Next Story Back Table of Contents
The demand made by the employees of the Minnesota & Ontario paper Company
and the Fort Frances Pulp & Paper Company not having being met by companies
concerned on Monday that the entire staff of employees walked out thus tying
up the big big industries at this point and across the river. The mills
affected by this strike give employment to about 800 men, and some are among
the largest mills on the continent.
When the Fort Frances representative of the companies was interviewed by
The Times a statement of the position of the above companies was handed
us which we published in part herewith. From a perusal of their statement
it would appear that until the time limit for the award of the National
War Labour Board has expired they consider the wage scale fixed by that
board to be binding on both employer and employees.
The position that the companies take is summarized as follows:
First: All of the Manufacturers concerned and the Trade Unions agreed to
submit all disputed questions relating to employment and wage rates to the
determination and decision of the National War Labour Board and to abide
by such decisions and regulations.
Second: Notwithstanding several misunderstandings in relation to some of
the provisions of the Award, the Minnesota & Ontario Paper Co. have
thus far observed and adhered to said Award, together with all the decisions
and instructions and interpretation made by the board in connection therewith.
Third: It is their purpose and intention to continue to observe and maintain
the provisions and conditions of the Award until a mutually satisfactory
agreement dealing with relations between the companies and their employees
can be substituted therefore, as is provided in the Award, or until its
terms will have expired by the limitation set forth therein, namely, "during
the period of the war and for six month thereafter."
Fourth: The Trade Unions, acting as we believe in good faith, notified the
manufactures to meet them in conference on March 18th "for the purpose
of preparing for a renewal of agreement and better understandings,"
to be substituted for and take the place of the Award of the War Labour
Board.. The Trade Unions had submitted and in advance copies of proposed
changes in Working Conditions and Wage Scale, which provide for several
changes in working conditions, which of themselves would create large increases
in existing Wage Rate of approximately 15%. The Unions also took the position
that the Award of the War Labour Board expired on May 11, 1919, on the ground
that the war ended November 11, 1918.
The Companies declare their intention to observe and carry out the Award
of the War Labour Board for the full period for which it provides.
The Companies also declare their intention and willingness to enter into
the negotiation of, and if possible to agree on, terms and conditions of
employment and wage rates, to take the place of the existing Award of the
War Labour Board, dealing with such subjects, not later that 30 days after
such declaration of peace by the President of the United States.
From what we can learn the demand made by the striking employees is fifteen
percent increase in wages over the War Labour Board's schedule for all employees
included in the printed schedule of the I.B. of paper makers of 1918. Where
15 percent will not bring the employees up to the 1918 schedule, an amount
would be added that would equal such positions in the schedule as would
bring the rates up to the Paper Makers' schedule of 1918. And for all other
employees, eight cents per hour over the War Labour Boards's schedule.
It is asserted by the employees that the increase in the cost of living
since the 1918 schedule was promulgated is over 15%. They claim that since
the war has ceased for six months that they are entitled to a new schedule
of wages consistent with the increased cost of living.
That the situation in Fort Frances and International Falls is not merely
local is very noticeable in a purview of the labour situation throughout
the continent. It is generally conceded that until conditions generally
assume more nearly normal than is now existent in the adjustment of these
labor matters should be dealt with by the government. The price of labour
is dependent on the cost of the labour man to live, and the increasing of
wages will not help matters very much if the price of foodstuffs and other
necessities of life continue to advance. In the meantime the production
of the nation's wealth is at a standstill. A general adjustment in the interests
of all is and imperative necessity.
Next Story Back Table of Contents