People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1896 — FIGHT HAS BEGUN. [ARTICLE]

FIGHT HAS BEGUN.

Chicago Garment Workers and Bosses Commence a Life or Death Struggle. Chicago, Feb. 19.—The present indications are that before the end of another week at least 8,000 garmentworkers employed in the wholesale clothing manufacturing houses of Chicago will be on a strike. In fact, the big strike is now on, but only about 175 men are out, and only four wholesale concerns are affected. These men who have struck are clothing cutters, trimmers, and fitters. The contest is one that will test the full power of the United Garment-Workers’ Association, and the outcome virtually holds its existence in the balance. If the manufacturers win, the association, which numbers on its rosts about 15,000 men, will lose a large part of its membership, while, if the unions win, it will establish the United Garment- Workers of, America as one of the moat powerful Mber bodies’ m the city.