from his em
ployer and the journeymen, even in the shop in which he works, to make him a
skilled mechanic.
A r t . 6, Sec. 1. The employer reserves the right to use helpers whenever he
deems it advisable to do so.
A rt. 7, Sec. 1. Any member of a firm or corporation working with the tools
on building construction must have a journeymen’s card in the Sheet Metal
Workers’ International Association and have a building-trades card.
A rt. 8, Sec. 1. Contractors shall be admitted to the Locals No. 2S9 and No. 91,
but shall not have a voice or vote on the hours of work or wages and shall not be
eligible to office.
Sec. 2. Employers must agree not to do any work on Saturday afternoon, other
than small inside jobs, and otherwise live up to the union rules.
The following provision is found in the agreement of Local No. 1
with the Sheet M etal Contractors of Peoria, 111., M ay 1,1925:
11.
Both parties to this agreement hereby covenant and agree that they will
not tolerate nor recognize any right of any other association or union, council, or
body of men, not direct parties to this agreement, to order a strike or lockout, or
otherwise interfere or dictate, and that work can be stopped only by an order
signed jointly by the presidents of the association and union, parties hereto, or
the joint conference committee elected in accordance with this agreement, and
that they will compel their members to comply with the arbitration agreement
and working rules as jointly agreed upon and adopted.
The following extracts are taken from the apprenticeship agreement
of Local No. 17, Boston, Mass., April 1, 1925:
There shall be a joint committee on apprentices comprised of^four members,
two from the employers’ association and two from Local Union No. 17. They
shall have full control of all matters pertaining to apprentices. Their decision on
all matters affecting relation between apprentices and signatories of this agree
ment shall be binding on all parties. They shall issue all apprentice cards and
hold meetings at least once each month.
Section 1 The number of apprentices allowed shall be on the following basis:
For the first apprentice one to four mechanics employed, based on a yearly aver
age; for the second and third apprentice on the basis of one to each seven mechan
ics employed, but in no case shall more than four apprentices be employed in any
one shop.
Sec . 2. When an employer desires an apprentice he shall apply to the secretary
of the apprenticeship committee, who will place the application before this
committee for action at the next regular meeting. No applicant should exceed
21 years of age.
Sec. 3. Every apprentice shall have at least 24 months of shop work during
the term of his apprenticeship. Only during the last year of his term the appren
tice shall have all the privileges of a mechanic except on overtime work and it is
further agreed that no apprentice shall be allowed to work with a helper except
during his last year. No apprentice will be permitted to work overtime except
when working with a mechanic during his $nil year of his apprenticeship.
Sec. 4. The apprentice course covers a term of five years. When an employer
secures the services of an apprentice by action of the apprenticeship committee
it is with the understanding that the apprentice shall be steadily employed for
.
BUILDING TRADES
61
the full term or balance thereof. Apprentice cards shall be issued in duplicate,
the original to be retained by the employer. The apprentice shall carry the
duplicate card with him at all times for identification.
Sec. 6. The hours for apprentices doing mechanical work shall not be more
than 44 hours weekly. * * * Cleaning up shop, starting fires, etc., to be done
outside the regular working hours.
Sec. 7. The apprentice shall apply himself diligently to learning the various
processes, tool, and machine operations used in constructing the sheet-metal work
as conducted by his employer. He must regularly attend school, as directed by
the committee on apprentices, during the term of his apprenticeship. Punctual
attendance is imperative.
Sec. 8. No apprentice shall be permitted to leave the shop at which he is em
ployed or accept employment in another shop without the consent of the appren
ticeship committee.
All apprentices will be subject to an examination at the call of the committee.
Any apprentice failing to comply with these rules may be compelled to termi
nate his services as an apprentice.
STRUCTURAL-IRON WORKERS
The members of the International Association of Bridge, Structural,
and Ornamental Iron Workers construct, load, erect, install, remove,
dismantle, and wreck bridges, viaducts, trestles, dams, reservoirs,
piers, docks, elevators, caissons, tunnels, subways, blast furnaces,
vats, tanks, towers, trusses, and fire escapes, drive piles, move and
place machinery and rigging, and make, erect, and construct the
structural and ornamental iron and metal work in buildings. Ordi
narily a local union comprises workers of all classes. In a few of the
largest cities, however, there are unions composed of but one class
of workers. The territory covered by a local generally extends many
miles beyond the city or town where its headquarters are, often more
than 100 miles. Agreements are usually made with employers*
associations.
Extracts from the agreement between, the Steel and Iron Con
tractors’ Association and Local No. 207, Youngstown, Ohio, M ay l f
1925, show the general provisions of structural-iron workers agree
ments that are not common to the other building-trades agreements:
A rticle VI, Section 1. No less than four men shall constitute a riveting
gang. No less than six men shall be on the floor around a derrick, constituting
a raising gang, a pusher, two connectors, two hookers on, and the bell man, and
if the derrick be operated with swing lines or bull stick seven men shall consti
tute the gang, and there shall be no infraction of this rule.
Sec. 2. There shall be not less than four men operating derrick in yards of
storage point.
A rt. VII, Sec. 2. On all work out of the city traveling expenses must be paid
by the employer. On all work inside city limits all car fare in excess of one city
fare must be paid by the employer. Where men are required to take suburban
cars one shall take the car leaving city at 7 a. m. and return on the car nearest
to 4.30 p. m. It is understood that all members of Local Union No. 207 shall
work the full eight hours on all jobs in the city limits.
A rt. VIII, Sec. 2. When men are hired through the office during working
hours their time shall start from the time they leave the office, allowing a reason
able time to reach the job.
A rt. IX. It shall be the duty of the contractor at all times to see that every
precaution is taken to safeguard the men by placing planks on the erection floor,
and further that adequate floor protection must be provided for at least two
floors below riveting gangs. This must be strictly adhered to.
A rt. X. Workmen shall be paid every week at 12 o’clock noon on Saturday
in currency. The employers shall not withhold more than one and one-half days
to prepare the pay roll.
96588°—26------ 5
62
TKADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
A rt. XIII. When structural and ornamental iron workers are hired by an
employer or his representative to go out of the city to work he shall be furnished
first-class accommodations, berth, and traveling expenses, and be paid straighttime rate of wages while traveling to and from the job, and in event of the
employee quitting the job before he has worked 10 days his expenses shall revert
to his employer and their conduct judged by the foreman in charge.
A rt. XVII, Sec . 2. The employer agrees to pay railroad fare and board when
shipping ornamental-iron workers out of the city.
Sec . 3. Where transportation will not be convenient for employee to make
connections with car or train between the hours of 8 a. m. and 5 p. m. employer
shall pay board.
Sec . 4. When employees are required to report at shop they shall report at
8 a. m. and shall be paid car fare to, and from the shop during working hours.
Sec . 5. When shipping bridge, structural, ornamental-iron workers, and rein
forced concrete, steel, and machinery movers, and riggers out of the city employers
shall pay first-class accommodations, including berth when required, traveling
time to and from the job, providing member stays 10 days or more on the job,
and transportation back, providing employee be discharged or until completion
of the job.
The following provisions appear in the agreement of Local No. 44,
Cincinnati, Ohio, February 24, 1925:
A rticle I, Section 5. When desired by the company, two separate shifts may
be employed on the same piece of work, paying each shift only the regular scale
of wages agreed upon to constitute a day's work. When two shifts are employed
the hours of work of the day shift may be arranged with the consent of the com
pany and the men as may be most advantageous, but the hours of employment
of each shift shall not be less than the hours fixed upon to constitute a day’s
work. No member of this association will be allowed to work in two shifts unless
he is paid overtime for all w^ork performed in excess of the eight hours.
Sec . 6. Companies shipping men out of town will pay transportation to and
from jobs, and also day traveling time. The party of the second part agrees to
pay for berth for 200 miles or more when traveling at night.
Sec . 8. The party of the first part agrees that there shall be no limitations as
to the amount of work a workman shall perform during working hours.
Sec . 9. There shall be no restrictions as to the use of machinery and tools.
A rt. II, Sec. 7. Whenever two or more journeyman members of the associa
tion are working on a piece of work a steward may be selected from one of their
members to represent the association. The man selected as steward shall not
leave his work or interfere with the workmen during working hours, and shall
perform his duties as steward in such a way as not to conflict with his duties as
an employee of the company.
Sec . 8. Superintendents will not have to carry a card representing the Inter
national Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Iron Workers, but
said men will not be allowed to handle the tools pertaining to the erection of
work claimed by the association. All orders shall be issued to foremen and not
direct to men.
Sec. 9. On all jobs where two or more structural or ornamental erectors are
employed one of these shall be a foreman in charge of the work, who shall be
paid not less than 15 cents per hour more than the structural scale of wages,
such foremen to be members of this union.
Sec. 10. The party of the first part agrees to the employment by the party of
the second part of one apprentice to every seven journeymen on bridge or structural
iron work. When working two finishers or more on ornamental iron or bronze
work (up to the number of four) one apprentice is to be allowed, and after
that the ratio of apprentices of one to every four journeymen is to maintain.
These apprentices are to carry cards of this union. On new and repair work,
such as cellar doors, coal chutes, prismatic sidewalk lights, area gratings, only one
apprentice is allowed to each finisher.
Sec . 12. This union strictly prohibits piecework of any kind and will not tol
erate it under any circumstances.
Sec . 13. When men report at the shop and are required to pick out tools or
rigging they shall receive pay for all time from time Of starting until laid off
that day.
Sec . 14. It is understood that on all jobs where union men can not be fur
nished after having served 48 hours’ notice, then the foremen on the job shall
CIGAB. MAKEBS
63
.get permit from the business agent to Mre such men as he may be able to get
until members of this local union can be furnished, said temporary men to be paid
not less than the apprentice scale of wages.
S e c . 15. The company shall be at liberty to employ or discharge, through its
foreman, any journeyman member of the association employed under this agree
ment as it may see fit, but no man is to be discriminated against in any manner
by reason of his connection with any organization affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor.
Sec . 16. Any iron loaded or unloaded at the building site during the erection
of the work is to be handled by the party of the first part, as well as the unload
ing of fabricated materials from cars, excepting when in or in front of the shop of
party of the seond part.
S ec . 19. If the party of the second part sublets any portion of his work cov
ered by this agreement, then this subcontractor shall be subject to the terms of
this agreement.
The following provisions are taken from the agreement of Local
No. 7, Boston, M ass., November 4 ,1 9 2 5 :
A rticle V . (a) Apprentices on construction work may be employed at the
Tatio of not more than one apprentice to every seven journeymen employed by
any employer.
(b) Apprentices on ornamental finish work may be employed at the ratio of
not more than one apprentice to every four journeymen employed by any
employer.
(c) The wages of apprentices shall be as at present until determined otherwise,
as provided in section (e) of this article.
(d) Apprentices to learn the trade must not be more than 30 years of age.
(e) The above article in regard to apprentices may be changed at any time
during the life of this agreement by mutual consent of both parties signatory
hereto, to conform to the apprenticeship system which is being carried on under
the guidance of the Boston Building Congress.
A r t . VI. Anyone employed as an iron-worker foreman on a job shall be a
member of this union, and shall receive not less than 20 cents per hour in excess
of the scale of the mechanics. A general steel foreman must be a member of
this organization.
A rt . IX. Any member leaving the city to work shall report on the job at 8
o ’clock and shall receive all traveling time at single-time rate and expenses to and
from the job and board and room out of town. Men leaving before completion
of the job to be paid expenses One way.
CIGAR MAKERS
The Cigar Makers’ International Union of America makes no
agreements. All work is piecework. Each local draws up a bill of
prices, which a manufacturer is obliged to observe if he wishes to use
the label. Some of the regulations accompanying the bill of prices
of Local No. 98, St. Paul, Minn., April 9,1925, are as follows:
4. Union to furnish gauges for all shops. Shop's collector to be held respon
sible for gauge.
5. Shop collector must gauge cigars at least once every two weeks.
12. That enough stock be provided for all the men so there will be no waiting,
and that the said stock be put in the best possible working condition, and that
enough stock be provided for the men to work all day.
20. “ No limit.” Manufacturers who on account of business depression lay
off their employees shall not be allowed to hire new cigar makers until four weeks
■after the original force laid off is put back to work.
21. Employers who discharge shop collectors or other employees for following
instructions of union, or for demanding strict adherence to the provisions of this
scale of prices, the constitution of the C. M. I. U. of A., and the by-laws of Union
98, shall be denied the privilege and use of the union blue label pending satisfac
tory settlement.
22. Apprentices must serve three years at the bench making or packing cigars.
23. One apprentice to a shop of 5 men or under; two apprentices to 10 men
or over, and three to 15 men—this to be the limit—but no apprentice of packing
64
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
shall be permitted unless a journeyman packer is employed in any one shop.
No apprentice shall work after 5 p. m. at the bench. A layoff occurring in any
shop for a longer time than three days, no apprentice employed in such shop
shall be permitted to work at the bench during such layoff.
24. All wages must be paid in cash, weekly.
26. The shop shall not be swept till 12 m. and 5 p. m., and all shops shall be
open 15 minutes to 8 a. m. and 15 minutes to 1 p. m. All shops to have suffi
cient light and heat.
27. That wrappers be given to the men in pads of not less than 50 wrappers
for handwork and not less than 100 wrappers for mold work. Binders to be
served in not less than 8-ounce pads.
28. That in case there is not stock enough for all men to work that none of
the men be allowed to work.
29. That in case the mold workers are laid off on account of an oversupply of
cigars, and hand workers are needed, that the mold workers must be given the
preference on handwork. This rule to apply both ways.
30. There shall be sufficient presses in each shop so that each cigar maker can
press three molds each. Also a press furnished on table for each man working
on 10 block molds.
Whenever any grievance arises, reference to stock conditions or otherwise,
shop collector upon request of member or members shall call a meeting of mem
bers in shop for adjustment of same. Any member refusing to answer call
of shop collector shall be fined $2; shop collector refusing to call meeting at
request of member shall be fined $3.
CLERKS, RETAIL
The Retail Clerks’ International Protective Association includes in
its membership persons employed in mercantile and mail-order estab
lishments handling and selling merchandise.
The following extracts from the agreement of Local No. 219, Belle
ville, ILL, March 15, 1925, are representative of the organization:
(1) That it will loan, without cost to party of the second part store card No.------ ,
and that the party of the second part will be responsible to the amount of not
more than $1 for said card. This card is, and shall remain, the property of the
party of the first part, and must be surrendered by the party of the second part
upon violation of any of the provisions of this agreement or on demand of the
party of the first part.
(2) All extra help shall procure a monthly permit card in advance issued by
Local No. 219. This card good for extra help on Saturday and one week before
Christmas only. In stores where any of the regular help is laid off no permit cards
will be issued. All extra help to receive not less than one-sixth of the minimum
weekly wage per day for their service.
(3) All persons over 16 years of age shall procure a permit card from the secretary
of Local No. 219, E. C. I. P. A., within six days after beginning work, provided
however, the employer has procured and considered a list of idle members from
the secretary of Local Union No. 219, R. C. I. P. A.; otherwise no employee will
be issued a permit card or considered eligible for membership in the abovemen
tioned local union, and such employee or employees shall become members within
30 days of Local Union No. 219, R. C. I. P. A., and remain in good standing as
long as employed.
The party of the second part agrees not to retain in their employ after being
notified by the secretary or business agent of Local No. 219, R. C. I. P. A., any
employee over 16 years of age who has not procured said permit card and in
every way complied with this section of the agreement, and no more than one
employee under 16 years of age shall be allowed to work to each five union clerks
or major fraction over five members employed in any one store. In the event
party of the second part employs no clerks, he or she may not employ anyone
under 16 years of age.
(5) All employees of millinery stores shall procure a regular permit card while
so employed.
(6) Eight and one-half hours shall constitute a day's work, with the excep
tion of Saturday, which shall not be more than 10 hours per day for all male
clerks and 9 hours for all female clerks, and not less than 1 hour shall be
allowed to each clerk for each meal.
CLOTHING TRADES
65
(7) That there be given to members of the party of the first part one full
week’s vacation, with full pay, between the months of May 1 and October 1, to
clerks who have been employed by the same firm for a period of one year; time
to be mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Party of the second part further agrees to grant to all employees of Local No.
219 one half holiday during the year with full pay other than the holidays speci
fied in this agreement.
The parties of the first part shall receive full pay for all holidays on which
stores close, providing party of the first part has worked before the holiday and
after the holiday in that week.
(8) All clerks shall begin work at 8 a. m., except grocery, stationery, hardware,
and electric stores. These clerks shall begin work at 7.30 a. m. All female
clerks shall not commence work before 8 a. m.
(10) Should in any case a clerk be discharged or laid off temporarily, it must
not be on account of wages or union affairs.
It is understood and agreed that no member shall be discriminated against
or denied employment because of his or her activities in matters affecting the
local.
(11) In case party of the second part shall require or allow any employee to
work longer than the hours specified in this agreement, it shall be deemed a
violation of this agreement, unless time and one-half is paid to said employee.
(12) Party of second part agrees to take no orders for delivery that will cause
any employee to work longer than the hours specified in this agreement.
(13) AH special costumes to be used by clerks must be furnished by said firm
or company gratis.
(17) Retail clerks of Local No. 219 hereby establishes a jurisdiction over baker
shops, and all employees in baker shops selling or handling bakery goods must
become members of Local No. 219.
(18) In stores where there has been a family affair of help or extra help there
shall be but one employed as manager of the different departments who shall
not be eligible to membership; all the rest of the parties involved in such a store
shall become members of Local No. 219.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 174,
Seattle, Wash., September 10,1925:
2. It is expressly understood and agreed that the party of the first part shall
not open their stores before 9 a. m. and close not later than 6 p. m. every day in
the week. Clerks shall be in their respective positions and ready for business
by 9 a. m., and no employee is to remain on duty for more than 15 minutes
after 6 p. m.
3. It is further agreed that the sales people shall each day be entitled to one
hour for the noon lunch.
4. * * * Any sales person with less than one year’s experience shall be
classed as an apprentice. * * * All apprentices must become members of
the union, subject to its laws governing same.
6. No employee of the party of the first part shall suffer any reduction in wages
through the operation or because of the adoption of this agreement.
CLOTHING TRADES
BOOT AND SHOE WORKERS
There are several independent shoemakers7 unions, each with locals
operating in various places and making agreements. These agree
ments generally provide for a union shop, a revision of prices and
conditions at stated intervals, an overtime rate, a form of arbitra
tion, and an equal division of work during slack seasons.
The Boot and Shoe Workers Union has a form known as the “ union
stamp contract,77 which is in very general use by the unions under
its control. Extracts from this agreement were printed in Bulletin
No. 393 (pp. 48, 49).
Extracts from a three-year arbitration agreement of the Cut Sole
Workers7 Local No. 12 of the Shoe Workers7 Protective Union of
Haverhill, Mass., January 1, 1925, follow:
66
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
S ection II, P aragraph 1. The employer agrees not to move nor divert his busi
ness from Haverhill, Mass., unless an emergency exists recognized as such by
the chairman of the Haverhill Cut Sole Board provided for herein or by the
citizens’ committee designated herein.
S ec . Ill, P a r . 1. Except as may be otherwise agreed upon, only members of
Local 12, Shoe Workers’ Protective Union, in good standing shall be employed
by the manufacturer to perform operations in the manufacture of cut soles.
When a manufacturer lacks a sufficient number of union operatives to do his
work * * * he shall at once notify the local’s headquarters * * * •
if the local does not supply a sufficient number of competent union opera
tives within 24 hours, then the employer shall have the right to employ
operatives who are not members of Local 12, Shoe Workers’ Protective Union,
* * * and the local agrees to accept such operatives into the local at the
regular initiation fee; provided that if the manufacturer, upon subsequently
being notified that the local can supply union operatives, states that he has
employed and wishes to retain operatives who are not members of the local,
then such statement by the manufacturer shall make the said operatives regular
members of the shop crew. This is not to be construed as requiring that the
local accept into membership any person not having a clean labor record, and
manufacturers shall replace such operatives upon request of the local.
P ar . 2. Upon hiring any operative who is not a member of said local the
manufacturer shall immediately forward in writing to the local the name and
address of such operative.
P ar. 4. During the slack periods work shall be distributed as equally as pos
sible among the crew.
.
Sec . IV, P a r . 1 The regular working time each week shall be five days of
nine hours each. The agent of the local may, at his discretion, authorize addi
tional hours within legal limits, either Saturday morning or other overtime work.
In authorizing or refusing to authorize overtime work the agent shall consider
the welfare of the business as well as the preference of the employees.
P ar . 4. This section shall be construed and applied consistently with its
purpose to restrict the working time of employees to five days of nine hours
each in so far as expedient without loss of earnings to operatives and without
loss of business or profit to manufacturers.
S e c . VI, P ar . 1. In case of disagreement concerning a price to be paid for
new work, namely, work of a kind not heretofore done or by process not here
tofore used, pending the consideration and adjustment or arbitration of such
dispute concerning a price, the work shall be at the price then paid for work
nearest or most similar thereto. In the event of any misunderstanding as to a
price to be paid, the price that has been or is being paid shall continue to be
paid until the matter is adjusted.
S ec . VIII, P ar . 1. All differences shall be referred for final settlement to a
board of arbitration, to be known as the Haverhill Cut Sole Board, which shall
consist of three members to be chosen as follows: One member to be appointed
by the business agent of Local 12, Shoe Workers’ Protective Union, one mem
ber to be appointed by Charles H. Horne, or, in the event of his refusal or ina
bility to act, then the member shall be appointed by any four of the following
persons [six names given]. Both these members of the board shall serve until
the determination of the particular controversy for which they were appointed.
The third member, who shall be the arbitrator and be known as the chairman
of the Haverhill Cut Sole Board, shall be the present chairman (neutral arbi
ter) of the Haverhill Shoe Board.
P a r . 2. A vacancy in the membership of said Haverhill Cut Sole Board
* * * shall be filled by the appointment of a new member to be chosen by
the business agent of Local 12 and Charles H. Horne. In the event of the
refusal or inability of said Charles H. Horne to act, then his place in choice of a
chairman shall be taken by his substitute or successor named in writing by any
four of the persons specified in paragraph 1; provided, however, that if, within
12 secular days from the occurrence of a vacancy in the chairmanship of the Haver
hill Cut Sole Board, they shall fail to agree upon and designate a chairman of
said board, then a chairman shall be named in writing by any four of the fol
lowing-named persons or their successors on the citizens’ committee [seven
names given] acting upon the written application of said representative of the
manufacturers or said business agent of Local 12, but no chairman shall be so
named unless he have the indorsement of either said representative of the man
ufacturers or said business agent.
CLOTHING TRADES
67
P ar. 4. In case of the failure of either member of said board other than the
chairman to serve for three days, then the said business agent of Local 12, in
the case of failure of a union representative to serve, or Charles H. Horne (or
his substitute or successor named as provided hereinbefore) in case of failure of a
manufacturer’s member to serve, shall within three secular days after receipt of
written notice of such failure to serve from the other party to this agreement
appoint a representative who shall act as a member of said board in place of
said member failing to serve. If either the said business agent of Local 12 or
the representative of the manufacturers, whose duty it is to appoint such repre
sentative, fails within said three secular days to do so, then the other members
of the board shall proceed and transact business, and in such case their decision
shall be the decision of the board, and if they fail to agree the decision of the
chairman shall be the decision of the board.
P ar . 5. Said board may summon witnesses and conduct a full investigation of
all matters in dispute. If the representative of the local and the representative
of the manufacturers fail to agree upon the settlement of any disagreement
before the board, then the decision of the chairman shall be the decision of the
board, and he shall have power to determine and settle all matters of contro
versy before the board, and every ruling, order, determination, or finding made
as aforesaid shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties.
Par . 6. The board shall have power to determine the manner of conducting
its hearings and the nature and character of the evidence. Every decision of
said board of arbitration shall, so far as may be fair and reasonable, relate back
to and become effective as of the date of the original claim for arbitration.
P ar . 8. The board shall have power to order discipline of person or persons
under the jurisdiction of this agreement for violation of the provisions of
this agreement or for violation of any order of the board, or for gross, eareless,
or willful injury to the interest and welfare of any person or persons party here
to. Words or conduct seriously hostile to proper performance of duty, or to
harmonious relations within the factory, shall be within the purview of this
provision.
P ar . 12. The board shall give notiee in writing to both parties hereto of the
time and place of the hearings upon all matters referred to it as aforesaid, and
may order the production before it of such evidence and testimony as it may
deem relevant to any matter to be decided by the board. Within three secular
days after the reference to said board of arbitration of any matter, complaint,
or controversy a hearing or hearings thereon shall, if reasonably possible, be
had before said board, and in any event determination of the issue shall pro
ceed with all reasonable expedition.
Par . 13. All decisions and orders of said board shall be made in writing and
shall be signed for the board by the chairman; all decisions and orders shall, if
reasonably possible, be made within three days after the close of evidence.
P ar. 14. The chairman of said board shall be reimbursed for all expenses and
disbursements incurred by him in the performance of his duties and shall be
paid a reasonable compensation for his services, the parties hereto agreeii)g
to pay therefor as follows: Said Local 12 shall pay one-half and the other
signers of this agreement shall together pay one-half. Other necessary expenses
incurred by the board shall be borne in thie same manner.
Extracts from the agreement of the Shoe Workers’ Protective
Union of Haverhill, M ass., with the Haverhill Wood Heel Manu
facturers’ Association, January 15, 1925, follow:
1. There shall be no strike, lockout, or cessation of work, and nothing shall be
done by either party to hinder, impede, retard, or prevent production. This
article is not arbitrable.
3. The manufacturer agrees that there shall be no laying off of members erf
the crew during slack periods, and during the slack periods work shall be dis
tributed as equally as possible among the crew.
4. During the months of December, January, February, March, April, and
May of each year the regular working time shall be five and one-half days each
week of 48 hours. The remaining six months of the year the working week shall
be five 9-hour days of 45 hours.
The agent of Local No. 11 may, within legal limits, if, in his opinion, overtime
work is necessary, grant additional hours. For overtime work operator shall be
paid additional compensation at their regular rate. This article is not arbitrable.
5. All differences between the parties to this agreement shall be referred for
final settlement to a board of arbitration consisting of three members, [named.]
68
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
A vacancy in the membership of said board of arbitration caused by the death,
resignation, refusal, or inability to serve of the third or neutral member shall be
filled by the appointment of a new member of said board by the then agent of
Local No. 11 of the Shoe Workers’ Protective Union and the then secretary of
the Haverhill Wood Heel Manufactures’ Association; provided, however, that if
within 12 secular days from the creation of such vacancy the said agent and the
said secretary shall fail to agree upon and designate the third or neutral mem
ber of said board, then said appointment of the third or neutral member shall be
named in writing by any five of [eight] named persons, acting upon the written
application of said secretary or said agent, but no neutral member shall be so
named, unless he has the endorsement of either said secretary or said agent.
In case of the failure of any member of said board other than the neutral
member to serve for three days for any cause, then the other members of the
board of arbitration shall proceed and transact business, and in such case their
decision shall be the decision of the board, and if they fail to agree the decision
of the neutral member shall be the decision of the board.
Said board of arbitration may summon witnesses and conduct a full investi
gation of all matters in dispute which shall be referred to it, and shall have
power to determine and settle by a vote of a majority of its members, except as
otherwise provided, all matters of controversy referred to it, and every deter
mination or finding made as aforesaid by said board of arbitration shall be con
clusive and binding upon the parties.
If either party shall refuse to arbitrate any controversy under the foregoing
provisions and such provisions for legal reasons can not be enforced, then and in
such case the parties respectively agree that they will submit such controversy
to arbitration under the provisions of chapter 251 of the General Laws, and will
execute an agreement therefor in accordance with said chapter, which agree
ment shall name as arbitrators the persons then constituting the aforesaid board
of arbitration, and shall contain, so far as it properly may, the provisions of this
agreement respecting arbitration; and it is further agreed that in case of a refu
sal to sign such agreement, this agreement itself shall constitute an agreement
for arbitration under provisions of said chapter.
All decisions and orders of said board of arbitration shall be made in writing,
and shall be signed by a majority of its members, except as otherwise provided,
and shall be made within three days after the close of the evidence.
The third or neutral member of said board of arbitration shall be reimbursed
for all expenses and disbursements incurred by him in the performance of his
duties, and shall be paid a reasonable compensation for his services, the parties
hereto agreeing to pay in equal shares all sums of money required for the abovementioned purposes. Clerical or stenographic services incurred by the board
shall be borne equally by the association and union.
7. The various clauses of this agreement are to be independent of each other,
and if any one clause is for any reason invalid the invalidity thereof shall not
affect the other clauses.
CLOTH HAT AND CAP MAKERS
The United Cloth Hat and Cap Makers of North America comprises
makers of cloth hats tod caps and millinery workers. Their agree
ments generally call for a union shop, a 44-hour week, overtime at the
rate of time and a half, but no overtime work during the period of un
employment, a weekly pay day, equal division of work among all
workers during dull seasons and full pay for named holidays.
The following extracts relating mainly to unemployment periods
are taken from the agreement of Local No. 16, Milwaukee, W is., Au
gust 1 .19 2 5:
1.
All cutters, operators, blockers, and lining makers hired or employed by
party of the first part shall be or become members in good standing of party of the
second part; said membership shall be effected immediately at and during the first
meeting next ensuing said employment, or as soon thereafter as the rules or pro
ceedings of the party of the second part shall permit.
6.
All labels of party of the second [part] used by party of the first part shall
be furnished by party of the second part at cost of $3.75 a roll, said labels to be
under the exclusive control of the party of the second part.
CLOTHING TRADES
69
7.
Employers and employees engaged in the cap trade and business in large
industrial centers realize the duty and correlative right of workers to protection
against periods of economic stress and unemployment; that the employees of
[sic] workers are not responsible for slack seasons and depressions in the trade;
that the trade owes the employee a livelihood in slack as well as in busy seasons.
Therefore, it is agreed and understood that in the event that party of the first part
fail to employ party of the second part or the members of the party of the second
part for a full period of 48 weeks, then, and in that event party of the first part
shall be liable for and pay to party of the second part for the use and benefit
of its members employed by party of the first part a sum of money equal to
5 per cent of the total wages paid to said employees during the current year in
the following manner, to wit: In the event that said employment is less than 48
weeks and more than 43 full weeks, 1 per cent of the sum equal to 5 per cent as
herein stated shall be paid to party of the second part for each week less than
said 48 weeks; in the event that said employment is equal to 43 full weeks or
less for the current year of the whole of said 5 per cent as herein above described
shall be paid by party of the first part to party of the second part which latter
party shall equitably divide and distribute same among those of its members
employed by party of the first part as and for an unemployment insurance.
The party of the first part shall sign and furnish to the chairman of the party
of the second part a verified statement weekly showing the amount of money
paid to each member of party of the second part as herein described and the
hours of shop employment and operation, said statements to be compared with the
books of party of the first part at the expiration of this agreement.
FUR WORKERS
The International Fur Workers’ Union of the United States and
Canada consists of fur workers in all branches of the industry— cut
ters, nailers, finishers, liners, ironers, cleaners, glove makers, cap
makers, rug makers, muff bed workers, garment workers, trimmers,
hatters; also sheepskin workers, tanners, and dyers, and feather-boa
workers.
A two-year agreement of Locals Nos. 2 and 3, Brooklyn, N. Y ., effec
tive February 2, 1925, provides for a closed shop, a 44-hour week,
weekly payment of wages, and no work to be taken home. The
following extracts are from the agreement:
2.
(b) During the busy season of the fur trade, if the firm shall stand in need
of floor workers and shall have notified the business agent of Local 3 of its needs,
and the local shall within the time aforesaid be unable to furnish the required
labor, then the firm shall have the right to employ help in the open labor mar
ket, provided that such help shall immediately upon empk^ment apply for admis
sion to said local and said local shall receive such applicants into its membership.
4 * * * jf a fjrm shall be of the opinion that an employee ought to be
discharged, and that good cause exists therefor, it shall not forthwith discharge
him but shall suspend him from performing further work, and shall thereupon
and within 24 hours notify the business agent of the local to which said employee
is affiliated of such suspension. After the receipt of the notice the business agent
of said local shall without delay confer with the firm, and they shall jointly inves
tigate the complaint and the causes therefor. If the firm and business agent
shall fail to come to an agreement on the question as to whether the suspended
employee merits discharge, the dispute shall at once be referred to the joint
board of arbitration and conciliation, hereinafter referred to, which board shall
within two days after receiving notice of the dispute meet and fairly and impar
tially hear the matter and all the evidence produced before it, and shall render
its judgment. If the joint board of arbitration and conciliation shall decide
that no good cause exists for discharge, then the suspension shall be declared to
be null and void and the employee directed to resume his work; and in that
event the firm shall pay the employee the wages he would have earned had he
continued to perform his services during the period of suspension. If the judg
ment of the joint board of arbitration and conciliation shall be that good cause
exists for th§ discharge of the suspended employee, then he shall be discharged
and shall not be entitled to any pay for the time during which he was suspended.
70
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
5. During the period of time for which this contract is made there shall he
declared no strike or lockout by any of the parties hereto, and there shall be no
stoppage of work for any cause or grievance whatsoever.
(a) Complaints as to sanitary conditions in any shop shall be submitted for
settlement to the joint board of arbitration and conciliation, excepting, however,
that complaints of sanitary conditions demanding immediate attention shall be
adjusted in the same manner as disputes of improperly prepared work, with
appeal to the board.
6. Immediately after the signing of this agreement the Associated Employers
of Fur Workers (Inc.) shall designate and appoint three of its members and the.
union shall designate three of its members, and these six to elect a permanent
chairman to compose a permanent joint board of arbitration and conciliation.
This board shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine all questions that m&y
arise concerning the construction, true meaning, and applicability of any of the
provisions of this agreement, as well as all disputes that may arise between the
contracting parties, because of their relationship created by this contract, and
all alleged breaches of contract, by any person affected or bound thereby. The
decision of the majority of the board shall be final and binding upon the parties
to the controversy, and such judgment shall be performed as directed by the
board. In case of a tie vote the chairman shall have the right to decide.
7. Each local shall have the privilege to have a shop delegate selected by the em
ployees employed in each factory, or designated by the respective local, who is to
act as their representative in their dealings with the firm.
8. The firm shall always have the right to regulate the floor work in the shop with
a view toward efficiency and production; providing, however, that such system
does not discriminate against any worker. It is understood, however, that in slack
times the work shall be divided amongst the employees in the shop equally as has
been the custom heretofore.
(а) During the slack season no member of a firm or foreman shall be permit
ted to work on the floor after the floor workers have left.
(б) Each flesher or shaver employed in any shop of a firm shall be entitled to
a full equal share of the work in such shop if he is able to finish said full share
of the work within the allotted time of eight hours.
(c)
The firm agrees that it will employ during the term of this agreement such
fleshers, shavers, and floor workers as may be out of employment for more than
one week, provided that over the average amount of wages in the trade is being
earned in the factory to which such fleshers, shavers, or floor workers are sent.
10. All employees, members of the union employed by the firm, shall be graded
into three classes. The classification of workers employed on January 31, 1925,
shall not be altered or changed except by agreement between the firm and Local
3. All new employees, who were never before employed in the industry, shall
be graded or regraded by the business representative of Local 3 and the firm.
* * * Whenever the firm shall have advanced an employee in grade, for the
purpose of doing some special work, if such employee desires to discontinue this
special work, or if the employee neglects or improperly performs his work, he
may be placed back by the firm to the former grade, and if there should be any
disagreement on sueh demotion it shall be referred to the joint board of arbitra
tion and conciliation.
11. The apprenticeship system shall be as follows:
(a) One apprentice to each shop in the crafts coming under the jurisdiction
of Local 2. Such apprentice shall be under the age of 20 years. Apprentices
under the jurisdiction of Local 2 working on the bench shall work in the same
room with the members of that local. The term of apprenticeship for such
apprentices shall be three years.
(b) Apprentices in the crafts coming under the jurisdiction of Local 3 shall be
as follows: Each firm shall be entitled to one apprentice for any number of floor
workers of 25 or less; two apprentices between 26 and 40 floor workers; and three
apprentices for any number above 40.
Apprentices under the jurisdiction of Local 3 shall be under the age of 17 years
and serve an apprenticeship of two years. After the expiration of this term they
shall become members of Local 3.
A son of an employer working as apprentice flesher or shaver for his father
shall be a regularly registered apprentice of the union (Locals 2 and 3).
Sons of members of the firm working as fleshers or shavers shall be members
in good standing in the union.
12. Foreman of fleshers and shavers not doing work on the bench need not be
members of the union. All those who work on the bench must be members of
the union.
CLOTHING TRADES
71
(a)
All foremen and watchmen must be members of the union. It is under
stood that so long as a watchman receives the minimum scale of wages the union
will not adjust in any manner the wages for watchmen.
(e)
It is agreed that both sides subscribe to the principle of one day off a week
for all watchmen. It is further agreed that the conditions as now obtained in
the factories may remain, provided that at least one day off every two weeks is
granted. However, after January 31, 1926, all watchmen shall have one day
off each week.
13.
(b) Sundays and legal holidays of the State of New York as follows: New
Year's Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Decoration Day, Inde
pendence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, election day, Thanksgiving Day,
and Christmas, and also the 1st of May shall be recognized in the shops. Work
performed on any of these days shall be paid for at twice the regular pay.
Overtime shall be paid for at twice the regular pay. All provisions for over
time apply only to week workers.
No overtime shall be permitted while there are any members of the union
unemployed and who can be furnished to the firm by the union.
No overtime shall be permitted during the months of June, July, and August
unless absolutely necessary. No employee shall be compelled to work on any
legal holiday.
Overtime shall not exceed two hours per day during the first five days of the
week, and one hour on Saturday, provided, however, that no work is done after
12.15 p. m. Saturday.
15. It is agreed between the parties hereto that during the period for which
this contract is made there shall be no revision of wages or prices hereinabove
stipulated to be paid to the workingmen, either upward or downward, and there
shall be no change in the hours of labor to be performed per week. Neither
party hereto shall have the right during the period of this contract to request
any such change or revision. The firm may, of its own volition, increase the
compensation to any of its employees, but such act shall not be construed as
abrogating any provision of the section, and shall not give the right to the union
to make demands for revisions of prices or changes in working hours upon the
firm for or on behalf of other workingmen. It is agreed that the wages, hours,
and prices herein agreed upon are firm and not arbitrable during the period of
this contract. It is absolutely understood that when a new kind of fur not
specifically provided for in the exhibits hereto attached makes its appearance in
any shop the prices to be paid therefor shall be agreed upon between the firm
and the representative of Local 2. Such price shall become a part of the exhibit.
19. The refusal of the union to perform work for any firm whose employees
are on strike in the fur trade in the city of New York or elsewhere shall not be
considered a breach of this contract.
20. All members of the union employed in the shops of the firm shall be paid
directly for work done by them; all workers to be directly employed by the firm,
and the relation of employer and employees to exist between the firm and
each and every worker of the respective unions.
25.
The firm shall not have any part of its fleshing, shaving, or floor work
done in any place, shop, or factory, or by any person, firm, or corporation, dur
ing the term of this agreement where union conditions do not prevail.
GLOVE WORKERS
The International Glove Workers* Union of America includes work
ers engaged in making gloves or mittens of cloth or leather. A
national agreement, known as the union label contract, is made,
which is observed by all locals. M any locals make in addition a
supplementary agreement accompanied by a schedule of prices, as
the work is entirely piece work.
The following provisions are taken from a form agreement in very
general use among the unions:
First. The employer agrees that the union collectors in the factory shall not be
hindered or obstructed in collecting the dues of members working in the factory.
Second. The employer agrees that the president of Local No. ^----- or his
deputy, upon their written order, or the secretary of Local No. ------may visit
the employees in the factory at any time in the office of the employer, where
said employees will be called by the employer on request.
72
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Fourth. This agreement shall remain in force until------ . Should either party
desire to alter, amend, or annul this agreement, it shall give a written notice
thereof to the other party one month before the expiration of this agreement; if
the parties fail to give such notice, the agreement shall continue in force for
another year, afld so on from year to year until such notice is given.
Sixth. The union agrees to furnish to the employer, when and as often as re
quested, as many union glove workers as are desired by the employer. In case
of the union’s failure to furnish such union glove workers the employer may hire
whomsoever it pleases, and will hire such nonunion persons as may become nec
essary under this agreement, on the conditions that such persons shall, within the
time specified below, apply for membership in either of the unions and comply
with all the requirements necessary to become a member. Experienced help of
any kind, next meeting from date of employment. Inexperienced help of all
kinds on all work other than cutting, two weeks after employment. One ap
prentice to 10 journeyman cutters or layers-off shall be allowed within two
years.
Seventh. It is agreed that the employer has the right to introduce and make
use of any machinery it may deem expedient, and to change methods of work or
divide any operations of work in any manner it may desire, and the employer
has the right to fix prices under any such changed methods of manufacture, but
if such changes, after a fair trial, are not satisfactory to either party, prices are
to be adjusted by arbitration * * * if the same can not otherwise be agreed
upon, and when so adjusted by agreement or arbitration the price fixed is to take
effect from the date of the change. The employee, however, is not to be asked
to make any refund.
Ninth. The right of the employer to hire and discharge help is hereby acknowl
edged. No employee shall be discharged without good and sufficient cause after
having been in the employ of the employer for a period of two weeks. No dis
charge, however, shall be on account of employees’ membership or activities in
the union.
If any employee shall be found to have been laid off or discharged in violation
of the provisions of this agreement, he shall be entitled to back pay in full for
the time he or she was so kept out of work.
Eleventh. The union agrees that no attempt will be made to unionize employ
ees in any department of the business which might interfere with the successful
running of the business, meaning such employees as are known as foremen, fore
ladies, superintendents, inspectors, or office and shipping help.
The employer agrees that it will do nothing to hinder any employees except
those above mentioned from remaining in the union.
Twelfth. Forty-four hours shall constitute a week’s work to cover eight hours
for five days and four hours on Saturday.
Fourteenth. All work spoiled or not properly done shall be repaired or made
over by the employee without pay.
All work spoiled so that it can not be repaired or made right is not to be paid
for. Cutters shall not be required to cut pieces for busters or short pieces.
Fifteenth. The cutting departments shall be furnished a schedule specifying
the number of feet of stock allowed for the various patterns. This is to be posted
in a conspicuous place in the cutting rooms. All the dies and mallets and cutting
blocks shall be in a good condition, and employer to supply solid cutting blocks.
Sixteenth. No work shall be sent out of the factory into the homes to be made.
Seventeenth. It is further understood and agreed that the schedule of prices
and changes attached hereto is a part of this agreement.
Eighteenth. The employer agrees to an equal division of work in quality and
in price, and in slack times an equal division in quantity.
Nineteenth. No sweeping shall be done in the workrooms during working
hours.
Wash rooms shall be provided in all departments and equipped with adequate
washing facilities.
The following provisions are taken from the agreement of Loeal
No. 63, Minneapolis, Minn., M ay 18, 1925:
Second. The empk>3rer agrees to retain in his employment for the manufac
ture of gloves and mittens only members of the International Glove Workers1
Union of America in good standing who are in possession of a paid-up working
card; but in no case shall nonunion help be engaged as long as any competent
union help is idle.
CLOTHING TRADES
73
Fourth. The employer agrees to an equal division of work in quality and price,
and in slack times an equal division in quantity.
Fifth. There shall be created an adjustment committee of three to be elected
by the union to meet with the employer for the purpose of adjusting all differ
ences not embodied in this agreement.
Seventh. The employer agrees that not more than 47% hours shall constitute
a week’s work for all workers included in this agreement. Saturday half holi
day shall be granted during 12 months of the year. All overtime work shall be
paid for at the rate of time and one-half, and work performed on holidays shall
be paid for at the rate of double time. No work shall be performed on Sunday.
Eighth. It is mutually agreed that the union will not cause or sanction any
strike and that the employer will not lock out his employees while this agree
ment is in force.
LADIES' GARMENT WORKERS
The International Ladies' Garment Workers’ Union includes work
ers engaged in the manufacture of ladies’ garments of all classes. The
local unions are located mainly in large cities and are generally com
posed of workers engaged on one branch of work, as buttonhole
makers, embroidery workers, cutters, finishers, pressers, examiners,
fitters, or designers on cloaks, suits, waists, skirts, dresses, children’s
clothing, underclothing, or raincoats. Frequently some of the locals
in a city are grouped into joint boards, which make the agreements.
The agreements are frequently for two years, generally call for a
union shop, a 44-hour week, overtime at time and a half, no strike
or lockout to occur during the life of the agreement, a system of
arbitration or method of adjusting disputes, an equitable division of
work in dull times, and wages paid weekly.
The agreement of the joint board of the Cloak, Skirt, Dress, and
Reefer Makers’ Unions with the Association of Dress Manufacturers
(Inc.) of New York, February 24, 1925, is representative of New
York agreements. Extracts from it follow:
Second, (a) Each member of the association shall employ and retain in his
employ none but members in good standing of the union. * * * A member
in good standing is one who is not in arrears for more than two months in the
payment of dues and assessments to the International Ladies’ Garment Workers'
Union and who carries a union membership card.
(b) No member of the firm, foreman, or designer shall do any work in any of
the branches above enumerated except for the purpose of instructing sample
makers or other workers. If such member of the firm, foreman, or designer, or
any worker who is not a member of the union does work in any branch in which
union workers are to be employed the association agrees to impose a fine for the
first violation amounting to not less than one week’s wages, in accordance with
the minimum base rates as provided for in this agreement, such fine to be paid
over to the union. If a union worker has been laid off, and any member of the
firm, foreman, or designer, or any worker who is not a member of the union does
his work, the employer, in addition to the penalty of one week’s wages, provided
for above, shall reimburse the workers so laid off for loss of earnings based upon
the amount of work done by such person.
(c) No member of the association shall engage new workers except through the
employment bureau of the union, nor shall any worker be placed at work unless
he presents a union working card directing him to the place of business of such
member. Should the union fail to furnish an association member with workers
within 24 hours after application, such member may engage union workers else
where, and the union agrees to issue working cards to such workers, provided that
they are in good standing with the union as above defined. In no event shall
workers be permitted to start work without such working cards. With respect
to cutters, pattern makers, or graders, it is agreed that no such employee shall
be engaged unless they present, within 24 hours from the first day of their em
ployment, a working card countersigned by a representative of the union and
such card has perforated thereon the weekly wages agreed upon between him and
74
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
the employer. The employer agrees to continue paying to such worker wages
at least equal to those designated on such working card.
Third, (a) There shall be at all times in the shop of each member of the asso
ciation a shop chairman elected by the employees at a regular shop meeting held
in the presence of a union representative.
{b) A duly authorized officer or representative of the union, accompanied by
a duly authorized officer or representative of the association, shall have access to
the factory of each member of the association at all times for the purpose of
investigating the condition of the shop and for the purpose of ascertaining whether
the provisions of this agreement are fully complied with. They shall also have
access to the firm’s books for the purpose of ascertaining the correct earnings of
the workers employed in the shop and for the purpose of ascertaining the names
of the manufacturers or jobber for whom the association member works or with
whom he deals. Upon complaint of the union of underpayment of wages, prices,
or scales, the employer shall submit to the representative of the union his pay
roll for the purpose of ascertaining the earnings of the workers.
Fourth. A week’s work shall consist of 40 hours, divided into the first five
working days. * * * No work shall be done on Saturdays and Sundays
under any circumstances.
Fifth. No overtime work shall be permitted so long as there are vacant accom
modations in the shop for additional workers and such additional workers can be
secured. No more than an hour overtime per day shall be allowed. Week
workers shall be paid for the overtime at the rate of double pay. mPieceworkers
shall receive extra compensation for the overtime work on the basis of the base
rate fixed in this agreement.
Sixth. The employer may upon notification to the union through the associa
tion at the beginning of the season install new machinery and other labor-saving
devices. If by virtue of such installation workers will lose their positions, such
workers shall receive not less than two weeks' wages for loss of time.
Seventh. (6) Should a legal holiday fall on Saturday, the association agrees
that the workers shall be paid on the basis of a 36-hour week.
Eighth. (d) In order to minimize competition on labor between shops that are
working on the same grade of work or for the same jobber, a schedule of prices
shall be established jointly between the union and the association for various
grades of garments manufactured by their members. Such schedule shall become
part of this contract.
(e)
Should any member fail to pay according to the established schedule, such
failure to pay shall be considered a violation of the contract, and in addition to
the penalty to be imposed on the member the association agrees to pay to the union
for the benefit of the workers the entire amount of such underpayment.
(/) The schedule shall be established on a basis which will enable the workers
to earn the average rates provided * * *. Should it be found that the sched
ule does not yield such average, it shall be revised. But should it be found that
in some individual shops the workers can not earn such average, an investigation
shall be made, and if such failure be found due to the fault of the employer,
prices on said garments shall be resettled.
(g) Should a worker earn below such minimum [stated], the employer shall
pay him the difference between his earnings and the minimum above estab
lished.
(j) * * * The employer shall furnish all tools incident to the work without
charge to the worker.
Ninth. Piece prices shall be established by agreement between the employer
and the price committee elected by the employees. Members of the price com
mittee and the shop chairman above referred to shall be selected as far as possi
ble from such workers as have been employed in the shop for at least one month.
Tenth, (c) At all times work shall be distributed among members of the union
as equally as possible. When cutters are laid off for lack of work, they shall be
laid off in such order that each shall receive a week’s work in rotation as far as
practicable.
(d)
If the employer suspends work during any part of the slow season, he
shall upon resumption of work give employment to the workers who have been
laid off at the end of the season preceding before engaging any new help.
(/) No home work shall be permitted by the employer.
(g) No contracting or subcontracting work within the shop shall be permitted.
(h) The employer shall not enter into any individual contract with any mem
ber of the union nor accept security from any such member.
CLOTHIHG TRADES
75
(/) The association agrees that its members shall comply with all standards
of sanitation provided for by the laws of the State of New York and the joint
board of sanitary control in the ladies’ garment industry.
(:k) The employer agrees to conduct fire drills in accordance with the require
ments of the State law and standards in the ladies’ garment industry. Such
fire drills are to be conducted by the joint board of sanitary control at the expense
of the manufacturers. The amount of expense to be borne by the employer
under the provisions of this section shall be determined by the joint board of
sanitary control after a conference with the association and shall be paid through
the union.
(I)
The maintaining of sanitary conditions in the shop of the employer and
the compliance by said employer with the sanitary rules established by the joint
board of sanitary control shall be considered an essential part of this contract.
Eleventh. Members of the association shall attach to all garments produced
by them the label adopted by the joint board of sanitary control to designate
that the garments .carrying the same have been manufactured under proper
sanitary surroundings. The joint board of sanitary control shall furnish such
labels at cost to manufacturers conducting union shops.
Twelve. Members of the association who use embroideries, hemstitching, pleat
ing, or tucking on garments obligate themselves to deal with union shops only
and to use no such embroideries, hemstitching, pleating, or tucking that do not
bear the union and sanitary label where such label has been adopted in the
respective industry.
Association members also agree to purchase and use no buttons except such
as bear the union label adopted in the industry and from manufacturers con
ducting union shops.
Thirteenth. The association shall cooperate with the union in establishing and
maintaining an unemployment insurance fund for the members of the union.
Members of the association who sell garments to the trade shall contribute to
the said fund 2 per cent of the wages or labor cost of the garments so sold by
them. All members of the association, whether they sell to the trade or work
exclusively for jobbers, shall deduct from the wages of their workers 1 per cent
thereof on every pay day as the contribution of such workers to the said unem
ployment insurance fund. The fund shall be administered by a board of trus
tees, and, if the union so desires, the unemployment insurance board established
in the cloak and suit industry of New York shall be designated as such board.
Members of the association shall pay their unemployment insurance contribu
tions and the contributions of the workers employed by them to the unemploy
ment insurance board each and every week on their pay day. The association
hereby guarantees the performance of the provisions of this clause by their
members.
Fourteenth, (a) No member of the association shall discharge a worker, ex
cept for misbehavior, before a notice in writing is served on the union of the
reason for the intended discharge. In case of a discharge for alleged misbehav
ior, the employee shall in all cases be entitled to full wages until the decision of
the trial board.
The union shall investigate the notice of the intended discharge within 48
hours of the receipt of same. If the union does not consent to the proposed
discharge, the question shall be referred to the trial board, whose decision shall
be final. Pending such decision the employee shall continue working at full pay.
Fifteenth, (a) None of the merchandise manufactured by the association mem
bers shall be directly or indirectly manufactured for or sold to or for the account
of any manufacturer or jobber who is not under contract with the union to
observe and maintain union standards.
(Ib) In order that the union may have an opportunity at all times to investi
gate the final destination of the merchandise manufactured by the employer,
each employer agrees to furnish to the union, through the association, at least
once a month, the names of manufacturers and jobbers for whom he is working
and to whom he is selling merchandise.
(c) None of the merchandise manufactured by the employer shall be made
for him in the shop of any other employer except by agreement between the
association and the union, and then only in the shops of members of the associ
ation.
(d) The employer shall not purchase any ready-made garments from any fac
tory located in New York City or outside of New York City unless the workers
in his inside shop are fully employed, nor in any event, from any factory that
76
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
does not maintain the standards of wages and hours established under this con
tract, operates under a contract with the union, and registered with the union.
Sixteenth. (6) The association shall once in every month furnish to the union
a full list of all its members with the location of their places of business, and
keep the union informed at all times of additions and changes.
Nineteenth. There shall be created a conference board under this agreement
to consist of five representatives of the union and five representatives of the
association for the purpose of considering and passing upon general trade prob
lems and to more effectually carry out the purpose and spirit of this agreement.
Twentieth. As security for the faithful performance of this agreement on its
part, and on the part of all the manufacturers constituting its membership, the
association shall deposit with the International Union Bank, to the joint credit
of the parties hereto, the sum of $20,000. Any and all awards of damages in
favor of the union or any of its members made by the clerks or deputies or the
said trial board shall be paid out of such security deposit, and the association
shall, within 72 hours after such payment, replenish the security deposit to the
full amount of $20,000, or, at its option, pay the damages so awarded directly
and leave the deposit intact.
Extracts from the agreement made February 5 ,1925, between the
Association of Dress Manufacturers (Inc.), and the Wholesale Dress
Manufacturers’ Association (Inc.), bodies of contractors and jobbers,
respectively, showing their relation to labor, follow:
3. The parties hereto, on behalf of themselves and their members, agree to
work with none but firms who are in contractual relations with the International
Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union.
4. The Association of Dress Manufacturers (Inc.) agrees to make every possible
effort, subsequent to the signing of this agreement, to enter into individual
agreements with any and all independent jobbing houses who are in contractual
relations with the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, and upon
terms not more favorable to said jobbers than contained herein.
The following extracts from the agreement of the Bonnaz, Singer,
and Hand Embroidery Workers’ Union, Local No. 66, New York,
February 1, 1925, show sections additional to those above given:
18.
All workers required to come in the dull season shall be secured with at
least a half-day’s pay.
21.
The union hereby grants to the employer the right and license to use the
union label in connection with his work upon the distinct agreement, however,
that the labels to be delivered to the employer shall in each case be and remain
the property of the union; that the license to use same be and remain con
ditioned upon the true performance by the employer of all the terms, conditions,
and provisions contained in this agreement, and that the union shall have the
right to revoke such license at any time upon any breach of any of the terms,
conditions, and provisions set forth in this agreement with respect to any employer
so violating the same.
24. The said labels shall be in charge of the shop chairman or anyone else the
union may designate, and if at the time of revocation of this license any quan
tity of these labels remain in his hands they shall be returned to the union, who
will refund to the employer the amount paid by him for the labels.
26. No work shall be permitted between Saturday noon and Monday 8 a. m.
35. The employer agrees that at the expiration of his lease on the premises
now occupied by him he will not enter into any new lease for either the premises
now occupied or new premises in which the shop of the employer is to be located
unless such premises are first approved by the joint board of sanitary control as
being sanitary, safe, and free from fire dangers.
41. The employer agrees to send in monthly lists to the union of all the shops
he is working for.
MEN'S CLOTHING WORKERS
The Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America make agreements
as local unions of as joint boards with individual employers or associa
tions of manufacturers. The agreements vary in length and con
tents. Nearly all call for a union shop, a 44-hour week, an overtime
CLOTHING TRADES
77
rate of time and a half, controversies to be first taken up by the shop
chairman and the employer and arbitrated when necessary, an equal
distribution of work during the slack season, a weekly pay day, pro
hibition of individual agreements with employees, and pay for certain
holdays.
The following extracts are taken from a three-year agreement of
the union with the firm of B. Kuppenheimer & Co. (Inc.), of Chicago,
M ay 1, 1925:
III, A. The standards of wages existing on and after May 1, 1925, and hereby
established by this agreement, shall be effective until April 30, 1928, provi
ded, however, that if either party shall become convinced that a change in
wage standards is warranted, it may give notice to that effect not later than 90
days prior to the anniversary of the date of this agreement, and call for a con
ference on such change. If any change shall be agreed upon it shall become
effective on such anniversary date. If after a thorough canvass of the situation
the parties find themselves unable to agree on wages before the anniversary date,
the matter shall be referred to the board of arbitration in the regular way, unless
the parties shall have agreed upon a different method, and any wage either so
agreed upon or so fixed shall remain effective until the next anniversary date.
B. Piece rates shall be fixed by collective bargaining, through the medium of
the price committee. This committee shall consist of the labor manager or other
qualified representative of management and a representative of the union,
assigned from a group organized for that purpose and especially equipped for
price making.
When occasion arises to put an operation on piecework or to change an exist
ing rate, the matter shall be referred to the price committee, whose duty it shall
be to fix the rate. If the price committee is unable to agree, the matter shall be
taken to the trade board.
IV, A. It is agreed that the principle of the preferential shop shall prevail,
to be applied in the following manner:
Preference shall be applied in hiring and discharge.
Whenever an employer needs additional workers he shall first make applica
tion to the union, specifying the number and kinds of workers needed.
The union shall be given a reasonable time to supply the number of workers
required, and if unable for any reason to furnish them the employer shall be at
liberty to secure them in the open market as best he can.
In the like manner the principle of preference shall be applied in the case of
discharge.
Should it at any time become necessary to reduce the number of workers, the
first ones to be dismissed shall be those who are not members of the union. In
all such cases the best efforts shall be mutually exerted to harmonize the interests
of both parties.
B. The provisions for preference made herein require that the doors of the
union shall be kept open for the reception of nonunion workers. Initiation fees
and dues must be maintained at a reasonable rate, and any applicant must be
admitted who is not an offender against the union and who is eligible for mem
bership under its rule.
V, A. The full power of discharge and discipline lies with the employer. It is
agreed that this power should be exercised with justice and with regard to the
reasonable rights of the employee. The power of discharge shall be exercised
only through the duly authorized and responsible representative of management.
If the union, after investigation, finds that an employee has been discharged
without just cause and that it can not reach an adjustment with the represent
ative of management, it may bring the case to the trade board. The decision
of the trade board, unless appealed to the board of arbitration, shall be final.
VI, Each of the parties shall designate one or more authorized representatives
who shall have power to investigate, mediate, and adjust complaints. The rep
resentatives of both parties shall be available to give prompt and adequate
attention to their duties, and it shall be incumbent upon them to use every
legitimate effort to settle any complaint or grievance submitted to them. To
that end the union deputy, when accompanied by the employer’s representative,
shall have access to any shop or factory for the purpose of investigating com
plaints or grievances.
96588°—26------ 6
78
XKADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
The union shall have in each shop or floor one duly accredited representative
authorized by the joint board who shall be recognized as the officer of the union
having charge of complaints and organization matters within the shop. He shall
be empowered to receive complaints and be given sufficient opportunity and
range of action to enable him to make proper inquiry concerning them.
VII. Complaints or grievances within the scope of this agreement upon which
representatives of the parties are unable to agree may be referred to a trade
board for adjustment. The trade board shall consist of a chairman who shall
be the mutual choice of the two parties to this agreement, and as occasion may
arise of an equal number of representatives of the two parties, not to exceed five
from each side. The chairman of the trade board shall maintain an office where
he shall be available for the prompt hearing, mediation, adjustment, or decision
of cases that may be brought before him under the terms of this agreement.
His decision in such cases shall be final unless appealed to the board of arbitra
tion.
The board of arbitration shall consist of a chairman who shall be the mutual
choice of the two parties, and should issues arise which, in the opinion of the
parties to the agreement, require the enlargement of the board, 4wo additional
members may be appointed, either by the parties joining in the selection of such
additional members or by each of the parties naming a member.
It shall be the function of the board of arbitration to hear appeals from the
trade board and to interpret and apply the agreement but not to add to its
terms.
The salaries of the chairman of the trade board and the chairman of the
board of arbitration and other expenses incident to maintaining'their offices
shall be borne jointly by the two parties to the agreement.
The duties and jurisdiction of the trade board and the board of arbitration
are fixed and limited by this agreement, and neither of said boards shall have
any power to enlarge such jurisdiction, unless by mutual consent of the two
parties to the agreement. All agreements, contracts, specifications, or decisions
made, approved, or revised by the price committee or the trade board after May
1,1925, shall be in writing and shall not be altered by custom or usage, but shall
be enforced at all times by the trade board.
*
•* * Neither party to this agreement shall adopt rules or regulations or
issue any orders or impose any obligations on members individually or collectively
in conflict with any provision herein contained or that will have the effect of
nullifying or impairing any of such provisions.
The unemployment insurance agreement between the same partie
made on the same date reads in part as follows:
A r t i c l e I. The union agrees to use its best efforts to cause each of its mem
bers employed by the manufacturers (a) to pay to the board of trustees, herein
after constituted, for each pay-roll week, commencing with the pay-roll week
beginning on or immediately following May 1, 1923, 1J^ per cent of the amount
of such employee's wages received from the manufacturer, and (b) to authorize
and direct the manufacturer to deduct such sums from the contributing employee's
wages and forthwith pay the sums so deducted to the board of trustees on behalf
of such contributing employees.
The manufacturer agrees to make the deductions so authorized and to pay
over the sums so deducted to the board of trustees on behalf of such contributing
employees and the manufacturer agrees to pay to the board of trustees an amount
equal to such payment so contributed by such employees as and when such con
tributions are made by the employees.
A rt. II. All sums so received shall be held by the board of trustees in trust,
subject to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, and such sums and
the income therefrom shall be held as a special trust fund, designated as the
“ unemployment fund,” hereinafter referred to as the “ fund.”
A rt. IV. * * * The board of trustees may * * * pay any benefits
to which a deceased contributing employee might have been entitled to such
person or persons as the board shall in its absolute discretion determine, and no
heir, next of kin, legal representative, creditor, or claimant of any such decedent
shall have any right or claim to any such benefits.
A rt . V. Neither the manufacturer nor the union shall have any right, prop
erty, or interest in the fund. Nor shall the fund be subject to attachment,
garnishment, execution, sequestration, seizure, or other process by reason of any
claim on behalf of any person whatsoever against either the manufacturer or the
union or against any contributing employee.
CLOTHING TRADES
79
A rt. VII. The board of trustees shall not pay any part of the fund to anyone
other than the contributing employees, unless in case of cessation of business,
*
* * and the maximum amount payable to any contributing employee
shall never exceed the sum of $100, in any one year, and at no time shall any
distribution of any part of said fund be made which shall, directly or indirectly,
aid, assist, or encourage the carrying on of any labor warfare or controversy, or
for the purpose of relieving unemployment which directly or indirectly results
from strikes or stoppages of work, or arises out of any conflict or warfare between
employees and employers or their representatives, nor shall any sums at any
time be paid or distributed to any employees who at the time of such unemploy
ment are engaged in or parties to any strike, stoppage of work, or other forms of
labor warfare or controversy.
A rt. VIII. If any law or ordinance is passed compelling the manufacturer to
contribute to any Federal, State, or municipal unemployment fund with reference
to any contributing employees hereunder, the contributions of the manufacturer
hereunder shall be reduced by the amount which the manufacturer is compelled
to contribute to such Federal, State, or municipal unemployment fund. If the
contribution which the manufacturer is compelled to make to any such fund is
equal to or greater than the contribution required of the manufacturer hereunder,
then the obligation of the manufacturer to make contributions hereunder shall
cease, and in such event the fund shall be disposed of in the same manner here
in provided for disposition at the expiration of this agreement.
A rt . IX. It is expressly understood and agreed that the fund shall never
(except as hereinafter in this paragraph provided) be permitted to accumulate
beyond an amount equal to the total maximum unemployment benefits which
would be payable during the period of two years to all of the then contributing
employees of the manufacturer. Whenever the fund reaches such maximum
amount the obligation of the manufacturer and of the then contributing employ
ees to make further payments shall be suspended, but such suspension shall not
apply to such employees as have not contributed during the period of one full
year. Payments to said fund shall only be revived when the fund is again
reduced to an amount less than the total maximum benefits which would be
payable during a period of one year to all of the then contributing employees
of the manufacturer.
A rt. XII. (a) The manufacturer and the union shall each appoint not exceed
ing three trustees (each to appoint an equal number), who shall hold office at
the will of the appointing party. In addition to the trustees thus selected John
K. Commons, of the University of Wisconsin, of Madison, Wis., is also hereby
designated as a trustee and as chairman of the board of trustees. The number
of trustees may be changed from time to time by the joint act of the manufac
turer and the union, but there shall not at any time be less than three trustees
nor more than seven, and the number of trustees shall be at all times odd. The
manufacturer and the union shall at all times each be represented on said board
by their respective appointees, and each shall at all times have equal representa
tion on said board. There shall always be a chairman of the board of trustees
who shall be selected by the manufacturer and the union and ^ho shall not be
removable except by the joint act of the manufacturer and the union. * * *
Should the chairman of the board of trustees die, resign, be removed, become
incapacitated, unable, unwilling, or fail for any reason to act, then the vacancy
so occurring shall be filled by the appointment of a successor named by the
manufacturer and the union, and if they are unable to agree upon such successor
within a period of 30 days such vacancy shall be filled by the appointment of a
successor desiginated by Judge Julian W. Mack and/or Judge Samuel Alschuler.
Until the appointment of a successor chairman of the board to fill such vacancy
the remaining trustees shall exercise all of the powers and perform all of the
duties of the board of trustees. The appointment of any trustee hereunder
shall be in writing, delivered to the remaining trustees, or their successors. If
all the trustees desiginated by the union or by the manufacturer, as the case may
be, shall not be present at any meeting of the trustees, the trustee or trustees
designated by the manufacturer or union, as the case may be, present at such
meeting, shall be entitled to cast as many votes or the same number of votes as
the trustees designated by the other party present at said meeting shall be
entitled to cast, it being the intention hereof that at any meeting erf the trustees,
regardless of the number present, the trustees representing the manufacturer
and the trustees representing the union shall have equal voting power.
80
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
(6)
All questions that may arise or come before the trustees shall be determined
by the affirmative vote in person or by proxy of a majority of the trustees.
Such vote may be given in meeting assembled, or by a writing signed by the
trustees, or by a majority of them, provided such writing is signed by one or
more trustees designated by the union and one or more trustees designated by
the manufacturer, and such decision or act of a majority of the trustees shall be
binding and conclusive upon the parties hereto, the board of trustees, and the
contributing employees. Any trustee may act by proxy.
(c)
None of the trustees, other than the chairman of the board of trustees, shall
be entitled to compensation hereunder. The compensation of such chairman
shall be fixed by the manufacturer and the union, and shall be paid out of
the fund.
(e)
The principal and interest of the fund, except such amounts as shall be
required for current purposes, shall be invested by the board of trustees in direct
obligations of the United States Government, and not otherwise. All moneys
not so invested shall be deposited in substantially equal amounts in two or more
clearing-house banks located in the city of Chicago, or in banks which are mem
bers of the Federal reserve system.
( / ) The board of trustees shall keep true and accurate books of account and
records which shall be audited by certified public accountants at least twice in
each year.
TAILORS
The Journeymen Tailors’ Union of America comprises tailors,
cleaners, dyers, pressers, and bushelmen working in the clothing
industry. Their agreements are generally short. Extracts from an
agreement of Local No. 34, Scranton, Pa., April 1, 1925, follow:
A rticle 1. The party of the first part agrees that all employees shall be
members in good standing of Journeymen Tailors’ Union of America, Local No.
34. It is further agreed when additional help is needed said help shall be
required to present paid-up card or permit signed by secretary of Local No. 34
before starting to work.
A rt . 3. * * * No member of the Journeymen Tailors’ Union of America,
Local Union No. 34, shall suffer a reduction in wages on account of observance
0f * * * holidays.
A rt. 4. Forty-eight hours shall constitute a week’s work. Eight hours shall
constitute a day’s work, and time and one half to be paid for all overtime and
double time shall be paid for all work performed on Sundays and holidays.
A rt. 5. No one is to be discharged during the dull season who has worked
during the busy season. All work shall be equally divided amongst the employees.
The party of the first part further agrees every member of Journeymen Tailors’
Union No. 34 shall work no less than four days in any one week.
A rt. 6. Only one foreman shall be recognized in any one shop, the foreman
to do absolutely no work other than what is required for fitting a try-on.
A rt. 7. The party of the first part agrees that the trial period of an employee
to determine whether he or she is capable of performing the work required of
them shall be two weeks.
A rt. 8. It is agreed the party of the first part has the right to have tailors
take one week’s vacation without pay once every year.
COOPERS
The Coopers’ International Union of North America consists of
makers of barrels, kegs, vats, tanks, and the like. Coopers in brew
eries are frequently members of the brewery unions, but when they
are sufficiently numerous to form independent unions these unions
generally affiliate with the Coopers’ International Union.
Coopers’ agreements are generally short and call for a closed shop,
a weekly pay day, time ana a half overtime, with double time on
Sundays and holidays, and work to bear the union stamp. The fol
lowing extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 152 with a
brewing company in Los Angeles, Calif., M ay 15, 1925:
GLASS INDUSTRY
81
Section 1. Only members of the coopers’ union in good standing shall be em
ployed.
list.
The employer shall have the right to select men from the out-of-work
Sec. 3. Eight hours shall constitute a day’s work.
Sec. 7. Repair work done in the brewery department, such as putting in staves
and heads, or making and driving hoops, must be done by coopers belonging to
the coopers’ union. All repairs and new work must bear the coopers’ union
label.
Sec . 8. All members employed in the brewery must be members of their re
spective unions.
Sec. 9. None but union manufactured material and wares shall be used in the
brewery, when obtainable.
Sec. 10. Thirty days before the expiration of this contract the union shall
submit to the employer a new contract.
GLASS INDUSTRY
GLASS-BOTTLE BLOWERS
The Glass Bottle Blowers’ Association of the United States and
Canada is composed of all workers in and around glass-bottle factories.
Agreements are made annually by the national organization with the
employers in the glass-bottle industry. Agreements are made for the
four departments— machine, stopper grinding, covered pot furnaces,
and tank furnaces— and the wage scale and working rules of each are
prepared and issued separately. Generally the work is by the piece.
A rate is provided for each kind or part of a bcfttle blown. The gen
eral rules of all groups are similar. Extracts from the agreement and
working rules made with the American Bottle Co., to apply to opera
tors of Owens automatic bottle machines at Newark, Ohio, and
Streator, 111., September 1, 1925, follow:
A rticle 2. When workmen are needed to operate the Owens bottle-making
machines bottle blowers who were displaced by the automatic machine shall be
given preference to vacant positions, providing they are qualified and competent
to perform the work.
A rt . 3. Thirty minutes shall be allowed for lunch on each shift, the time to be
arranged between the manager and workmen, so as to not cause a stoppage of
machine operation.
A rt . 6. All time worked on Sundays and legal holidays shall be paid at the
rate of time and one-half. All overtime for operating machines shall be paid at
rate of time and oiie-half.
A rt . 7. Wages shall be paid in full semimonthly.
A rt . 8. Any man steadily employed desiring to quit work must give notice to
the company and shall work six consecutive shifts after having given such notice.
The company desiring to discharge a workman must give him the same notice
with the same rights. The representative of the company giving or receiving
such notice shall immediately notify the factory committee in the department
where the man is employed. No cards shall be granted to any member failing
to comply with this rule, nor is it to be so construed as to prevent an employee
being discharged upon sight for violating this rule.
A rt . 9. There shall be no strike, sympathetic or otherwise, in violation of this
agreement. If the men cease work in violation of this agreement the officers of
the Glass Bottle Blowers’ Association shall, if requested by the American Bottle
Co., furnish men to fill all vacant places.
A rt. 10. In case of any dispute arising over the terms of this agreement, or
any part thereof, no action shall be taken by the workmen until such dispute
has first been submitted for arbitration and adjustment to the representatives of
the American Bottle Co., a national officer of the Glass Bottle Blowers’ Associa
tion, and representatives selected by the workmen in the department where the
grievance exists.
82
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
WINDOW-GLASS CUTTERS AND FLATTENERS,
The Window Glass Cutters and Flatteners* Association of America
(Inc.) is composed of practical window glass cutters and flatteners.
The national organization draws up a scale of wages and working
rules each year which is accepted by the employers.
The following extracts are taken from the working rules in effect
October 1, 1925:
No. 11. Flatteners shall not be compelled to rub flattening stones, but said
stones shall be rubbed once a week.
No. 1*2. Cutters shall not carry out glass.
No. 13. No cutter or flattener shall be allowed to work on Thanksgiving,
Christmas, Decoration Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day. The observation of
armistice day is left to the vote of individual locals or preceptory. Manufac
turers shall have the right to demand 48 hours7work per week from all flatteners,
with view of avoiding Sunday work. When Sunday work from actual break
down of oven is neccessary, no premium for said work shall be paid, but when
Sunday work is done by flatteners from any cause except accidental breakdown
of oven, 50 per cent premium shall be paid flatteners for said work. In no case
shall a member work on Sunday without the 50 per cent premium except in case
of breakdown, regardless of the number of hours he has previously worked during
the week.
No. 15. Manufacturers to furnish oil, chalk, soap, and ice for drinking water
and provide electric fans for all flatteners, and keep cutting room properly
heated.
No. 16. In case of discharge, seven days* notice must be given by the employer,
and any workman quitting a place shall be required to give seven days' notice
and faithfully work out same, unless released by his employer. In case of will
ful neglect of work immediate discharge may follow.
No. 17. Manufacturers shall pay all cutters and flatteners weekly. Members
shall be paid for the first week not later than the end of the following week.
Flatteners and cutters shall receive bills weekly stipulating the amount of boxes
for each bracket and the amount earned, with the number of the machine. This
clause to be strictly enforced.
No. 18. The paymasters of the various companies signing or authorizing the
signing of this scale shall be instructed by them to deduct from the earnings of
all members of the Window Glass Cutters and Flatteners' Association of America
(Inc.), and all cutters and flatteners working under this scale, 2 per cent of
the amount earned by them for dues, to be forwarded each and every week by
draft or check payable to the secretary of the Window Glass Cutters and Flat
tenersJ Association of America (Inc.) with list of names, the number of boxes S. S.
and D. S. made, the amount earned and the amount paid in full by each cut
ter and flattener at the expiration of each week, and no debt of any kind shall
prevent the deduction of this 2 per cent. The paymaster shall also deduct
from the earnings of members all fines and assessments that may be levied by
the officials of the Window Glass Cutters and Flatteners' Association of America
(Inc.), the same to be forwarded to the secretary of said organization.
No. 25. All manufacturers signing or authorizing the signing of this scale will
not be allowed to sign any other wage scale for cutters and flatteners- for any
machine plant in which this scale is in force and all manufacturers signing this
scale agree and bind themselves or any officer, stockholder or representative or
any authorized person not to sign any other scale or agree to pay any other scale
of wages to cutters and flatteners other than this scale calls for.
No. 27. All manufacturers signing this scale or authorizing the signing of this
scale agree to employ none but members of the Window Glass Cutters and Flat
ten ed Association of America (Inc.) in their machine factory and further agree
to allow the president and secretary of said organization the privilege of entering
their factories at any time, and the Window Glass Cutters and Flatteners' Asso
ciation of America (Inc.) agrees to fully man all factories where this scale is in
force with competent cutters and flatteners.
The company reserves the right to change these rates for flattening and cut
ting specialties in case it finds the earnings of the flatteners and cutters under
these rates of wages are either greatly in excess, or below what other flatteners
and cutters are making when working the same number of hours in a diligent
manner on common window glass.
HOTEL AND RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES
83
WINDOW-GLASS WORKERS
The National Window Glass Workers comprise window-glass blow
ers, gatherers, cutters, and flatteners. They make a national agree
ment yearly with the National Association of Window Glass Manu
facturers. Extracts from rules accompanying the wage scale contain
ed in the agreement effective September 15, 1924, appeared in
Bulletin No. 393, (p. 63) and these rules were continued in the
agreement effective September 15, 1925. .N ew article 6 reads as
follows:
In the event of a change in market quotations on the price of glass, it is agreed
that representatives of the companies operating shall meet with the wage com
mittee of the workers’ organization for the purpose of revising this scale of wages
and working rules to conform with prevailing market conditions.
HOTEL AN0 RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES
The Hotel and Restaurant Employees' International Alliance and
Bartenders’ International League of America is composed of cooks,
waiters, soft-drink dispensers, kitchen girls, porters, call boys, p&ntry
help, and general help m hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, and ice-cream
parlors, and at lunch counters, soda fountains, and the like. Gen
erally one local includes all groups, but in the larger cities there are
locals comprising members engaged in one line of work only. Gen
erally the agreements call for a union shop, a six-day week, weekly
payment of wages, and overtime at a set rate, and include scales for
short shifts, parties, banquets, holidays, conventions, celebrations,
helpers, and extra help of various kinds. The scales include meals.
The agreement blank for the union-house card issued by the
national union reads as follows:
Received of Local N o .------ union label N o .------- .
The conditions for which said label is granted are:
First. That the undersigned agree to employ only members in good standing
of this Local N o.------ , o f ------ and to sell union-labeled goods whenever possible.
Second. To display the label in a conspicuous place.
Third. That the said label remains the property of Local No.------ , o f ------ ,
and subject to return on demand; and the undersigned further agrees that no
interest or title in said label is acquired by the payment of the fee for the use of
said label, and that said label is held and used under a license only, not coupled
with an interest, and revocable at the option and pleasure of said Local No.------ .
In consideration thereof this Local No.------, of —— , agrees to use all its influ
ence with organized labor and its friends to patronize only such places as display
the union label.
The following provisions are from the 1925 agreement of Local
No. 842, Casper, Wyo.
That the parties of the first part have agreed, and do hereby agree, that, dur
ing the life of this agreement, they will employ none as help in the kitchen or
dining room of the parties of the first part except members in good standing
of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees’ Union, Local No. 842, provided that in
case of an emergency the proprietors or managers of the restaurant, eaf6, or dining
room may, with the consent of the business agent of Local No. 842, employ
others than members of Local No. 842 temporarily. Be it further understood
that said party of the first part shall employ 75 per cent bona fide American
citizens in each department.
*
* * Party of the first part shall be permitted to employ help in case
said help can not be furnished by the party of the second part. If help be
employed other than through the business agent of Local No. 842 the party of
the first part shall ascertain whether or not said employee be a member of
84
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Local No. 842, and if not a member of Local No. 842 the said employee shall not be
permitted by the party of the first part to work without first obtaining per
mission from the party of the second part.
It is understood and agreed by and between the parties hereto that, in no
event, shall there be more than two working partners in any one establishment,
and that both parties recognized as working partners shall be held responsible
for any indebtedness of the establishment to the members of Local No. 842 w'ho
may be therein employed.
The parties of the first part, proprietors and managers, who have signed this
agreement shall be the judge as to the competency of any and all applicants for
membership in Local No. 842.
Any member failing to report for duty or reporting in an intoxicated condition
or walking off the job shall be fined one day’s pay, said fine to go to the propri
etor where employed. Proprietors intending to discharge an employee shall
notify said employee at the end of his shift, and shall accompany said notice
with all money due said employee or forfeit one day’s pay to employee. .
All employees intending to quit said employment shall notify proprietor at end
of his shift or forfeit one day’s pay to proprietor.
Be it understood that no employee shall be held responsible for utensils or
dishes broken in an unavoidable manner. Any employee breaking or destroying
utensils or dishes in malicious manner shall be held responsible for same.
Overtime to be allowed in emergency case only. No one working on an eighthour shift shall be allowed to return to work on the same day, except in case of
emergency. Eight hours in 10 to constitute one days’ work and six days’ work
to constitute one week’s work. Three meals per day are included in wage scale.
When impossible to secure relief help culinary workers will be permitted to
work the seventh day at straight time on permit from business agent; all other
time to be time and a half.
The following extracts are taken from the agreement of Local No.
62, Fresno, Calif., M ay 8, 1925.
IV.
The hours of labor shall be 8 hours within 12 hours in the kitchen and
dining room, except as otherwise specified in this agreement as to working
conditions.
No member shall be required to work more than six days per week except in
cases of emergency. If the business agent or the secretary deems an emergency
exists, then permits shall be issued for the required number of employees to work
during the emergency.
VII.
When a member fails to report for relief duty and the employer is unable
to fill the said relief position then the member working steady shall substitute
his or herself for that day and receive regular pay only in this particular instance
for their services.
XI. No member of Local No. 62 shall be required to handle, prepare, or serve
the product of Japanese or Chinese meat markets or laundries or the goods of
any firm or corporation which has been declared unfair by the Fresno County
Labor Council, nor to work with employees or any firm or corporation which
has been declared unfair by the Fresno County Labor Council or the Fresno
Building Trades Council.
The following provisions are from the agreement of Local No. 311,
Astoria, Oreg., July 1, 1925:
Twelfth. In cases of emergency where no help is available employees may
work overtime, to be paid at the double time of the regular wage they receive.
Fourteenth. The party of the second part agrees to hold out of nonmembers’
wages the following amount: Cooks, $1 a day until $15 has been held out; wait
ers, 75 cents a day until $10 has been held out; waitresses and helpers, 50 cents
a day until $7.50 has been held out. These amounts to be applied on their
initiation fee.
Fifteenth. Shifts of four hours or less shall receive four hours’ pay. Shifts of
eight hours or less shall receive eight hours’ pay.
Sixteenth. The party of the second part agrees to pay employees at least once
each week.
Relief help shall receive the same wages paid the regular employees.
Split shift of 8 hours in 12 hours may be worked on the following basis:
Cooks, waiters, waitresses, and dishwashers, $1 per shift; only one split allowed
in a shift.
LEATHER WORKERS
85
The following abstracts are from the agreement of Local No. 44,
San Francisco, Calif., M ay 1, 1925:
S ection 9. All overtime shall be paid at the rate of $1.50 per hour. Overtime
covering one-half hour or any fraction thereof shall be at the rate of 75 cents,
and for any fraction of time over one-half hour at the rate of $1.50.
S ec . 11. Eight hours in
hours or 8 hours in 12, where it is impossible to
work a straight watch, shall constitute a day's work. Thirty minutes allowed
for one meal.
The following provisions are found in the 1925 agreement of Local
No. 408, Rock Springs, W yo.
Eight hours in 12 to constitute one shift or day's work.
Seven days to constitute one week's work.
Overtime will be paid: Cooks, 75 cents per hour; kitchen miscellaneous help,
50 cents per hour.
IRON, STEEL, AND TIN WORKERS
The Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers of
North America is composed of men working in and around .rolling
mills, tin mills, steel works, chain works, nail, tack, spike, bolt, and
nut factories, pipe mills, and works run in connection with same.
The association makes a yearly agreement with manufacturers,
known as the western scale of prices. The scale is very lengthy and
detailed. The memorandum of agreement preceding the 1925-26
scale is the same as that for 1924-25, which, with a few slight
omissions, was printed in Bulletin No. 393 (p. 65).
Extracts from the agreement of Lodge No. 5 with the Pacific
Coast Steel Co., South San Francisco, Calif., July 1, 1925, follow:
First. All prices, except where otherwise specified, shall be based on the 1-cent
card rate for rolling-mill department and shall not go below the base price named
on the rate selected for 2,240 pounds.
Second. In case of controversy arising in works regular Amalgamated Associ
ation procedure to be followed.
Third. Pay days to be semimonthly on the 10th and 25th day of each month.
Sixth. That eight hours shall constitute a day's work in said plant, except
Saturdays, when all mills shall stop at 12 o’clock (noon) and the first shift shall
not commence work earlier than 7 o'clock on Monday morning.
Seventh. It is understood that the rollers will control all hands on the mill,
including hiring and discharging, and rollers shall be held responsible by the
management for the work done.
Superintendent of open hearth will assume the same powers in that depart
ment as rollers do in the mill.
Eighth. If at any time during the life of this agreement the company shall
install improvements whick would increase production or reduce the work of the
men a temporary scale will be drawn to cover department affected and work
will continue under temporary scale until new scale is adopted.
LAUNDRY WORKERS
The Laundry Workers’ International Union includes the employees
in custom laundries. Extracts from two agreements, illustrative of
all, were given in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 65, 66).
LEATHER WORKERS
The United Leather Workers’ International Union of America con
sists of persons employed in the production or transportation of
leather or by-products thereof. Extracts from an agreement of
86
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Local No. 20 with a manufacturer of fancy leather goods and pocketbooks, Chicago, 111., August 28, 1925, follow:
The party of the first part, by its Local Branch No. 20, agrees to furnish to
the party of the second part the use of its union label without cost, other than
a compliance with the conditions following:
First. All the employees of the party of the second part employed in the manu
facture of fancy leather goods and pocketbooks must be members of the United
Leather Workers’ International Union at the going into effect of this agreement.
Second. That the party of the second part further agrees that he will employ
none but members of the aforesaid organization, and if none such are procurable
will only employ such workmen as agree to and do become members of the said
international union within two weeks after going to work.
Third. The party of the second part agrees t^abide by all rules of the afore
said organization of the party of the first part appertaining to the employment of
apprentices and helpers, and the requirements exacted of applicants for member
ship and of employers regarding the use of the union label.
Fourth. The working hours per day shall be upon the basis of eight hours for
five working days. It is conceded and mutually agreed upon by the parties
hereto that four hours be worked on Saturday.
Fifth. All work in excess of that provided in section 4 shall be paid for at the
rate of time and one-half. All work performed on Sunday and such holidays as
agreed upon by the parties hereto shall be paid for at the rate of double time.
Seventh. A helper must serve three years before becoming a journeyman.
Eighth. No work shall be given out to be made in the homes of workers,
whether said workers are employed in the shops or outside of the factory.
Ninth. That no members be required or allowed to work on Labor Day (the
first Monday in September).
Tenth. In consideration of the compliance with the above terms and conditions
on the part of the party of the second part, the party of the first part agrees to
place its union label, when desired, on all products manufactured by the party
of the second part.
The party of the first part further agrees to promote the interest of the party
of the second part in so far as advertising and recommending the business of the
party of the second part to all of its friends and constituents as deserving of
their patronage as a result of their compliance with the terms and conditions set
forth in this agreement.
LONGSHOREMEN
The International Longshoremen's Association includes laborers
engaged in loading and unloading shipping along the waterfront and
railroad cars on docks, piers, or in marine warehouses; clerks and
mechanics doing work in connection with the same, grain-elevator
employees, and men working in cotton compresses ana warehouses.
In the larger Atlantic and Gulf ports the agreements are made
between the unions representing the various classes of work and the
United States Shipping Board and representatives of the shipping
interests. There is a marked similarity between the agreements for
like work at the different ports.
Generally agreements are made for one year; call for the employ
ment of union men only, 44 hours six months of the year (M ay to
October) and 48 hours during the remainder of the year; specify
rates for overtime work, and require wages to be paid weekly. Dis
putes are generally adjusted by a committee of four, two represent
ing each side, with the aid of a fifth man when a majority of the four
are unable to agree.
The following provisions relating to loading and unloading of ships
are taken from the Agreement between Local No. 861, Portland, M e.,
and the United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation,
deep-water steamship lines, and contracting stevedores, effective
January 1, 1925.
LONGSHOREMEN
87
A rticle II. If at any time any new working condition is forced on the party of
the second part, or if they are working in a way that they consider dangerous,
the party of the second part have a right to stop work until the matter is settled
by the standing committee.
A rt. III. When union men are employed on steamers, sailing vessels, and
lighters in the harbor, loading or discharging cargo, they shall be paid from the
time they leave the wharf until return to same. Men not to be paid for meal
hours unless they work while on the job, but to be paid prevailing rate if trans
ported during a meal hour.
A rt. IV. Men shall in all cases be paid the prevailing rate of wages for rigging
up, hauling stages, handling hatches, etc., and in no case shall men handle hatches,
etc., until the appointed hour for commencing work and knocking off.
A rt. V. It is understood that so far as possible no unnecessary labor shall be
performed on Christmas Day. Only baggage and mail to be handled on Labor
Day. No work shall be done on Saturday night except to handle mail or bag
gage, or except, in special cases, by permission of the labor committee.
A rt. VL When men are compelled to work cargo in a hatch or next hatch
where grain is running and there is no partition or bulkhead they shall receive
the same wages as if they were handling grain, and all hands' time to go on until
the grain is finished.
A rt. IX. Sixteen men shall constitute a gang for discharging a vessel, with 6
men in the hold of the vessel and 16 men loading with 8 men in the hold, pro
vided that in case of lack of men a lesser number may carry on the work until
the necessary number is available. In case of freight going direct from ship to
cars, 4 more men are required, except in the case of baled pulp going direct from
ship to cars, when 6 more men are required. In all cases of discharging bulk
cargo there shall be 8 men in the hold. The number of men bagging grain in
hold to be not less than 21 and as many more as the stevedore may require.
The weight and the number of pieces to the sling load in all cases to be left to
the discretion of the parties of the first part.
A rt. X. When a gang of men have grained several hatches or compartments
on' any one vessel said gang shall have preference or choice of either hatch so
grained to be finished by loading package cargo so called. In an emergency,
gangs having a particular hatch on any ship shall not refuse to grain another
gang's hatch in the event of the latter gang not being available when required*
Any abuse of this clause should be immediately reported to the parties of the
first part.
A r t . XI. A society [union] foreman shall be in charge of respective gangs of
men at all times when on duty. This regulation applies to the loading or dis
charging of all cargoes to be loaded, removed, or shifted.
A rt. XII. Notice of the requirement of the services of any gang for Sunday
or holiday work shall be given to said gangs not later than 4.30 o'clock in the
afternoon before, and the hour at which they are required to report for work
shall be specified.
A rt. XIV. The parties of the second part will not try to uphold incompetency,
shirking of or absence from work, pilfering or broaching of cargo. Any man
guilty of the above offenses shall be dealt with as the parties of the first part
see fit or as the circumstances may require. The parties of the first part shall
have the right to discharge any man convicted of pilfering or caught in the act.
Men are not to leave the dock during working hours without permission of
their foreman.
The union shall not unreasonably interfere in any way with the method of
working cargo on ship or quay, subject to the right of appeal in case of dispute.
A rt. XV. Entire handling of lines to be done by one gang, foreman, and 6
men, one hour minimum. Additional time to be at prevailing rate. In case
more than one hour is required any fractional part of a half hour to be called a
half hour and to be paid for as such.
For rigging up for grain a foreman and 6 men are required; that for running
grain, 3 men are required, viz, a foreman, a hatchman, a winchman, together with
the walking boss; that for uncovering and covering hatches a rigging-up gang
herein provided for handling grain shall be allowed, and that after the hatches
are uncovered the additional men in said gang not required for running grain
may be sent home. That said additional men shall receive pay as follows: For
each time ordered out said men shall receive two hours' pay at prevailing rate.
That grain must be stopped before the men go into the hold to trim, and that
when in close quarters all men shall be called out from under the deck while the
grain is running. Suitable ladders to be provided in grain feeders and hatches.
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
A rt . XVI. When men are ordered out to work they shall be paid for two
hours at the prevailing rate, whether they begin work or not, except when the
men refuse to start owing to weather or other conditions, except as otherwise
provided in Article XV.
A rt . XVII. The ship to supply suitable shelter for the men working on deck
in bad weather.
The following provisions relating to general cargo are taken from
the agreement of Locals Nos. 829 and 858 and the United States
Shipping Board, the steamship agents and stevedores of Baltimore,
M d., October 1,19 2 5:
6. The number of men in each gang to be at the discretion of the party of the
first part, and, as in their judgment may be necessary, men to be used in either
hold or on wharf at discretion of the party of the first part.
(a)
It is expressly agreed that the gang carrier shall be under the orders of
the party of the first part and shall do such work as ordered. Any infringement of
this agreement will result in the removal of the gang carrier. Pay of gang carrier
to be at the same ratio as at present.
7. (b) When men are knocked off work 15 minutes after the hour or later they
are to be paid for one-half honr. If they knock off 45 minutes after the hour
they are to be paid for one hour.
8. When rubbers are required for handling wet cargo or explosives or leather
hand pads or gloves for barbed wire they shall be provided by the stevedore or
company, but same are to be returned by the men at the end of the day. If not
returned, cost of the article to be charged to the men failing to return same.
21.
When men are working refrigerator ships (handling refrigerator cargo)
they shall receive 20 cents per hour over and above the general cargo rate.
The following extracts relating to checkers and tallymen are from
the agreement of Local No. 953 and the United States Shipping Board
and deep-water steamship lines of Baltimore, M d., October 1,1925.
1.
Members of the party of the second part shall have preference of all work
pertaining to tallying and checking of all deep-water cargo under the following
terms and conditions, it, however, being expressly understood and agreed that
the employer shall have the exclusive right of employing whatever number of
men he considers sufficient for his requirements, and, furthermore, that he has
the exclusive right to designate where, when, and how the work shall be performed.
9. Double time shall be paid when checking or tallying ammunition or explosives
down the bay. Time to start from the time of leaving the pier to their return
to same.
The following provisions relating to any kind of cargo, including
cotton and tobacco, appear in the agreement of Locals Nos. 307, 636,
704, 851, and 329, and the deep-sea steamship agents, the Master
Stevedores’ Association of Texas, and the United States Shipping
Board Emergency Fleet Corporation, Galveston, Texas City, and
Bolivar, October 6,1925. The same provisions (omitting the refer
ence to the Texas Contracting Co. and to the Steele Steamship
Line) are found in the agreement of Locals Nos. 872 and 896, with
the same parties, Houston, Tex., of the same date:
It is further agreed and understood that the deep-sea steamship agents, steve
dores, and the United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation will
employ only members of the above-named locals of the International Longshore
men's Association, and that the work be equally divided between the white and
colored members of the locals named herein working in solid gangs of either white
or colored longshoremen in the port of Galveston, except the Texas Contracting
Co. and the Steele Steamship Line, who, it is agreed, will employ Local No. 329,
I. L. A., Galveston. When 50-50 gangs can not be supplied it is understood
that whichever local can provide the gangs it shall be incumbent on them to do
so, whether white or colored.
R ule No. 6. The stevedore shall at all times have the right to specify or
name the gangwaymen, provided they be members of the International Long
shoremen's Association.
MEAT CUTTERS
89
R ule N o. 7. Stevedore to have the option of employing any number of men
he may consider proper when doing longshore work and to have the privilege of
moving men from hold to dock and dock to hold.
R ule No. 12. When gangs are shifted from one ship to another during work
ing hours, while working for the same firm, they shall receive the same pay as
if working during such time of shifting.
R ule No. 16. Five hundred pounds to a single two-wheel truck (one man)
and 1,400 pounds to a double two-wheel truck (two men) shall constitute a truck
load, give or take 50 pounds.
MEAT CUTTERS
The Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North
America consists of workers (except the office force) connected with
slaughtering and packing establishments, sausage workers, and meat
cutters in shops. Generally there is but one union in a town, and
the agreement covers the three classes of workers mentioned, though
in a few cases there are separate agreements for each. Agreements
are generally made with individual employers, call for a union shop,
a rate of time and a half for overtime, no work on Sundays, and the
union card to be loaned to the employer and to be displayed by him
in the market where it can be readily seen. Employers are to keep
counters, blocks, and floor behind the counter clean and sanitary at
all times.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 482,
Herrin, 111., November 1, 1925:
2. That it will loan without cost to the party of the second part meat cutters
card, provided it is kept in a conspicuous place, and that party of the second
part be responsible to the amount of not more than $1 for said card in case it is
damaged or lost. This card is and shall remain the property of the party of the
first part and must be surrendered by the party of the second part upon violation
of any of the provisions of this agreement upon demand of the party of the first
part through its secretary or business agent.
3. That no employer shall allow any employee to work over seven days without
becoming a member of Local No. 482, A. M. C. of N. A.
4. That all truck drivers and employees in a meat market shall be members
of Local No. 482, A. M. C. of N. A. Truck drivers shall be classed as
apprentices.
5. That party of the second part agrees to open his market at 6 a. m. and
close his market at 6 p. m. on all days of the week, and the party of the second
part also agrees not to sell any goods on Sundays or [specified holidays.]
8.
That market shall be closed on Sunday all the year, and no other business
located in the same building and operated in conjunction with meat market
shall be opened on Sunday or business transacted. No purchases made prior to
Sunday and left at market shall be removed during Sunday.
10.
It is hereby agreed that all employers shall ask and consider a list of idle
members of Local No. 482 for investigation and shall give them a trial.
12.
Party of the second part further agrees that in the event of slack busi
ness conditions or a dull season it should be necessary to diminish their help by
laying off any meat cutter or number of meat cutters the older meat cutter
employed shall have preference over the new ones and the last meat cutter
employed to be the first laid off, and at no time shall a meat cutter employed
be laid off and a new one employed in his place.
17. That all members of Local No. 482 shall receive one week'? vacation with
pay each and every jrear.
19. That all minority stockholders shall belong to Local Union No. 482, A.
M. C. of N. A.
20. It is further agreed that members not attending meeting and not paying
dues shall give the proprietor the right to check-off from his pay for dues
or member will lose his job; otherwise card will be withdrawn at onpe and shop
be declared nonunion.
23. That eight hours shall constitute a day’s work betweec £ a- m. and
6 p. m.
90
TBADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
The following provisions are found in the agreement of Local
No. 534, East St. Louis, 111., November 1, 1925.
Part 1. In the event of regular employee being sick, or in the case of vacancy,
the employer will first eall secretary of Local No. 534 of East St. Louis, 111., and
if secretary of Local No. 534 can not supply help the employer will have the
privilege of hiring any person to work, after they have secured permit from
secretary of Local No. 534, as a permit worker. Extra help to be taken care of
by steward of store.
P art 2. That union-label goods will be given preference over all others as
much as possible.
P art 3. Nine hours shall constitute the basic work day, and such work shall
be completed within a period of not more than 10 consecutive hours the first five
days of the week; opening time shall be 7 a. m,, and 5 p. mk shall be closing
time the first five days, and 7 a. m. shall be opening time and 9 p. m. shall be clos
ing time on Saturday and Christmas eve, with one hour for dinner each day and
one hour for supper on Saturday and Christmas Eve, and 7 a. m. shall be
opening time and 7 p. m. shall be closing time on all other days preceding
holidays, with one hour for dinner on such days.
P art 6. There shall be allowed one apprentice in each department, as stated
under clause covering wages, namely, grocery and order department inclusive,
delivery department, and cashing department.
Part 7. Apprentice male help shall receive not less than $17.50 per week as
a minimum wage, and apprentice female help shall receive not less than $14 per
week as a minimum wage.
P art 8. Time worked before and after the regular opening: and closing time
shall be considered overtime and paid for at double-time rate.
P art 9. When an employee is required to fill the place of another employee
receiving a higher rate of pay he shall receive the higher rate, but if required to
fill the place of another employee receiving a lower rate his rate shall not be
changed.
P art 13. Thirty days' employment shall be accepted proof of general
competency.
P art 16. No work to be performed on New Yearns Day, Decoration Day,
Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or on Sundays,
or any days that may be set aside in the future as legal holidays.
Part 17. Employers will not discriminate against any employee who from
time to time represents their employees.
P a r t 19. That Local No. 534 will loan, without cost to the party of the second
part, where one or more of the local members are employed, one store card, and,
where no members are employed, owners of business shall join the union as
honorary members. This card remains the property of the party of the first
part and will be promptly surrendered by the party of the second part upon
violation of any part of this agreement.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 279,
Dubuque, Iowa, November 1, 1925:
A rticle 1. Ten hours shall constitute the basic workday. Work to begin at
7 a. m. and stop at 6 p. m,, excepting Saturdays and days preceding holidays,
when work shall begin at 7 a. m. and stop at 7 p. m., allowing one hour for
dinner. No supper. Fifty-six hours shall constitute a week’s work, each
journeyman to be allowed five consecutive hours free with pay, dinner hour not
included.
A r t . 2. It is expressly understood that no customers will be served who come
into the market after 6 p. m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or
Friday, and 7 p. m. on Saturdays and days preceding holidays; that all customers
in the shop at the closing hour be served; that all meats be properly taken care
of and markets placed in a sanitary condition, such work not to be construed as
overtime. Overtime to be limited"to one hour every day excepting on the second
day before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, when employees will work
such overtime as may be required at the rate of time and one-half per hour.
This work to be performed behind closed doors.
A r t . 7. When in need of help employers shall give preference to members in
good standing of Local 279, A. M. C. & B. W. of N. A. When nonunion men
are employed they shall file application for membership in Local No. 279 not
later than one week after employment. No employee to be discharged without
METAL TBADES
91
good and sufficient cause. Dishonesty, incompetency, incivility, or an oversupply of help will be sufficient cause for dismissal, or help can be dismissed
provided preference is given to union help in replacing men. Nonunion men
must receive working permit from secretary.
A r t . 8. The market card must be displayed in all places where members of
Local No. 279 are employed and agreement signed.
A r t . 9. This agreement expires November 1, 1926. Any alteration that may
be desired by either party to this agreement at the time of its expiration must be
made known not later than 30 days prior to its expiration. In case neither party
served notice for a change in this agreement at its expiration it shall automatically
extend until such notice is given by either party.
A r t . 13. Local No. 279 agrees to recognize as a union market every market
wherein the proprietor (if he is a member of the Master Butchers' Association of
Dubuque) does his own work and is the only person cutting or selling meats.
A rt . 14. (a) It is agreed that Local No. 279 will not negotiate individual
agreements with members of the United Master Butchers' Association or non
members at the expiration of this agreement pr until negotiations have been
completed or broken off. Negotiations must be consummated by November,
A r t . 15. Men of clean record recommended by members of the United Master
Butchers' Association will be accepted as members of Local No. 279 without
examination, providing they have had at least three years' experience in a reta.il
meat market.
METAL TRADES
Under the head of metal trades are generally included blacksmiths,
boiler makers, foundry employees, machinists, metal polishers, molders, stove mounters, and pattern makers. Members of some of these
crafts are allied with the railroad workers, but in general in the large
cities they group into metal trades’ councils. The following provi
sions appear in the agreement of the Chicago Metal Trades Council
with the Greenduck Co. June 1,1925. The agreement provides for
a union shop, a 44-hour week, and double time for all overtime work.
A rticle V. Men employed on the night shift shall receive the same compensation
for 40 hours, as they would receive for 44 hours, on day shift.
A rt . VI. It is understood that the employer, when in need of help, shall call
upon the various unions for same.
This applies to all classes.
It is further understood that the representatives of the several crafts shall
have access to the shops for conference with the shop steward of his craft.
A r t . VIII. Should an occasion arise at any time whereby the company would
be unable to handle all its work, necessitating letting the work out to another
firm, preference shall be given to a firm having an agreement with the various
crafts of the Chicago Metal Trades Council.
A r t . IX. Should it be found upon investigation that a shop committeeman
has been laid off or discharged unjustly the firm shall pay him for all time lost.
A rt . X. It is agreed that members of the various crafts shall not be subjected
to a physical examination before going to work.
A rt . XI. Should any difference arise in reference to the rules contained in
this agreement that can not be satisfactorily adjusted by the works superintend
ent and shop committee, such matters in dispute shall be referred to the proper
officer of the company and a representative of the craft involved, who shall have
access to the shop. There shall be no strike or lockout until the two last referred
to fail to agree.
A rt . X I l . It is further agreed that if in the future the company finds it nec
essary to employ electricians, blacksmiths, molders, or pattern makers that clauses
covering these crafts will be added and made a part of this agreement.
BOILER MAKERS
The International Brotherhood of Boiler Makers, Iron Shipbuilders,
and Helpers of America includes, among others, workers making boil
ers, grates, fire doors, all ironwork connected with the construction of
92
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
iron ships, iron tanks, vats, standpipes, water towers, furnaces, gasom
eters, roasters, converters, and stacks around mines, mills and
smelters, heaters, manufacturing and power plants, water-wheel and
turbine work, and operating welding, riveting, punching, and shear
ing machines, flangers, and drill presses. The members are formed
into locals; the locals of a city are united into lodges. Railroad
workers are grouped into railroad lodges and generally affiliate with
other railroad crafts. Generally the agreement calls for a union
shop, an eight-hour day, foremen to be members of the union, wages
to be paid weekly, and double time for overtime work.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 377
with certain boiler works in Davenport, Iowa, and Moline, 111., June
1, 1925:
A rticle 1. (c) All overtime, including Saturday afternoon, must be paid at
the rate of double time. This applies to Sundays and the following holidays:
New Year’s Day, Washington’s Birthday, Decoration Day, Fourth of July,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
A rt . 3. All car fare during working hours, and where two fares are required
to report to jobs for work, one fare shall be paid by the employer. Men sent
out of shop to perform work shall have time cards signed by the party they are
doing the work for and same shall be returned to their employer.
A rt . 5. (a) Any member of a firm or corporation parties to this agreement
working with the tools must carry a journeyman’s card in the International
Brotherhood of Boiler Makers, Iron Shipbuilders, and Helpers of America.
A rt. 7. When men covered by this agreement are sent away from home
station they will be allowed their hotel expenses and railroad fare and shall be
paid in accordance with the rules of this agreement.
A rt . 8. Should any dispute arise in the shop or on an outside job the matter
will be handled by a committee selected by the employees or a duly authorized
representative of the international union or local union, with a view of bringing
about a satisfactory adjustment.
A rt . 9. Should either party of this agreement violate any of its provisions,
same shall be deemed sufficient cause for the cancellation of this agreement by
the other parties.
A rt. 10. This agreement shall remain in full force and effect when properly
signed by both parties and will remain in effect until superseded by another
agreement. Should either party to this agreement desire a change in any rule,
or a new rule inserted, a written notice shall be given to the other party and a
conference held within 30 days.
MACHINISTS
Members of the International Association of Machinists make,
erect, repair, inspect, adjust, assemble, install, maintain, dismantle,
and operate macninery, engines, motors, and pumps, whether driven
by hand, foot, steam, electricity, gasoline, oil, air, or water. They
manufacture and install machine tools, do riveting, calking, cutting,
boxing, shaping, drilling in boilers, tanks, and frames required for
machinery, operate lathes, planers, slotting machines, milling machines,
screw machines, and jigs, are gauge makers, die sinkers, and metal
pattern makers, make cash registers, typewriters, adding and address
ing machines, firearms, airplanes, drills, hand tools, automatic stokers,
hoists, elevators, and derricks. Their agreements are generally short.
They are made with individual employers and call for a union shop,
an eight-hour day, overtime pay at the rate of double time,
and one apprentice for every five journeymen employed. Machin
ists at work on railroads generally affiliate with the railroad workers.
Those connected with building trades affiliate with the building trades
councils. Others affiliate with the metal trades councils.
METAL TRADES
93
The following extracts are taken from the contract of Local No.
514, Duquoin, 111., for 1925:
It is agreed that the employer will employ only machinists who are members
of Local No. 514, International Association of Machinists, or those who are both
eligible and willing to become members of said local union within a period of
six days. Any person working after six days have elapsed after he is employed
shall cease work until he is initiated in said local.
R u l e II. Eight hours shall constitute a day’s work and shall be performed
between the hours of 7 a. m. and 7 p. m. for the day shift. Men working on
the night shift shall receive compensation 5 cents higher on the hour than is
paid to those working on the day shift. Work on the regular night shift is not
considered overtime. Time worked outside of above schedule by either night
or day shift shall be considered overtime and paid for at the rate of time and
one-half for four hours, and said employee shall not be compelled to work longer
than four hours overtime in one day.
R u l e III. Work on Sundays and the following holidays shall be paid for at
the rate of time and one-half: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
R u l e IV. Each.shop shall be allowed one apprentice and one additional ap
prentice for each five men of higher classification, namely, journeymen, and
advanced apprentices; men to be classified as advanced apprentices after hav
ing served two years. Apprentices who have not served two years will not be
permitted to work on any job unless a man of higher classification be on or
overseeing same.
R u l e V. There shall be a shop committee appointed by the machinist, who
shall be recognized as the authority to take up all grievances that may arise be
tween the machinists and the management for the company, and shall a firm
or individual fail to come to an agreement of any dispute with the shop com
mitteemen the matter will be referred to an officer of the International Associaciation of Machinists and proprietor or manager of said shop by equal representa
tion of each party concerned.
R u l e VI. Employees shall be paid weekly.
Mechanics to be paid for actual
hours worked.
R u l e VII. Employees shall not cease work, walk out, or strike or engage in a
shop strike during negotiations for a settlement of differences while arrangements
are being made for a settlement. It shall be considered a violation of this con
tract to accept work coming from a struck shop or other shops unfair to
organized labor.
R u l e VIII. In case of slack work when it becomes necessary to lay off men the
employer shall lay off whoever he sees fit to lay off.
R u l e IX. * . *
* Members employed shall not solicit or do work such as
is being done by firms having signed agreements other than in said firm’s place
of business.
The following provisions appear in the agreement of District No.
8, Chicago, 111., M ay 1,1925:
S e c t i o n I. The company when in need of any men covered by this agree
ment shall notify shop committee or office, Machinists’ Hall, 113 South Ashland
Boulevard, Chicago, 111., by mail or phone, at least 24 hours before such men are
required to start to work. The committee or office will render all assistance
possible to secure help.
S ec . III. Where night shifts are worked not more than 40 hours per week
shall be worked in five nights.
S ec. IV. Double time shall be paid for all time worked over the regular day
and night schedule and for Sundays and legal holidays.
In case of depression in trade the hours shall be shortened all that is neces
sary to keep the normal force employed.
S e c . V. Apprentices shall not be less than 16 years and not over 21 years of
age at the beginning of their apprenticeship term, and shall serve 4 years, con
stituting 300 working days per year, and be employed on day force only, and
they shall not be permitted to work over 8 hours per day and 4 hours on
Saturday.
96588°—26------ 7
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
To be recognized as an apprentice under this clause the apprentice must have
a regular apprenticeship contract or a definite agreement as to his apprentice
ship conditions, subject to change in the wage scale. He shall serve four years,
three of which he shall serve on the different machines and special jobs, and shall
not serve more than six months on any one machine and one year on the floor.
Apprentices shall be required to attend a continuation school for a period of
not less than eight hours every two weeks. They shall suffer no loss in wages
for school attendance.
S e c . VI. Should an occasion arise at any time whereby the company would
be unable to handle all its work, necessitating letting the work out to another
firm, preference shall be given to a firm having an agreement with the Interna
tional Association of Machinists.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Lodge No. 311
with brewers at Los Angeles, Calif., M ay 15,1925:
If at the end of this agreement no notice has been given the instrument shall
remain in force until such notice be given and the necessary 30 days shall have
expired.
S e c t i o n 2 . The employer agrees that should they place a contract for ma
chinery or repair work coming under the jurisdiction of said International Asso
ciation of Machinists they will insist that the work to be done on same shall be
done by strictly union men, if possible to do so.
S e c . 4. The superintendent of machinery shall have supervision over all machin
ists' work being done at the employer’s plant. Foreman machinists may be
employed at the option of the employers. Said foreman shall be a member of
Lodge No. 311. Where foremen are employed the superintendent of machinery
shall issue orders through the foreman.
S e c . 7. Overtime shall be paid as follows: Time and one-half for the first
three hours worked over the schedule and double time thereafter until quitting
work. All work done on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and holidays shall be
paid at double-time rates, except shifts that come to work at noon on Saturdays
shall end at 4 p. m.
Sec. 9. In case of a reduction of force the time shall be divided equally among
the men, with due consideration of preference to be given to the oldest employee
in point of service. Seniority shall prevail in all cases. No man shall be dis
charged for any violations of the employer's rules six days after the offense has
been committed.
Sec. 17. The employer will at all times receive a committee or representative
of the union to adjust any differences that may arise as to the interpretation of
the terms of this agreement, and if no settlement is reached said difference shall
bs referred to a board of arbitration, consisting of two members selected by the
employer and two members selected by the union, the said board so formed to
select a fifth disinterested party, and the decision of the majority of the whole
board shall be binding on both parties to this agreement.
METAL POLISHERS
The M etal Polishers’ International Union has jurisdiction over
metal polishers, buffers, and platers. Their agreements are generally
made between locals and individual employers and generally call for
a union shop, an eight-hour day, and an overtime rate of time and
a half, with double time for Sundays and holidays.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 171,
Indianapolis, Ind., January 1, 1925:
A r t i c l e 3. If two shifts are employed, single time only is to be paid— 8 hours
and 40 minutes to constitute a day’s work for each shift for five days in the
week, and 4 hours and 40 minutes to constitute a day's work on the sixth day.
A rt . 4. There shall be a steward for each craft, appointed by the organiza
tion, whose duty shall be to see that the men working at the above-named trades
are members of the party of the second part.
A rt. 5. It is agreed that the business agent of the party of the second part
shall have the privilege of interviewing any member of his organization during
business hours, in the office of the party of the first part during working hours,
but not in the shop.
METAL TRADES
95
A rt. 6. Journeyman metal polishers whose wages are based on piecework will
receive full value of the existing piece prices plus 47 per cent and the full value
of piece prices plus 47 per cent on any new work that may be determined during
the life of this contract. Journeyman buffers whose wages are based on piece
work will receive 27 per cent of the polishing price.
A rt . 7. All apprentices shall belong to the party of the second part and carry
working card of that organization. Number of apprentices to be determined as
formerly. The wages of apprentices working on piecework shall be deter
mined by deducting 25 per cent from the existing piece prices during the first
year of apprenticeship— 20 per cent during the second year of apprenticeship
and 15 per cent during the third year of apprenticeship* After such deduction
has been made 27 per cent is to be added to the net amount.
It is understood that apprentices may be employed at a daywork scale during
the three years of their apprenticeship, said scale to be determined by the party
of the first part.
A r t . 8. Polishers and buffers will not be expected to wait more than 60 min
utes if the power is cut off before noon, and not more than 30 minutes if the
power is cut off after noon.
A rt. 9. The party of the first part agrees to abide strictly by the laws of the
State of Indiana covering the sanitary and working conditions of the shop, in
stallation of blowers, etc.
A r t . 10. It is understood that the party of the second part has no jurisdiction
over the operation or working of the polishing machine. But it is agreed by the
party of the first part that a regular journeyman member of the party of the
second part will be employed to finish after the machine, at the existing piece
prices.
A rt . 11. In the event of any dispute or difference between the parties of this
contract they agree to use every possible means to arrive at a mutually satisfac
tory understanding. In the event of their failure to settle the difficulty the
party of the first part and the party of the second part shall select two arbitra
tors, these four to choose a fifth. The decision of this board of arbitration shall
be final and binding on both parties. During such discussion as described above
it is understood that neither party of this agreement can stop work.
MOLDERS
^ The International Moldere* Union of North America has jurisdic
tion over the trade of molding in all its branches and subdivisions.
In 1891 the national union made an agreement with the Stove
Founders’ National Defense Association. Conferences between the
two organizations have been held yearly since and the original agree
ment has been modified and enlarged. The agreement of January 1,
1925, was the same as that of January 1, 1924, extracts from which
were printed in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 72-74).
Locals quite generally follow the conference agreement, with slight
changes where advisable.
STOVE MOUNTERS
The Stove Mounters’ International Union of North America has
jurisdiction over stove, range, and furnace mounters and drillers, riv
eters, punchers, pattern fitters, testers, gaters, and welders working
with them. Their agreements are generally short and made with indi
vidual employers, and call for a union shop, a 48-hour week, time
and a half for overtime, double time for Sundays and holidays, and
some form of arbitration.
Extracts from the agreements of Local No. 72, New Athens,. 111.,
and Local No. 4, Belleville, 111., each dated August 5, 1925, and
identical in terms, follow:
C l a u s e 1. It is agreed that members in good standing coming properly under
the jurisdiction of this union shall be given preference of employment.
96
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
C l a u s e 2. All members embodied in clause 1 to be competent workmen, able
to fill their positions, and having worked at same for three years or more.
C l a u s e 3. Eight hours shall constitute a day’s work, Saturday off all day from
June 15 to September 15, both days included.
C l a u s e 6 . One apprentice to every eight journeymen, all shops having less
than eight journeymen, shall be allowed one apprentice for the entire shop until
such time that they have a majority fraction over eight journeymen.
C l a u s e 9. Pieceworkers put on temporary daywork to receive the average
for two consecutive previous weeks piecework earnings, two weeks or less to be
considered temporary daywork.
C l a u s e 10. New work not properly fitted shall be done by dayworkers.
After
such defects are remedied a piece price to be paid, same to be under protest
until agreed upon; two weeks is considered time in which to settle price.
C l a u s e 11 In case any dispute can not be settled between the management
and the shop committee it shall be referred to the executive committee of the Stove
Mounters and Steel Range Workers’ Union and the firm. In the event no settle
ment is reached it shall be referred to the national officers of the Stove Mounters
and Steel Range Workers’ Union and the Manufacturers Protective and Develop
ment Association. In case of dispute both parties to continue operations for a
reasonable period of two weeks pending settlement.
C l a u s e 14. Any member of this organization receiving more than the present
scale shall be governed by the same percentage of increase.
.
Provisions found in the agreement of stove mounters in the employ
of the Indianapolis Stove Co., January 1, 1925, follow:
A r t i c l e 2 . Pieceworkers are to receive in addition to the full board prices
an additional 71 per cent of the board price during the life of this contract. It
is agreed that the rough grinding shall be done for the mounters by the Indian
apolis Stove Co.
A rt . 3. There shall be no limit placed upon the wages of the piecework
mounters.
A rt. 5. In case of shortage (after agreement with foreman) all piecework
mounters will lay off for one day. It is understood that the foreman will take
proper notice of the contention of the committee.
A rt. 6. All shop rules now in force will continue through the life of this
agreement.
A rt. 7. The man who does the drilling on the bench drill, although under
the jurisdiction of the mounters’ union, shall be paid at the hourly rate that
shall be arranged to the mutual satisfaction of the man and the Indianapolis
Stove Co.
It is further agreed that in case this man leaves this job or is discharged and
the stove mounters can not furnish a competent driller who could earn the same
wages as the former driller that the Indianapolis Stove Co. shall have the right
to select a man for this position and arrange with him satisfactory wages until
such time as he may become proficient, at which time he shall receive the same
rate as the former employee.
A rt . 8. The present established price of piecework in the shop shall be the
basis for the determination of the price of new work of similar character and
grade, unless the presidents of the two national organizations or their representa
tives shall decide that the established prices of similar work in the shop are not
in aecord with the price of competitive goods in the district. In case the shop
committee and firm are unable to agree upon the price of new goods, the men
shall accept as payment the price fixed by the firm, pending adjustment by a
representative of the Stove Founders’ National Defense Association and a repre
sentative of the Stove Mounters’ and Steel Range Workers’ International Union,
whose decision shall be final and binding upon both parties.
A rt. 9, When a new stove is put on the piece floor work on said stove shall
be paid for at the rate of the mounter’s average piecework earnings for the two
weeks previous for a period of three days, unless it is shown that the necessary fit
ting is not done, in which case the stove shall remain daywork until the necessary
fitting has been done, and the mounter shall be paid his average piecework earn
ings* A mounter working piecework, using castings from new patterns which do
not fit, shall be allowed extra time at the rate of his average piecework earnings
of the two weeks previous.
A rt, 11. Under no circumstances shall the mounters be justified in quitting
work either singly or in a body by reason of a dispute or grievance which is
COAL M INING
97
pending until all resources under this agreement have failed, as such action
upon their part would be a violation of the agreement.
A r t . 12. When either party of this agreement shall desire a change in the
prevailing rates, whether a general reduction or an advance they shall each give
the other at least 30 day's notice before the end of each year, which shall com
mence on the 1st day of January. If no such notice shall be given the rate of
wages current during the year shall be the rate in force for the succeeding year.
MINERS, COAL
The United Mine Workers of America accept as members all
persons employed in and around coal mines, coal washers, and coke
ovens. Its field is divided into about 30 districts. Each district
makes basic agreements with individual employers or associations of
coal operators within its limits applicable to veins, fields, individual
towns or counties, generally for periods of two or three years. In
a few cases districts are divided into subdistricts and basic agreements
are made by them.
ANTHRACITE MINERS
The anthracite miners are grouped into three districts, Nos. 1, 7,
and 9, who combine in making one agreement for the entire industry.
The anthracite agreement is a collection of agreements based on tne
award of 1903 of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission, which was
accepted for three years and continued in 1906,1909,1912,1910,1918,
1919, 1920, 1922, 1923, and 1926, with many modifications, mainly in
the matter of wages. The terms of the latest agreement, signed Feb
ruary 11, 1926, are as follows:
(1) Work shall be resumed at once under the terms of the expired contract
which, subject to modification as hereinafter provided, shall be in fore© and effect
until August 31, 1930.
(2) At any time after January 1, 1927, but no oftener than once in any year,
either party may, in writing, propose modifications in the wage scales of said
contract. The parties agree within 15 days after receipt of such written pro
posals to start conferences in the usual manner in an effort to agree upon such
modifications.
(3) If within 30 days after starting such negotiations the parties have not
agreed, all issues in controversy shall be referred to a board of two men with full
power and without reservation or restrictions; and the parties agree to abide by
any decision or decisions of such board, either on the merits of the controversy
or as to procedure to be followed. Such board shall be appointed as follows:
The operators shall name three men and the miners shall name three men.
The operators shall select one man from the miners’ list and the miners shall
select one man from the operators' list, and the two men so approved shall con
stitute said board. Unless otherwise agreed, the men named by the parties shall
not be connected with the United Mine Workers of America or the business of
mining coal. The board shall be obligated, within 90 days after appointment,
to arrive at a decision on all issues in controversy, and to that end shall formulate
their own rules and methods of procedure and may enlarge the board to an odd
number, in which event a majority vote shall be binding.
(4) The demands of the operators and the mine workers on the question of
cooperation and efficiency are referred to the board of conciliation, exclusive of
the umpire, which shall work out a reciprocal program of cooperation and
efficiency.
(5) The board of conciliation shall proceed to equalize wages, etc., in accord
ance with clause (12) of the agreement dated September 19, 1923.
(6) Except as modified herein, the terms and provisions of the award of the
Anthracite Coal Strike Commission and subsequent agreements made in modi
fication thereof or supplemental thereto, as well as the rulings and decisions of
the board of conciliation, are hereby ratified, confirmed, and continued during
the term of this contract, ending August 31, 1930.
.98
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
The award of 1903 related mainly to wages. However, it created
a board of conciliation— that referred to in section 4 of the 1926
agreement— and referred to checkweighmen and mine cars in the
following words:
IV. The commission adjudges and awards: That any difficulty or disagree
ment arising under this award, either as to its interpretation or application, or
in any way growing out of the relations of the employers and employed, which
can not be settled or adjusted by consultation between the superintendent or
manager of the mine or mines and the miner or miners directly interested, or is
of a scope too large to be so settled or adjusted, shall be referred to a permanent
joint committee, to be called a board of conciliation, to consist of six persons,
appointed as hereinafter provided. That is to say, if there shall be a division of
the whole region into three districts, in each of which there shall exist an organi
zation representing a majority of the mine workers of such district, one of said
board of conciliation shall be appointed by each of said organizations, and three
other persons shall be appointed by the operators in each of said districts appoint
ing one person.
The board of conciliation thus constituted shall take up and consider any
question referred to it as aforesaid, hearing both parties to the controversy, and
such evidence as may be laid before it by either party; and any award made by
a majority of such board of conciliation shall be final and binding on all parties.
If, however, the said board is unable to decide any question submitted, or point
related thereto, that question or point shall be referred to an umpire, to be
appointed, at the request of said board, by one of the circuit judges of the third
judicial circuit of the United States, whose decision shall be final and binding in
the premises.
At all hearings before said board the parties may be represented by such per
son or persons as they may respectively select.
V. The commission adjudges and awards: That whenever requested by a
majority of the contract miners of any colliery, checkweighmen or check docking
bosses, or both, shall be employed. The wages of said checkweighmen and check
docking bosses shall be fixed, collected, and paid by the miners in such manner
as the said miners shall by a majority vote elect; and when requested by a
majority of said miners the operators shall pay the wages fixed for checkweigh
men and check docking bosses out of deductions made proportionately from the
earnings of said miners on such basis as the majority of said miners shall
determine.
VI. The commission adjudges and awards: That mine cars shall be distributed
among miners who are at work as uniformly and as equitably as possible, and
that there shall be no concerted effort on the part of the miners or mine workers
of any colliery or collieries to limit the output of the mines or to detract from
the quality of the work performed, unless such limitation of output be in con
formity to an agreement between an operator or operators and an organization
representing a majority of said miners in his or their employ.
IX. The commission adjudges and awards: That no person shall be refused
employment or in any way discriminated against on account of membership or
nonmembership in any labor organization; and that there shall be no discrimi
nation against or interference with any employee who is not a member of any
labor organization by members of such organization.
The following are taken from the continuing agreement of
M ay 20, 1912:
(d)
At each mine there shall be a grievance committee consisting of not more
than three employees, and such committee shall under the terms of this agree
ment take up for adjustment with the proper officials of the company all griev
ances referred to them by employees who have first taken up said grievances
with the foreman and failed to effect proper settlement of the same. It is also
understood that the member of the board of conciliation elected by the mine
workers' organization or his representative may meet with the mine committee
and company officials in adjusting disputes. In the event of the mine commit
tee failing to adjust with the company officials any grievance properly referred
to them they may refer the grievance to the members of the board of conciliation
in their district for adjustment, and in case of their failure to adjust the same
COAL M INING
99
they shall refer the grievance to the board of conciliation for final settlement, as
provided in the award of the Anthracite Goal Strike Commission and the agree
ments subsequent thereto, and whatever settlement is made shall date from the
time the grievance is raised.
(e)
Contract miners shall have the right to employ eheckweighmen and
check docking bosses, as provided by the award of the Anthracite Coal
Strike Commission and the decisions of the board of conciliation, and when so
employed their rights shall be recognized and they shall not be interfered with
in the proper performance of their work; provided they do not interfere with the
proper operation of the colliery. Checkweighmen and check docking bosses shall
be elected by contract miners in meeting assembled specifically for that purpose,
and for such term as said miners may determine, and the chairman and secre
tary of said meeting shall certify such election to the mine foreman.
Under the continuing agreement of M a y 5,19 1 6, the working day
was ©hanged from nine to eight hours and rates were provided for
work done with mining machines.
The following are taken from the agreement of September 2 ,19 2 0:
(k) Contract miners whose tools are lost through no fault of their own as the
result of squeezes, cave-ins, and similar accidents shall be furnished with new tools
by the company corresponding to the tools lost, without expense to the miner.
(I)
Whenever deficient or abnormal conditions are encountered in a working
place by contract miners the miner or miners affected shall make such fact known
to the foreman, and if the foreman and the men affected are unable to agree
upon compensation based on the method or practice of such payment at the
mine affected it shall be referred to the grievance committee and dealt with in
the manner provided for other grievances. Work shall be continued pending the
adjustment, unless otherwise directed by the foreman, and whatever decision is
made shall be retroactive to the date upon which the grievance was raised.
BITUMINOUS MINERS
The bituminous agreements generally are lengthy. They vary in
the different parts o f the country only in detail. They consist mainly
of wage scales. They provide for the employment of union workers
only, an eight-hour day, the check off, the removal of dirt, slate, and
other impurities from the coal, the use of certain grades of powder
only, the proper and safe protection of miners at work, ana semi
monthly pay days. M any of the agreements expired April 1, 1924.
On February 19, 1924, the operators and miners in the central field
drew up an agreement, known as the Jacksonville agreement, which
continued for a period of three years the existing contracts. It reads
as follows:
1. This joint conference of operators and miners of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and
western Pennsylvania, as now constituted, hereby reaffirms the wage-scale con
tracts now existing between the United Mine Workers of America and the coal
operators whose interests are represented in this conference, and hereby extends
the same for a period of three years, from April 1, 1924, to March 31, 1927, in all
of their terms, provisions, and conditions. It is understood the execution of this
interstate agreement extends, without further negotiations the district and sub
district agreements now in effect in the districts affected.
2. That an interstate joint conference of the central competitive field shall
assemble the second Monday in February, 1927, at Miami, Fla., and the president
of the United Mine Workers of America and the chairman of this joint inter
state conference are authorized and instructed to send out notices at the proper
time as to the assembling of the conference.
As illustrative of the district agreements, extracts from the south
western and West Virginia agreement of 1924 were printed in Bulletin
No. 393 (pp. 75-80) •
100
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
MINERS, METAL
The International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers is com
posed of persons working in and around mines, mills, smelters, and
metal refineries. The agreements are made between local unions and
the companies, with the approval of the international organization.
The following extracts are from a copy of an agreement furnished by
the union:
A r t i c l e I, S e c t i o n 1. It is the intention and the right is hereby conceded by
the company that the union shall have recognition and take into its organization
all men employed in any of the departments of the works over which the said
union may properly claim jurisdiction and that all new employees shall immedi
ately upon securing regular employment make application for membership in the
said union.
S e c . 2 . There shall be no discrimination against any member or members of
the said union either because of membership in or for legitimate activity as an
officer or committeeman of said union.
S e c . 3. The management shall meet the committee of the union as may be
necessary to adjust disputes or grievances and to discuss the improvement of the
working conditions.
S e c . 4. The company shall check off each month from the list submitted by
the secretary of the union all initiations, dues, fines, and assessments and turn
same over to the party authorized by the union to receive same.
S e c . 5. The company agrees that when an employee demands his time and
expresses his intention of leaving the employ of the company he shall show a
receipt from the secretary of the union to the timekeeper that his dues are paid
in full before he gets the pay check.
S e c . 6. The union agrees to furnish the company a list of members and their
financial standing upon the 15th and the last day of each month and at such
other times as the company may request and find necessary for the protection
of both parties to this contract.
A r t . II, S e c . 1. For the mutual protection of the company and the union,
under all laws of the State it is understood and hereby agreed by both parties that
when an individual accepts employment he accepts it under the terms of this
agreement, and all sections herein become binding upon him so long as he is
employed by the said company.
S e c . 2. It is understood and hereby agreed that an employee, for the protec
tion of either or both parties to this agreement, shall sign an agreement which
shall read:
“ The undersigned, in accepting employment with the------ company, agrees to
accept all the terms embodied in the contract dated------ between the company
and the local union of the International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Work
ers, and I hereby authorize said company to deduct from my wages my financial
obligations to the union as provided in section of the agreement between the
union and the company dealing with this matter.”
A r t . Ill, S e c . 1. The company agrees that in the case where it is found an
employee has been unjustly suspended or discharged that said employee shall be
reinstated without prejudice. If, however, the case remains unsettled for three
days and negotiations are still pending the discharged employee shall be offered
employment in some other department pending a final settlement of his case;
and if the company and the committee mutually agree he was unjustly discharged
he shall be compensated as may be agreed upon, the circumstances in the case
to be fully considered by both parties.
S e c . 2. Seniority in promotion shall be followed wherever existing employees
in the judgment of the foreman are competent to fill the position in which a
permanent vacancy occurs. Seniority shall mean length of service in the employ
of the company. Similarly, the rule of seniority shall be followed in the curtail
ment of the working force, to the end that whenever competent to perform
required work those employees longer in the service of the company shall at such
times be retained.
S e c . 3. In case it becomes necessary for any reason to close the plant down
for an indefinite period it is understood that upon resuming operations it shall
resume as a union plant, with the proviso, however, that the wage scale and
working conditions shall conform to those in effect elsewhere in the industry.
MUSICIANS
101
Sec. 4. Eight hours shall constitute a day’s work. It is not the intention to
compel any man to work eight hours who now works a shorter period than eight
hours, but to limit the hours to eight.
Sec . 5. Time and one-half shall be paid for all overtime over eight hours except
on change days. All men except those on shift basis as herein defined shall
receive time and one-half for Sunday work [and] for * * * holidays.
Sec. 6. It is agreed that any shift man after working one shift, who is required
to remain on duty because of the nonappearance of his relief, without fault of
the company, shall receive regular time only.
A rt. IV, Sec. 1. The union agrees to do everything in its power to secure all
the competent men necessary to operate to maximum capacity and to coop
erate with the company in every way possible to promote harmony and thereby
secure the best results.
Sec . 2. All questions that may arise causing dissatisfaction, and all matters
not specially outlined in this agreement, shall be taken up and adjusted as pro
vided for the handling of disputes and grievances.
Sec. 3. Both parties to this agreement agree to adopt the following procedure
in the adjustment of any dispute that may occur during the life of this contract,
to wit:
When a grievance or dispute occurs the matter shall be taken up by a com
mittee representing the union with the official designated by the company to
perform such duties and every effort will be made to reach an adjustment. In
case a satisfactory adjustment between the company and the committee is not
reached the grievance or dispute shall be submitted to a special committee com
prised of three members of the union not members of the original committee
and three representatives chosen by the company. In case the special committee
fails to agree a representative of the International Union of Mine, Mill, and
Smelter Workers shall be called in and if the dispute can not thereafter be set
tled by mutual agreement the case shall be submitted to the United States
Department of Labor at Washington, whose award will be final and binding on
both parties to this agreement.
A rt. V, Sec. 1. For the purpose of discussing the relations of the company
and the union, including the general state of the industry, prior to any action in
regard to such matters either by the company or by the union, a conference
shall be held between the committee representing the union and one or more
representatives of the company. In case any matter requiring adjustment shall
remain unadjusted after such conference the company and the union agree to
proceed under the section provided for taking up grievances and disputes.
Sec. 2. Neither the union nor the company shall cause a strike to be called or
a lockout to be made because of a strike or a lockout existing in any other plant
or industry whatsoever.
MUSICIANS
Locals of the American Federation of Musicians usually do not
make agreements. They state working conditions and issue price
lists which members are to observe in making contracts.
These
lists cover vocal and instrumental rates for engagements at concerts,
dances, parties, banquets, rinks, hotels, ca?6s, theaters, movingpicture houses, park concerts, summer gardens, parades, fairs, picnics,
athletic exhibitions, and on steamboats, either as single performers
or in bands or orchestras, whether for a single entertainment, day or
evening, or by the week, month, season, or year. The scales are
minimum scales, and members may quote higher prices at will.
Agreements, where made, are composed mainly of scales.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 30,
St. Paul, Minn., with motion-picture-theater owners and associate
managers of the Twin Cities, seasons of 1925-26 and 1926-27:
Said first party hereby covenants, promises, and agrees:
To furnish to theater managers on request (subject to conditions hereinafter
set forth) competent musicians to satisfactorily perform duties as and when
required by managers.
102
TBADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Said second party hereby covenants, promises, and agrees:
To employ (subject to conditions hereinafter set forth) only such musicians
as are affiliated with said association and federation.
Rehearsals shall be held in daytime, except by agreement between musicians
(through musical director) and management.
Dress rehearsals for benefit of actors or performers (with public excluded)
shall command performance scale.
Theaters allowed one rehearsal gratis to each change of program, not to exceed
two free rehearsals weekly.
Musical directors shall, during the first four weeks of their engagement, be
subject to release on “ two weeks” written notice; if retained by managers
beyond such “ trial period’’ without notice (unless otherwise stipulated) engage
ment shall be presumed for the term of the orchestra contract.
Musicians (within the “ minimum” requirement) shall, during the first four
weeks of their engagement, be subject to release on “ two weeks ” written notice;
if retained by directors beyond such “ trial period ” without notice (unless other
wise stipulated) engagement shall be presumed for the term of the orchestra
contract. The foregoing will not apply to members reengaged from previous
season, unless there be a change in musical director.
Managers (in event of reduction of orchestra to the “ minimum ” requirement)
electing to increase the personnel or resume the previous instrumentation shall
give musicians formerly employed preference in engagement.
Change of musical directors shall not affect the engagement of the “ contracted
members” (“ minimum” requirement) of an orchestra.
If the association is unable to furnish (when required) the services of capa
ble musicians of particular instrumentation, managers shall have the privilege
(through musical directors), with the approval of the association, to import such
musicians.
Musical directors and musicians who engage at a salary in excess of the cur
rent scale for or at a theater may (by stipulation) waive claim to payment for
extra or overtime service as same may occur, unless the cumulative charge for
same in any one week shall exceed the “ excess payment,” in which event musi
cians shall receive the difference involved.
Managers, in engagement of musical directors, and musical directors, in engage
ment of musicians, may (by stipulation) provide for such understanding as to
salary, term of engagement, nature of service, solo and stage appearances, and
such other arrangements as may be mutually desirable, providing, however, that
such “ contracts” shall not be contrary in spirit to the provisions of the within
agreement.
Musicians required to double on two or more instruments shall be definitely
engaged to render service for the full contract period with added compensation
of 20 per cent in excess of the prevailing wage scale.
No written contract shall be in force and effect until a signed original copy
shall be filed with and shall receive the approval of the association.
Afternoon or evening occasions shall (as defined hereunder) constitute a
session. A session may consist of one or more performances.
Orchestras of vaudeville or tabloid theaters shall not be required to play for mo
tion pictures.
Musical directors in all instances (except at suburban theaters) shall receive
40 per cent more than the scale for musicians.
No period of continuous playing in or at motion-picture theaters (except sub
urban) shall exceed 45 minutes in duration.
Theaters operating under a policy of more than two performances daily shall
provide for an intermission of at least 15 minutes between performances.
Motion-picture theaters operating under a continuous policy shall not exceed
14 sessions (afternoon or evening) weekly, under the weekly scales fixed herein.
Director and musicians of orchestras temporarily displaced through engage
ment of “ attractions” carrying orchestras (except in case of “ minstrel attrac
tions ” or colored shows) shall for and during the “ layoff” period receive 50 per
cent of the salary involved.
Managers of (other than suburban) theaters shall provide and designate an
intermission or rest period of 10 minutes during each hour of service for regular
and relief organists, pianists, and operators of mechanical instruments.
No change or suspension of an established “ minimum” requirement shall
be made except by and with the approval of the association.
Organist (regular and relief) and pianists (relief) employed at motion-picture
and vaudeville theaters shall not constitute units of an orchestra “ minimum”
requirement.
PAPER MAKERS
103
This agreement shall he subject to the custom governing unforeseen and un
avoidable circumstances, including cancellation of attractions, accidents, epidem
ics, fire, war, floods or other public calamity, the enforcement of any local, State,
or Federal law, ordinance, rule, or regulation involving the closing of a theater;
any such emergency occasion, happening, cancellation or requirement shall be
presumed to waive any provision of notice provided for herein and no claim
shall be or exist for any cause, claim, or action due to or arising out of any such
closing.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 802,
New York City, with International Theatrical Association (Inc.),
July 1, 1925:
Musicians employed in a theater or with a production for four or more con
secutive weeks may be paid at the season’s price, even though the production
may be given at more than one theater in New York City. Where the produc
tion is moved from one theater to another and the contractor of the theater to
which such production is moved offers to engage the extra musicians employed
at the theater from which such production is moved the men so originally
employed (and in event of their refusal to continue the employment, their suc
cessor or successors) shall be entitled only to the regular or season scale, provided
the total of the engagement equals or exceeds four weeks.
For the theaters herein covered there shall be no extra charge for services by
the whole or any part of the orchestra behind the scenes and not in view of the
audience. This provision does not apply to grand opera, but to all other types
of performances.
The members of a regular orchestra, so long as the instruments are used, are
to remain in the theater while the house is open and under the managment of
the theater manager during the year (including the summer) of the season for
which the orchestra is engaged. In the event of a sale or lease of the theater,
the men need not be retained during the period the house, through lease or sale,
is without the control of the theater manager. Members of the regular orchestra
(i. e., the four or more men engaged for the season) are, after two weeks, to be
retained throughout the season of the engagement, while the theater, as above
stated, is open and under the control of the theater manager. In the event of
a lease, the only requirement is that the lessee maintain an orchestra of not less
than four men, such lessee being entitled to select a personnel of his own
choosing.
PAPEE MAKERS
There are two unions of paper makers. Speaking broadly, the
International Brotherhood of Paper Makers has jurisdiction over
workers in all branches of paper making in the machine room, beater
room, and finishing room, except swipers and sweepers. The Inter
national Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite, and Paper Mill Workers, in
a broad way , has jurisdiction over all other branches of paper mak
ing. In a paper mill will generally be found representatives of both
unions as well as members of unions of machinists, firemen, electrical
workers, carpenters, and others. It is customary for the large man
ufacturers to make one agreement cover all the above-named union
members in their employ.
The agreement is generally short, but includes in it mill rules appli
cable to all. The wage scale is given in detail. Usually the employ
ees work eight hours a day, with time and a half for overtime, and
are members of the union. The agreements of 1924 as given in
Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 81-83) were, in general, continued through 1925
practically without change.
The following extracts are from the agreement of the Minnesota
& Ontario Paper Co., at International Falls, Minn., and the Fort
Francis Pulp & Paper Co. (Ltd.) at Fort Francis, Ontario, with Local
No. 159, Brotherhood of Paper Makers, M ay 1, 1925:
104
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Section 3. The paper machines shall operate between the hours of 8 a. m.
Monday and 8 a. m. the following Sunday, and only such work as hereinafter
specified shall be performed between the hours of 8 a. m. Sunday and 8 a. m.
Monday.
Changing of first top dryer felt on all machines or putting in of seams on first
top dryer felt, oiling and cleaning of dryer boxes, washing of screens, and also
such repair work as done by the mechanics. For all such work done on Sunday
time and one-half be paid.
Sec. 4. The schedule of hours of employment of tour workers shall be eight
hours, and the tours shall start at 8 a. m., 4 p. m., and midnight. An employee
will not be permitted to leave his post at the end of his tour until his mate
relieves him, unless satisfactory arrangements have been made with the boss
machine tender. An employee who leaves his post without permission from the
boss machine tender before he is relieved is subject to dismissal, except that any
employee shall not be expected to work more than sixteen consecutive hours,
except in an emergency, and then he shall notify the boss machine tender that
he has worked two consecutive tours and the boss machine tender shall make
arrangements to secure relief. Employees not intending to work their shift
must inform the boss machine tender before their hour of going on duty. Em
ployees who are not on tour work shall work eight hours per day. Any employees
required to work overtime other than on tour work shall receive time and one-half
for such overtime.
Sec . 5. Tour workers when engaged in putting on wires at any time except
on their regular tour shall be paid as follows and under the following conditions:
All employees notified by the boss machine tender to report for putting on a
wire shall report at the hour specified by the boss machine tender, and a refusal
to report without just cause at the time specified will be cause for dismissal.
Machine tenders, back tenders, and third hands called in under these conditions
will be entitled to six half hours’ pay and will be called upon to remain with
the machine until the wire is on and the paper is on the wire.
Sec. 6. The following shall be designated as holidays on which no unnecessary
work shall be done. Dominion Day in Fort Francis Mill, 32 hours; Fourth of
July in International Falls Mill, 32 hours; Labor Day in both mills, 24 hours;
Christmas in both mills, 40 hours.
All work done on the above-named holidays shall conform to the provisions
of section 3 of this agreement a,s above set forth.
Sec . 7. It is understood and agreed between the parties hereto that any and
all labor-saving devices that can be installed to improve the efficiency of the
operation of the plants are desired, and before such installation of labor-saving
devices is made an agreement between the organization and the companies is
to be arrived at and agreed upon as to just what saving is to be accomplished.
In cases where any of the members of the organization are eliminated by this
installation, such employee will be given preference for any position that may
be open on the scale of wages covering the occupation they will assume.
Sec . 8. A vacancy shall be considered as existing only in case a member of
the organization leaves the employ of the companies, either through a dis
charge or voluntarily. If any such vacancy exists after a two weeks’ period
time and one-half shall be paid to members of the organization who work over
time until such vacancy is filled.
Sec . 9. Grievances arising between members of the organization and the com
panies shall be reported to the superintendent in writing and the superintendent
shall give a written reply within 48 hours, stating the adjustment he has made
of the matter. If the superintendent fails to adjust the grievance it shall be
tak en in conference by the president of the companies or his representative and
the president of the organization, and if no settlement is made within 10 days
it shall be referred to arbitration, the companies selecting one man and the
organization one man and the two to select a third party who will convene and
render a decision within 15 days, said decision to be final and binding on all
parties to the agreement. In case the two men selected can not agree on the third
man, then the Secretary of Labor at Washington shall appoint a man for the
controversy in the United States and the Minister of Labor in the Province of
Ontario shall select a third man in case of a deadlock. If a discharged em
ployee claims an injustice, the grievance shall be presented within 48 hours.
. Any employee proven by the above procedure to be unjustly discharged shall
be reinstated and shall receive pay for lost time.
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
105
PRINTING TRADES
ALLIED PRINTING TRADES COUNCIL
The Allied Printing Trades Council is a delegate body representing
those unions whose members’ occupations are distinctively connected
with the printing business. The only agreement entered into is for
the use of the union label. A copy of the form in use in 1923 was
printed in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 83, 84).
BOOKBINDERS
The International Brotherhood of Bookbinders consists of book
binders, paper rulers, paper cutters, edge gilders, marblers, foldingmachine operators, and bindery women. As a rule there is but one
local in a city, but in the larger cities the bindery women often form a
local of their own, and occasionally there are found locals of paper cut
ters and others. Agreements are generally made with employers’ asso
ciations. The agreements usually call for a union shop, a 44-hour
week, an overtime rate of time and a half and double time on holi
days, a weekly pay day, and some form of arbitration, and forbid
strikes and lockouts.
Extracts from arbitration and wage-scale agreements entered into
by locals were printed in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 84-87).
COMPOSITORS, PROOF READERS, ETC.
The International Typographical Union of North America com
prises printers, proof readers, machine tenders, and mailers. There
is but one English-speaking union in a town. In a few large cities
there are locals consisting of persons setting type in foreign languages,
and there are also a few locals of mailers. Generally a local makes
two agreements— newspaper and book and job. These agreements
are made with individuals or groups at different times and often
for different periods of time. In smaller towns the agreements
are often printed together, but generally they are printed sepa
rately. They are usually rather lengthy, provide for a variety of
matters, call for a union shop, a 44-hour week and weekly payment
of wages, have an arbitration plan and an overtime scale, forbid
piece work, and contain some clauses relative to the reproduction
of matter. The agreements frequently continue through a period
of three years and in several instances for five years.
A copy of a blank form of contract prepared by the international
union and used by many locals was printed in Bulletin No. 393 (pp.
8 7-89). Attached to this agreement is a scale of prices prepared by
the locals using it. The international union also prints a longer form
of contract in which the scale of wages and hours appears in a
detailed manner. The apprenticeship and miscellaneous provisions
in the latter, which are repeated in most agreements, are as follows:
Section 23. Apprentices may be employed in the ratio of one to every -----journeyman members of the typographical union reguiariy employed; provided
that no office shall be entitled to an apprentice unless at least one journeyman,
aside from the proprietor, shall be reguiariy employed in the composing room.
Sec. 24. The foreman of the office and the local apprentice committee stall
examine applicants and determine if they are mentally and physically fitted to
the trade. The examination must prove that applicants for apprenticeship pos
sess the rudiments of a common-school education.
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Sec . 25. Apprentices shall not be less than 16 years of age at the time of be
ginning their apprenticeship. They shall be registered by the secretary of the
local typographical union and they shall serve an apprenticeship period of five
years before being admitted to journeyman membership in the union.
Sec . 26. At the end of the second year, if apprentices prove competent, they
must be admitted as apprentice members of the union, at which time they will
be registered with the secretary-treasurer of the International Typographical
Union, who will assign to each junior member a registry number.
Sec . 27. Starting with the third year, apprentices are entitled to and must
be in possession of an apprentice working card, indorsed by the secretary of the
local typographical union. Cards for the fourth and fifth years can not be
granted until apprentices have passed examinations showing that their work
manship entitles them to promotion.
Sec . 28. The foreman and chairman shall see that apprentices are afforded
every opportunity to learn the different trade processes by allowing them to
work in all departments of the composing room. When apprentices show pro
ficiency in one branch they must be advanced to other classes of work.
Sec . 29. Should an apprentice be careless and neglectful of the duties required
by those in control of his trade training, his case shall be investigated by the
local committee on apprentices and presented to the union for action.
Sec . 30. Registered apprentices shall be given the same protection as journey
men and shall be governed by the same shop rules, working conditions, and hours
of labor.
Sec . 31. Beginning with the third year apprentices shall be enrolled in and
complete the I. T. U. course of lessons in printing before being admitted as
journeyman members of the union. They shall pay the secretary-treasurer
of —— union No.------ the sum of $ ------- per week until the full tuition of the
course is paid. Apprentices are required to make quarterly reports to the local
or apprentice committee showing the degree of proficiency attained through
technical study.
Sec. 32. Arrangements should be made to have apprentices in the last half of
the fifth year instructed on any and all typesetting and type-casting devices in
use in the offices where they are employed*
Sec . 33. Apprentices shall undergo regular yearly examinations before the
local committee on apprentices. Their work must show if they are entitled to
the increased wage scale provided in this contract. The employer or his repre
sentative has the right to be present and take part in any and all examinations.
Sec . 34; No apprentice shall be employed on overtime work unless-------jour
neymen in the same office are employed on the same shift; at no time shall
any apprentice have charge of a department.
Sec . 35. Chairmen of offices where registered apprentices are employed are
required to make quarterly reports to the local committee on apprentices.
These reports must show if the agreed conditions are being fulfilled by all parties
to this contract—whether apprentices are being held back or if they are ad
vanced in the different processes of the trade, and where apprentices are negli
gent or incapable of becoming competent workmen it must be set forth in the
report.
Sec . 36. The local union reserves the right to refuse to register apprentices in
any office that has not the necessary equipment to afford instruction being given
in the different branches of the work agreed upon.
Sec . 37. No apprentice shall leave one office and enter the services of another
employer without the written consent of his first employer and the president
of the union.
Sec . 38. All time worked before or in excess of the regular hours established
for the day’s or night’s work shall be paid for at the overtime rate, which shall
be price and one-half, based on the hourly wage paid.
Sec . 39. A lunch period of at least 30 minutes and not more than one hour
shall be allowed for each shift, such time not to be included in the number of
hours specified for a day’s or night’s work.
Sec . 41. In no case shall an employee in daily newspaper offices receive less
than one day’s pay except when discharged for cause or where excused at his
own request, in which case the employee shall be paid only for time actually
worked.
S ec. 42. Learners on machines shall be members of the union or apprentices
in the last six months of their apprenticeship.
PRINTING TRADES
107
Sec. 45. The interchanging, exchanging, borrowing, lending, or buying of mat
ter previously used, either in the form of type or matrices between newspapers,
between job offices, or between newspapers and job offices, or vice versa,
not owned by the same individual, firm, or corporation, and published in the
same establishment, is unlawful, and shall not be allowed, unless such type or
matrices are reset as nearly like the original as possible, made up, read, and
corrected and a proof submitted to the chairman of the office. Transfer of
matter between a newspaper office and a job office, or a job office and a news
paper office, where conducted as separate institutions, and from separate com
posing rooms, owned by the same individual, firm, or corporation, is not
permissible unless such matter is reset as nearly like the original as possible,
made up, read, and corrected and a proof submitted to the chairman of the
office; provided that where an interchange of matter from an English publi
cation to a foreign-language publication or vice versa, is desired, under the pro
visions of this section, such exchange shall be regulated by agreement between
the employer and the local unions interested. The time limit within which bor
rowed or purchased matter or matrices are to be reset shall b e ------ days from
the date of use.
Sec. 46. Foremen of printing offices have the right to employ help, and may
discharge (1) for incompetency, (2) for neglect of duty, (3) for violation of office
rules (which shall be conspicuously posted), or of laws of the chapel or union, and
(4) to decrease the force, such decrease to be accomplished by discharging first the
person or persons last employed, either as regular employees, or as extra employ
ees, as the exigencies of the matter may require. Should there be an increase
in the force the persons displaced through such cause shall be reinstated in
reverse order in which they were discharged before other help may be employed.
Upon demand, the foreman shall give the reason for discharge in writing. Per
sons considered capable as substitutes by foremen shall be deemed competent to
fill regular situations, and the substitute oldest in continuous service shall have
prior right in the filling of the first vacancy. This section shall apply to income
ing as well as outgoing foremen.
Sec. 47. A superannuated member may be permitted to work at a rate of not
less than------ of the regular scale of wages provided for journeymen; provided
that not more than one superannuated member shall be employed in any office
at any one time, and no superannuated member will be allowed to work in any
office where there are no journeymen employed.
Sec . 48. The union reserves to its members the right to refuse to execute all
work received from or destined for struck offices, unfair employers, or publica
tions.
Sec. 49. No employee covered by this scale shall be required or permitted to
hold a situation of more than six days or six nights or a combination of days
and nights equivalent to six in one financial week; when any employee is required
to work the seventh shift in any financial week he shall be paid overtime rates
for such work.
The following sections are taken from the three-year newspaper
agreement of Local No. 3 with the Cincinnati Daily Newspaper Pub
lishers’ Association, M ay 1 ,1 9 2 5 :
Section 3. Persons considered capable as substitutes by foreman shall be
deemed competent to fill regular situations, and the substitute oldest in contin
uous service shall have prior right in the filling of the first vacancy. This sec
tion shall apply to incoming as well as outgoing foremen.
Sec. 4. All complaints emanating from either party to this contract shall
receive prompt acknowledgment and attention, and every effort shall and must
be made to reach a prompt and satisfactory adjustment thereof.
Sec. 6. No employee shall be required or permitted to hold a situation of
more than six days or nights or a combination of days and nights equivalent to
six in one financial week unless the loeal union is unable to furnish the required
number of men demanded by the employer or his representative.
Sec. 8. No employee shall be designated to assume authority or responsibility
as the head of a department without extra compensation, which shall be deter
mined by the foreman.
Sec. 9. The following work in newspaper composing rooms may be performed
by journeymen or apprentices, at the employer’s option: Proving galleys, attend
ing to dumping galleys, leading or unleading linotype matter, sawing or cutting
108
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
linotype matter, and releasing distributors, tight lines, or stuck lines on machine.
Office boys or any other employees may clean out forms from which ads and
other live matter have been removed, wipe and clean machines, attend to replen
ishing metal, run matrices in and out, and do lifting or any form of laborer’s work.
Such help may also act as runners or helpers on typecasting machines, but are not
to do machinist’s work.
Sec . 11. Seven and one-half continuous hours shall constitute a night’s work
for employees employed by the week or day, the hours to be between 6 p. m.
and 5 a. m., except on Saturday when the hours shall be between 4.30 p. m. and
4.30 a. m. In emergencies additional men called after the regular force com
mences work shall work seven and one-half hours within the hours prescribed in
this section without overtime charge, except when any employee working part
day and part night shall be paid at the day rate for daywork and at the nightwork
rate for nightwork; except that employees starting after 2.30 p. m. shall be paid
at the night rate.
Sec. 12. Journeymen are governed by the posted time of starting and stopping
work, except that the copy cutter, machinist, and foreman may start 15 minutes
before the posted time without penalty or without charging overtime. Such
men shall quit work 15 minutes earlier.
Sec . 14. On morning papers the hours of labor shall be continuous, with the
exception of 30 minutes for lunch, to be fixed by the foreman; provided when
less than 30 minutes are allowed it shall be counted as office time. At least 15
minutes must be given for lunch. Lunch time shall be between the hours of
9.30 and 11.30 p. m. In order to facilitate the getting out of the paper the
foreman may divide the chapel into phalanxes, but under no consideration shall
the last phalanx be called for lunch later than 11.15 p. m. This section shall
apply to all employees of the composing room.
Sec. 15. Morning papers shall have the right to run a day foree within the
limits of afternoon newspaper hours, six days per week, at the regular day scale.
Less than six days’ work shall be paid for at the night scale.
Sec . 17. Seven and one-half continuous hours shall constitute a day’s work
for employees employed by the week or day, the hours to be between 7 a. m.
and 6 p. m.
Sec . 18. All employees shall receive for any excess work after seven and one-
half hours, price and one-half. On afternoon papers a call back for night extra
is entitled to $1 for the call, in addition to the overtime, and a call back for an
early morning extra on afternoon papers, $2 for the call in addition to the over
time. In no case can a regular employee receive less than a day’s pay except
in case where he is discharged or where he asks to be excused, in which case he
shall be paid only for the time actually employed at a rate not in excess of the
regular scale.
Sec . 19. On afternoon papers the hours of labor shall be continuous, with the
exception of 30 minutes for lunch. Lunch time shall be between the hours
of 11 a. m. and 12.30 p. m. In order to facilitate the getting out of the paper
the foreman may divide the chapel into phalanxes, but under no circumstances
shall the last phalanx be called after 12.30 p. m. Regular employees on after
noon papers required to work after 6 p. m. shall be entitled to 30 minutes
for lunch in addition to the call back, as provided in section above, but this
does not apply to men who are working on a baseball-extra edition. This sec
tion applies to all employees of the composing room.
Sec. 20. Afternoon papers shall have the right to run a night force within
the limits of morning paper hours at the night seale, provided the force shall be
employed six days per week. Sunday work for afternoon papers shall be paid
for at the overtime rate.
Sec . 21. In offices employing linotype machines to the number of not less than
5 nor more than 14, a machinist shall be employed. When 15 machines nor more
than 25, a machinist and helper; when 26 or more, one machinist, one assistant,
and two helpers. Overtime for machinists, assistant machinists, and machinist’s
helpers shall be arranged by the foreman.
Sec . 23. In the employment of extras the foreman may select such men as
the needs of the office require without regard to length of service.
Sec . 24. The foreman shall be the judge of a man’s competency. The union
shall not discipline the foreman for carrying out the instructions of the pub
lisher or his representatives authorized by this contract and scale. Employees
may protest against the foreman’s actions, but if the foreman, after careful con
sideration, decides that his actions were warranted by the contract he need not
change conditions unless directed to do so by the publisher or by decision of the
PRINTING TRADES
109
joint standing committee. If any employee has a complaint against the fore
man or the discharge of a man is contested by the union or an individual and
the differences can not be adjusted by conciliation the matter shall be referred
to the local joint standing committee. This committee, after hearing both par
ties, shall decide said controversy by a majority vote and file such decisions in
writing with each party. Such decision shall be final and binding upon both
parties. No employee who has been discharged shall be eligible to sub in the
office after the charge has been sustained except at the option of the foreman;
provided that after a period of one year any member may seek employment in
an office from which he has been discharged.
Sec. 25. The foreman shall select, supervise, and govern all employees of the
composing room, and shall have the right to transfer an employee to any position
to facilitate the getting out of the paper; provided, however, that should a man be
transferred who is not fully competent to perform the duties pertaining to said
position it shall not prejudice the standing of the man in the office.
Sec . 26. In giving out of extra work it shall be expressly understood that when
an extra has been employed by the office regularly for a period of four consec
utive weeks of six days each it shall be construed as evidence that a regular situ
ation should be created and the same shall be filled in accordance with section 3
of this contract.
Sec. 28. The standard of competency for machine composition shall be 30,000
ems per day of seven and one-half hours on straight nonpareil news matter as it
appears in the paper; a reduction of 2,400 ems per day for each increase of one
point in size.
Sec . 31. Each newspaper office shall be allowed an apprentice for every 10 jour
neyman printers regularly employed or major fraction thereof, but not to
exceed 4.
Sec. 34. The foreman and the local apprentice committee shall see that ap
prentices are afforded every opportunity to learn the different trade processes by
allowing them to work in all departments of the composing room. When ap
prentices show proficiency in one branch they must be advanced to other classes
of work. Failure on part of the foreman to comply with the foregoing shall imme
diately be taken up with the publisher and arrangement provided for the proper
training of apprentices, as intended in this section.
(a) In order that he may be given full opportunity to become a competent work
man, each apprentice during the first year may be required to perform general
work in the composing room, at the discretion of the foreman.
(b) In the second year an apprentice shall be employed at least 50 per cent of
his time in the ad room. This period to be devoted to teaching him the case,
type faces, distribution, and all the rudiments of the trade.
(c) In the third year an apprentice shall be employed at least 75 per cent of
his time in the ad room. This period to be devoted to teaching him all the in
tricate handiwork of the craft and include proper display of ads, use of border
and ornaments, marking out of type matter for machines, relationship of type faces
and their correct use, etc.
(d) In the fourth year an apprentice shall be employed full time on ad and
make-up work. This period to be devoted to mastering all the detail work in
ad composition, and, after its completion, apprentice to be given thorough train
ing on forms; the latter to include placing of ads, make-up of news and editorial
pages, classification and make-up of liner pages, lock-up of forms for stereotype
room, etc.
(e) In the first six months of the fifth year an apprentice shall be employed oia
the layout of ads and general composing-room work, so that he can master every
phase of the craft. In the last six months of his apprenticeship he shall be
instructed exclusively on typesetting machines in use in the office where he is
employed.
Sec. 35. Beginning with the third year, apprentices shall be enrolled in the
course of lessons in printing approved by the International Typographical Union,
the expense of such lessons to be shared equally between the employer and the
apprentice. Apprentices are required to make quarterly reports to the local
apprentice committee showing the degree of proficiency attained through tech
nical study. Apprentices shall undergo regular examination before the local com
mittee. Their work must show if they are entitled to the increased wage scale
provided in this contract. The employer or his representative has the right and
is requested to take part in any or all examinations.
96588°—26------ 8
110
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Sec . 36. Every apprentice shall complete 12 lessons during the third year, 12
lessons during the fourth, and balance of lessons during fifth year. Failing to
complete these lessons as required in each year, he will not be awarded new card
and his employer will not be required to pay him the regular increase in scale
for the new period until such lessons have been completed.
Sec . 37. Compensation for apprentices shall be fixed for the first and second
years by the publisher; for the third year there shall be paid one-half, for the
fourth year five-eighths, for the fifth year three-quarters of regular journeyman’s
wages as fixed in this contract. No apprentice shall be allowed to work overtime.
Sec . 39. The office is entitled to all cuts or illustrations, either advertising or
news, and has the right to set on time any necessary lines for same. The office
is entitled to all other “ pick-ups” of any character whatsoever. Matter once
paid for shall always remain the. property of the office, to use in any or all of its
editions, or as many times as desired with such changes as the office may wish
to make. “ Kill” marks shall not deprive the office of the right to “ pick-ups.”
Sec . 41. A local advertisement is:
(а) Any advertisement originally set within the jurisdiction of Typographical
Union No. 3.
(б) Any advertisement, wherever set, advertising the business of any concern
which is in the local field. The addition of names and addresses of branch stores
or local selling agents to any advertisement not falling within these definitions
does not make the advertisement a local advertisement. It shall not be neces
sary to reproduce type matter in out-of-town advertisements, whether transient
or contract, or in the advertising of out-of-town advertisers who sell their product
through their own branch stores or agencies in this or other cities.
Sec . 42. The union reserves the right for its members to refuse to execute all
struck work received from or destined for unfair employers or publications.
Sec . 43. In all composing rooms of parties of the first part sufficient janitor
service shall be supplied to insure said composing room being kept in a clean and
sanitary condition at all times. Such janitor or janitors shall be employed by
and be under the supervision of the foreman. Sufficient washbowls and toilet3
shall be supplied and kept in a clean and sanitary condition. Means shall be taken
at all times to insure the proper ventilation of said composing room by the instal
lation of fans and other modern systems of ventilation. All offices shall be
equipped with drinking fountains with proper containers for ice. Hot water
shall be available in all composing rooms. Suitable lights and shades shall be
installed wherever needed in composing rooms and passageways leading to same.
Sanitary conditions shall prevail in all offices as are deemed adequate under the
ordinances of the city of Cincinnati and the laws of the State of Ohio.
Sec. 44. If the chapel has a grievance against the office it shall first refer it to
the foreman, and if not satisfied with the decision of the foreman, then the
publisher or business manager of the newspaper, and if the difference is not
satisfactorily adjusted the chapel shall then refer its grievances to the standing
committee for settlement. It is understood that this section shall apply only to
sanitary, lighting, and ventilating conditions.
Sec. "45. A standing committee of two representatives of the Cincinnati Daily
Newspaper Publishers’ Association and a like committee of two representatives
of Typographical Union, No. 3, shall be selected, and in case of vacancy, absence,
or refusal of either of such representatives to act another shall be selected in his
place, to whom shall be referred all questions which may arise as to the con
struction placed upon any of the clauses of this agreement, or alleged violations
thereof, and such joint committee shall meet within 48 hours and act when any
dispute or difference whatsoever shall have been referred to it for decision by
the executive officers of either party to this agreement, and should the joint
committee be unable to agree, then it shall refer the matter to arbitration.
Sec. 46. It is agreed that fruitless controversies must be avoided and every
effort made to maintain good feelings and harmonious relations. To accomplish
this, both parties will, in every instance, give prompt attention to disputes and
Will in good faith endeavor to settle all differences by conciliation. Under all
circumstances business shall be continued without interference or interruption
in a regular and orderly manner until all differences are settled by conciliation
or arbitration.
Sec . 47. Whenever the standing committee referred to in sections 45 and 46
of this article can not amicably settle any differences that may be referred to it,
and is unable to agree so that it becomes necessary to refer such differences to
arbitration, then the committee by a majority vote shall select a fifth member
who shall act as an arbitrator in all matter on which the standing committee
PRINTING TRADES
111
itself is unable to agree. In the event tliat the standing committee is unable to
agree on an arbitrator he shall be designated by the chairman of the standing
committee of the AmericanNewspaper Publishers’ Association and president of
the International Typographical Union, or their authorized representatives.
Sec . 48. It is understood that laws of the International Typographical Union
shall not be arbitrated.
Sec . 49. It is conceded by the publishers that they have no right to object
to any rules or regulations by the union to govern its members which do not
conflict with the terms of this agreement.
Code of procedure for local arbitration
S ection 1. After the questions to be submitted have been determined a
local board of arbitration must be formed, composed of residents of Hamilton
County, Ohio, or Kenton and Campbell Counties, Ky., two members thereof to be
named by each side.
Sec . 2. The fifth member of the arbitration board shall be chosen by two
representatives of the Cincinnati Daily Newspaper Publishers’ Association and
two members of the newspaper scale committee of Cincinnati Typographical
Union, No. 3, and he shall act as chairman of the board. He shall decide all
disputes as to procedure, all disputes as to admissibility of evidence, and,
finally, all disputes as to wages, hours, and working conditions which have been
submitted to him by both parties to this proceeding, and his decision shall be
final and binding on all parties to this agreement.
Sec. 3. Failure to agree upon the fifth man to act as arbitrator in these pro
ceedings within a period of 10 days from the adoption of this code of procedure,
his selection shall be placed in the hands of Chairman Kellogg, of the standing
committee of the American Newspaper Publishers’ Association, and President
Lynch, of the International Typographical LTnion, or their authorized represent
atives, such selection to be made as soon as possible.
Sec . 8. All expenses of the arbitration board shall be divided equally between
Cincinnati Typographical Union, No. 3, and the Cincinnati Daily Newspaper
Publishers’ Association.
Sec . 9. It is conceded by both parties to this agreement that the laws of the
International Typographical Union and Cincinnati Typographical Union, No. 3,
shall be exempt from these arbitration proceedings.
The following sections are taken from the three-year newspaper
agreement of Local No. 23 with the newspapers of Milwaukee, Wis.,
August 8, 1925:
S e c t i o n 2 . The publishers bind themselves to the employment in their compos
ing rooms and the departments thereof of mechanics and workmen who are mem
bers of Milwaukee Typographical Union, No. 23, and agree to respect and observe
the conditions imposed by the constitution and by-laws of the aforesaid organi
zation and the general laws of the International Typographical Union as of Jan
uary 1, 1925, copies of all of which are hereunto attached and made a part of this
agreement in so far as they do not conflict with the terms of this contract and
arbitration agreement.
Sec. 4. * * * The foreman of said composing room to be the judge of the
number of persons needed to do the work, and who shall work under and sub
ject to his orders.
In the event the union is unable to fulfill its covenant in respect to furnish
ing competent help, the publishers shall be entitled to obtain anywhere the help
required until such time as the union can furnish help; provided the adopted
scale of wages is paid; provided, however, that the publishers shall have the
privilege of retaining such substitute help, if desired, for a period of not more
than 30 days, even though such substitute help does not desire to affiliate with
the local union. If during the 30 days the union is unable to furnish men to fill
the places of the nonunion men, such nonunion men shall be replaced with union
men as soon as the union can furnish them.
Sec . 8. Eight hours, exclusive of 30 minutes for lunch, shall constitute a day’s
work or a night’s work. Six days or six nights of 48 hours shall constitute a
week’s work. Lunch time shall be designated by the foreman and shall not be
paid for. No payment shall be made for holidays or any other day or days
when no work is performed.
Sec. 11. All time worked in excess of the unit of hours established for the day’s
or night’s work shall be paid for at the overtime rate, which shall be price and
112
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
one-half of the hourly rate up to midnight and double time thereafter on wages
received for day workers and price and one-half for all overtime on wages received
for night workers. No member of Milwaukee Typographical Union, No. 23,
working in any composing room of any newspaper that is a party to this agree
ment is exempt from taking off his overtime except the foreman who shall receive
overtime at the option of the employer.
Sec. 12. All work done on Sundays, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Christmas
Day, New Year’s Day, or days celebrated as such, shall be paid for at double
price, at a minimum of four hours; provided that this section shall not apply to
regular night shifts on morning papers.
Sec . 14. No employee covered by this scale shall be required or permitted to
hold a situation of more than six days or six nights, or a combination of days
and nights equivalent to six, in any one financial week. When an employee is
required to work the seventh day in any financial week or on his designated day
of rest he shall be paid overtime rates for such work. Foremen shall designate
the permanent day or night each situation holder shall be slid.
Sec . 15. Not less than 10 hours shall intervene between the quitting time of
one working day and the starting time of the next working day, except, in case
of emergency, when the men may be called in before 10 hours shall have
intervened.
Sec. 29. The scale of wages to be paid apprentices during the term of this
agreement shall be as follows: First six months 25 per cent of established wage
scale; second six months 30 per cent of established wage scale; third six months
33 per cent of established wage scale; fourth six months 35 per cent of established
wage scale; fifth six months 40 per cent of established wage scale; sixth six
months 45 per cent of established wage scale; seventh six months 50 percent of
established wage scale; eighth six months 55 per cent of established wage scale;
ninth six months 65 per cent of established wage scale; tenth six months 80 per
cent of established wage scale.
Sec . 32. A superannuated member who by reason of advanced years or other
causes may not be capable of producing an average amount of work may, by
agreement between the employer and the union, be permitted to work at a rate
of not less than 75 per cent of the established wage scale; provided, however,
that not more than one superannuated member shall be employed in any one office.
S ec . 37. The foreman shall have full control over all employees in the mechan
ical department and shall have the right to employ all labor. In no case shall
a foreman delegate any of his authority over operators to the machinist, nor
shall the machinist in any case have authority over the operators or operators
over the machinists, but helpers and machinists shall be subject to the order of
the foreman.
Sec. 39. It is agreed that in event of the use of machines by the publishers
other than the typesetting machines now in use a scale of wages for the same
may be agreed upon by the joint standing committee, and if no satisfactory
agreement is reached, then the matter shall be referred to a board of arbitration,
as provided for.
Sec . 50. Proof readers shall be members of Milwaukee Typographical Union,
No. 23, but copy may be held by anyone whom the management or the foreman
may designate.
Sec. 51. It is specifically agreed and understood that there shall be no censor
ship nor interference with nor interruption of the preparation thereof, by members
of the Milwaukee Typographical Union, No. 23, of advertisements, editorials, or
news matter intended for publication by the newspaper, party to this contract.
Sec . 54. The union shall not be bound by any provisions of the articles of
association, by-laws, charter, constitution, codes, laws, regulations, resolutions,
or rules of any character of the publishers (employer) which are in conflict with
the provisions of this contract. The publishers (employer) shall not be bound
by the constitution, by-laws, resolutions, rules, or regulations of the union which
are in conflict with the provisions of this contract. Each party, however, recog
nizes the right of the other to adopt laws and regulations of any character for
the government of its own members.
The following provisions are found in the annual newspaper agree
ment of Local No. 112 with the publishers of Scranton, Pa., October
1, 1925:
Section 12. To be deemed a competent linotype operator the minimum
amount of ems is placed at 32,000 nonpareil (corrected matter) for a day’s work
PRINTING TRADES
113
of 8 hours, due allowance being made for loss of time from causes not the fault
of the operator. Any operator attaining the ability to set this amount shall be
eligible to sub or hold a situation in any office working under the trade regula
tions of Scranton Typographical Union, No. 112.
Sec . 13. On monotype machines the minimum amount of ems by which the
degree of competency shall be established is placed at 32,000 nonpareil (corrected
matter) for a day’s work of 8 hours, due allowance being made for changing
keyboards or other loss of time not the fault of the operator. Any operator
attaining the ability to set the number of ems stipulated shall be eligible to sub
or hold a situation in any office working under the trade regulations of Scranton
Typographical Union, No. 112.
Sec. 19. Machine plants having from one to three typesetting machines must
employ an operator-machinist. Plants having four or more typesetting ma
chines must employ a machinist. When the proper care of the machine does not
require all the machinist’s time he may perform any duty pertaining to the
trade which the foreman finds him competent to do.
Sec. 20. The regular working time of a machinist shall be six days or nights
per week of as many hours each day or night as are the regular hours of the
operators in the office employed in operating machines. All time worked over
and above these hours by machinists shall be considered overtime and shall be
paid for at the overtime rate.
Sec . 21. No machinist holding a regular situation in an office will be permit
ted to attend to the repairs on tj^pesetting or casting machines in any office
other than the one in which he is employed, except in case of emergency.
Sec. 23. Operators on machines are prohibited from accepting a graded bonus.
Sec. 24. All composition must be timework. Piecework will not be allowed
in any case.
Sec. 26. Machine offices are prohibited from supplying machine composition
to nonunion offices.
Sec. 29. Offices publishing morning and afternoon papers have the right
to use advertisements and reading matter set up for the morning paper in the
evening, and vice versa, or in both, provided that both papers are published
from the same office.
Sec. 31. Transfer of matter between a newspaper office and a job office, or a job
office and a newspaper office, where conducted as separate institutions, and from
separate composing rooms, owned by the same individual, firm, or corporation,
is not permissible unless such matter is reset as nearly like the original as pos
sible, made up, read, and corrected, and a proof submitted to the chairman of
the office.
Sec. 32. Boys or men employed as attendants on Lanston casting machines
shall be classed as laborers and are not to be confused. with machinists,
apprentices, or helpers. Attendants may supply the casters with metal,
change galleys and ribbons, but shall not make any adjustments or handle type.
Casters must be in charge of a member of this union at all times.
The following sections are taken from the annual newspaper agree
ment of Local No . 127 with the Hartford Times, April 17, 1925:
S e c t io n 13. Regular employees of seven-day papers required to work more
than six days or six nights in one financial week shall be paid the overtime rate.
Regular employees of six-day papers required to work on Sunday shall be paid
at the rate of double price.
Sec. 14. (a) Members of Hartford Typographical Union, No. 127, holding reg
ular positions on the Hartford Times are to receive the regular scale for all
holidays throughout the year, whether the paper is issued or not.
(b) Said regular employees are to receive two weeks’ vacation with full com
pensation during the period beginning June 1 and ending September 20.
(d) Said regular employees are to receive full pay for all working days through
out the year on which they are confined to their homes by sickness and other
necessary reasons which the committee hereinafter named and the office may
agree upon.
(e) When said regular employees are absent on account of sickness their posi
tions are not to be filled by subs. It is furthermore understood and agreed that
any regular employee who is absent on account of sickness must report his dis
ability to the chairman of the chapel before the hour of starting work for the
day and as often thereafter as may be requested by the office.
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
(jf) In order th&t the matter of vacation periods to be assigned to said members
of Hartford Typographical Union, No, 127, holding regular positions on the Hart
ford Times, as well as the payment of employees for time lost on account of
sickness, may be handled in a way that there is no imposition either on the
paper or on the employees, a committee of five regular members of the compos
ing-room force will be appointed by mutual agreement of the composing room
and office, which will see that a satisfactory schedule of vacation periods is made,
also that there is no abuse of the sick-leave privilege. This committee is to
meet with the foreman and assistant foreman in charge nights and make arrange
ments most favorable to the shifting of the force in order to expedite the work
of getting out the paper in a manner satisfactory to the office. Full cooperation
on the part of the regular employees and the office will result in making this
experiment a matter of satisfaction both to the office and the composing-room
force.
Sec . 15. In the office of the Hartford Times where typesettiDg machines are
installed a machine tender must be employed where four or more machines are
operated (continuously) during day or night shifts. A. machine tender shall
have charge of all repairs, etc., made on the machines under his care during the
hours specified for the shift on which he works. No machine tender shall have
a right to operate the keyboard of a typsetting machine, but may cast borders,
blanks, and rules. All machinists shall receive $2 above the operators’ scale.
Sec . 16. A machinist-operator must be employed where less than four ma
chines are operated (continuously) during day or night shift. He shall receive
$2 per week over and above the regular operator’s scale for such machine on
which he may be employed, and shall take care of the (three or less) machines.
Sec. 24. Substitutes or extras showing on the floor of daily or weekly news
papers for employment, shall leave the building within 15 minutes after “ time” is
called, unless put to work.
Sec. 34. In accordance with section 3, Article XVII, International Typograph
ical Union General Laws, no member of Typographical Union, No. 127 shall be
allowed to receive any bonus from the office, but nothing in this scale shall be
construed as preventing an efficient workman from receiving a higher rate of
pay. (But extra compensation can not be based on a piecework or semipiece
work system.)
Sec . 40. This scale shall not reduce the wages of any member of this union
who is receiving more than herein provided.
The following extracts are from the book and job agreement of
Local No. 21 with the Franklin Printing Trades Association, San
Francisco, Calif., April 1, 1925:
Section 1. Work shall be done on a time basis only.
Sec. 13. Proof reading shall be done by journeyman members of the union.
This provision must not be construed to displace any proof reader now employed.
Se c . 14. Maehinist-operators shall be capable of not only operating machines
but of keeping them in running order, and shall be responsible for the condition
of the machines under their charge. One machinist-operator shall be employed
in every office where no regular machinist is employed. They shall receive 50
cents a day in excess of the scale for operators. Monotype operators employed
to run both the keyboard and the caster shall be rated as maehinist-operators.
Sec. 16. (d) Apprentices shall be registered by both the employers and the
union, and they shall be bound by indenture to their employers in the manner pro
vided by the joint apprentice committee, but in no case shall an apprentice be
employed who is under 16 years of age.
(e)
No apprentice shall leave one office and enter that of another employer with
out the written consent of his first employer and the president of the union, and
the date of such change of offices shall be recorded by the union and the employ
ers, and the apprentice shall be indentured to his new employer for the balance
of the term of apprenticeship.
Sec. 22. This agreement shall be in effect indefinitely after April 1, 1925, pro
vided that it shall be subject to change or termination 60 days after the date on
which written notice is given by either party to the other party of any desire to
change or terminate this agreement; provided further that the earliest date of
change or termination of this agreement shall not be before April 1, 1926.
PRINTING TRADES-
115
The following is a supplementary agreement to the book and job
agreement of Local No. 296 made with the publishers and printers
of Lima, Ohio, M ay 1, 1925:
It is agreed by the undersigned that during the life of the present existing con
tract between the employing publishers and printers on one side and Lima Typo
graphical Union, No 296, on the other side, dated May 1, 1925, to run for a period
of three years, expiring April 30> 1928, each journeyman in their employ at the date
of aforementioned contract shall on the first regular pay day in May, 1925, be paid
a bonus of $10 in addition to his regular pay, and on the first regular pay days in
May, 1926 and 1927, he shall receive a like bonus, provided he has been a regular
employee for a period of at least three months prior to those dates. On the
regular pay days last preceding July 4, 1925,1926, and 1927 he shall receive a
bonus of $10 provided he has been a regular employee for a period of at least
three months prior to those dates. On the pay days last preceding the first
Monday in September, 1925, 1926, and 1927 he shall receive a bonus of $10 pro
vided he has been a regular employee for a period of at least three months prior
to those dates. On the regular pay days last preceding December 25, 1925, 1926,
and 1927 he shall receive a bonus of $25 provided he has been a regular employee
for a period of at least three months prior to those dates.
And it is further agreed that each journeyman, apprentice, and superannuated
employee shall receive annually, during the life of the aforementioned contract,
a vacation of six consecutive working days, for which he shall receive his full rate
of pay, provided that said journeyman, apprentice, or superannuated employee
has held a regular situation for a period of at least six months prior to the date
of his vacation. Vacation period to be from June 1 to September 30, inclusive,
except that where it is mutually agreed between the authorized representative
of the undersigned employer and the employee immediately concerned dates other
than the above may be used. Employees shall have the privilege of selecting
their own dates, provided that such dates do not conflict with the proper work
ing of the office where employed.
Mailers who count, label, mail, wrap, insert, tie, fold, sort, route, cut,
paste, and mark papers and wrappers are connected with typograph
ical unions. Extracts from the agreement of Mailers' Local No. 19
with the Commercial Appeal Publishing Co. of Memphis, Tenn., M ay
23, 1925, follow:
Section 1. The party of the second part agrees that the party of the first part
shall have the right, in case of emergency, to employ nonunion men, but the party
of the first part binds itself to use every effort to first secure members of
Memphis Mailers7 Union, No. 19. The party of the second part binds itself to
supply the party of the first part with competent and skilled mailers whenever
called upon. Such mailers shall be capable of doing any and all work enumerated
in this contract in a skillful and workmanlike manner.
Sec. 2. Seven and one-half hours, exclusive of one-half hour for lunch, shall
constitute a nights work. Six nights shall constitute a week’s work.
Sec. 3. Eight hours (exclusive of necessary lunch time) shall constitute a day’s
work. Six days shall constitute a week’s work.
Sec . 8. Each office shall be allowed 1 apprentice with a regular employed crew
of journeymen, 2 with a crew of 10 or more journeymen, but in no case shall an
office be allowed more than 2 apprentices. The wages of the apprentice (who
shall possess a common-school education and be not less than 16 years of age
when starting his apprenticeship) shall be for the first year $21 per week; sec
ond year, $23 per week; third year, $25 per week; fourth year, $27 per week;
and fifth year $29 per week. Beginning with his third year, his time shall be
regulated the same as that of the journeymen.
The first year an apprentice shall be permitted to do all work appertaining to
the mailing trade, except run a machine. The second year he shall cut and
paste list, wrap clubs, and tie squares. The third year he shall count papers
and do all work above mentioned. The fourth year he shall devote exclu
sively to galley or stencil work. The fifth year he shall devote exclusively to
machine work. In case of emergency or necessity the foreman may put the
apprentice on other work than above stipulated.
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1025
Sec . 9. All work and employment in the mailing room shall be under the direc
tion of the foreman or journeyman in charge of the mailing room. The foreman
of the mailing department has a right to employ help, and may discharge (1) for
incompetency, (2) for neglect of duty, (3) for violation of office rules (which shall
be conspicuously posted) or of laws of the chapel or union, and (4) to decrease
the force, such decrease to be accomplished by discharging first the person or
persons last employed, either as regular or extra employees, as the exigencies of
the matter may require. Should there be an increase in the force, the persons
displaced through such cause shall be reinstated in reverse order in which they
were discharged before other help may be employed. Upon demand the fore
man shall give reason for discharge in writing.
Persons considered capable as substitutes by foreman shall be deemed compe
tent to fill regular situations, and the oldest in continuous service shall have
prior right in filling of the first vacancy. This section shall apply to incoming
as well as outgoing foremen.
LITHOGRAPHERS
The Amalgamated Lithographers of America is composed of art
ists, engravers, designers, transferrers, provers, pressmen, and press
feeders printing from stones or metal by flat surface, dampening and
chemical processes, upon paper, iron, tin, silk, or cloth.
Union-label agreements are executed with individual firms em
ploying union men exclusively. The following is a copy:
Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, in consideration of the use
and privileges of the Amalgamated Lithographers of America's Union label,
owned and controlled by the said party of the second part, hereby agree to em
ploy in the different departments of which the party of the second part claim
jurisdiction over none but members of the union of the party of the second part
and to comply with the adopted rules and regulations of the union represented.
To see that all work contracted b y ------ is produced by union labor, as hereto
fore provided, not to use the said union label upon anything but the strict
production of such union labor, and not to loan said union label, except by per
mission of the party of the second part. Any violation of this agreement shall
make it null and void; and the further use of the Amalgamated Lithographers of
America's Union label shall be without warrant and illegal.
PHOTO-ENGRAVERS
The International Photo-Engravers’ Union of North America claims
jurisdiction over all workers engaged in making reproductions by
photo-engraving or any kindred method, to be used for printing pur
poses. There is generally but one union in a city.
The agreements are generally made with employers’ associations.
Frequently two agreements are made, one with newspapers and one
with commercial shops. Occasionally a third is made with photogra
vure printers. The agreements generally call for a union shop, a 44hour week, a weekly pay day, overtime rates of time and a half and
double time Sundays and holidays, and some system of arbitration.
They are frequently made for a period of three or five years, with a
proviso that the wage scale may be reopened at the end of each year.
Local No. 5, Chicago, made two agreements, one with the Chicago
local of the American Newspaper Publishers’ Association for five
years from July 12, 1925, and one with the Chicago Photo-Engravers’
Association for three years from January 2, 1925. M ost of the pro
visions in the latter are in the former, from which the following
extracts are taken:
Section 2. The pay and hours of the foreman shall be a matter of his personal
agreement with the publisher.
PRINTING TRADES
117
Sec. 3. Forty-four hours shall constitute a week’s work for a day force and 42
hours shall constitute a week’s work for a night force.
Sec . 4. Work performed within the day hours shall be paid for at the day rate;
work performed during the night hours shall be paid for at the night rate.
Sec . 5. Daywork shall be between the hours of 7 a. m. and 7 p. m. Nightwork shall be between the hours of 5 p. m. and 6 a. m. Split shifts shall be con
sidered nightwork.
Sec . 6. All time outside the hours herein stipulated as constituting a day’s
or night’s work shall be construed as overtime and shall be paid for at the rate
of price and one-half. Overtime shall be paid only for the actual overtime an
employee is required to remain in the office.
Sec . 7. W'hen a man is especially called to work on any day previously des
ignated as his day off (or on holidays on evening newspapers) he shall be paid
a bonus of $2 and overtime rates for all time worked, provided that at least four
hours’ pay at overtime rate shall be guaranteed for such work. * * * Noth
ing herein contained, however, shall be construed as justifying the payment of
anything but overtime at the overtime rate for those employees who work extra
hours on their day off or holidays, if in so doing they are working continuously
to complete work begun previous to the hours specified. On morning papers
the regular working hours and scale of wages shall apply for regular work on
holidays.
Any employee voluntarily losing time (except by permission of the employer
or through sickness) may be required to work that amount of lost time within
the week in which such loss occurs before receiving overtime rates. In no case
shall such loss of time be made up on a holiday or Sunday.
Sec. 8. All time, either day or night, coming within the hours fixed by this
agreement, shall belong to the office. All employees of the photo-engraving de
partment shall perform such work within the department as the publisher or the
foreman shall direct; provided that in no case shall the foreman assign an em
ployee to a branch of the work with which he is not familiar and then discharge
him as incompetent; and further, that no “ commercial work” shall be done ex
cept work ordered and designed for publication in the editorial, news, feature, or
advertising columns of newspapers.
Sec. 9. The hours of labor shall be continuous except for a reasonable interval
to be allowed each day or night for lunch of not less than 15 minutes and not
more than one hour, at the discretion of the office, within a reasonable period
after starting time. Such lunch time shall not be a part of the regular hours of
labor herein named and shall not be paid for by the office.
Sec. 10. The number of apprentices hereafter to be employed shall be based
upon the total number of regular journeymen employed, as follows: One for the
first five or major portion thereof and one additional for each six additional journey
men; the foreman to be counted a journeyman; but each office shall be allowed
at least one apprentice. The average number of journeymen regularly employ
ed six days or six nights a week shall be the basis of the allotment; and a sevenday newspaper may compute its average number of journeymen employed by
selecting any six days or nights of the week. No apprentice under the age of 18
years shall be allowed t j work on night shifts.
Sec. 11. An apprentice shall serve a term of not less than 5 years as an appren
tice in one office, beginning at the age of 16 years or over. He shall be selected
by the publisher or his representative and be placed at such work in the photo
engraving department as the publisher or his foreman shall direct; but, during
the last three years of his apprenticeship, at least half of his time shall be employ
ed in the specific branch which the publisher wishes him to follow, although he
may be called upon for other work in the department whenever, in the judgment
of the publisher or foreman, the needs of the office require it. During the period
of his apprenticeship the publisher shall fix the apprentice’s wage.
Sec. 12. When an apprentice has completed his five-year term of service he may
be employed as a journeyman, provided there is a journeyman vacancy in the
office. The office shall be entitled to a new apprentice, provided that the addi
tion of a new apprentice does not increase the total number of apprentices be
yond the number the office is entitled to under this agreement.
Sec. 13. The publisher shall be the sole judge as to the number of men to be
employed in the work of the photo-engraving department of his paper, and his deci
sion shall be final and not open to question by the union; provided that at least
one journeyman shall be employed in each branch operated.
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Sec. 14. The publisher shall be the sole judge of a man's competency as a
workman and of his general fitness to work in the office. He shall have the
right to discharge any workman for cause, or to decrease the force.
Sec. 15. The publisher or the foreman shall employ and discharge all employees
in the photo-engraving department. He shall designate the work each employee
shall perform, the time he shall report for work and the regular day off, and
shall not change the time of anyone without giving at least four days’ notice,
except in case of some unforeseen or unavoidable occurrence within or without
the office. He shall administer the work of the department according to his
judgment of the best interests of the publisher, but always in conformity with
the provisions of this agreement.
Sec . 16. The foreman, as the representative of the publisher in control of the
photo-engraving department, its work, and employees, shall be responsible for
the proper conduct of the department only to the publisher or his representative.
He shall not be subject to fine, discipline, or expulsion by the union for any act
as foreman in the regular performance of his duty authorized by this agreement.
S e c . 17. If the union has a grievance against a superintendent or foreman
for acts in his capacity as foreman it shall first refer it to the publisher or busi
ness manager of the paper, and if the difference is not satisfactorily adjusted
the union shall then refer its grievance to the joint standing committee, as here
inafter provided, for settlement.
Sec. 18. Neither party to this agreement shall be called on to recognize or be
bound by any law, rule, or regulation of the other party which is not specified
in and made a part of this agreement.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Local No. 34
with the Photo-Engravers Club of Kansas City, a two-year agree
ment, effective March 1, 1925:
Section 2. All wages to be paid in full at the end of every week. If pay day
falls on a holiday, wages will be paid on the day previous. The * * * scale
of wages to apply to the following branches: Photographers, zinc etchers, tint
laj^ers, printers, and strippers, copper etchers, finishers, routers and blockers,
proofers.
That forty hours shall constitute a week’s work for night workers. The divi
sion of hours to be designated by the party of the first part, but such working
nights to be between the hours of 5 p. m. and 6 a. m., Saturday and Sunday
nights excluded. Working nights that precede a holiday shall extend to the
usual hour of quitting. The minimum wage scale for night workers shall be $5
per week more than for day workers.
Sec. 3. A journeyman may be permitted to work in any branch other than
that which his card calls for by permission of the chapel chairman or other
authorized officer, and such permit shall be good for day of issue only. A mem
ber shall be permitted to work overtime in any branch other than that which
his card calls for, with the consent of the secretary or other authorized officer.
That 44 hours shall constitute a full week’s work for day workers.
Lunch time shall
be from 12 to 12.30 p. m. Quitting time shall be 4.30 p. m., excepting Satur
days, when the quitting time shall be 12 noon.
That should it be deemed necessary to reduce the working hours, the party of
the first part shall designate the hours of work, provided that such reduction
shall be equal on each day of the week and shall effect the entire working force;
that such reduction shall be operative for not less than one week, and that the
regular rate of overtime be paid for all such work as may be done outside the
hours designated as working hours in such reduction, provided that Saturday
may be excepted by mutual consent. Starting time to be not later than 8 a. m.
Sec. 5. The first three hours after quitting time shall be charged time and oneIialf. All other time shall be charged double time. Sunday and holidaj^s shaU
be charged double time.
Overtime shall consist of all work done between the regular time of quitting
each day and the starting time the next day. In such cases where an employee
has voluntarily lost time through an avoidable cause he may be required to make
up his 44 hours in that particular week before charging for overtime. In such
cases where an employee has lost time through sickness or permission he shall
be paid for overtime previously worked, but in no case shall the time lost on
account of holidays be made up before charging overtime.
Sec. 4. That starting time shall be not later than 8 a. m.
PRINTING- TRADES
119
No journeyman or apprentice shall be permitted to work more than eight
hours’ overtime in any one week, if there are men in such branches out of work,
except in cases of emergency.
Sec . 6. * * * That no work shall be allowed on Labor Day except by permit
signed by the president and corresponding secretary of the union.
S ec . 7. Apprentices, after a medical examination, approved by the local, are
to serve an apprenticeship of not less than five years in one shop; beginning at
the age of 16 or over.
That all apprentices shall be mutually indentured to both parties to this agree
ment and be governed by the laws of the Kansas City Photo-Engravers’ Union
No. 34, I. P. E. U.
That the number of apprentices shall be based on the total number of journey
men employed in a shop at large, at the ratio of 1 apprentice to 5 journeymen,
and 2 apprentices to 10 journeymen, and shall be apportioned among the various
departments as follows: One apprentice in a department and additional appren
tices to be added only upon the basis of 5 additional journeymen in a department.
There shall be a journeyman employed in every department where an apprentice
is allowed.
In the event that the working force is reduced in numbers and the apprentices
employed exceed the ratio prescribed in this agreement the last apprentice or
apprentices employed shall be laid off to conform with the ratio therein prescribed,
with the exception of such cases where an excess of apprentices is due to the
inability of the union to furnish men.
S ec . S. It is understood and agreed that no work is to be done by members
of said union when such work emanates from employing photo-engravers partici
pating in or concerned in a strike or lockout with or against members of the Inter
national Photo-Engravers’ Union of North America. And it is further under
stood that where the enfoi cement of this clause entails any loss on the employer
party to this contract, said loss shall be borne by the firm, provided that said
firm shall have been notified of such strike or lockout.
Se c . 10. A local joint industrial council shall be created of six persons, con
sisting of three representatives of each party to this agreement. Four of these
representatives, consisting of at least two of each of the parties to this agree
ment, shall constitute a quorum. In case of vacancy, absence, or refusal of a
representative to act, another shall be immediately appointed in his place. All
questions of differences arising out of or concerning this agreement and all ques
tions arising between an employer and his employee during the life of this agree
ment which can not be adjusted by conciliation shall be referred' to and be dis
posed of by the local joint industrial council. The local joint industrial coun
cil shall meet regularly each month at sueh time and place as may be deter
mined by it. It shall also meet within five days whenever a question of differ
ence arises, after due notice in writing shall have been filed with each chairman
of the council. The local joint industrial council shall decide all questions sub
mitted to it, and its award in all cases shall include a determination of all issues
involved. In the event the local joint industrial council for any cause can not
arrive at a decision within 15 days after notice has been filed, the question of
difference shall be submitted immediately thereafter to the Photo-Engravers’
International Joint Industrial Council, whose award or decision shall be final
and binding on both parties. The decision of the Photo-Engravers Joint Inter
national Council and enforcement thereof shall not conflict with the constitution
and by-laws of the International Photo-Engravers’ Union of North America and
of its local unions, as in effect March 1, 1925. Working conditions prevailing
at the time the differences arise shall be preserved and unchanged until a deci
sion of the matter shall be reached.
S ec . 11. The foreman shall be a member of said union, and shall be responsible
for-the conduct of his shop to the proprietors or operating firm; and nothing in
this agreement shall prevent a member of the firm from acting as superintend
ent of the shop, and members of the chapel shall be responsible to the foreman
only. No one shall be allowed to act as foreman who does not spend at least
40 hours per week in the shop.
S ec . 13. That no extra charge shall be made for placing I. P. E. U. label on
engravings.
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
PRINTING PRESSMEN
The International Printing Pressmen’s and Assistants, Union of
North America includes platen or job pressmen, web or newspaper
pressmen, feeders, and press assistants. In the smaller cities these
workers are frequently formed into a single local, but in the larger
cities there are locals for each branch. The agreements are generally
made with associations of employers, frequently for a period of three
years, and call for a union shop, a 44-hour week, with overtime rates,
a weekly pay day, and a system of arbitration.
The following extracts are from the agreement between Local No.
3 and the Franklin Association of Chicago, March 27, 1925, made
for two years:
A joint standing scale committee shall be selected each year to consist of five
representatives of the employers and six representatives of the union; three of
each to constitute a quorum, and in case of vacancy, prolonged absence, or
refusal of a representative to act another shall be appointed in his place, to
which committee shall be referred all questions which may arise as to the con
struction to be placed upon any of the clauses of this agreement or any alleged
violation which can not be settled otherwise; such joint standing scale com
mittee shall meet within one week after due notice in writing shall have been
filed with each chairman of the committee when any question of difference shall
have been referred to it for decision by the authorized representative of either
party to this agreement, and should the joint standing scale committee be unable
to agree, then it shall refer the matter to a board of arbitration, the representa
tives of the parties to this agreement to select each two arbitrators and the four
to agree upon a fifth. If not mutually agreed upon within 10 days, the se
lection of the fifth arbitrator shall be made by lot. Each side shall select two
names from those suggested by the opposite side and the four placed in a hat.
The second and third names drawn from the hat shall be the first and second
choice, respectively, for the fifth arbitrator. The decision of this board shall be
final and binding upon all parties.
Changes in this contract may be made from time to time (except in the mat
ter of the hours of labor and rate of compensation) by the unanimous vote of
all the members of the joint standing scale committee; but before such changes
shall become effective they must have the approval of the union and the emers.
)r any and all services demanded up to three hours in excess of the regular
working hours as may be established in any office the rate of pay shall be price
and one-half and double the regular scale thereafter; and all work performed on
Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Decoration Day,
Fourth of July, Labor Daj^, or days celebrated as such, and any time worked
after the expiration of the regular 44-hour week shall be double the regular
scale.
When work is performed on the night commencing with the “ eve of a legal
holiday” by regular night men, single time shall apply for that night. If work
is performed on the night following a legal holiday, double time shall apply.
Overtime worked by any night crew on the morning of a legal holiday shall be
paid for at double-time rates.
Should it be deemed necessary to reduce the working hours, the employers
shall designate the hours of work, provided such reduction shall be equal on each
day of the week (Saturday excepted) and shall affect the entire working force.
Such reduction shall be operative for not less than one complete week, commencing
with the first day of the pay-roll week.
When the schedule of hours is reduced, such reduced time shall constitute the
regular time for the week, and work performed in excess thereof shall constitute
overtime and shall be paid for at overtime rates.
All work performed during the noon or lunch intermission shall be overtime
and shall be paid for on time and one-half basis.
The union further agrees that its members shall not leave the services of any
of the firms constituting the employers unless a day or night’s notice has been
given to the foreman of the department.
The union realizes the delicate confidences often necessary between the manage
ment of a firm and its employees, and further agrees to hold any and all private
PRINTING TRADES
121
matters acquired by its members in their employment as a sacred trust, not to
be imparted to others or discussed outside the office in which they are employed.
The union agrees that there shall be no limit put upon the output of presses
by the union or its members.
The union reserves the right to its members to refuse to execute any and all
unfair work destined to or from unfair employers.
The employer may use as many pressmen 011 make-ready as he desires in order
to get a press in operation, provided the established scale of wages is paid.
Where there are more than seven single-cylinder presses or other presses oper
ating in the pressroom the foreman shall not run presses. If six or less presses
are operating in any shop the foreman may be required to run presses. Foreman
or assistant foreman running press or presses shall be paid for overtime at rate
he receives. Double-cylinder flat-bed, double-roll rotary, two-color rotary, and
two-color Harris presses to count as two presses.
The pressmen operating presses when overtime is ordered shall receive such
overtime.
Where there are three or more single-rotary presses in a pressroom the fore
man shall not run presses.
When members of the union engage to take employment in any office and
failing to respond for work at the time agreed upon without having been excused
by the foreman of the said intended position, or when any member shall walk
out during w'orking hours or leave his position without due notice, the union shall
reimburse the employer at the rate of $4.50 per hour for the time lost on the
press or presses the member is working on or was engaged to work on for that
day or night, based on the regular working hours of the shift.
Air apprentices must be registered with both unions and the Franklin Asso
ciation.
The following provisions appear in the agreement between Web
Pressmen’s Local No. 18 and certain Los Angeles newspaper pub
lishers, July 1,1925.
The foreman shall select, supervise, and control all help. It shall be left to
the discretion of the foreman to determine the number of pressmen needed to
operate presses under his charge and control, and he shall assign men to their
positions, subject to the approval of the party of the first part, but the number
so employed on a press shall not be less than the number indicated as required
in this agreement.
Section 1. The party of the second part agrees to furnish at all times a suffi
cient number of competent men as may be required by party of the first part
for the proper operation of the web pressrooms of Examiner Publishing Co.,
Herald Publishing Co., Express Publishing Co., Record Publishing Co., the
Illustrated Daily News, and in ease of the union's inability to do this at any
time the foreman of any office shall have the privilege of engaging such men as
he may see fit to temporarily make up the necessary quota until such time as
the union can furnish the men required, and the foreman shall not be required
to replace such outside men with union men in case union men report later
during that shift; provided further, if the union fails to furnish a full crew for
any press and the foreman can not obtain the required number of outsiders,
such press shall be run shorthanded without the payment of any extra compen
sation to the men employed and without the payment of any compensation to
said men other than is provided in this agreement.
Sec . 3. The foreman shall have the right to designate the day or night each
week on which a regular may lay off; in case of a disagreement between the
party of the first part and the party of the second part in this matter the fore
man’s instructions shall be followed immediately, but the controversy may be
referred to the special standing committee for settlement.
Sec . 4. The time at which men shall report for work shall be designated by
the foreman.
Sec . 6. Eight consecutive hours, inclusive of 30 minutes for lunch, between
7.30 a. m. and 7.30 p. m. shall constitute a day's work; time for lunch not to
exceed 30 minutes, at the convenience of the office, between 11 a. m. and 2 p. m.,
except on New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and
Christmas, when any five consecutive hours, exclusive of the lunch period (not
to exceed 30 minutes), at the convenience of the office, shall constitute a day’s
work.
122
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Sec. 7. Six and one-half consecutive hours Sunday night, exclusive of lunch
period, seven consecutive hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday night, exclusive of lunch period, eight consecutive hours Saturday night,
inclusive of lunch period, shall constitute a night’s work, lunch period not to
exceed 30-minutes, to he at the convenience of the office all nights. All work
done on morning papers during the daytime on New Year’s Day, Fourth of July,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christinas shall be any five consecutive hours,
exclusive of the lunch period, not to exceed 30 minutes, at the convenience of
the office, except when one of these holidays falls on Saturday, when a full eight
hours’ work, inclusive of the lunch period, not to exceed 30 minutes, at the con
venience of the office, will be given.
Sec . 10. The party of the first part, unless electing so to do, shall not be
compelled to pay overtime rates because of the failure of the party of the second
part to furnish competent men, when called upon to do so by the party of the
first part.
The interpretation of the foregoing is that in the event the foreman asks the
union for new men at the end of a shift the party of the first part is not to be
compelled to pay overtime rates should the union be unable to supply the re
quired number of competent men. Should the foreman voluntarily tell a member
of the crew that he must continue to work after the expiration of a shift such
member must be paid overtime rates. The foregoing applies to all regular
editions.
Sec . 16. One dollar shall be paid for call back to issue an extra, besides
time and one-haif for actual time worked before or after regular working hours.
Sec. 17. Nothing in the scale of prices shall prevent a superior workman
from receiving a higher rate of pay.
The following extracts are from the agreement by Printing Press
men's Local Nn. 21 and Printino* P t p q s Assistants' Local No. 19 and
the Closed
Printers’ Association of
Newark, N.
,
1. Party of the first part shall employ none but members in good standing of
the unions to do any work that comes under the jurisdiction of the unions,
provided that said union can and will at all times furnish upon requirements by
a member or members of the party of the first part sufficient competent men
for the needs of such member or members of the party of the first part. It is
also understood and agreed that in case of failure of the union to furnish such
number of competent workmen as may be required, after 24 hours’ previous notice,
then and then only the members of the party of the first part shall be privileged
to secure the necessary help elsewhere, until such time as the union can furnish the
necessary help, but if an employee is eligible to become a member of the union
he shall be kept on the position, provided that he joins the union in question.
No member of the party of the first part shall be permitted to do any work
eoming under the jurisdiction of the unions for any employer not employing
members of the unions if requested not to do so by the unions. Any work, job,
or publication that is placed direct with the member of the first part by the
customer or buyer and is billed direct to him shall not be considered struck
work, provided the customer or buyer gives satisfactory evidence that the work
m not placed for the purpose of defeating a strike or lockout. It is recognized
that the local unions are subject to the discretion of their International Union
of North America in regards to struck work.
4. Night work.—Forty hours shall constitute a week’s work, to be performed
in five consecutive nigiits of 8 hours each, Monday to Friday, inclusive, during
hours to be mutually agreed to between the parties of the first and second parts.
7, All overtime for both journeymen and apprentices shall be paid at the rate
of time and one-half for the first four hours following the regular working per
iod; after that, double time. Also double time on Sundays and holidays, and
for overtime on Sundays and holidays, triple time.
9. When members of the union are called into work on night shifts on Sat
urday, Sunday, or legal holidays they shall receive double time. All work before
or after regular working hours of the shift on the above date shall be paid for
at triple time.
10. When employees of a regular night force work on the eve of a holiday
they shall receive single time for that night, but if they are required to work on
the night of the holiday itself they shall be paid double time for that night*
PRINTING TRADES
123
12.
If a journeyman is not given three consecutive days’ or nights' work a
week he shall be considered a substitute, but in no instance shall a regular
employee be considered as such. Substitutes shall receive 50 cents per day or
night in excess of the regular scale, and shall be paid this increase rate by the
one appointing them, either fellow employee or employer, as the case may be.
15. An employee may be discharged for reasons satisfactory to the employer;
if the employee feels that he or she has been discriminated against, upon demand,
the foreman or employer shall give reasons for discharge in writing, and the
union shall have the right to investigate the reasons for his discharge. If reasons
are proven unjust and the employee is competent he shall be reinstated. This
shall be decided by a representative of the union and the employer or his rep
resentative; if not possible of reaching a decision, then the matter shall be
referred to a concilation committee of the parties to this contract.
17. Services performed by an employee in the interest of and for the union
shall not be cause for discharge or discrimination.
22. Foremen of the pressroom are the authority therein, and no person but a
constituted member of the International Printing Pressmen’s Union shall be
permitted to act as such. Foremen shall not be interfered with in the perform
ance of their duties. All orders shall emanate from the foreman. Foremen
shall employ and discharge all pressroom help. Any instructions from the em
ployer or superintendent must be given through the foreman and not direct to
other employees.
24. Foremen of cylinder pressrooms shall receive at least $5 per week more
than the highest scale of any man under him up to six presses, inclusive, and $1
for each additional press up to 10 or more presses. Assistant foremen shall
receive as a differential one-half of the differential scale for foremen, and in
shops where there are 20 cylinder presses an assistant foreman shall be employed
on the floor. Two-color, or perfecting flat-bed, two-color Harris, sheet-fed
rotary, and web presses shall count as two in the complement.
25. Job-press foremen shall receive at least $5 per week more than the highest
scale of any man under him up to 12 presses, inclusive; 50 cents for each addi
tional press up to 8 more presses. For 15 or more presses an assistant foreman
shall be required, and he shall receive as a differential scale one-half of the
differential scale for foremen.
30. Every apprentice shall be registered by both the party of the first part
and the organization of which he or she is a member, and no apprentice shall
be given a card before the full time is up, except by mutual agreement, and in
case any apprentice leaves a position before his or her time is complete and
receives a card from some other union such card shall not be recognized by the
parties of this agreement until such apprentice completes the term of original
apprenticeship. Every apprentice must be furnished with an apprentice’s card
by the union of which he or she is a member, showing full particulars of regis
tration. An apprentice must take his turn on temporary layoffs.
31. The foreman of the pressroom is required to test the ability of each appren
tice under his charge after six months and within the first year of his apprentice
ship, to determine the fitness of such apprentice for the trade. The apprentice
shall thereupon receive from his foreman a written statement of his qualifications,
a copy of which he shall file with the union and the party of the first part.
Should the apprentice be deemed incapable he shall be refused further work at
that branch for at least one year. Any dispute arising over this question shall
be determined by the joint apprentice committee of the party of the first part
and the union and all interested parties shall have an opportunity to be heard.
32. When an apprentice is out of employment through failure or retirement
from business of his employer or other causes beyond the control of the employer
or apprentice, such apprentice shall have the opportunity for completing his term
in any office, regardless of the number of apprentices employed therein; provided
that no more than one such extra apprentice shall be allowed any shop nor shall
any journeyman be displaced.
STEREOTYPERS AND ELECTROTYPERS
The International Stereotypers and Electrotypers’ Union of North
America unites two classes o f men whose work is somewhat similar.
In the smaller towns one local covers the two classes, but in the
larger cities there is a local of each. The agreements are generally
124
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
rather lengthy, and are often for a period of three years. They gen
erally provide for a detailed system of arbitration, a union shop, an
eight-hour day, overtime rates, a weekly pay day, and apprenticeship.
The following extracts are from the three-year agreement of Stereotypers, Local No. 90 with newspapers in Milwaukee, W is., January
1 9,1925:
S ection 1. It is hereby agreed b y ------ party of the first part and Milwaukee
Stereotypers’ Union No. 90, 1. S. and E. U., party of the second part, that this
contract and scale of prices, except as provided in the last sentence of section 1,
shall (unless changed by mutual consent) be in effect from and after January 19,
1925, and for a term of three years, ending January 18, 1928, provided that if
either party wishes to propose an amendment to this agreement or a new con
tract to become effective January 19, 1928, it shall notify the other party to the
contract of its wishes 60 days prior to the date mentioned, and accompany the
notice with a statement of the changes desired in detail. If no notice is given
at the time designated above, this agreement shall run from year to year and
can only be changed by written notice by one of the parties to the other 60 days
prior to January 19 of any succeeding year. It is further provided that if either
party wishes to change that part of this agreement relating to the scale of wages
it shall notify the other party to this contract at least 60 days prior to January
19 in any year during the life of this agreement when the amendment shall come
up for discussion and agreement, such agreement to become effective on January
19 of that year.
Sec. 2. The party of the first part agrees to employ in its stereotyping depart
ment members of Milwaukee Stereotyped Union No. 90, I. S. and E. U., pro
vided said union furnishes enough competent and satisfactory men at the rates
of wages provided in this agreement to enable the party of the first part to issue
its publications promptly and regularly. The party of the second part agrees to
use its utmost efforts to furnish such men. It is further provided if at any time
Milwaukee Stereotyped Union No. 90, I. S. and E. U., fails to supply a suffi
cient number of competent and satisfactory men the party of the first part may
employ any members of the International Stereotypers and Electrotypers’ Union
that it can secure, provided men may be secured from any source, whether union
or nonunion to meet emergencies, and provided further that the employer shall
have the privilege of retaining such substitute help if desired for a period of not
more than 30 days, even though such substitute help does not desire to affiliate
with the local union. If during the 30 days the union is unable to furnish men
to fill the places of nonunion men, such nonunion men shall be replaced with
union men as soon as the union can furnish them.
Sec. 3. A standing committee of two representatives of the party of the first
part shall be selected by the publisher and a like committee of two represent
ing the party of the second part shall be selected by the union. In case of the
absence or refusal of either of such representatives to act, another shall be appoint
ed in his place. To this committee shall be referred all questions that may arise
regarding this contract or scale of prices, the construction to be placed on any
clause or clauses of the agreement or the scale, or any alleged violations thereof
which can not be settled otherwise. When differences arise which necessitate
action by the joint standing committee, the chairman of the committee shall be
notified in writing by the executive officers of either party to the agreement and
the committee shall meet within 10 days of the date on wiiich notices of differ
ences are transmitted to the chairman. If the committee does not reach an
agreement within 30 days of the date of transmission of notice of differences, it
shall select a fifth and disinterested man who for the purpose of determining the
issue shall be entitled to vote on the question or questions in dispute. The
decision of the committee thus formed shall be final and binding upon both
parties.
Sec. 4. It is also agreed that all questions regarding a new contract and scale
to become effective at the expiration of this agreement which can not be settled
by conciliation shall be decided by arbitration, as above provided, and this agree
ment shall remain in force until all differences are settled by conciliation or
arbitration.
Sec. 5. It is agreed that if any terms affecting wages, hours, or working con
ditions better or different than those given in this agreement, or any concessions
whatever, are allowed by the party of the second part to any Milwaukee news
paper during the life of this agreement, those said better or different terms or
PRINTING TRADES
125
concessions shall be allowed immediately by the party of the second part to the
party of the first part.
Sec. 6. It is expressly agreed that the rights and relations of the parties hereto
are covered by the terms of this contract and scale of prices. The party of the
first part concedes it has no right to object to any rules or regulations made by
the party of the second part for the government of its members in so far as they
do not conflict with the terms of this contract or scale. Both parties recognize
that their respective rights under this contract and scale will have been accorded
by the performance and fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the said con
tract and scale and that the complete obligations of each to the other is expressed
in the said contract and scale.
Sec . 8. * * * Eight consecutive hours or any part thereof (exclusive of
30 minutes for lunch) shall constitute a day’s work. Six days (48 hours) shall
constitute a week's work. No payment shall be made for holidays or any other
day or days when no work is performed. Lunch time shall be designated by the
foreman (at the convenience of the office) and shall not be paid for.
Sec. 9. Apprentices shall be paid at the following rates: First year, 45 per
cent of journeymen’s scale; second year, 55 per cent of journeymen’s scale;
third year, 65 per cent of journeymen’s scale; fourth year, 75 per cent of journey
men’s scale; and fifth year, 85 per cent of journeymen’s scale.
Sec. 10. Regular working hours shall be fixed by the foreman between the
hours of 6.30 a. m. and 6.30 p. m. for daywork, and between the hours of 6.30
p. m. and 6.30 a. m. for nightwork. Members working on afternoon papers
with Sunday morning editions shall be paid the regular rate when working on a
second shift on Saturday nights. In no case shall work done during the regu
lar Saturday night shift be construed as overtime; provided further, that a man
may be called to work at any time during either of the 12-hour periods and
shall not receive overtime or extra pay unless he works more than the regular
number of hours for that day or night.
Sec. 11. Payment for overtime shall be only for actual overtime worked at the
rate of price and one-half of the regular scale. The foremen shall not receive
pay for overtime.
Sec . 12. Men called in on Sundays or holidays, * * * on which no reg
ular editions are published, to get out extra editions, shall be paid at the rate
of double price for the actual time worked. In such event no man shall receive
less than four hours’ pay. All work on such days for regular issues that is per
formed during regular hours to be paid for at the regular rates.
Sec. 14. All work performed during the day hours shall be paid for at day
rates. 'All work performed during night hours shall be paid for at night rates.
Sec . 15. The publishers shall be entitled to 1 apprentice for the first 10 jour
neymen or fraction thereof employed in the office and 1 apprentice for each
additional 10 journeymen or major fraction thereof employed.
Sec. 18. If the foreman makes a demand for men and Milwaukee Stereotypers’
Union No. 90, I. S. and E. U., can not supply the number of men wanted within
a reasonable time, employees shall not be limited to the regular number of hours’
work in any one day.
Sec. 19. Men who do not report when time is called shall be subject to dis
missal, at the option of the foreman. When a regular man does not report, or
have a substitute ready within 10 minutes after the hour for beginning work,
the foreman shall put on a substitute in his place.
Sec. 22. The foreman of the stereotyping department shall be the judge of a
man’s competency as a workman and his general fitness to work in the office.
He shall select and employ all help and supervise and control all employees in
the stereotyping department.
Sec . 24. It is specifically agreed and understood that there shall be no censor
ship nor interference with nor interruption of the preparation thereof by mem
bers of Milwaukee Stereotypers’ Union No. 90,1. S. and E. U., of advertisements,
editorials or news matter intended for publication by any or all of the newspapers
parties to this contract.
The following extracts are from the two-year agreement of Stereo
ty p e d Local No. 9, with Detroit, Mich., newspapers, M ay 1, 1925:
Section 4. In all matters not specifically determined by the provisions of this
agreement the constitution and by-laws of the union shall govern, a copy of
which is hereto attached and made* a part of this agreement.
96588°— 26------- 9
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Sec . 5. Eight consecutive hours or any part thereof between the hours of
6.15 a. m. and 7 p. m. shall constitute a day’s work. Seven consecutive hours
or any part thereof between the hours of 5 p. m. and 5 a. m. shall constitute a
night’s work, except on Saturday, when eight consecutive hours between the
hours of 2 p. m. and 5. a. m. Sunday, shall constitute the night’s work.
S ec . 6. On Sundays and holidays a call for services between the hours of 6
a. m. and 6 p. m. for the day side shall be paid on a basis of time and one-half,
it being understood that the men shall be paid an amount at least equal to a
day’s pay at regular price. The term holidays shall signify Christmas, New
Year’s, Independence, Thanksgiving, and Labor Days.
Sec. 7 All time previous to or after the hours herein stipulated shall be con
sidered as overtime and paid for at the rate of time and one-half.
Journeymen working two consecutive full-time shifts in the same office, at
the request of the office, or its representative, shall be paid a bonus of $1.50 for
the second full-time shift over and above his regular pay.
Foremen shall be paid for overtime only at the option of his employer.
Sec. 9 The scale of wages to be paid apprentices per day or night shall be as
follows: For the third year, one-half of the journeyman’s scale; for the fourth
year, three-fifths of the journeyman’s scale; and for the fifth year, four-fifths of
the journeyman’s scale.
Each newspaper office shall be entitled to one apprentice for every seven jour
neymen or major fraction thereof. All apprentices shall be given full opportunity
of learning the trade. Any apprentice applying for position, if accepted by the
publisher, shall receive compensation according to the number of years he shall
have served at that time.
Sec . 11. Such stereotyping requirements shall be construed to mean all work
of getting out regular and special editions and preparation therefor, making of
exchange mats for local papers, mats and casts for the advertising purposes of the
employer, but shall not include job work generally classed as commercial work
and paid for on that basis. Any men engaged in getting out such commercial
job work for the employer shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half for the
period of such work.
S ec . 12. The union shall not discipline the foreman for carrying out the orders
of the employer. The foreman shall have complete control of all employees in
the stereotype department of the employer, hiring and discharging them in con
formity with the regulations of the international union by-laws governing same.
The following provisions are found in the three-year agreement
of Electrotypers' Local No. 35, Cleveland, Ohio, June 1, 1925:
S ection 2. Apprentice finishers shall be taken from the journeymen branchmen
and shall receive, first six months, branchmen’s scale; second six months, $1 in
crease; third six months, $1 increase; fourth six months, $1 increase; beginning
third year and thereafter, journeymen finishers’ scale.
S ec . 3. The parties hereto covenant and agree that 48 hours shall constitute a
week’s work. The working schedule to be regulated within the hours of 7.30 a.
m. and 5 p. m. each day, except Saturday, when the hours shall be between 7.30
a. m. and 12 m. It is further agreed that whenever a majority of the printers
employed in Cleveland shall be placed upon the 44-hour-week basis, then 44
hours shall constitute a week’s work in this contract and shall become effective
without any reduction in wages.
Sec. 4. All overtime to be paid at the rate of time and one-half for the first
four hours and double time thereafter. On Saturdays after 12 m., first four
hours time and one-half, double time thereafter. Sundays and holidays, double
time. Overtime shall be construed to mean any time over the regular schedule
of hours. When members of the party of the second part are required to work
one and one-half hour overtime they shall be allowed 30 minutes for lunch, with
pay.
Sec . 6. The party of the second part further agrees that in case of dissatis
faction with the condition of terms of employment with the party of the first
part for which reason he desires to leave their employ, that he will give said
first party not less than one week’s notice of his intention to do so. In consider
ation thereof, the party of the first part agrees to give the employee one week’s
notice of actual discharge from its employ, except in case of dishonesty or
similar offense.
Sec. 7. Apprentice clause.— Any foundry giving employment to from one to
three journeymen finishers or molders shall be allowed one apprentice, and
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS
127
one apprentice to each additional two finishers or molders, said apprentices
to come from the journeymen branchmen. One apprentice to one floor hand,
and two apprentices to two or more floor hands in each end.
Sec . 8. Junior apprentices.—Junior apprentices, after serving a probationary
period of not less than three months, shall be registered on the books of both
parties to this agreement, and shall then serve an apprenticeship of five years.
Sec. 11. The term of this agreement shall be for three years, beginning June
1, 1925, and ending May 31, 1928.
The following extracts are from the agreement of Electro typers
Local No. 30, Indianapolis, Ind., January 19, 1925:
Section 3. Monday to Friday, inclusive, time and one-half for all time outside
of the established schedule of hours until 9 p. m. and on Saturday to 4 p. m.
All other overtime, also Sundays and holidays, shall be paid at the rate of
double time.
Sec. 4. Sawing of casts, running of rougher, planing wood, filling wax cases,
and scrubbing casts may be done by boys or men not registered.
All other operations requiring skill in the production of electrotypes to be
performed by journeymen or journeymen apprentices.
Sec . 5. One apprentice shall be allowed for two journeymen, two apprentices
for four or more journeymen regularly employed, in each branch of the trade.
All apprentices shall be registered either as molder’s apprentice or as finisher’s
apprentice. They shall receive instructions and become proficient in each branch
of the business in which they are registered.
An apprentice must serve a probationary period of six months to demonstrate
his fitness to become a registered apprentice.
Apprentices at either branch shall serve five years from date they are employed
to become journeymen.
The employer and the executive board of this union, after the first six months
of the boy's apprenticeship, shall mutually determine his fitness to continue as
an apprentice.
Should an apprentice leave his position without the consent of his employer
and the union he shall forfeit all rights to finish his apprenticeship in any foundry
within the jurisdiction of the parties to this agreement until after his term has
expired. Any duly registered apprentice who loses his position through no fault
of his own shall be given the first apprenticeship vacancy occurring in any shop.
Sec . 6. All employees must give one week’s notice to employers before leaving
position, and the employer must give one week's notice to discharge or lay off
an employee for an indefinite period. Any employer or member of this union
violating this section shall, at the complaint of the other, forfeit a week's pay.
RAILWAYS, ELECTRIC
The Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway
Employees oi America consists of motormen, conductors, guards,
brakemen, and bus operators employed in connection with the opera
tion of street and electric railways; gatemen, watchmen, and em
ployees of the car houses, pit department and track department;
collectors, yard crews, janitors, porters, clerks, and laborers.
On some interurban lines the trainmen are affiliated with the rail
road unions— locomotive engineers, conductors, and trainmen. As
a general rule, however, the agreements with urban lines vary little
from those with the interurban. Some companies make separate
agreements with the various locals on their lines and some make a
joint agreement with all such locals. The agreements are generally
very lengthy and cover wages, hours, arbitration, runs, overtime, and
seniority rules.
The following extracts are from the agreement between Division
No. 697 and the Community Traction Co., Toledo, Ohio, M ay 31,
1925— a full and complete agreement:
128
TEADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Section 1. The company agrees to meet and treat with the duly accredited
representatives and committees of Division No. 697 as the party of the second
part. The party of the second part fully agrees that each of its members shall
render faithful service in their respective positions as outlined in the clauses of
this contract, and that all those who are now members or who may become
members of the association shall strictly observe all operating rules of the com
pany and will cooperate with the management of the company in the efficient
operation of the system and in fostering cordial relations between the company
and the public.
Sec. 3. The company fully agrees that this agreement shall cover all employ
ees who are members of the association, and it is further agreed and understood
that any and all additions to the present system in the way of either gasoline or
electric motor bus operation will be covered by the provisions of this agreement,
and, further providing that the seniority of all those men now or hereinafter
employed by the company shall be fully recognized in the operation of any and
all kinds of equipment, except as hereinafter provided for. It is also further
agreed to by the association that for the first 60 days of employment all new
employees shall be entirely on probation, and that the right of the company to
dispense with their services shall not be questioned.
Sec. 4. It is agreed by the association that the grievances or complaints of
any individual employee shall first be taken up with his respective division
superintendent or department head. If, after having been called before his
division superintendent or department head, or after going to such department
head on his own initiative, the employee feels that he has been unjustly dealt
with, he has the privilege of appealing his case to the association. It is under
stood that the business agent of the association will then get in touch with the
division superintendent or the department head in an effort to adjust the griev
ance which the employee has brought to him, and if, after going over the case
with the division superintendent or department head, the business agent of the
association is unable to arrive at a settlement of the case in question, it shall
then be his privilege to appeal to the next higher official of the company, who,
together with the business agent, will attempt to adjust same. If on this appeal
a decision can not be reached, it shall then be the privilege of the officer of the
association to appeal the case to the president of the company and the presi
dent’s decision shall be final.
If the case involves the suspension or the dismissal of an employee, and through
an investigation he is found not sufficiently at fault to warrant such suspension
or dismissal, he shall then be restored to his former place in the service of the
company, with his continuous seniority rights, and paid for all lost time at his
regular rate of pay.
Investigation of any charge in case of suspension or dismissal of an employee
shall be held within 4 days after such suspension or dismissal, and the employee
concerned shall be notified at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing as to when
and where to attend; he shall also be informed of the nature of the charge against
him. He shall have the right to produce witnesses and evidence at any such hear
ings, and also the right to have officers of the association present, if he so desires.
Final decision of the company in all cases of suspension or dismissal shall be
given within 48 hours after the hearing on the charge is closed.
Sec. 5. In the event of a failure to reach a mutually satisfactory adjustment
of any question or difference, other than discipline, that may arise, the same
shall be, upon written request of either party, submitted to a temporary board
of arbitration to be selected as follows:
The company shall choose one arbitrator, the association shall choose^ one
arbitrator, and the two thus chosen shall select a third arbitrator. Should either
party to this agreement fail to appoint an arbitrator within five days after such
written request has been made said party shall forfeit any right to decision in
the case in question. After each party has appointed an arbitrator the two shall
meet daily (except Sunday) until a third arbitrator has been selected. If, after
10 days, the two arbitrators thus selected have not agreed upon a third arbitra
tor, they shall then be dismissed and the association and the company shall each
appoint one new arbitrator and these two arbitrators thus appointed shall meet
as above specified in an attempt to select a third arbitrator and if, after 10 days,
they have been unable to select a third arbitrator, then the association and com
pany shall get together and decide the manner in which the third arbitrator
shall be selected.
It shall then be the duty of the three arbitrators thus selected to meet with
out delay and receive all evidence and testimony that either party may desire to
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS
129
submit to them pertaining to the case. After the facts have been presented to
the board of arbitration, the board of arbitration shall render its decision and
transmit a copy of the same in writing to both parties hereto, which shall be
final and binding upon them. Each party hereto shall pay the expense of their
own arbitrator and both parties shall jointly pay the expenses of the third
arbitrator.
Sec . 9. All motormen, conductors, and operators, when working scheduled
runs will be paid five minutes straight time in addition to the time on schedule
for pulling the car or bus out of the station on any working period, also five
minutes in addition to the time on the schedule for placing the car or bus in the
station; this extra time shall not be allowed wherein the actual working time of
such run is five minutes or more less than the minimum time being paid for on
the schedule.
Sec . 11. The workday for trainmen and operators on all early and late straight
runs shall conform as near as possible to the rule that they shall not exceed 10
hours straight time, and no scheduled straight time run shall pay less than
hours' time.
Sec . 12. All runs and trippers shall be paid for to the full number of hours
and minutes in same, and when cars or busses are delayed so that the men
operating them can not reach the station on scheduled time they shall receive in
addition any overtime worked, but it is agreed that where scheduled runs or trip
pers are being paid a minimum rate of time and through some unpreventable
delay or emergency use do not reach the station on schedule time no overtime
will be paid unless the delayed time extends over the minimum time being
paid for. This does not permit the company to add extra work to the schedule
of any such run in order to fill out the unworked time of any such minimum
time paid run.
Sec . 14. All schedules shall be so arranged that all regular runs working over
6 consecutive hours shall have a meal relief of about 14 minutes. It is also
agreed that all men operating extra cars for a period of more than 6 consecutive
hours shall be allowed a meal relief of about 14 minutes. Meal-relief time for
any day run shall not start earlier than 8 o’clock a. m. nor later than 10 o’clock a.m.
Meal-relief time for night runs shall not start earlier than 6 o’clock p. m. nor
later than 8 o’clock p. m.
Sec. 18. Each trainman or operator shall be entitled to any run according to
his seniority rights, and where a station or part of a station is consolidated with
another station or where bus lines are placed in operation from any present sta
tion, or from any new station that might be installed, then the seniority lists will
be adjusted to include all men now in the service, in that all men now in the serv
ice will be given an opportunity to qualify as bus operators, with their seniority
rights fully recognized, and any new employee shall take their place at the foot
of the list in all cases as at present.
All seniority lists, assignment lists, and time cards will be posted in the waiting
room at each station not less than five days, whenever reasonably possible pre
vious to the time when runs are to be selected. A new assignment shall be had
at least every three months. The despatchers and business agent of the associ•tion will be provided with a new seniority list of men at each station previous to
a new assignment being held. The business agent of the association shall be
furnished with a copy of all schedules as they are issued.
Sec . 19. In the operation of one-man cars, gasoline or electric motor busses
assignments to such runs will be made according to employees’ seniority rights,
regardless of whether the operator in the past has been a motorman or conductor,
but all such operators must qualify for the position in so far as he must receive
instructions and the approval of his instructors, and it is further understood
that no employee shall be disqualified until first having had a full opportunity
to qualify, nor shall any employee be compelled to qualify for such work except
those working on the extra list, who shall all be required to attempt to qualify,
but it is also understood that any extra man now in the service unable to qualify
as a one-man car or bus operator shall still be entitled to his seniority rights as a
motorman or conductor, according to the position he was originally employed for;
but it is further understood that on and after September 1,1925, the extra board
will operate strictly on the revolving plan, in that all men thereon must either
be qualified to take any run or work which may fall to them in their turn or else
the board will pass them as though they had performed such work.
Sec . 20. When assignments are to be held the company will notify the men
by bulletin five days previous to the holding of an assignment whenever reason
ably possible. There will be two assignments which will include a five-day and
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
a Saturday schedule and then a Sunday schedule. The first assignment will
permit that a trainman or operator will select a run on the five-day and Saturday
schedule; the second assignment will permit him to select a run on the Sunday
schedule. The assignment for day-run men shall be held at 8 p. m. and for
night and split run at 10.30 a. m.
At stations where one-man cars or busses are being operated there shall be a
seniority list used, to be composed of the entire list of men in their correct sen
iority place according to the length of service with the company. At other
stations a seniority list to be composed of motormen and conductors separately
in their seniority place will be used, this list to be used in the filling of two-man
car runs, and shall be operated as follows: That the dispatcher shall start by
calling first the oldest motorman in seniority to select his run, then the oldest
conductor in seniority to select his run, then call the next oldest motorman, then
the next oldest conductor, and so on down the list until all runs are filled.
All men who can not be present at an assignment of runs because of sickness
or performance of duty for the company must make written request for the run
he desires on a prescribed form furnished by the company whereon he will give
his first, second, and third choice, and so on; if he can not be placed on any. of
the runs chosen he will then be given the longest run open on the line on which
he has been working and in the position he is accustomed to filling; this is only
to be done in case an older man in seniority has selected the run held previous
to the assignment, and if there is no remaining run open on that line then he
will be given the longest run open on any line and according to the kind of run
he has been previously working, it, of course, being understood that where any
man does not attend an assignment for the above reasons, the run not having
been selected by an older man and he has not signified a desire to change, he
will be left on the run he is then holding.
All trainmen or operators, after selecting a five-day and Saturday run, must
also select a Sunday run according to their seniority rights. If no run is open
for him to select, then he must take his place according to seniority rights on the
Sunday extra board, beginning, of course, at the top of the board and on down.
Sec. 23. Whenever any trainman or operator is granted a leave of absence for
30 days or more a notice to that effect shall be posted at his respective station,
and under no circumstances shall a man be granted more than 60 days’ leave
except on account of sickness or injury, or when, by mutual consent of company
and association, an individual employee may be granted a longer leave of absence
for some special purpose, but it is understood that no such special leave shall be
granted for the purpose of permitting any employee to enter other employment
unless for a temporary period while convalescing from a severe illness.
Sec . 25. When any employee reports off sick he shall be placed on the sick
list until reporting back for duty, and such employees must report back for duty
before 3 p. m. the preceding day, and no employee shall be required to furnish
a medical certificate before returning to duty after being off on sick leave unless
he be off duty ori such leave for a period of more than seven days, and it is fur
ther understood that an employee shall not be placed on the sick list when he
/3sks time off because of sickness in the family, and if such employee finds it pos
sible to work the following day he shall so notify his dispatcher* in advance
of 3 p. m. of the same day; if evidence is shown or found to the effect that any
employee reporting off sick or reporting a member of his family sick was not
sick or that there was no member of his family sick as represented, then such
employee shall be discharged.
Sec . 27. There shall be provided a suitable place for trainmen or operators to
make out accident reports, and if any man feels himself incompetent to make
out an intelligent report on any accident he will be permitted to delay making
out the report until he can appear before his division superintendent, providing
it is within 24 hours after the accident, the understanding being that the man con
cerned will receive assistance from the division superintendent, to the end that a
clear report can be made; it is understood, however, that a man waiting to see
his division superintendent shall, immediately following the acccident, make a
statement to the dispatcher, in writing, so that the claim department may receive
an early report containing facts and witnesses on the case in question. It is
further understood that accident-report sheets will be made out as required by
the claim department.
Sec. 28. Any trainman or operator who has completed a regular run and is
not relieved as provided for on the schedule must at once either notify his divi
sion superintendent, his dispatcher, or any inspector of the fact, and he will not
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS
131
be required to continue on the car for more than two hours; if the relief is not
given within one hour after he has so notified one of the above officials he must
again give such notice, attempting to serve'the notice upon the same official as
before, and when he gives his second notice he will be informed by the official as
to what disposition is to be made of the car in the event a relief is not furnished
at the end of another trip, and it is also agreed that when any employee is taken
sick on the road that a relief will be provided for him immediately.
Sec . 33. Employees who, after 20 years or more of continuous service, become
unable through physical disability to perform the work of their usual position,
along with other old employees, shall be given preference by the company in
the filling of other positions for which they are qualified.
Sec. 36. No employee of the company shall be required to submit to a phy
sical examination other than for the eye and ear, unless it seems that some cer
tain employee is physically unable to properly perform his regular and accus
tomed duty, and when any such question does arise affecting any employee, then
a conference between company and association officials shall be held before the
employee in question shall be required to appear for or submit to any kind of a
physical examination.
Provided, however, that all employees electing to become bus operators shall
submit to a required physical examination.
Se c . 37. The company reserves the right to designate the kind and color of
uniforms that shall be worn by trainmen and one-man car operators while on
duty. The present prescribed uniform shall be continued as long as satisfactory
to the company, and employees may buy the prescribed uniform in the open
market; the company also agrees that motormen will be permitted to wear
while on duty suits of overalls comprised of overalls and jumper, which they
shall keep clean and neat at all times.
Sec. 39. The premium on all bonds required by the company shall be paid by
the company, but any license fee required by bus drivers employed by the com
pany shall be paid by the employee.
Sec. 41. It is further agreed that all motormen, conductors, bus, and one-man
car operators shall be paid an additional hour’s pay over and above their regular
pay while instructing students.
Conductors or operators will not be required to furnish working money to
students breaking in.
Sec . 45. For the protection of motormen and operators, the company will
make an effort to keep at all times on all cars blind curtains behind the motorman or operator, which can be pulled down behind them at night so that the
light from the inside of car can be prevented from shining into the vestibule
window glass and blinding the motorman or operator.
S ec . 46. Motormen, conductors, operators, shopmen, car-barn employees, maintenance-of-way carpenters, and painters will be provided with free transpor
tation to and from work on all street railway or bus lines operated by the
company, as prescribed by the franchise ordinance, and on all other lines of
transportation that may be operated by the company.
Se c . 50. All motormen, conductors, and operators shall be supplied with, or
else all cars shall be equipped with, stools or seats that may be used by such
employees outside of the zones specified by the company, and such stools or
seats shall be kept in good repair at all times.
S ec . 53. The hours of labor for shopmen and car-barn employees shall be
eight hours per day with one-half hour interval allowed for meals; time and
one-half will be paid for all time over eight and one-half hours worked per day,
but when the time worked is more than eight hours and less than eight and
one-half hours then eight and one-half hours will be allowed. The workday
shall begin at 7.30 a.m. and close at 4 p. m., but is subject to change of these
hours on 30 days’ notice.
Sec. 54. It is agreed that no work shall be done by the mechanical department
for any other transportation company that may be unable to do their own repair
work because of labor trouble such as strikes or lockouts.
Sec. 55. Seniority rights of shop and car-barn employees shall be considered
whenever there becomes a vacancy in any position wherein those men working
under other ratings shall be considered and given a chance to qualify for the
vacant position if they so desire, instead of a new man being employed for such
positions.
Sec. 56. The hours of labor for mechanical department night employees shall
be eight hours per night, with overtime allowed the same as for daymen, and
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
the company shall furnish necessary tools to the night men the s a m e a s for day
men, and all employees who are furnished with tools a s above provided for shall
be held responsible for them.
Sec. 61. The association agrees that there shall be no sympathetic strike
called for any cause, or any strike for any purpose whatsoever, except f o r the
violation of the terms of this agreement, and, further, that there shall be n o
strike pending matters submitted for arbitration as provided for in section 5 o f
this agreement.
The following provisions appear in the agreement between Divi
sion No. 713 and the Memphis Street Railway, March 24,1925, and
relate mainly to barn and shop repair men:
This agreement shall cover all motormen and conductors, barn and s h o p r e p a i r
men, except minors, not to exceed one in each department.
S e c tio n 6. Motormen and conductors covered by this agreement may at their
option work overtime at their respective wage-scale rate, but in the event o f
the company requiring overtime service from such employee, except in case o f
unusual emergencies or when the overtime is due to the fault of a coemployee,
the employee shall be entitled to time and one-half for all overtime, provided,
however, that extra motormen and conductors shall be entitled to overtime only
after working in excess of 10 hours, and provided further that all employees cov
ered by this agreement shall be paid time and one-half for all hours which they
work on the following-named holidays: July Fourth, Labor Day, and Christmas.
Sec. 7. The parties hereto are opposed as a matter of principle to overtime
work; therefore overtime shall not be required of employees with regular runs s o
long as there are available other employees who may be used without being
required to work overtime.
S e c . 8 . Both parties agree to system seniority, sign-up to be made n o t o f t e n e r
than once each year and during the summer months. Division seniority t o pre
vail between sign-ups.
Sec. 9. When in the conduct of the company’s business it becomes necessary
to reduce the barn and shop force and men are laid off they are to hold their
seniority for a period of 90 days, and if in that period their services are required
they are to be recalled in accordance to their seniority.
Barn and shop men shall be promoted from nightwork to daywork accord
ing to their seniority when competent, their competency to be determinded by
the superintendent of equipment.
S e c . 10. All barn and shop repair men covered by this agreement who work
in excess of their regular 10-hour day shall be paid at the rate of time and onehalf time for such overtime. The standard workday of 10 hours for barn and
shop repair men shall continue, but the company shall have the right, when in
its judgment conditions make it necessary, to temporarily reduce the workday
to eight or nine hours. But it shall not establish a regular workday of less than
eight hours.
If such temporary reductions in the workday shall continue for a longer period
than three months, then on the expiration of such three months, if the eighthour day or nine-hour day is continued, all of the rules as to overtime pay shall
apply to the eight-hour or nine-hour day just as they apply to the standard 10hour day.
The company agrees that barn and shop repair men covered by this agree
ment may lay off one day each week. The day for such lay-off shall be chosen
in accordance with their seniority.
Sec. 13. The company agrees to furnish such person who voluntarily leaves its
service a written statement, stating that said person leaves the service of his own
free will; also length of service.
Sec. 15. A day’s work shall constitute as nearly as reasonably possible 9 hours,
and in no event shall any regular run be less than 8 hours nor more than 11 hours.
Sec. 16. As many of the regular runs shall be straight runs as is reasonably
possible, and all regular runs shall be completed as follows: Sixty per cent within
11 hours, 70 per cent within 13^2 hours, 90 per cent within 14 hours, 100 per cent
within 15 hours.
Sec. 19. All men instructing students shall receive compensation
50 cents per day or major portion thereof.
S e c . 21. All conductors shall be allowed 15 minutes
up trip report and settling for their day’s work.
per
a t th e
rate o f
day time for making
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS
133
The following extracts are from the agreement between Division
No. 752 and the Illinois Power and Light Corporation, M ay 1, 1925,
applicable to its street railway department in Bloomington and
Normal, 111.:
1. The association recognizes the complete authority of the company in the
conduct of its business. The company recognizes the association as herein set
forth and agrees, in its relations with its operators during the life of this contract,
to contract with no other organization or individuals.
2. All operators may be required to become members of the Amalgamated
Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees of America within 60 days
after their employment by the company, except that upon request of either the
company or the association 30 days more may be allowed for further investigation.
4.
Assignments to the respective runs shall be based on seniority of continuous
service, and all regular runs shall be posted the 20th day of June and quarterly
thereafter, and the said runs shall be signed up by the respective operators indi
vidually. Any operator refusing to sign list when same is presented to him shall
forfeit his right and shall go to the foot of the extra list for that period. In case
any a. m. runs shall become vacant, they shall be given to the p. m. men in their
order of seniority, provided, however, that such p. m. men have not at the last
selection turned down a regular run.
7.
Whenever there shall be a disagreement of any kind other than provided
for in section No. 5 arising under this contract between the representatives of the
respective parties which can not be satisfactorily adjusted by them, then it is
provided that in such cases such matters shall be referred to a temporary board
of arbitration, which said board shall be created and selected in the following
manner: Each of the parties hereto shall within a period of seven days name its
arbitrator and the two so named, if unable to arrive at a decision within 10
days, shall agree upon a third arbitrator. Where the appointment of a third
arbitrator is necessary the expense of the said third member of the board shall
be borne equally by each of the parties hereto. In the event of the board of
arbitration being unable to reach a final decision upon any matter referred to it
under this contract within 30 days, then the parties hereto shall proceed to the
creation of a new board in manner and form as herein provided, the same as
though no previous appointment or submission had been made. Provided,
further, that in the event of the failure of either party to appoint its arbitrator
within a period of seven days after the agreement to refer any such grievance to
arbitration the said party so failing to appoint as aforesaid shall be held between
the parties hereto to have lost its cause.
11.
Where a medical examination after the first employment shall be required
by the company the company shall provide for same at its expense. In case of
objection to the company’s physician, the operator may select some other repu
table physician, and the company shall pay the expense of such examination by
such physician, provided such cost shall not exceed $3.
13. The company agrees that when it reemploys any operator it will allow them
full credit for their years of former service in the matter of wage classification.
14. The association agrees that during the life of this contract there shall be
no sympathetic strike for any outside cause or grievance, and in case of dis
agreement or dispute between the company and the members of the association
the company agrees that it will not lock out the members of the association; and
the association agrees that they will not strike, but wiil settle all grievances as
provided for in this contract. All operators members of said association shall
faithfully comply with the rules and regulations now in force or hereafter made
by the company that are not in conflict with the terms of this contract.
17. Should the company adopt motor busses on its present street railway lines
or on other streets either for regular, special, or booster service within the corpo
rate limits of Bloomington and Normal, before any railway operator is permitted
to break in on a bus or become a bus operator he shall first submit to a special
physical and mental examination by the company physician and thereby show
that he is properly qualified for bus operation. Preference will be given to the
car operators in accordance with their seniority rights as car operators, provid
ing they shall first have properly qualified as heretofore stated, and all rules,
regulations, and rates of pay as herein contained relative to street railway opera
tion will be applicable to bus operation by this company. It is further under
stood and agreed that the company will have the right to operate one bus by bus
operators without seniority consideration during the life of this agreement, but it
is expressly set forth and agreed that at the end of 90 days from the time bus
134
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
operation starts that these men so selected will revert in seniority to the seniority
standing obtained by other car operators from the date of their employment.
The following extracts are from the agreement between Division
No. 540 of Trenton, N . J., and the Trenton & Mercer County Trac
tion Corporation, April 1, 1925:
S ection 7. Length of service establishes right to pick runs at least twice a year,
spring and fall. Sign-ups will be held every 60 days. When a mark-up or sign
up takes place the senior extras shall be marked upon all runs vacant through
sickness of regular men and shall hold same until their return or next sign-up.
Any regular run becoming permanently vacant shall be posted for choice within
two days after vacancy occurs. In the event of discharge of a conductor, oper
ator, or motorman, and an appeal taken under the provisions of this agreement,
his run shall not be posted until a final decision has been reached in his case.
Assignments to take place on Sunday following vacancy and shall hold until next
sign-up. No one can throw up a run he has picked without the written permis
sion of the manager of the company. Seniority shall prevail at all times and at
sign-ups and picking.
Sec . 10. The company agrees to allow an employee a 10-day vacation in any
one year, such vacation to be taken in two 5-day periods if so specified at time
vacation leave is asked. No more than 5 men from each side to be given vaca
tion leave at one time; more to be marked off, however, if conditions allow. No
employee will be excused from duty during fair week. All men working on
circus day and Decoration Day will run extra cars when called upon to do so.
Men can also be marked off for vacations, circus day, and Decoration Day.
Early straight men shall be relieved on their relieving time.
Sec . 16. Motormen, conductors, and operators relieving crews on street shall
report at point of relief in ample time so as not to delay crews being relieved.
When regular men are compelled to take any other run than their own, because
of shortage of extras, they shall be relieved of the same and assigned to their
own run as soon as extra man is available.
Sec . 17. Motormen, conductors, and operators working regular runs shall not
be compelled to work more than one additional trip beyond their time by reason
of failure of said relief to appear. It shall be optional with crews after completing
extra trip specified, of at least one hour, to withdraw their cars from service by
proceeding to the car barn.
Sec. 18. All motormen shall be furnished with stools on all air-brake cars, to
be used within certain zones agreed upon, and all conductors shall be allowed to
use the rear seat in cars within said the same zones, and no motorman, conduc
tor, or operator shall be obliged to run a car without being vestibuled and heated
from November 1 until April 1, if thermometer is 38 degrees or under. Also the
rooms at which the men report must be properly heated during period specified.
Sec . 22. During the life, of this agreement no members of the Local No. 540
shall be called out on strike unless all the conditions appearing in sections No.
113, No. 114, and No. 115 of the constitution and general laws of the Amalga
mated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees of America shall
have been complied with.
Sec. 23. In consideration of the above the association agrees that its members
shall perform their duties conscientiously and use their best endeavors to promote
the interest and welfare of the company. The rules of the company, as laid down
in their rule book to which reference is hereby made, are to be observed, any
violation of any rule, or of any of the special rules published on the bulletin
from time to time not conflicting with the provisions of this agreement shall
subject the employee violating the same to either dismissal or discipline, accord
ing to the severity of the case, but the violation by any employee of any of the
rules governing signal lights, or car signals, intoxication, or the rules regarding
steam-railroad and canal-bridge crossings or the dishonesty of any conductor or
operator shall be cause for immediate dismissal, provided, however, that the case
referred to above can be taken up by the committee of the association in the reg
ular way for hearing and consideration.
Sec . 24. Eight hours shall constitute a day’s work at the power house for
men who are employed on three-shift forces. Nine hours shall constitute a day’s
work at the power house for men employed on two-shift forces. A period of 10
davs each year to be allowed to each employee for vacation purpose without pay.
S e c . 27. Conductors and operators on one-man cars shall be allowed 10 min
utes’ time for making up and turning in their daily receipts. This time shall
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS
135
not be considered in the computation of the spread or as extra work. The basic
day’s work shall be nine hours. The present practice of straight runs shall
continue.
Sec . 29. Trainmen shall recieve 5 cents an hour additional to the regulai
wage rate for such platform time as is spent in instructing students in accordance
with directions of the proper company officials.
Sec. 30. Overtime and extra work shall be paid for at the rate of time and
one-quarter.
Sec . 33. All bus operators will be also governed by this agreement.
operators can be marked off each day if they so desire.
Two bus
In the following extracts from the agreement between division No.
215, Wheaton, 111., and the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railroad Co., a
rapid-transit line running many express trains over its own right of
way, June 1, 1925, many matters are referred to not found in other
agreements:
A rticle 1, Section 6. Comfortable conditions of employment shall be main
tained by the company.
Sec . 8. Transportation shall be furnished to all employees of the company to
and from all meetings of the association.
Sec. 13. Employees shall not be allowed to hold their seniority rights for a
period longer than 60 days while engaged in some other line of work, excepting
work for the association, regardless of the time employed by the association, or
excepting work for the company for a period of 90 days.
A rt . 2, Se c .I. Seniority of service shall govern in the preferment of runs.
All runs shall be thrown open for pick at least once each three months and
oftener if new schedules are posted or when vacancies occur.
Sec . 2. At division points where receivers or cashiers are not employed it will
be arranged to provide a suitable sheet for the conductor to sign when deposit
ing money. A space shall be provided on said sheet opposite each conductor’s
name for the dispatcher, ticket agent, or other employee of the company, as the
case may be, to sign as witness of the deposit of the package. The packages
shall be removed from their places of deposit by a representative of the company
only in the presence of an additional employee of the company as witness, who
shall verify the count as to the number of packages. At Wheaton the turn-in
shall be witnessed by the dispatchers when so requested to do by the men mak
ing same, and rubber stamps shall be provided by the company for the use of
the dispatchers to indicate such witnessing. In Wheaton the money shall be
counted by a local bank in the presence of an office employee of the company.
Notice of shortage or overage in each case will be sent as promptly as circum
stances will permit. When any difference arises in the count as compared with
the denomination slip accompanying the money there will be a recount by the
employee of the bank and checked by the employee of the company.
Sec . 3. Extra pay at the rate of 60 cents per day shall be allowed for instruc
tion of students.
S e c . 4 . All extra work shall be done by extra men when there are extra men
available, and all such extra men shall at all times be entitled to such work as
rightly belongs to them according to their standing on the list, except the motormen who have been on the extra list for less than six months are not entitled to
regular work trains unless considered competent by the superintendent. When
such an extra man fails to get the work that rightfully belongs to him according
to his standing on the list he shall be allowed pay for such time and he shall re
tain his standing on the list as though he had worked same.
Sec. 7. Wheaton shall be the home terminal for all trainmen and deadhead
time at full rate of pay shall be allowed on all work where deadheading is
necessary.
Sec. 8. One hundred and seventy miles or less, including all deadheading
mileage, shall constitute a day’s work on a regular run, with the exception of
three runs which shall be permitted to make 195 miles per day, including dead
heading, but actual working mileage of said three runs shall not exceed 170 miles
per day.
Sec. 12. All work of 130 miles or over or 7 hours or more shall constitute a
regular run.
136
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 19*25
Sec . 13. The company shall not require a conductor to collect more than two
cars. All freight and work trains crews shall consist of a motorman, conductor,
brakeman, and flagman.
Sec. 14. Motormen’s vestibules shall not be loaded with papers or other bulky
packages to such an extent as to impede entrance to the inside of the car in case
of collision.
Se c . 17. In general practice, passenger trains shall be made up and put in
readiness for operation by switchmen before leaving yards, such as putting up
markers, turning seats, lifting trap doors, etc.
Sec . 19. The extra list shall be operated on the revolving plan, first in, first
out, an extra man working seven aggregate hours of actual schedule time, no
bonus time allowed to be counted in the seven hours.
S ec . 20. The operation of buffet and parlor cars shall be considered preferred
service and will not be included in the regular pick of runs, the company reserv
ing the right to appoint employees for this class of service. The steward or
conductor shall be appointed from the conductor’s list and shall be selected
from first 12 men on seniority list.
Sec . 22. Overtime for all ticket agents shall be paid for at the rate of time
and one-half.
Sec . 26. When it is possible to do so without interference with the service,
provision shall be made to allow switchmen a reasonable time off, without pay.
All switchmen in the Wheaton yards shall be let off on days wanting off, accord
ing to their standing on the books to be off. There shall be no preference allow
ed for days wanting off between regular and extra switchmen.
Sec . 27. Switchmen to be entitled to a pick of tricks at least once in every
three months, and oftener if changes are made in tricks, or if vacancies occur
they shall be entitled to choose tricks in the order of their seniority.
S ec . 28. Any freight cars handled by switchmen in Wheaton yards shall be
properly equipped with couplings to avoid using chains, and in case it is
necessary to use chains they shall be chained by shopmen. Switchmen are not
to be used beyond yards limit only in case of emergency.
S ec . 30. We ask as a favor that tricks be arranged to avoid lay-overs on both
ends as much as possible.
Switchmen in Wheaton yards shall work 10 hours every day.
Sec . 33. Freight men to hold seniority rights and have the right to pick any
job in the freight house where they are employed, provided there is a vacancy
and they are considered competent. In case of retrenching in any one freight
house and men are needed in another freight house the man or men so laid off
because of retrenching will have a right to qualify for work in freight house
where men are needed. In case a man holding seniority rights in any one
freight house to fill a vacancy and is not considered competent to fill such
position men from the other freight houses shall have the right to qualify for
same, according to their seniority.
Sec . 34. Trackmen to hold seniority rights and have the right to pick any
job on the section where they are employed, provided they have been contin
uously in the service of the company for one year or more, and provided there
is a vacancy and they are considered competent.
Se c . 35. Ten hours from barn to barn, with one hour off for meals without
pay, shall constitute a day’s work for all linemen and cable men, between the
hours of 7 a. m. and 5 p. m., and when required to work a night shift following a
day shift within the same 24 hours they shall receive time and one-half for the
nightwork the first night and for the following consecutive nights’ work, their
time shall be figured at straight time, as though they were working days.
Sec . 36. Time and one-half shall be allowed for all overtime and for such
time as men are required to work on their Sundays or holidays off, as determined
by the Sunday and holiday schedule posted in the line barn. Men shall receive
not less than two hours for each call outside of regular working hours.
Sec . 41. All men employed at the Wheaton shops shall be classed as regular
shopmen, except when changed to a permanent position elsewhere. Shopmen
changed from one class of work for a day or more to a class paying a higher rate
shall receive such higher rate, provided he has qualified for the position by
working at least seven full days on same, but in no case shall such change result
in a decrease in the rate of pay. Daymen temporarily transferred to nightwork
for overtime work shall receive overtime pay under the rules applicable to
daywork.
Se c . 42. Time and one-half to be paid for all time worked outside of regular
hours of employment and for all Sunday and holiday work.
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS
137
Sec. 47. Hot water shall be provided in the wash rooms.
Sec . 48. Proper ventilating system shall be maintained in the blacksmith
shop, inspection room, and repair room.
Sec . 49. Eight-hour day with nine hours’ pay for all daymen. Nine-hour
night with 10 hours’ pay for all nightmen. Seven-night week for all nightmen.
Six-day week for all daymen.
Sec . 50. Shopmen required to work two hours overtime unless relieved for
meals, meals shall be furnished them.
Sec . 53. When conditions permit, night shopmen shall upon request be
allowed reasonable time off without pay, including Sundays and holidays. They
shall be furnished with a book to record day or days wanted off and they shall
be let off in the order in which their names appear on the book. No man shall be
allowed to record day or days wanted off more than one week in advance, except
when a vacation of three or more days is desired.
Sec . 56. When vacancies occur seniority shall govern for all men employed
at power house up to and including shift engineers, provided those eligible
according to seniority are capable to fill such position, in the judgment of the
company. In case of laying off men on account of retrenching the last man
hired will be the first laid off, and filling vacancies or taking on additional help
the last man laid off will be the first man taken back.
Sec . 58. Men required to work more than two hours overtime shall be paid
for time to go home for meals or meals furnished by the company.
Sec . 63. When vacancies occur on the switchboard at the power house men
from the substations and power-house employees shall alternate on the switch
board pick as switchboard operator; in case the department who has the right to
pick same and fails to do so the other department will be given the right to
pick. Anyone picking switchboard operator at the power house must be com
petent to do such work and shall break in under the present arrangement. He
shall also be required to familiarize himself with outside distribution lines and
substation to the satisfaction of the chief engineer.
Sec. 64. All jobs permanent or temporary pertaining to the regular routine
of operating power house shall be posted for a pick and at duration of any tem
porary job man holding such jobs shall revert back to his former position with
all his seniority rights. All temporary jobs shall be specified on pick.
The following provisions appear in the agreement between Division
595, Salem, N. H ., and Division 785, Amesbury, Mass., with the
Massachusetts Northeastern Street Railway Co., September 30,1925,
and relate mainly to snowplows:
S e c t i o n I, P a r a g r a p h 1. The company will do nothing to prevent or dis
courage any employee from becoming or continuing to be a member of the
association^ and will in no way discriminate against a member thereof because
of such membership. The association will not discriminate against any per
son in the employ of the company because of his refusal to join the association
or to continue a member thereof, but if any member of the association is expelled
or suspended from his membership therein for violation of any of the provisions
of this agreement the company being satisfied that such suspension or expulsion
was for such reason and was justifiable, shall dismiss such employee from its
service. If any member of the association employed by the company neglects
or refuses to pay the association any dues or assessments which have duly
become a liability from him to the association during his membership thereof,
and while such employee, and before notice in writing by him to the secretary
of the association of which he is a member, of his desire and intention to dis
continue his membership therein, and shall continue such refusal to pay such
sums or sum as are so justly due from him to the association, after a determi
nation by the company of the justice of the claims of the association for such
sums from such employee, the company will discharge such employee from its
service or suspend him until such sums have been paid.
S ec . IV, P a r . 1 On October 1 of each year the company shall post a list in the
different barns requesting men who desire snowplow work to bid the same. On
October 15 the list shall be taken in by the company and a list made from it
granting seniority to snowplow men, but no men shall be placed on this list until
all who signed the posted list have been given a place. On October 20 the com
pany shall post a list of all men entitled to snowplow work, recognizing seniority
as far as possible.
.
138
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
P a r . 2. Whenever possible, there shall be at least two crews of three men each
listed for each plow, the first crew at all times having first work. They shall be
relieved after a period of 10 hours by the second crew, and shall in turn relieve
the second crew after the same period of work.
P ar . 3. No member of snowplow crew shall be required to perform any work
during his period of relief if other men are available.
P a r . 4. All reliefs of snowplow crews shall be made at the home station, except
that if plow be stalled away from station and men are relieved at this point they
shall be allowed the ordinary traveling time to or from their home station.
Par . 5. If, through unavoidable circumstances, it is impossible to relieve snow
plow crews at the end of the 10-hour period, such crews shall be paid 15 cents
per hour overtime, beginning on the eleventh hour, until such time as they are
relieved.
P a r . 6. In no case shall a snowplow be taken upon the line without a full crew
of motormen and conductors thereon, when available.
Par . 7. All men employed on snowplow work shall receive 10 cents per hour
in excess of their regular rating, and meals shall be furnished by the company
during such snowplow work.
P a r . 8. Men not listed for snowplow work but who are called to report for
snowplow work and held for orders outside of their regular hours shall be paid
ear men's wages. This shall include men used to load snowplows. Except that
if the snowplow crew be used to load the snowplow they shall be paid snow
plow wages.
Par . 9. N o man doing snowplow work shall go more than six hours between
meals.
P a r . 10. It is understood that in assigning snowplow work the company shall
exclude such men as are in its judgment unfit for such operation, and will, upon
request of the officers of the association, furnish information and reasons for
excluding such men from such work.
P a r . 11. All other snow work, including the running of sleet cars, and cars for
removing ice from the rails, shall be given to spare men present or available
according to seniority of service, and in the event that sufficient number of
spare men are not available, then regular men present or available shall be
assigned according to seniority. Except that in case regular cars are not being
operated, or a line closed down, conductors and motormen shall receive prefer
ence in assignment thereto when circumstances do not permit of their doing
their regular and customary work.
P a r . 12. Motormen and conductors operating cars used in pushing or other
wise helping snowplows shall be paid regular snowplow rates; this, however,
shall apply only to such men as are assigned to such work,
SHIPPING
The employees on board ship are grouped into unions independent
of one another, but their agreements are made yearly between the
officers of the national organization and their employers, singly or in
groups.
MARINE ENGINEERS
The National Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association of the
United States of America is composed of persons licensed by the
United States Steamboat Inspection Service or commissioned as
engineers in either the United States Navy or the United States
Coast Guard Service. Many locals issue wage scales and rules to be
observed in their relations with small craft. The national body,
however, makes annual agreements with the United States Shipping
Board governing the employment of engineers in all services and
varying the wages of the different classes of engineers according to
the size of craft on which they are.
The wage scale, rules, and regulations governing employment of
engineers for Trans-Atlantic Trans-Pacific, Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf
STONE-WORKING TRADES
139
Coast Service, effective July* 1,1924, extracts from which were printed
in Bulletin No. 393 (p. 114), were continued unchanged for one year
from July 1,1925.
MASTERS, MATES AND PILOTS
The National Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots of America
comprises persons regularly licensed by the United States local
inspectors, the State pilot commissioner, or the State local inspector
to act as masters, mates, or pilots of lake, river, or ocean steamers,
vessels, or motor boats, or as licensed operators of motor boats.
The National Organization makes an annual agreement with the
United States Shipping Board similar to that with the marine engi
neers, where the wages of the deck officers vary with the size of the
craft. The agreement, effective July 1,1925, is the same as that of
July 1,1924, mentioned in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 114,115).
SEAMEN
The International Seamen’s Union of America is composed of seamen.
The national organization consists of local unions variously grouped
by districts and by character of work, as stewards, firemen, and fish
ermen. The agreements are made by these groups with individual
employers or with groups of employers or the United States Shipping
Board and are generally very brief, relating mainly to wages and
hours of labor. The extracts from the agreement of the Alaska fish
ermen attached to the shipping articles during the season of 1924,
printed in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 115, 116), were continued in the agree
ment for the seasons of 1925 and 1926.
STONE-WORKING TRADES
GRANITE CUTTERS
The Granite Cutters’ International Association of America includes
persons cutting, carving, turning, lettering, rubbing, polishing, saw
ing, and setting natural or artificial granite and hard stone on which
granite cutters tools and machines are used, including street work,
statuary work, and tool sharpening. The agreements are generally
made for three years and contain a higher rate for building than for
monumental work.
The three-year agreement of the Concord, N . H ., branch with the
Concord Granite Manufacturers and Quarry Owners’ Association,
April 1, 1925, is fuller than most. Extracts follow:
Section 2. (a) It is mutually agreed that any grievance or contention that
may arise during the existence of this agreement as to its performance in good
faith by either party shall be referred to a committee of six members; three
to be selected by the employer and three from the local branch of the G.
C. I. A.; which committee shall act as an adjustment committee, and said com
mittee failing within five days to agree by two-thirds vote shall refer the mat
ter in dispute to an arbitration board of seven, two to be selected by the
employer and two by the G. C. I. A. In each instance the two shall elect one
additional member to. serve, and these two members thus elected shall choose the
last or seventh member. The last three named shall be men of high standing in
no way connected with the granite industry. The arbitration committee thus
constituted shall hear the parties and make an award withinl5 days by a majority
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TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
vote. Pending such arrangement, it is mutually agreed that there shall be no
strike, lockout, or suspension of work.
(b)
It is further agreed that any grievance or contention that may arise
during the existence of this agreement that is not covered by this agreement
shall be referred to the adjustment committee, who shall render their decision
within five days; and any agreement that they may come to in the matter
under consideration shall be accepted by both parties. If the adjustment com
mittee fails to agree to the matter it shall then be referred to the arbitration
committee provided for in section *(a) of this article. Pending consideration
by this adjustment committee, it is mutually agreed that the cause of the con
tention be not removed the first five days but said contention shall be removed
pending consideration by the arbitration committee; and it is further agreed
that pending the consideration of any contention by said adjustment and arbi
tration committee there shall be no strike, lockout, or suspension of work. The
award of the arbitration committee shall be final.
Sec . 3. Forty-four hours shall constitute a week’s work. Eight hours per day
the first five days of the week and four hours on Saturday. To be worked
between the hours of 7 a. m. and 4 p. m., with one hour for dinner. The work
ing hours shall be changed from November 15 to March 1 to 7.15 a. m. to 4.15
p. m., to allow the men to work eight hours per day.
Sec . 4. Overtime may be worked at the rate of time and one-half in case of
necessity or emergency, spoiled stones, stones delayed in the quarry, or when
stones are required to complete a shipment, but no overtime may be worked
over four successive days without referring to the adjustment committee for the
necessity of same.
This section not to be abused by working four days overtime and after a
lapse of a short period to receive overtime again on same work. One appren
tice shall be allowed to work overtime when there are four granite cutters work
ing overtime, and one machine-operator apprentice shall be allowed to work
overtime or on second shift when there are two journeymen machine operators
working overtime or on second shift.
S ec . 7. When a man is working by the hour the contractor assumes all risks.
He shall be paid for work done according to the man’s rate per hour. If a
defect appears in the stone after cutting has commenced the cutter shall not be
paid for any work done after the defect is discovered, unless directed by the
employer or foreman in charge to continue cutting after the defect is reported.
Sec . 13. All outdoor work to be paid 3^8 cents extra per hour, unless the
cutter is protected from the rain and sun, and all work done in the quarries to
be paid not less than 3
cents extra per hour and carfare; the cutter to lose no
time.
Sec . 14. Suitable sheds must be provided for the cutters for shelter from the
rain and sun and be kept clean and a stove and fuel furnished for each gang or
fraction thereof employed during the winter months. All sheds and compressed
air shall be heated from October 15 to April 15; proper assistance shall be given
to handle and banker stones; the granite cutter shall not be responsible for any
damage that may be caused by the turning of a stone. Suitable toilets shall
be provided. When two gangs or a fraction thereof are employed in sheds not
heated by steam an extra stove without coil must be provided.
Sec. 15. Should a journeyman be incapacitated by age or through physical
disability the branch shall have the right to fix the rate of wages satisfactory
to all concerned.
S ec . 17. No surface-cutting machine, turning lathe, or sand blast to be worked
without suitable dust-removing devices; no blower to be used on drilling ma
chine in shed or in the yard. Hand surfacers and bumpers not to be used. It
is agreed that such suction devices shall be installed for operation by September
30, 1925.
Sec . 20. It is agreed that one apprentice granite cutter may be put on for
each four journeyman cutters or fraction thereof employed in any one manufac
turing plant.
Sec. 21. Wages shall be paid in cash, every week, during working hours, with
one week kept back.
Sec. 24. The foreman shall see that the cutter gets a stone and also the services
of the derrick in his turn.
S ec . 26. Any national, State, or municipal law enacted for the benefit of
wages or conditions in our trade shall not be violated by Concord Branch of
G. C. I. A.
STONE-WORKING TRADES
141
Sec. 30. It is agreed that extra shifts may* be worked on all granite manufac
turing machinery under either of the following arrangements:
(a) Two shifts of eight hours, one to be established workday at the regular rate
of wages, and the other shift to be paid at the rate of nine hours per day for eight
hours’ work.
(b) Two shifts of eight hours, which break up the established workday, each
shift to be paid at the rate of nine hours per day for eight hours’ work.
(c) The overtime rate shall apply to work over eight hours in either of the
above shifts.
Se c . 31. It is understood that helpers employed upon granite manufacturing
machines do not come under the scope of this agreement and will not be classed
as journeymen or apprentice machine operators; but it is agreed that there shall
be at least one journeyman or one apprentice machine operator employed upon
each machine or unit of machinery operated.
Sec. 32. All dust-making machines to be equipped with dust-removing devices
when proven practical.
Tool sharpeners’ agreement
Section 2. Fourteen men shall constitute a gang. Any man working by the
day shall not sharpen for more than the above. Wages to be $1 per hour.
Sec. 5. No granite cutter shall take a fire to sharpen tools permanently while
there are union tool sharpeners loafing, nor shall a man be required to cut stone
if he has 10 men to sharpen for.
S ec . 9. When a sharpener has less than 10 men he may perform such work
as his employer may require him to do in connection with the tool-sharpening
business, or cut stone, if possible. When a sharpener has 10 men he shall claim
a day’s pay.
Sec. 13. All employers shall be required to furnish suitable shops for tool
sharpeners to work in and provide a chimney for every forge. Shops shall be
suitably heated during the months of December, January, February, and March.
Sec. 14. All shops where sharpening machines are in use, provisions must be
made to take away emery dust, if practicable device can be secured.
Additional items are in the agreement of the Quincy branches with
the Granite Manufacturers7 Association of Quincy, Mass., April 1,
1925:
S ection 2. Should any dispute or difference arise between employer and
employee there shall be no lockout, strike, or suspension of work declared until
both sides have had ample time to jointly discuss and consider said dispute or
difference.
Sec . 6. All work done outside the regular hours shall be counted as overtime
and paid for one and one-half, excepting Sunday and Saturday half or whole
holiday and the following legal holidays: New Year’s Day, Washington’s Birth
day, Patriot’s Day, Decoration Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus
Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, which shall be paid double time.
Sec . 10. Employers must furnish all sanitary and hygienic arrangements for
betterment and safety of employees, including" bubblers for drinking purposes,
proper toilet facilities, heating of sheds, shops, and mills when employees deem
it necessary.
Sec. 13. Members of the Quincy Granite Manufacturers’ Association agree not
to supply power or compressed air to any firm rated as unfair by Quincy branches,
G. C. I. A., or to do any polishing for any such firm.
Sec. 14. No overtime shall be allowed except in case of emergency, as from
the spoiling or breaking of a stone, or delay in quarrying large sizes, or when a
stone is required to finish a building or monument, or where an accident has
happened. Overtime is not to be worked at any other time or occasion.
Granite cutting
Section 2. No surfacing machine to be operated in cutting shed. All sur
facing machines to be equipped with suction devices and to be as far removed
from sheds where granite cutters are working as possible. All precautions to be
used to prevent dust from machines entering cutting sheds.
Sec. 3. No compressed air to be used to remove dust. Brooms to be used
for this purpose.
96588°— 26------- 10
142
TRADE tAGREEMENTS IK 1925
Sec . 4. When three journeymen are employed there may be one apprentice.
When eight journeymen are employed there may be two apprentices and
one apprentice for each additional four journeymen employed. The term of
service for an apprentice shall be three years; after that he shall be classed as a
journeyman. An apprentice must serve his apprenticeship in the yard where
he started, providing the firm remains in business and desires his services.
. Sec . 5. An apprentice who has served part of his apprenticeship shall not be
hired unless he produces clearance papers from his last employer.
Polishing
Section 1. Any manufacturer or firm employing two journeymen polishers
may have one apprentice. If employing five journeymen polishers, may have
two apprentices. If employing nine journeymen polishers, may have three
apprentices.
Sbc. 2. The term of service for an apprentice shall be two years. After that
he shall be classed as a journeyman. An apprentice must serve his apprentice
ship in the shop or mill where he starts, provided the firm remains in business
and desires his services. Any employer discharging an apprentice who has not
served his full term of apprenticeship shall give him clearance papers, stating
time he has been in his employ.
Sec. 3. Sawyers, bedsetters, and hand polishers shall be governed by the
machine polishers’ agreement. In mills or shops running two polishing wheels
or more, polishers and bedsetters shall confine themselves to tneir part of the
trade, either bedsetting or polishing, but in no case shall a bedsetter operate a
polishing machine. It is understood^ however, that a polisher may set his own
bed, providing the regular bedsetter is engaged setting another bed.
Sec. 5. Any lumper who has worked in a polishing mill for one year or more
may be given an opportunity to set beds for six months if employer so desires.
At the expiration of the six months and if found competent by a committee of
three members of Quincy polishers’ branch such lumper may be considered eligible
for membership in Quincy polishers’ branch of G. C. I. A.
Se c . 6. Sawyers are to be responsible for fitting and operating the saws. No
member of the G. C. I. A. allowed to teach anyone to run a saw unless the person
to be taught is either a member of the G. C. I. A. or an apprentice in the last
three months of the last year of his apprenticeship, or a sawyer’s lumper who
has worked one year at lumping, as herein provided. Manufacturers desiring
the services of a competent sawyer and being unable to procure one shall notify
the polishers’ branch, and if the branch is unable to furnish the workmen needed
the manufacturers shall have the privilege of substituting any member of the
G. C. I. A. or a sawyer’s lumper who has worked one year at lumping, in which
latter case the man shall be considered an apprentice with one year’s apprentice
ship to serve.
Tool sharpening
Section 1. A tool sharpener’s gang to consist of from 11 to 14 men. No
sharpener to sharpen for more than 16 men. All men over 14 to count as extra
men and to be paid for at the rate of 64 cents per man, and on piece fires at
the rate of 6 6 % cents per man.
Sec. 2. In shops where two or more journeymen are employed extra men to be
placed on piece fires. Where extra men are employed the right to substitute is
allowed, but this is not to be construed to mean that the right is allowed to sub
stitute from piece to day fire.
Sec . 5. An apprentice granite cutter to count in gang the same as a journeyman.
Sec. 8. No apprentice tool sharpener to be employed unless there are at least
three journeymen tool sharpeners employed, and in the event of a reduction on
the fires the journeymen may be discharged and the apprentices kept at work,
but when this apprentice has served his two years or any part thereof (it being
understood that he may have a month’s trial before signing an apprentice agree
ment) no other apprentice can be taken on for three years unless a journeyman
has been steadily employed by the day during the two years the apprentice was
serving his time.
Sec . 9. An apprentice to serve no more nor less than two years and at no time
to sharpen for more than 14 men.
STONE-WORKING TRADES
143
PAYING CUTTERS
The International Paving Cutters’ Union of the United States and
Canada consists of persons cutting stone paving blocks for streetpaving use. The agreements are generally bills of prices which vary
according to the size of the block, the work being mainly piecework.
The agreements are generally made for three years, provide for a
union shop, a grievance committee, a 44-hour week, a weekly pay
ment of wages, and tools to be sharpened and kept in good order.
The following articles are taken from the agreement of Branches
Nos. 52 and 53, Cape Ann, Mass., April 1,1925:
A r t i c l e 30. All drilling of stone necessary for making paving blocks to be
done by the employer, free of charge to the paving cutters. .Cutter to direct
where holes are to be put and do all splitting of stock. Where all drilling of
stone is done by the paving cutter one drilling machine to be furnished for each
three paving cutters employed, an additional price of $4 per thousand shall be
paid on all prices for cutting blocks as specified above. Drilling machines to be
kept in good running order.
Art. 31. That all paving stock shall be quarried to size one way as near as
reasonable and be free from seams and powder shakes.
Art. 34. Employer to furnish all the tools necessary for cutting paving, but
if the employer is unable or unwilling to furnish tools, 1 per cent to be paid the
paving cutter for the use of the large tools over and above the price paid for
cutting paving; all tools to be kept in good condition by competent blacksmiths.
Art. 36. It is mutually agreed by the parties hereto that should a dispute or
controversy of any kind arise it shall be settled by and between the employer
and employees on the work where the dispute arises. Pending such settlement,
it is agreed there shall be no strike, lockout, or suspension of work, the same
failing to agree, the dispute to be left to a committee of three, one to be selected
by the employee, one by the employer, and the third to be selected by the two
so appointed, and he must be a disinterested party. The decision of the major
ity to be final. Decision to be rendered within two weeks.
The following articles are taken from the agreement of Branch No.
59, Concord, N. H ., with the granite manufacturers of Concord, March
30, 1925:
A r t i c l e 29. It is understood and agreed that all blocks of each specified kind
are to be cut to average size, fifty cents per thousand if one kind of block is to
be piled in two piles when being made.
Art. 30. Three dollars and seventy-five cents per thousand extra to be
paid on all blocks cut from stock which has not been quarried especially for
paving.
A r t . 31. Paving cutters to have their blocks counted away from them when
they have not sufficient room to work properly.
A rt . 34. It will be the duty of the employer to furnish good drinking water.
Art. 36. In periods of depression in the paving business the employer shall
confer with a committee from the paving cutters’ branch to discuss conditions
before laying off men.
Art. 39. It is mutually agreed by the parties hereto that should a dispute or
controversy of any kind arise it shall be settled by and between the employer
and employees on the work where the dispute arises. Pending such settlement,
it is agreed there shall be no strike, lockout, or suspension of work. The same
failing to agree, the dispute to be left to a committee of three, one to be selected
by the two so appointed, and he must be a disinterested party. The decision
of the majority to be final. Decision to be rendered within two weeks.
QUARRY WORKERS
The Quarry Workers’ International Union of North America is
composed of men engaged in quarry work, including the black
smiths, derrick men, engineers, firemen, laborers, riggers of derricks,
and stone-derrick men. The agreements of Locals No. 81 and No. 86,
1 44:
TEADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
Cape Ann, Mass., are practically identical except for wages. Both
are dated April 1 ,1925, and are for three years. Extracts from the
latter follow:
A r t i c l e I. Forty-five hours shall constitute a week’s work.
Eight hours p e r
day for the first five days of the week and f i v e hours on Saturday. Working
hours shall be from 7 a. m. to 12 m. and from 1 p. m. to 4 p. m., except on Sat
urday, hours to be from 7 a. m. to 12 m.
A r t . II. Time and one-half shall be paid for all overtime and double time for
Sunday and holidays. Holidays to be observed shall be Christmas, Memorial
Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.
A r t , VIII. It is mutually agreed b y the parties hereto that should any dis
agreement of any kind arise it shall be settled by and between the employer and
employees on the works where the dispute arises. Pending such settlement, it
is agreed that there shall be no strike, lockout, or suspension of work. The
same failing to agree, the dispute to be left to a committee of three, one to be
selected by the manufacturer, one by the employee, and the third to be selected
by the two so appointed, and he must be a disinterested party, the decision of
the majority to be final, decision to be rendered within 10 days.
A r t . X . Should either party desire a change to take effect April 1,1928, three
months' notice shall be given in writing previous to April 1, 1928, specifying
changes desired. If no notice be given this agreement shall hold in force for
another year and from year to year thereafter, with notice of change as provided
above.
STONECUTTERS
The Journeymen Stonecutters' Association of North America con
sists of stone and marble cutters and carvers, bridge and curb cutters,
tool sharpeners, and operators of stone, marble, and artificial-stone
cutting and sawing machinery, molders in artificial-stone plants, and
all engaged in the fabrication of stone, stone setting, and interior mar
ble settmg. The agreements are generally very short. They pro
vide for a method of arbitration, a closed snop, and a 44-hour week.
Extracts from the agreement between the Minneapolis and St. Paul
Cut Stone Contractors and the Twin City Local, effective for three
years from April 1, 1925, follow:
1. It is agreed and understood that the party of the first part will employ as
stonecutters for pneumatic tool and hand cutting members of the local of Jour
neymen Stonecutters, provided, however, said local of journeymen stonecutters
shall at all times furnish and provide such number of skilled workmen as shall
be required by the party of the first part. Any failure on the part of the said
local of journeymen stonecutters to provide sufficient skilled men after one
week's notice shall confer the right to the party of the first part to employ stone
cutters as they see fit, and such men shall at once make application and be per
mitted to join said local of journeymen stonecutters as provided for similar cases,
2. Eight hours shall constitute a day's work. Four hours Saturday. In case
of emergency stonecutters will be allowed to work overtime at the rate of time
and one-half for first two hours; after first two hours double time. Under no
circumstances will Saturday afternoon work be allowed.
3. The foreman shall be selected by and be the agent of the employer. He
need not be a practical stonecutter, but if he is employed to cut stone he must
be a member of said local, but may not attend meetings of the local.
4. One apprentice for five or less journeymen employed. Two apprentices to
six or more journeymen employed. Apprentices to serve four years in full at
stonecutting, and when hired must be between the ages of 16 and 20 years.
5. The party of the first part shall have the right to install the air hammer
for use on such work as in its judgment said hammer is required.
14.
It is understood and agreed that the parties hereto will arbitrate all dif
ferences or grievances that may arise between them during the life of this agree
ment without any strike upon the part of the party^ of the second part or lock
out upon the party of the first part under the following rules: Each party hereto
shall elect an arbitration committee of three members, to whom all contention
shall be submitted. Upon their failure to agree and adjust the matter under
TEAMSTERS
145
consideration they shall, by agreement, select an umpire (who shall in no wise
be affiliated with this trade), whose decision shall be final and binding on both
parties.
TEAMSTERS
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Stable
men, and Helpers of America is comprised of persons who are employed
in and around stables and garages. The individual unions in
smaller towns are composed of all classes of workers. In the larger
cities the individual locals generally contain members doing kindred
work only, extending sometimes to persons but loosely connected
with teamster’s work, as, for example, lumber loaders, express movers,
furniture packers, newspaper deliverers, ice cutters, cold-storage
men, platform men, butter and egg packers. The agreements are
generally short and call for employment of union men only, an
arbitration plan, overtime at increased rates, wages varying according
to the character of the work done, the size of the truck, or the number
of horses driven.
The following extracts from the agreement of Local No. 641, Jersey
City, N. J., January, 1925, show provisions found in most teamsters’
agreements:
S e c t i o n 1. Nine hours to constitute a day’s work, time to be taken when
entering garage, stable, or warehouse and when leaving same. On Saturdays
all employees are to work five hours in the morning during the months of June,
July, and August, and are to receive a full day’s pay.
Sec. 2. Day’s work to begin at 7 a. m. and end at 5 p. m., with one hour for
dinner in the meantime. Overtime to be paid at the rate of single time for the
first hour and double time thereafter.
Sec. 3. It is agreed that chauffeurs, drivers, and helpers shall be paid single
time for the following holidays, namely: New Year’s Day, Lincoln’s Birthday,
Washington’s Birthday, Decoration Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Colum
bus Day, election day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, on which there
is no work, and any driver, chauffeur, or helper ordered for work on Sunday or
holidays are to receive two days’ pay for same.
Sec. 4. Drivers are not to be responsible for any shortage of goods until
thorough investigation is made of the same.
Sec. 5. It is understood that during dull seasons of the year preference shall
be given to older drivers, chauffeurs, and helpers, according to their time of
service with the company.
Sec. 6. In the event that the party of the first part using automobiles, the
older drivers shall get the preference.
Sec . 7. All helpers to be classed as extra drivers, and are to take their turn
on the list for team or automobiles. Drivers must not be asked to report to
stable to clean horses or do stable work on Sundays.
Sec. 8. Members of the I. B. of T. C. S. & H. of America with paid-up books
to be employed, or those willing to become members at the next regular meeting.
Sec. 11. Should any difference arise between the employer and employees
outside of violation of this agreement which can not be adjusted by the repre
sentatives of this local union, the same to be submitted to arbitration, the
arbitration board to consist of an equal number of employers and an equal
number of teamsters. Failure to agree, they shall mutually select an umpire,
whose decision shall be final and binding on both parties. No strike or lockout
to take place pending decision.
The agreement of the Taxi Cab Drivers Local No. 465, Seattle,
Wash., M ay 1,1925, contains the following provisions:
A r t i c l e III. Six days shall constitute a week’s work and 10 hours shall con
stitute a day’s work, allowing drivers up to one-half hour during this time for
lunch. Time to start, when men report to garage or office or any other place
designated by employer, and shall continue until full 10 hours have been worked
and to rate from garage to garage or reporting place.
146
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1926
. A rt. IV. No member of the union shall be discharged or discriminated
against for upholding union principles or acting for his union in any capacity,
providing it does not interfere with him in performance of his duties.
A rt . V, Sec . 5. Overtime shall be paid for all work performed in excess of
10-hour day, 50 cents for first hour and 75 cents per hour for each hour there
after, or at the rate of time and one-half; overtime shall begin after first 30 min
utes, and all fractions or parts of hour shall be considered as hour, providing
however, that all overtime worked on stand on request shall be paid and con
sidered pro rata after 10 hours’ work, as provided above.
This section will apply to the meter cabs also and rate pro rata on meter cabs
scale.
Sec . 6. On all metered cabs drivers shall be paid and receive per day of 10
hours $3 per day, and in addition shall be paid and receive 10 per cent of all
earnings, based on daily turn-in.
A rt. VII. It is further agreed that no members of the party of the first part
who are more than sixty days in the arrears for dues shall be employed by nor
continue in the employment of the party of the second part, except on sanction
of the party of the first part, Local No. 465.
The following provisions are found in the agreement of Truck
Drivers and Chauffeurs' Local No. 807, New York, September 1,1925:
Section 2. Nine hours to constitute a day’s work. Time to be taken when
arriving at stable or garage at a. m. and leaving same p. m. Overtime to be
paid at the rate of $1 per hour per ratio.
Sec . 3. Any driver, chauffeur, or helper ordered for work on Sundays or the
following holidays: New Year’s Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birth
day, any holiday called for by the State, Decoration Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Columbus Day, election day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day,
to receive two days’ pay. Overtime to be paid at the rate of double time.
Drivers, chauffeurs, and helpers to be paid for all holidays. Any man working
three days in a holiday week to be paid for holiday.
Sec . 4. Employers hiring extra teams, preference to be given to employers
having agreement with the organization.
Sec. 6. The local union will appoint one of its members to act as stable stew
ard, whose duty it shall be to see that the conditions of this contract are not
broken by either employer or employees, and in case of a slack season he shall be
the last teamster or chauffeur to be laid off, and under no consideration shall he
be discriminated against.
Sec. 7. Employers to hire only union loaders when available, and not less
than three men must help driver to load truck or automobile.
Sec . 8. All drivers and chauffeurs to make sidewalk deliveries only, as they
will not be responsible for any losses in making delivery in buildings.
Sec. 11. No driver or chauffeur to be asked to help load any truck or auto
mobile but the one they drive unless paid extra for same.
The agreement of Local No. 645, New York, September 16, 1925,
with the Westcott Express Co., contains the following:
S e c t i o n 2 . The phrase “ regular time” as used in this agreement means 1 0
hours’ consecutive work, of which one hour shall be allowed for dinner or supper
and the same shall also constitute one day’s work or a full day’s work.
“ Overtime” shall be a1lowed for all work rendered by an employee in excess
of regular time, provided that no overtime shall be allowed for work occupying
less than 30 minutes in excess of one day’s work, and provided that from 31 to
60 minutes in excess of one day’s work shall be considered as one hour of over
time. After the first hour of overtime each succeeding period of work occupying
over 30 minutes, but not over 60 minutes of time, shall be considered as over
time.”
The phrase “ per week” as used in this agreement means one day’s work per
formed on six out of seven days of a given week.
Every employee’s time shafl be computed from the time that the employee
arrives at a garage of the express company to begin work until said employee
shall return to the garage at which he reported for work on that day.
Sec . 4. Members of Local 645 who are regular employees of the express com
pany, who shall have worked or shall work four full days during the week in
whien * * * holidays occur shall receive pay on the basis of regular time
TEAMSTERS
147
for such holiday, whether he works upon such holiday or not, and if any mem
ber works for a full day on any of the said holidays he shall be paid in addition
one day’s extra pay on the basis of regular time.
Members of Local 645 who are extra employees of the express company who
shall have worked or shall work three full days during the week in which
*
* * holidays occur shall receive pay on the basis of regular time for
such holiday, whether he works upon such holiday or not, provided he has
already been in the service of the company within a week prior to the date in which
the holiday occurs, and if he works for a full day on any of the said holidays he
shall be paid in addition one day’s extra pay on the basis of regular time.
S e c . 5. If during the term of this agreement the express company shall hire
extra motor trucks or extra wagons the express company agrees to endeavor to
hire such motor trucks or wagons upon which are employed chauffeurs and
teamsters who are members of a chauffeurs or teamsters’ union. In addition to
the chauffeur or teamster who operates such hired motor truck or wagon the
express company shall furnish an additional chauffeur or teamster and helper
for each such motor truck or wagon, and each such additional chauffeur or team
ster and helper shall be paid in accordance with the scale set forth in Schedule
“ A” [Schedule omitted]. If no chauffeur or teamster or helper regularly em
ployed by the express company be available for immediate serv.ce on any such
hired truck or wagon, the express company shall telephone to the office of Local
645 for a temporary chauffeur, teamster, or helper. If no temporary chauffeur,
teamster, or helper is available for immediate service, the express company
may dispatch such hired motor truck or wagon forthwith manned by a chauf
feur, teamster, or helper who is not a member of Local No. 645.
S e c . 6 . The express company agrees to employ s s chauffeurs, teamsters, and
helpers members of Local 645 with paid-up cards, if such members are avail
able, but if no such members are available, then the express company may
employ chauffeurs, teamsters, or helpers who are not members of Local 645,
but shall inform such men that they must apply forthwith for membership in
Local 645.
Sec . 7. Local 645 may appoint one of its members to act in the capacity of
stable steward, it being the duty of such stable steward to see that the condi
tions of this agreement are not violated either by the express company or by the
Local 645. In case the express company is required on account of slack work
or other reason to lay off any of its employees such stable steward shall be the
last employee to be laid off by the express company, and the express company
further agrees that it will give such stable steward opportunities of work and
treatment similar in all respects to those accorded to other members of Local
No. 645.
S e c . 8. If it becomes necessary at any time for the express company to employ
loaders, members of Local 645 shall be employed by the express company if such
members are available. If no such members are available for immediate service,
the express company may employ loaders who are not members of Local 645,
but shall inform such loaders that they must apply forthwith for membership in
Local 645.
No chauffeur, helper, or loader shall go aboard any boat or steamship for the
purpose of removing or pulling baggage therefrom.
S e c . 9. All members of Local 645 who have been employed by the express
company for a continuous period of one year or more shall be given by the express
company during each year six days’ vacation with regular pay at the current
wage scale.
S e c . 10. The express company will furnish uniforms and caps without charge
to members of Local 645 employed by the express company.
S e c . 11. The express company will employ mechanics to grease and make
repairs and to do electrical and mechanical work on its motor trucks, but chauf
feurs and helpers who are members of Local 645 shall make such emergency
minor repairs and do such emergency mechanical and electrical work on motor
trucks operated by the express company as may be necessary while such trucks
are in the service of the express company.
S e c . 12. The express company will dispatch from its garage no motor truck
or wagon unless such vehicle is accompanied by a helper provided a helper is
available. In the event that no helper is available and that no helper can be
secured by the express company, after telephoning Local 645, then the express
company may forthwith dispatch such motor truck or wagon without a helper.
If, however the express company does not dispatch such motor truck or wagon
148
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
without a helper, then the express company will not pay the chauffeur or team
ster on such vehicle for that day or for any part of that day.
Sec . 13. In the event that the baggage rates in effect at the present time are
reduced by order of the New York Public Service Commission during the period
of this agreement, then and in that event this agreement will be considered as
canceled as of the date that such order becomes effective, provided that prior to
any hearing before such commission concerning said rates written notice of
such hearing shall have been given by the express company to Local 645.
Extracts from the agreement of Local No. 669, New York, Septem
ber 1, 1925, as to theatrical drivers, follow:
S e c t io n 1. *
* * Helpers and chauffeurs, $ 1 per day, $ 2 per night, Sunday
and holidays to be paid in addition to the day’s pay to every chauffeur, driver,
or helper working on a wagon or car pulling a trailer.
Sec . 2. Eight hours to constitute a day’s work; hours to be from 8 a. m. to 5
p. m. One hour for dinner in the meantime, and said time to be as near the
middle of the day as possible and not later than 3 o’clock, unless one hour over
time is paid. If ordered to the barn before 8 a. m., said time to be classed as
overtime. First half hour to be conceded to the employer; rolling time only
any time thereafter to be counted as an hour in favor of the employee. Any
man ordered out before 5 a. m. to be paid a night’s pay for same in addition to
the day’s pay. Nightwork to start at 9 p. m. or 8 p. m., as the business neces
sitates.
Sec. 3. * * * All men going out on nightwork, holiday or Sunday work to
be paid two days’ pay for same, and no steady men to be employed in scenery
craft. Any man ordered out at night, Sunday, or holiday work, to be paid two
days’ pay for same, regardless of what hour he is ordered out.
Sec . 5. N o drivers or helpers shall load or unload cars unless paid $5 per man
in or out of said cars. No drivers or helpers shall carry scenery in or out of
theaters or outside of storehouses or studios at any time unless paid at the rate
of $1.25 per man, nothing less than two hours to be considered. Theatrical
Protective Union burlesque work in or out of theaters to be paid for at the rate
of $5 per man per show, in addition to their day’s pay, and no employer or
foreman shall drive trucks, load or unload trucks, load or unload cars, or in
warehouse.
The agreement of Local No. 405, St. Louis, M o., January 1, 1925,
with undertaking establishments contains the following provisions:
A r t i c l e 3. A week’s work shall consist of six days’ work, except in that week
known as Christmas week, in which all chauffeurs will be off Christmas Day with
full pay in addition to their regular day off. Should a chauffeur be required to
work on Christmas Day he shall receive as compensation for working Christmas
Day a salary equal to two days’ pay. Chauffeurs to be notified prior to their
quitting time the day before they are to be off.
A r t . 4. A day’s work shall consist of 10 consecutive hours, of which 45 minutes
shall be granted to a chauffeur for lunch.
A r t . 5. All members of Local No. 405 shall receive time and one-half for all
overtime; overtime to begin immediately after the completion of 10 consecutive
hours of work.
A r t . 6. A chauffeur’s work consists of cleaning out the interior of car, dusting
exterior of car, and keeping windows clean, but no washing of cars. A chauffeur
employed by an undertaker owning and operating only one funeral car will be
allowed to wash his car on the employer’s time only where no washer is employed.
A r t . 8 . In h i r i n g o c c a s i o n a l c h a u f f e u r s f o r f u n e r a l w o r k t h e y s h a l l r e c e i v e 30
p e r c e n t o n t h e d o ll a r o f t h e g r o s s m o n e y e a r n e d b y t h e m f o r t h e i r e m p l o y e r ;
no f u n e r a l t r i p s h a ll b e m a d e f o r l e s s t h a n $3.60; 30 p e r c e n t o n t h e d o ll a r o n a l l
o th e r w ork .
A r t . 10. Where an undertaker has n o steady man employed from Local No.
405 and said undertaker has a funeral he must call on Local No. 405 for a man
to assist him and pay said man $4.50 for each funeral; said chauffeur must be
on the extra list of Local No. 405 and must be hired through Local No. 405
headquarters. This article does not apply to what is known as shipping cases,
where the undertaker does not furnish a casket or burial receptacle.
A r t . 11. Where an undertaker has a funeral of a charitable nature, or a child
not requiring the use of a hearse, said undertaker will not be required to hire a
man from Local No. 405.
TELEPHONE OPERATORS
149
Ajbt. 12. Any undertaker, liveryman, or garage owner must give steady
employment to one man for every two autos. All outside boxes, vaults, or eases
and flowers may be delivered by any employee of the undertaking firm having
in charge the funeral of any person, and said Local No. 405 hereby waives all
claim for employment on what is commonly known as a flower wagon.
A rt. 13. Employers to furnish all uniforms for chauffeurs with “ union” label.
A rt. 19. To demand union chauffeurs on hiring autos from other firms.
A r t . 21. The first car of every funeral line-up carrying passengers must be
driven by a member of Local No. 405 or the undertaker in charge, should he be
driving a vehicle.
A rt . 24. Members of Local No. 405 will not be allowed to haul passengers
known to be strike breakers to or from a place that is on strike or that is under
police protection.
A rt . 25. (a) Both parties hereto agree that any differences arising between
them which is not specified in this contract and can not be adjusted by them
selves shall be submitted to a committee of five persons, two employers, two
members of Local No. 405, and the fifth a disinterested party to be selected by
the other four members of the committee. Said five shall constitute a committee
for adjustment of differences, and their decision in the adjustment of differences
shall be final and binding on both parties hereto; there shall be no lockout or
strike while differences are before the committee for adjustment, but decision
must be rendered within 10 days.
(b)
It is further agreed that an undertaking company can designate one
member of said company to drive and said member may be permitted to drive
any vehicle owned by said firm in any funeral procession conducted by said firm
at any time, subject, however, that a change can be made in the naming of such
designated person any time by telephone message to Local No. 405 head
quarters.
TELEGRAPHERS, COMMERCIAL
The Commercial Telegraphers7 Union of America embraces all
branches of the telegraph service, except that on railroads, and makes
agreements with the various presses. Extracts from the three-year
agreement with the United Press, International News Service, August
8, 1924, were printed in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 122,123.)
TELEPHONE OPERATORS
The telephone operators form a group or department in the Inter
national Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Wages vary with the
length of service. The following extracts are from the agreement
of Local 7 8-A with the Kinloch-Bloomington Telephone Co., of
Bloomington, 111., July 28, 1925:
1. Effective September 1,1925, the Kinloch-Bloomington Telephone Co., party
of the first part, agrees to pay its operating employees, party of the second part,
the following schedule of wages, to wit:
Local Operators. One to 3 months, $9.50; 4 to 6 months, $10; 7 to 9 months,
$11; 10 to 12 months, $11.50; 13 to 18 months, $12.50; 19 to 24 months, $14;
25 to 30 months, $15; 31 to 36 months, $16; 37 to 42 months, $17; 43 to 48
months, $18; 49 months and over, $19.
Supervisors shall on assignment be paid $23. At the end of 6 months they
shall receive $23.50 and at the end of 1 year and thereafter $24.
1. Operators becoming trouble clerks, chief operators’ clerks, information oper
ators, P. B. X., or long-distance operators shall be paid a differential of $3 per
week.
2. Employees working Sundays will have a day off without pay and will be
paid time and one-half for time worked on Sunday.
Holidays, double time.
Overtime, time and one-half.
Differentials, after 7 p. m. $1 per week; before 7 a. m. $1 per week; all night,
$2 per week.
150
TRADE AGREEMENTS IN 1925
3. (a) Eight hours shall constitute a full day’s work. All time worked in
excess of eight hours shall be considered as overtime and paid for at the rate of
time and one-half.
(d) All operators shall be relieved for a period of 20 minutes twice daily,
* * * and supervisors 30 minutes twice daily.
(e) In the assignment of working hours operators senior in point of service
shall be given the privilege of working regular day shifts.
(/) Operators senior in point of service shall be given the privilege of becoming
supervisors, information, trouble clerks, chief operators’ clerks, long distance,
and P. B. X.
4. Reemployed operators shall be credited for salary purposes with two-thirds
of their last continuous employment period.
5. All operators shall have every other Sunday off, for which no deduction
will be made from their weekly pay. All time worked in excess of the regular
Sunday shift shall be considered as overtime and paid for at double time.
6. All operators shall work, so far as possible, * * * four hours on legal
holidays. * * * All time worked on said holidays shall be paid for at the
rate of double time.
7. All operators having been in the employ of the Kinloch-Bloomington Tele
phone Co. for a period of one year shall be granted a vacation of one week in
each year, with full pay, and any operator having been in the employ of said com
pany for two or more years shall be granted a two weeks’ vacation, with full pay.
8. All operators having been in the employ of the Kinloch-Bloomington Tele
phone Co. for a period of six months shall be granted a vacation of three days,
with full pay.
12. For the carrying on of all mutual relations between the company and its
operating employees the company agrees to recognize the adjustment board of
Local 78-A as the authorized spokesman and representative of the operating
employees. The adjustment board shall meet regularly with such official or offi
cials as the company shall designate to represent it. The adjustment board shall
be empowered to deal with all questions affecting the operating force, either the
individual members or the force as a whole, and all decisions reached in confer
ence between the adjustment board and the company shall be binding on all
parties concerned. The adjustment board agrees to cooperate with the company
on all matters of discipline, of good attendance, and of operating efficiency, and
commits all the resources of the organization to preserving the highest standards
of service.
13. The company agrees to give good and sufficient reason for the discharge
of any member of the operators’ union.
14. The party of the first part hereby agrees to hire only members of Local
Union No. 78-A of the T. O. D. of the I. B. E. W., or those who agree to become
members of the Local Union 78-A within 15 days from date of their employment.
The expulsion of any member of Local Union No. 78-A or their refusal to become
members shall be deemed sufficient cause for the immediate discharge of such
persons.
15. No operator shall be held responsible for monetary shortages at pay-station
telephones.
THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and M ov
ing Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada is
formed of locals of the two above-named crafts. Extracts from sev
eral of their agreements were printed in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 123 -1 25 ).
UPHOLSTERERS
The Upholsterers’ International Union of North America comprises
upholsterers of all kinds of furniture, vehicles, and cushions, hangers
of draperies, curtains, window shades, and awnings, linoleum and
carpet cutters and layers, mattress and box-spring makers, and the
like. Generally all are grouped into one union, though in a few cities
the individual tranches are separately grouped. The agreements are
WALL-PAPER CRAFTS
151
generally with individual proprietors, call for a union shop, 44-hour
week, and an overtime rate. The following provisions are from the
agreement of Carpet Upholsterers’ and Linoleum Layers’ Local No. 85,
Washington, D. C., September 1, 1925:
2. No member shall be subject to a decrease on account of minimum scale
adopted by this union.
3. All work done before 8 a. m. and after 4.30 p. m. shall be paid at the rate
of time and half.
4. All work on floor coverings, new or old, shall be done by members of the
Carpet Upholsterers’ Union of the Upholsterers’ International Union of North
America.
5. All work which consists of measuring, cutting, fitting, and laying of car
pets, oilcloth, linoleum, matting, linen, lino-tile, rubber tile, etc., taking up of
carpets and other floor coverings, drilling of holes for sockets and pins, and
fitting of all devices for the attachment of carpet or other floor coverings, the
laying of all floor coverings, shall be classified as carpet upholsterers’ work.
6. All carpet measurers, cutters and layers employed by this firm shall be
members of the Carpet Upholsterers’ Union Local No. 85.
7. One apprentice to a shop for the first two steady journeymen and one
additional apprentice for each five additional steady journeymen.
All apprentices shall be required to serve four years at the trade before grad
uating as a journeyman of the craft.
8. All extra time spent in traveling before 8 a. m. and after 4.30 p. m. shall
be paid at the rate of time and half time, except when members are required to
travel at night, when they shall be furnished with meals and sleeping accommo
dations.
Members traveling Sundays and holidays shall be paid at the rate of doable
time.
WALL-PAPER CRAFTS
The agreements made by the Wall-Paper Crafts are international
only. Extracts from those made for three years in 1923 were printed
in Bulletin No. 393 (pp. 126-128).
@FedFRASER