Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1903 — STRIKE TO AFFECT 400,000 MEN. [ARTICLE]

STRIKE TO AFFECT 400,000 MEN.

Structural Iron Workers and Manufacturers Begin Their Hattie May 1. From const to coast war will be waged against the Bridge and Structural Iron Workers’ Union by the recently formed National Association of Manufacturer* of Structural Iron Work. The struggle is to begin on May 1, The union is w illing to make a standard wage scale and cease imposing alleged onerous conditions on the employers. The coullict will affect more than 400,000 workers in the building industry and practically every steel and iron manufacturer of the country. Notices of the coming war have been sent out informally in various cities. Conferences have been called by both parties, and all are preparing for the struggle. No attempt has been made to prevent it. The strife in Chicago threatens to come to a focus long before the appointed date. The union wants a wage scale of CO cents an hour, or $4.80 a day. The employers, all members of the Iron League, are willing to grant $4.40 a day. The union wants the right to order out its members whenever the national organization sees fit. This has been refused on the ground that such would be a sympathetic strike. The union asserts the United States Steel Corporation is supporting the movement against it. By the shutting down of the textile mills nt Lowell, 20,000 employes are cut of work, which was caused by the union members demanding a 10 per cent increase. The majority of the workers are women nnd girls. Strike leaders say they will put up a strong fight to the end. If the mills remain closed more than two weeks there will be great suffering.