| DATE |
TITLE |
PAPER |
DESCRIPTION |
|
|
|
|
| 1-Jan |
"U.S. Will Erect Homes For Shipyard Workers" |
Times |
1,200,000 dollars has been set aside to provide housing for workers at Newport News Shipyard, with money to provide houses for workers at other yards soon to follow according to the senate |
| 1-Jan |
"What About Houses?" |
Times |
Officials in Seattle realize the need for housing that the influx of shipyard workers will present. Property managers already in Seattle fear that new houses will be built before they know that they will be able to occupy the houses already in place. |
| 7-Jan |
"Army Of Savers IS Recruited In Seattle" |
Times |
Large numbers of workers, especially shipyard workers, are flooding banks to make deposits and open savings accounts. |
| 9-Jan |
"Lack Of Homes For Workers Slows Shipbuilding" |
Times |
The president & General Manager from Newport News shipyard (virginia) says the lack of homes for shipyard workers will limit the number of ships able to be built in 1918, estimating that the overall tonnage will drop below predicted estimates. |
| 10-Jan |
"Flay Landlords As Profiteers: Labor Council Demands Inquiry Into Entire Housig Problem of Seattle" |
Times |
Seattle Central Labor Council adopts a resolution condemning landlords who use the lack of housing for shipyard workers to justify raising rents as war profiteers. Call for an investigation by the United States Shipping Board. |
| 11-Jan |
"City Offers Good Farming Market" |
Times |
Calls for farmers to come to Seattle to sell their goods as the huge influx of shipyard workers, 16000 currently, a number expected to double within 3 months, create the need for massive amounts of food and other ammenitites |
| 11-Jan |
"Traffic Question Before Citizens" |
Times |
Council of Defense discusses the problem of transporting shipyard workers too and from work each day, as there are not enough cars nor car drivers to solve the problem currently. Owners of the shipyards offering to help, by running their own trains or offereing to stagger their starting times each day. |
| 12-Jan |
“Labor Conscription Not At All Necessary” |
Union Record |
The conscription of men into war-time jobs, such as shipbuilding. Nearly 5,000 jobless in Seattle, and by conscripting them into needed jobs government hopes to help everybody. So many showed up to try and find a job in the ship yard that lines were long and some were even turned away. Not sure what Union, but a union does oppose this, believing that its unconstitutional. Most of these jobs are unskilled, but officials believe there are enough job less skilled me to fill the void needed for craft mechanics and such. |
| 13-Jan |
"Four-Minute Men to Help" |
Times |
Working to enroll more shipyard workers, as they are needed to help win the war. |
| 13-Jan |
"ShipyardHhockey Entertains Fans" |
Times |
With professional hockey players not playing this week, attention turns to the shipyard hockey leagues. |
| 15-Jan |
"Seattle Leads U.S. In Recruting For Shipyards" |
Times |
As the Nation is calling for massive recruiting efforts within the countries shipyards, Seattle is weeks ahead of schedule and claims to already have 5,000 workers ready to work. Seattle yards should have enough men to implement a 2 shift working schedule within the coming months. |
| 15-Jan |
"Take Up Plans For Shipyard Trains" |
Times |
Plans to discuss ways to better operate trains traveling from the central waterfront to the industrial districts for shipyard workers are underway. Also a more effective use of water transportation is being discussed |
| 17-Jan |
"Labor Demands That U.S. Build Homes For Men" |
Times |
Organized labor is calling for the US government to provide funds to build houses for the huge influx of shipyard workers which the government has called for within Seattle |
| 17-Jan |
"One Drowned and One Injured When Slip at slip at Shipyard Collapses" |
Times |
A slip at the Seattle Construction and Drydock Company collapsed throwing men into the water, with one drowning and 3 narrowily escaping with their lives. |
| 18-Jan |
"Officials Produce Proof Of Hun Propaganda" |
Times |
Claims that accidents within the shipyards are being propagated by IWW and other sources in hopes of deterring people from entering the industry and crippling America's shipbuilding efforts. |
| 19-Jan |
"Ship Yard Workers Threaten Rent Strike" |
Union Record |
Nearly 22,000 metal tradesmen are threatening to strike over exorbitant rent increases. They site instances in which rents have been increased by over 63% and are threatening to refuse to pay rent and force landlords to kick them out through court action. It seems that the problem is with man of the realtors or house managers, who are sky-rocketing rents often without the actual owner of the buildings consent. The MTC is appealing to the National Shipping Board, asking for them to appropriate money from congress to try and help fix the problem by creating adequate housing for the nations war-industry workers. |
| 19-Jan |
"Raise Initiation For Shipbuilders" |
Union Record |
As the Treasury of the Unions are working hard to lobby for the shipbuilders, they have decided to raise their initiation fees, almost doubling the rate for unskilled hands. |
| 21-Jan |
"Organized Gang of Pickpockets at Work In City, Say Police" |
Times |
Pickpocketers are taking advantage of the congestion that shipyard workers experience in trying to board streetcars and trains to work during the morning and evening rush hours. |
| 23-Jan |
"Dr. C.H. Parker To Investigate Cost Of Living In City" |
Times |
The doctor, a member of the University of Washington, has been ordered to investigate the cost of living in Seattle, which shipyard workers contend has risen at an alarming rate and that they need wage increases to keep up with the rise in cost of living. |
| 26-Jan |
"May Stop Work In Shipyards" |
Union Record |
In response to the Employers Association’s attempts to remove Miss Anna Louis Strong from the school board, shipyard workers intend to turn out and show their force behind this not occurring. Nearly 40,000 workers represented by the resolution stating that Ms. Anna Louis Strong was a champion of the working class and not a communist sympathizer. |
| 26-Jan |
"Ship Workers May Not Have To Send A Man East" |
Union Record |
Instead of having to send a representative east to further the shipyard workers plight in rent extortion and attempt to achieve a wage gain for the workers, Washington has decided to appoint Dr. Carleton H. Parker to come look at the wages himself. Employers have been taking advantage of workers needing more pay, and many have been working 10 hour days in the past months, often time not paying them double time as they are supposed to. They also passed legislation opposing labor conscription. |
| 30-Jan |
"Hanson Making Appeal To Shipyard Workers For Clean Municipal Government in Seattle" (Photo Included) |
Times |
Mayoralty canidate Ole Hanson is appealing to shipyard workers and their unions that he deserves their vote on the basis of running a clean government. Believes that they are solidly in his corner |
| 1-Feb |
"Gathers Data on Butcher's Strike" |
Times |
Butchers believe that the remorse felt by striking workers against the government is spreading to other unions, including Shipyard workers and other war essential industries |
| 3-Feb |
"Experts Investigate Increase Of Living Costs In Seattle" |
Times |
Dr. Carleton plans to submit his report, on which the wage increases asked for by 70,000 shipyard workers along the pacific coast will rest. They want the wage increases to meet the rising cost of living in cities along the coast including Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco |
| 5-Feb |
"Aid Comes To S.A.C. From Men In Local Yards" |
Times |
Seattle Athletic Club is looking to be revived by becoming the hub of all Shipyard athletics. This would help revive the club and pull it out of debt while giving the shipyard workers an athletic outlet. |
| 9-Feb |
"Declares War On Profiteers" |
Union Record |
The United States Shipping Board introduced a bill in hopes that the government will appropriate funds to help the shippying board fight rent extortion and price increases in rent and other living costs, such as food and transportation costs. |
| 10-Feb |
"Army of Shipbuilders Will Be Enrolled in Nation-Wide Drive" |
Times |
Goal of enrolling 5,906 new shipbuilding volunteers in Washington alone should help the US build enough ships to overcome the threat of German U-boats which have currenlty been sinking ships at an alarming rate. The national goal of 250,000 men enrolled in the public service reserve could be met, especially since signees are not required to work, only offered the oppurtunity when jobs are available. |
| 13-Feb |
"Living Cost Go Up 8 1/4 Per Cent Since October" |
Times |
Dr. Parker submitted his report that cost of living has risen 8 1/4% since October. Only put the increase of rents at 10% though, a fact which the Metal Trades Council will appeal as they believe the actual total is more than double that. Metal Trades Council hoped to use this report to get a wage increase from the standard set last october. |
| 13-Feb |
"Plan School For Shipbuilding Executives" |
Times |
Plan for a school to be built which would allow skilled mechanics to be trained to become executives and foreman allowing them to receive wage increases. |
| 15-Feb |
"Seattle Asks Three Million To Build Homes" |
Times |
Calls on government to provide $3,000,000 dollars to build houses for shipyard workers on the basis that the lack of housing will cause delays which will hurt the war effort. The money would provide housing exclusively for shipyard workers. |
| 15-Feb |
"Carpenters In East Seek Western Scale" |
Times |
Shipyard workers in East are striking with the goal of achieving the same wage scale as that applied to workers on the West Coast. |
| 16-Feb |
"Ship Builders Stand Solid" |
Union Record |
With outsider officials trying to split the local boilermakers union, the different crafts met and decided that under the current conditions it would be more beneficial for them to stick together under one larger union. |
| 16-Feb |
"Give Increase To Ship Workers In Delaware Yards" |
Times |
The United States Shipping Board has agreed to a new increased wage scale, better working conditions, and overtime pay for shipyard workers in the Delaware shipyards, which consist of 60% of the workers on the East Coast. While not as high as what the workers were asking for, many think this will end the strike which Eastern workers were engaged in. |
| 23-Feb |
"Want Productive Workers Exempted" |
Union Record |
Metal Trades asks for government to recall skilled mechanics from the Army and Navy to help increase ship production. Based on the idea that it takes longer to create skilled mechanics (4-6 years) than to create a soldier (6 months) and that ship production would increase if more skilled mechanics were available |
| 2-Mar |
"Holiday For Ship Workers" |
Union Record |
Shipyard workers will take a half-holiday on March 5 that they can participate in the elections and make their voices heard at the polls. They have banded together to support pro-labor representatives. |
| 1-Mar |
"Pacific Coast Has Record For Ships" |
Times |
Pacific coast, primarily Seattle, shipyards are turning out ships much faster than shipyards on the east coast. Skinny & Eddy shipyards set the world record for completeing a ship |
| 2-Mar |
"New Housing Law Signed By Wilson Aids Shipbuilding" |
Times |
President Wilson signed a $50,000,000 housing bill that will provide housing for the thousands of mechanics and skilled workers that are being moved to Seattle to build ships. Gives the Shipping board authority to commander all empty living spaces and provide them to shipbuilders. |
| 10-Mar |
"Transportation Problem Solved" |
Times |
Shipyard workers buy motorcycles to save time and money getting to work. |
| 16-Mar |
"Wage Increase Is Not Granted" |
Union Record |
No wage increase will be allowed for shipyard workers, despite the fact that both Dr. Carleton Parker and shipyard workers themselves have proven that there have been great increases in the cost of living within seattle. Also mentions an increase in safety as the workers have increased production and work has become more dangerous. |
| 17-Mar |
"Car Company Ready To Operate On Avalon Way" |
Times |
Company claims that it can have a new train service up and running in 45 days to better provide transportation for shipyard workers. |
| 23-Mar |
"Local Workers Ask More Pay" |
Union Record |
Shipyard workers send men to Washington to protest the decision not to allow wage increases within Shipyards. Workers believe that by resubmitting evidence of the increases of cost of living occuring within Seattle, workers hope. Workers believe that the settlement agreed to after their strike in the previous year, which said that increases would be allowed if they returned to work, backs up their claims for a new increase in wages |
| 30-Mar |
"Metal Trades Behind Bonds" |
Union Record |
Unions working together to promote the buying of Liberty Bonds by shipyard workers. Also working to inform workers and protect them from charities and bonds which trick workers into giving their money to people with un-wholesome morals. |
| 30-Mar |
"Pacific Coast Ship Builders Form Council" |
Union Record |
Pacific Coast Council formed to take Seattles Emergency War deployment service and its measures and wage standardizations and to enact them across the entire west coast |
| 6-Apr |
"Metal Trades Go In Politics" |
Union Record |
Metal Trades Council has worked to endorse 5 candidates running in the next election, and hopes that its union members will vote accordingly. Also many of the union shops have signed an agreement to standardize practices across shipyards, with an emphasis on increasing safety |
| 8-Apr |
"Skinner-Eddy Men Pledge Big War Relief Fund" |
Times |
Shipyard workers in the Skinny-Eddy shipyard have pledged $8000 a month to a fund for the relief of soldiers. |
| 9-Apr |
"Shipbuilding School Proposed" |
Times |
Night classes on steel shipbuilding and blueprint reading are going to be offered at a local school and hundreds of shipyard workers are expected to attend. |
| 13-Apr |
"Water Front Danger Past" |
Union Record |
Truckers and warehouse workers decide to wait to strike until the Shipping Board has had more time to deal with their complaint for wage increases. Dr. Carleton Parker, who was looking into cost of living increases, died and so his investigation was never completed. Tensions growing higher as employers in San Franciso were paying a much higher wage scale than those in Seattle. |
| 17-Apr |
"Steam Trains For Shipyard Workers To Start Monday" |
Times |
Steam trains will be ready to run on Monday, and the rides will be free atleast for now |
| 20-Apr |
"Waterfront Troubles Are Not Settled" |
Union Record |
Shipyard workers threatening to strike are still angry as they want to be recognized as having the right bargain as a labor union under the current government agreement. Even if they could, employers offers are much below those existing in San Francisco. |
| 22-Apr |
"400 Enjoy Ride On First Steam Trains To Yards" (Photo Included) |
Times |
400 shipyard workers enjoyed a ride to work today on a steam train built just for them. |
| 24-Apr |
"Unions Affirm Plan To Strike" |
Times |
If a 24 hour protest on May 1st fails to accomplish its goals, workers claim that they will strike indefinitely in support of Thomas Mooney. |
| 25-Apr |
"Council Against General Strike" |
Times |
Seattle Central Labor Council voted at a 2-1 ratio not to support the Metal Trades Councils plan of an unlimited general strike in support of Thomas Mooney. |
| 27-Apr |
"Metal Trades Endorse New Union Record" |
Union Record |
Metal Trades Union confirms that the Union Record is the voice of the shipyard unions, opposed to private publications within the city which claim to represent the unions. |
| 27-Apr |
"Metal Trades Vote To Strike On May 1st" |
Union Record |
Metal Trades unions unanimously vote to strike for 24 hours in support of Tom Mooney. |
| 8-May |
"Shipyard Workers Seek Night Bonus" |
Times |
Metal Trades council want a 10 cent raise given to workers under the macy board extended to workers in all shipping industries, wooden and steel, along the entire coast and the entire country. |
| 11-May |
"Union To Bring Concrete Vessel Orders To Sound" |
Times |
"Seattle Building Trades Council, representing 7,000 union men, wants a share of the new concrete ship building brought to Seattle. Wanted in part to give jobs to the thousands of skilled mechanics that are currently unemployed. |
| 12-May |
"Seattle's Shipyard Workers Accept Delivery Of New Cars In Grant Six And Briscoe Lines" (Photo Included) |
Times |
Shipyard workers buying cars, both because they have the money and to better transport themselves to and from work. |
| 18-May |
"Want New Wage Scale" |
Union Record |
To fight the disorganization which employers are trying to create within the Metal Trades council by giving certain unions raises while refusing to grant raises to others, the Metal Trades Council wants immediate steps towards drafting a new wage scale to be taken to solidfy solidarity between the unions. |
| 18-May |
"Unions Urge Extension Of Employment Service" |
Times |
Seattle workers want the extension of the Emergency Employment Office system, currently in use in Seattle, to be extended across the country |
| 23-May |
"Seattle Will See Marked Changes Under Law" |
Times |
"A new law is being voted on that would re-classify exempt workers from the war, forcing some to switch to occupations which support the war, and others to have to enter the war if their position is not exempt from the draft. Should greatly affect shipyard workers, with some being drafted and others being forced to switch occupations |
| 25-May |
"Charge Rich With Evading Draft Law" |
Union Record |
Some in Metal Trades Council are angry that people with the right connections are being given jobs in shipyards to avoid conscription while quality trained mechanics are being forced out of the yards and into the military |
| 26-May |
"More Homes Needed For Shipbuilders" |
Times |
"With more workers flooding Seattle in search of jobs, and the shipbuilding industry expected to add 10,000 new jobs by 1919, houses are needed just as much as ever before. It is skilled workers, usually those with families having the hardest time finding housing. |
| 8-Jun |
"Metal Trades Stand by Half Holiday Plan" |
Union Record |
The Metal Trades Council will go ahead and implement the 44-hour week with 48 hour wages granted to them for 4 months of the year by the United States Shipping Board. Is a reply to some contract shops, which are attempting to discourage the 44 hour week. |
| 9-Jun |
"More Homes Badly Needed For Workers" |
Times |
Houses and apartments are still greatly needed to house the influx of workers currently in Seattle and those expected to enter the city in the coming months as the shipyards reach maximum work capacity. Working to find more homes, gives some totals (about 1,600) of homes already found for workers. |
| 13-Jun |
"Seattle's Old-Time Punch Shown In Shipyards" |
Times |
Seattle shipyards, employing 27,400 out of the 300,000 national workers, turned out 26 1/2% of the countries ships in the first 5 months of the year |
| 15-Jun |
"39 Boilermakers Are In Hospitals" |
Union Record |
39 members of the Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders and Helpers union are in the hospital as a result of accidents in the shipyards. 10 men died during the month of May |
| 17-Jun |
"Seattle Unions Seek To Weed Out I.W.W.'s" |
Times |
"Seattles largest labor unions, especially those in shipyards have adopted resolutions to weed out workers holding IWW cards, and have effectively down so. |
| 30-Jun |
"Y.M.C.A. Camp Aid To Shipyard Workers" |
Times |
"YMCA has helped the war efforct by establishing a boarding camp on Lake Washington to house shipyard workers that are under 21. |
| 2-Jul |
"Three Seattle Shipyard Workers Are Injured" |
Times |
Reports of three men hurt, one by a falling piece of steel and another by a falling anvil. Another lost 3 fingers when his glove got caught in a machine |
| 4-Jul |
"War Time Patriotism Grips City" |
Times |
350,000 citizens of Seattle came out to celebrate the greatest 4th of july that the City of Seattle has ever seen as 6 new ships are launched for the US military. |
| 6-Jul |
"Shipyard Men Enter Politics" |
Union Record |
As the Riggers and Fasteners Union grows, with membership approaching nearly 4,000 men, it was deemed that larger headquarters and more politcal action was necessary for the union to continue to grow and benefit its members. |
| 13-Jul |
"Boilermakers to Uphold Movement for Short Week" |
Union Record |
Boilermakers union and its delegates continue to hold strong to the push for a 44 hour week. They note the importance of political action as a weapon of the union, and ask for all men to register and vote in an attempt to better use this weapon. |
| 13-Jul |
"Shipyard Train To Make Additional Daily Run" |
Times |
An additional daily run is being added to the steam train service to certain shipyards. Already serving 4,500 men daily, hope to increase this number by over 1,000 more men to be served each day |
| 14-Jul |
"Beer Forgotten; Seattle Making Record On Milk" (Photo Included) |
Times |
10,000 shipyard workers help break the milk and ice cream consumption record by downing nearly 10,000 bottles of milk a day during their lunches" |
| 16-Jul |
"Seattle Concern Buys 160 Acres For $100,000" |
Times |
Private company has bought 160 acres which it intends to turn into 1,000 tracts for homes to sell to shipyard workers |
| 20-Jul |
"Schwab Party Visits Local Ship Builders" |
Union Record |
Director General for the United States Shipping board visted Seattle, and as a result an increase in steel deliveries is to be expected. The point of the visit was too make the fastest American shipyards even faster. |
| 20-Jul |
"Boilermakers to Vote on Overtime Ban Next Friday" |
Union Record |
A vote on a resolution to "squelch overtime grabbers" will be taken in an effort to maintain the 8 hour day. Also, arrangments are being made for Labor Day celebration, predicted to be the greatest the city has seen |
| 28-Jul |
"Seattle Select Service Men Of Class 1 Scarce" |
Times |
Once the august draft depletes the Class A men, there will only be 100 or so qualified class A men left in the city. Actions being taken to find new sources of men for the army, mainly by looking at unskilled workers in the area. |
| 1-Aug |
"Shipyards Will Be Cleared Of Loafers" |
Times |
Actions will be taken to conscript men of draft age currently trying to evade military service by working in a essential occupation. Estimated that hundreds of shipyard workers will be affected |
| 6-Aug |
"Eat 11,532,144 Pieces Of Pie A Year" |
Times |
The 37,000 men employed in the shipyard really like pie, basically |
| 10-Aug |
"Ship BuildingBbeing Checked By Profiteers" |
Union Record |
Metal Trades Council adopts resolutions stating that profiteers are taking advantage of the thousands of men who have entered Seattle to build ships for our country by raising prices to extremely high levels. They hope to curb the greed of the rent profiteers in an effort to continue Seattle's record shipbuilding pace. They believe that shipbuilders are being discriminated against and charged much more for rent than are other workers in the area. |
| 13-Aug |
"Workers In Shipyards Shouldn't Wear Rings" |
Times |
The head of shiypard safetly claims that wearing rings is a primary factor in shipyard accidents. 2 men have lost fingers in the last month and many more have been injured due to the wearing of rings |
| 17-Aug |
"Let Men Work In Shipyards Says Mr. Wood" |
Union Record |
Lawrence Wood, the director of the federal employment bureau in Washington state has called for women to stop attempting to work in the shipyards as the work is much too dangerous and laborous. Also, by allowing women to work in the shipyard, German press will use this as propoganda to say that our sources of labor are drying up. Goes on to announce various other lines of work in which women can help the war effort. |
| 17-Aug |
"New Waterfront Workers' Union Elects Officers" |
Union Record |
The newly amalgamated union of Riggers, Stevedores, Truck workers and Warehouse men has elected its officers. The union is working to unionize previously non-union wharves along the waterfront, many of which haven't been unionized since the strike of 1916. Currently consists of 2,500 men. Also mentions Fink Hall, a hiring agency which union men maintain is used to black-list union men since the strike. |
| 17-Aug |
"Metal Trades Have Solution Of Labor Need" |
Union Record |
Metal Trades Council believes that business and professional men should be drafted into the military in the place of skilled mechanics and shipbuilders who are currently being drafted. They believe that this solution is preferable to the other option, that of these business and professional men taking the place of the shipyard workers who have been drafted. Also again condemn the rent profiteering that is occurring within the city, and reply to the mayor, who stated that he would quit his job and enter the shipyards, by stating that in his role as mayor he would help more by curbing the rent profiteers than by working in the yard. |
| 19-Aug |
"Builds Many Homes For Shipyard Folk" |
Times |
Homes being bought as rapidly as completed. Built 12, now building another 12 |
| 24-Aug |
"Boilermakers To Have 5,000 Men In Line" |
Union Record |
Boilermakers union to have 5,000 men to march in the Labor Day parade. A ruling was made that each member of the Union must march in the parade. Afterward sporting events were to be held at Woodland Park. Also a new body is being put together to investigate war profiterring |
| 25-Aug |
"Seattle Fails To Register To Quota" |
Times |
Only 350 men, short of the estimated 500 came out to register for the draft. Many listed their occupation as shipyard workers. |
| 25-Aug |
"Seattle Responds To Shipyard Call" |
Times |
Men working in both business and professional professions, such as dentists, pastors and school principals, are putting those jobs on hold to work in the shipyards and support the war effort. |
| 31-Aug |
"Steel Men Go To Shipyards" |
Union Record |
Striking steel workers were told that they should immediately go to work in the shipyards or other essential industries so that their labor power is not wasted. |
| 4-Sep |
"Seattle Schools Gain 3,129 Pupils" |
Times |
Despite losing older youths to employment in the shipyards, Seattle has witnessed nearly the highest enrollment of pupils in their schools this year. Many of the children can be assumed to be from newly migrated shipyard workers" |
| 6-Sep |
"U.S. Takes Hand In Solution of Car Situation" |
Times |
The US government is taking a better look at solving the transportation problem currently present in Seattle. Doesn't care how it gets done, just that transportation and housing problems are solved within the city. |
| 7-Sep |
"Shipbuilders To Get Raise: Government Board Will Announce Awards Later" |
Union Record |
Wage awards have been awarded to shipyard workers on the Pacific coast, the exact amount of which to be anounced later |
| 7-Sep |
"New Union At Shipyards: Office Workers Organize to Get Better Working Conditions" |
Union Record |
60 to 70 office workers within various shipyards have joined together to form their own union. |
| 14-Sep |
"Shipyard Wage Scale Exaggerated" |
Times |
The wages which prospective workers think that shipyard workers in Seattle are making are highly exaggerated from what is the case in reality. Goes on to give actual wages for normal and overtime for the different jobs worked in the yards |
| 20-Sep |
"U.S. To Adpot War Pay Policy" |
Times |
US government states that a decision on shipyard workers wages will be withheld until a decision is arrived at officially. President Wilson asks for patience from the shipyard workers until a decision can be made on a final seetlement for the entire war labor policy of the government. |
| 21-Sep |
"Yard Workers Buy $1,000 In War Stamps" |
Union Record |
Shipyard workers have purchased $1,000 in war savings stamps. 106 new union members were also initiated. |
| 22-Sep |
"Shipyard Workers To Be Back On Job" |
Times |
Shipyard workers in unrest at the goverments lack of a decision on the macy boards wages. Admitted that they used the 44 hour work week as a protest, and if the government continues to stall on a decision will again do something to protest. |
| 22-Sep |
"Wisdom's Counsel" |
Times |
An editorial on the above stated decision by the US government to postpone their decision on wages. Says that the shipyard workers should have been patient and postponed their 44 hour work week protest to await the goverments decision, a decision which they will be forced to abide by no matter what. |
| 23-Sep |
"U.S. To Take No Action On Shipyard Walkout" |
Times |
Macy board and US government will not act against shipyard workers who took a half day on Saturday, assuming that their 44 hour work week contract would be renewed. Many see the action as a protest against the goverments postponement of a decision on the contract. |
| 28-Sep |
"Pact Unbroken Declares The Metal Trades" |
Union Record |
Sticking to their plan for a 44 hour work week, the Metal Trades council claims that by enacting this plan they are not breaking any pact, and that instead the shipbuilding labor adjustment board has overstepped its own authority. They refer to their outstanding records in shipbuilding and raising war bonds to show their loyalty and patriotism. |
| 28-Sep |
"Marine Union Growing Fast" |
Union Record |
The longshoreman's union is growing rapidly, initiating 48 new members as 300 other's applied for membership. Lowered initiation cost from $10 to $1 to spur growth. |
| 28-Sep |
"Shipyards Bond Goal $2,225,000" |
Times |
Workers in Seattle's shipyards pledge to donate $2,225,000 for liberty bonds as their goal. They have never before faultered in reaching their stated goal and don't intend to this time either. |
| 5-Oct |
"Longshoreman Answer Bosses' Atempt To Disrupt By Initiating 500 New Members" (Photo Included) |
Union Record |
In a drive to increase membership 2 weeks earlier, a total of 550 new men have joined the Riggers, Stevedores, Dock Truckers and Warehouse men local. Also the men voted to take out their 4th $1000 liberty bond |
| 5-Oct |
"New Wage Scale In Shipyards To Run From Aug. 1" |
Times |
Despite the delay in annoucing the new wage scale, a delay prompted by President Wilson, the US government had assured workers that no man will lose a dollar and that the new wage which goes into effect will be retro-actively applied back to august 1. |
| 6-Oct |
"Tacoma Joins In Half-Day Protest" |
Times |
10,000 shipyard workers in Tacoma backed-up their Seattle working brethren by refusing to work more than 4 hours on Saturday when employers refused to pay them doubletime. Despite the end of the summer half-holiday season, workers continue to take them in protest of the delay in the announcement of the new wage scale |
| 8-Oct |
"Serum Protects Shipyard Hands" |
Times |
A new serum is being given to shipyard workers in Seattle to combat spanish influenza. While not required, there is enough serum to inject all workers and prevent the outbreak of a pandemic. |
| 11-Oct |
"Organized Labor" Column |
Times |
The Pacific Coast Metal Trades Council has decided on protesting the Macy Award through the proper channels as they feel it doesn't properly meet their demands in giving wage increases to all workers" |
| 11-Oct |
"Shipyard Men Leading Labor Loan Slackers" |
Times |
The fact that shipyard workers have raised less in the 4th liberty bond drive than they did in the 3rd is being blamed on propaganda by Germans and radicals against the support of the US government. |
| 12-Oct |
"Waterfront Man Crushed On Board Ship" |
Union Record |
A longshorman was crushed while unloading salmon, dieing in minutes |
| 16-Oct |
"Hurley Warns Army Of U.S. Shipbuilders" |
Times |
The Chairmen of the United States Shipping Board is calling for no man to relax due to the peace talks currently occuring in relation to the war. Wants every man to work just as hard as ever as the need for ships is just as strong as ever. |
| 19-Oct |
"Denies Story That Workers Are Slackers: Metal Trades Answer Attack Made in Newspaper" |
Union Record |
An unnamed newspaper which called shipyard workers "loan slackers" is being attacked by the Metal Trades Council, which claims that men who often make less than $4 a day and are put out of work often due to steel shortages are doing everything in their power to give above and beyond their means to promote the war effort |
| 19-Oct |
"Landlords Told To Lower Rents" |
Times |
Rents were ordered to be lowered across seattle and shipyard workers that had received notices to vacate were told that they could stay as the Fair Rentals commision fights to end rent profiteering |
| 20-Oct |
"More Landlords To Be Regulated" |
Times |
Fair Rentals Bureau has its hand full with complaints against landlords raising rents. Has been doing a great job in the month and half of its existence, and landlords seem to be complying although more complaints are lodged every day. |
| 24-Oct |
"Pass On Award of Macy Board Here" |
Times |
After the Macy Board is announced, the Pacific Coast Metal Trades Council has plan to meet in Seattle to reject the award, believing that it will not meet their demands of raising wages for all workers within the shipyards. |
| 26-Oct |
"Metal Trades Are Hopeful: Fleet Corporation Grants 42-Hour Week to Office Force" |
Union Record |
Emergency Fleet Corporation, through the Emergency Fleet news, has recognized the 42 hour work week for office employees. Shipyard workers see this as hopeful in light of their own struggles for half-days on saturdays. |
| 26-Oct |
"Shipbuilders To Aid Maids" |
Union Record |
Shipyard workers, led by the Shipyard Laborers, Riggers, and Fasteners, resolve to only accept service from maids that are wearing union buttons in an attempt to support the maids attempt to unionize. |
| 26-Oct |
"Metal Trades Form Council; Boilermakers Organized" |
Times |
The organization of 14 local unions into a Metal Trades council has been successful in Aberdeen. Another union was newly formed in Grays Harbor, with 70 members and expected to surpass 200 before the end of the year. |
| 26-Oct |
"Rent Fixed For Shipyard Worker" |
Times |
in a high majority of cases heard by the Fair Rentals Bureau, the rents have been ordered lowered. Although it has the power to commandeer housing to provide it for shipyard workers, it hasn't found that to be necessary as landlords have agreed to lower rents in all cases where that was the decision. |
| 28-Oct |
"Men In Shipyards Given More Pay" |
Times |
The Macy award has been announced, and while raising wages for workers across the country from 15 to 20 cents on average, Seattle workers all agree that the raise, usually less than 10 cents in many of their cases, will keep most workers from gaining little. |
| 2-Nov |
"Macy Award Cuts Seattle Wages" |
Union Record |
The new wage scale set for Pacific coast shipyards is the same as the wage scale across the country, and in many instances calls for workers to make less than they are actually receiving now. While workers in other parts of the country will receive wage increases, many workers in Seattle will see their wage standard dropped to meet the standard set for the entire country. |
| 6-Nov |
"18 Housing Cases Decided By Board" |
Times |
Again, in a majority of the cases decided on, either rent increases were disallowered or the rent was lowered from its original figure. |
| 9-Nov |
"Hardy Hands Macy Award A Stiff Jolt" |
Union Record |
William Hardy, district secretary of the I.L.A., condemns the Macy Award as sacrificing the west coast to better enhance the east coast through their implimentation of a national uniform wage scale which raises wages in the east and either negligibly raises them in the west or lowers them. |
| 9-Nov |
"Radicals Urging Shipyard Strike" |
Times |
The question now for the Pacific Coast Metal Trades Council is whether to accept the Macy Award and protest through the appropriate channels or to set a date and walk-out of their jobs. Most believe that they will avoid calling for a strike. Radicals within seattle believe that through a strike they will earn a reversal or modification of the award. |
| 11-Nov |
"Seattle In Ecstasy Of Joy At Ending Of World's Worst War" |
Times |
A huge celebration took place in the city of Seattle at the announcement of the end of the war. Everyone, including 30,000 shipyard workers stopped their work to celebrate. |
| 13-Nov |
"Shipyard Workers Concur In Appeal" |
Times |
The Seattle Metal Trades Council voted to concur with the decision made by the Pacific Coast Metal Trades Council that an appeal of the Macy award be asked for, and that if the appeal was turned down a strike against the award would ensue. In seattle workers want a complete break from the Macy Board and wish to be allowed to deal with their employers directly when it comes to determining their wages. |
| 16-Nov |
"Metal Trades Stand Pat On 44-Hour Week: Pacific Coast Council Also Holds to Original Demands" |
Union Record |
The Pacific Coast Metal Trades Council will insist on keeping their 44-hour work week while appealing the Macy Award |
| 23-Nov |
"Labor Will Stand Pat On Higher Wage" |
Union Record |
Despite the war ending and the downturn in war production, labor will stand pat on its desires for higher wages in light of the fact that the cost of living will not drop for at least another year. Employers are already intending on trying to lower wages, something which labor will refuse to stand for. |
| 23-Nov |
"Shipyard Men Want Better Train Service" |
Union Record |
2,800 men working at the North Pacific Shipbuilding shipyards are demanding better train service to and from work, as the trains are too crowded and take nearly an hour and half to get from the plant to the city. |
| 23-Nov |
"Boys To Quit Shipbuilding" |
Union Record |
The Metal Trades Council is moving toward developing a resolution to prevent shipyards from employing minors, with the hope that union members would refuse to work were boys are employed |
| 26-Nov |
"Abandon Maximum Shipyard Pay Plan" |
Times |
The Macy Board has abandoned their attempt to fix the maximum wages to be paid to workers, and has declared that if employers so choose to exceed the wages outlined in the award, then they can do so. This is allowed as long as they don't look to the government for reimbursement of the extra funds paid. |
| 29-Nov |
"Macy Award Will Be Generally Opposed" |
Times |
Presidents of the various international trade unions represented throughout the shipyards have agreed with the Pacific Coast Metal Trades Council in fighting for an appeal of the Macy Award. Local unions are currently taking votes towards protesting the award with a strike. |
| 30-Nov |
"Metal Trades Voting On The Macy Strike" |
Union Record |
Seattle Metal Trades Union are beginning to vote on whether to reject the Macy Award, and authorization to strike should the Macy board fail to render a favorable decision on the Pacific Coast Metal Trades appeal of the Macy Award. |
| 30-Nov |
"No Shortage In Shipyards Say Union Men" |
Union Record |
Unions deny that there is a labor shortage within their yards. They claim that there are 1,000 idle men within Seattle, and that although nearly 2,000 men did quit the shipyards with the signing of the armistice, meaning that they could no longer be conscripted into the military, those shifts have been filled by workers laid off of the night shifts in wooden shipyards |
| 2-Dec |
"Throw Life 'Preserver' To Santa" |
Times |
3,000 shipyard men coming to the rescue of children and donating their own money to give them an ample christmas this year. |
| 4-Dec |
"More Rooms Needed To Solve Problems" |
Times |
More rooms and accomodations are still being asked for throughout Seattle for both Shipyard workers and returning service men. |
| 7-Dec |
"Hitting the Pay Line At the Local Shipyards" |
Union Record |
First hand account from a man who was "layed off" from the shipyard and his experience trying to get his pay. |
| 7-Dec |
"Union Wants Facts About Minute Men: Boilermakers Believe Organization No Longer Necessary" |
Union Record |
Unions don't believe that the Minute men need exist anymore, believing that their role in detecting spies during the war is no longer needed, and that they are now working to spy on unions to the benefit of big business |
| 14-Dec |
"Swain States Macy Strike Has Carried" |
Union Record |
Seattle Central Labor Council Secretary Bert Swain announced that the motion to strike against the Macy Award has passed by the minimum 2/3rd's majority in a majority of the unions affiliated with the Seattle council. |
| 14-Dec |
"Metal Trades Deny Scarcity Of Men Here" |
Union Record |
Metal Trades Council denies that a scarcity of men exist within Seattle, a claim made by employers. Metal Trades council claims that unemployed union men are already filling the streets and that no new men are needed |
| 21-Dec |
"Boilermakers Are Drafting A Manifesto: Preparing Report on Reconstruction––Hear First Reading" |
Union Record |
"Manifesto claims that a class struggle between the oppressor and the oppressed exists and that men need to fight to correct this. Also vote to send a delegate to Chicago for the Mooney Conference |
| 29-Dec |
"Urge State Aid in Safety Work" |
Times |
Seattle Metal Trades Council asked for the United States shipping board to continue to oversee safety and accident prevention within the shipyards. |
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