Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1920 — TO KEEP CLOTHING FACTORIES SHUT [ARTICLE]

TO KEEP CLOTHING FACTORIES SHUT

New York Manufacturers Notify Workers They Must Yield "Before Reopening. MUST AGREE TO SEVEN POINTS President of Manufacturers’ Association Says “Conditions Have> Closed Our Shops and the People Want Cheaper Clothes.’’ New York, Nov. 12.—The Clothing Manufacturers’ association of New York has announced that its shops can not be reopened until employees who are members of-the Amalgamated Clothing Workers’ union agree to new working and wage conditions, “necessary to the life of the industry.” The announcement was made after the association's market committee reported failure in negotiate ns with the workers. The association, in closing Its shops, claimed new conditions were necessary to further competition In the market, and laid down seven points to be inserted in a new contract. J 1 Not a Lockout. William Bandler, president of the manufacturers’ association, said negotiations would be opened with the union at any time designated, and that the declsioji of the association to keep its shops closed was In no wise a “lockout.” “Conditions have closed our shops,” he added. “The public wants cheaper clothes, we want business and our employees want employment. We can not get business until we are able to make and sell clothing in competition with other markets. Conditions must be equalized with competing centers before we can resume manufacture.” Employers Make Seven Demands. The seven points demanded are: The right cf the manufacturer to Install piecework. Scales prevailing in other clothing markets to be the base r,ates for New York workers. The co-operation of workers in maintaining Individual records of production in shops and cutting rooms. Individual standards of production for week workers in shops and cutting rooms. The right of the manufacturer to change contractors. Adequate freedom to discipline and hire workers and to introduce improved machinery. The agreements maintained by the union in other markets In which adjustment machinery Is functioning successfully to be made the basis of relationship between the association and union.