5. The rate to be paid for night and Sunday work, and questions of
like nature.
And it is also given power to determine what number of apprentices
should be enrolled so as to afford all boys desiring to learn the
trade an opportunity to do so without overcrowding, so as not to
cause the coming workmen to be unskilled in his art or the supply
of labor to grossly exceed the demand therefor. It is also given
exclusive power to determine all subjects in which both
organizations may be interested, and which may be brought before it
by the action of either organization or the president thereof.
It becomes necessary, in order that all questions and grievances
which the committee has settled, and to make the constitution and
by-laws of the organizations conform thereto, and to the powers
given to future joint arbitration committees, that some changes
should be made in such constitution and by-laws. The adoption by
the Master Masons' and Builders' association of the article for the
joint committee, as recommended, together with some slight changes
in their constitution, will be sufficient. The United Order of
American Bricklayers and Stonemasons will be necessitated to make
changes in its constitution and by-laws to make the same consistent
with and to conform to the spirit and intent of the powers and
duties conferred on the joint committee; and among other things the
officer heretofore known as the walking delegate is to be known
hereafter as the collector, and all the objectionable duties and
powers of the office have been done away with. The steward will
remain guardian of the men's interests and mediator for them; his
arbitrary powers are taken away. The interests of the members of
the union are protected by the foreman being required to be a
member of the union, but he is restored to his position as the
employe of the contractor, and, while so employed, is not subject
to the rules of the union. The eight-hour day has been conceded to
the workmen. It is in accordance with the state and, we believe, in
accord with the spirit and progress of the age. The question of
pay-day, whether on Saturday or on Tuesday, was not considered a
question of vital importance, but, it being one of the questions
left to the umpire, he decided that inasmuch as Tuesday has been
the pay-day with the principal contractors in the trade of this
city for more than twenty years last past, and, as experience in
other trades and occupations has demonstrated that the pay-day of
Monday or Tuesday has worked more beneficially to the workmen and
their families than the Saturday pay-day, and, inasmuch as
contractors ought not to be required to change the pay-day in the
midst of the working season, having presumably made their pecuniary
arrangements to meet the Tuesday pay-day, he would name Tuesday as
the regular pay-day until the same should, if desired hereafter, be
changed by the joint committee on arbitration.
We have settled the differences between the two organizations.
While every inch of the ground has been fought over, yet, having
the task assigned us, we in good faith determined to do everything
that was fair, just and honorable to accomplish our object. We feel
we have succeeded without compromising the honor, the rights, or
the dignity of either organisation, and hope that we have succeeded
in establishing a basis upon which all future troubles may be
settled and probably be prevented. We respectfully ask your
adoption of this report and the article as to the joint arbitration
committee, by immediate action, to the end that work may be
commenced on Monday, July 11th, it being agreed that neither
organization shall be bound by its action if the other should
refuse to take similar action.
A. E. VORKELLER,
P. J MINNITER,
JOHN PEARSON,
THEODORE REBUSH,
CHARLES J. LINDGREN,
Arbitration Committee for the U. O. A. B. and S. M. Association.
GEORGE C. PRUSSING,
JOSEPH DOWNEY,
GEORGE TAPPER,
WILLIAM O'BRIEN,
CHARLES W. GINDELE,
Arbitration Committee for the Master Masons' and Builders'
Association.