The Iron Fist of Labor: Seattle’s Unions Unite to Control the City

LABOR UNIONS OF SEATTLE.

The artisans of Seattle are well organized into a most efficient branch of trade unionism for mutual benefit as A. protection. Chief among these organizations is the Western Central Labor Union, with which all of the local unions, with one or two exceptions, are closely allied. The central is a representative body; delegates from each union are required to attend its meetings, which are held every Wednesday evening in the hall, No. 104 Third and Yesler Way. W. Middleton is president, and W. A. Van Horn secretary.

The Western Central Labor Union was organized April 18, 1896, for the purpose of: (1) directing, strengthening and promoting the organization of labor in the Pacific northwest; (2) working for just legislation and the enforcement of suitable laws concerning labor; (3) establishing brotherhood among itself and in every way advancing the material welfare of the worker.

There are at present eleven Seattle unions represented in the Central Labor Union, with a membership of about 1,500. When the boom days came during the boom just before the fire, there was about 2,000 members. Much of the work has been done through this union's efforts that the city free employment bureau opened up.

Mr. Middleton, the present secretary, has been for the past nine years, and is the oldest continuous delegate in the body.

The Hull Trades Council was organized March 1, 1897, with A. G. Devere president, and H. Hale, secretary. Meetings are held every Monday at W. C. L. U. hall. The council is closely affiliated with the Western Central Labor Union, but in all disputes arising between the Hull Trades Council it acts independently. The bricklayers—building laborers, carpenters and joiners, plumbers, painters and decorators, floor layers (formerly organized), stone cutters, lathers and plasterers compose its ranks.

Hopkins Lodge No. 1, International Association Machinists, is a rapidly growing organization. Wm. Hans is Master Mechanic, and S. O. Wolfkill, secretary. They meet the first and third Monday of the month on the second floor of the Pioneer building.

Brewers' Union, Union No. 1 of the International Brewers' Association, is a thoroughly representative union. Jacob Fehr is president, and Wm. Markle, secretary. Meetings are held every second and fourth Saturday at W. C. L. U. hall. They now have annual contracts with and control each brewery in the city. The trade is controlled by them.

Bricklayers' International Union, No. 2, is one of the strongest unions in the City. V. S. Middleton is president, and W. H. Middleton secretary. Meetings are held every Thursday in the W. C. L. U. hall. This union controls the trade here in the city, and is one of the strongest in point of number. All buildings in the city of any size have been built by union labor.

Building laborers were organized last summer, and meet every Thursday at third floor Blackley block. They are in a flourishing condition for a new organization.

Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners' Local Union, No. 111, was organized October 4, 1897, and meets every Tuesday in W. C. L. U. hall. M. A. Brown is president, and J. T. Oldham secretary. Numerically, it is one of the strongest in this city, and has a general control of the trade.

The Glass Makers' Glass-Blowing Union, No. 24, was organized April 15, 1897. John Thomas is president, and M. Boler secretary. This is the oldest union in the city. The International union is noted as one of the foremost and forwardest advanced bodies in the trades unions. There are admirable efforts toward the establishment of the blue label. The local union meets the first Wednesday of each month.

The Iron Molders' Union of North America, No. 153, was organized June 20, 1897. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month in W. C. L. U. hall. This union has about 100 members and is one of the oldest associated with the Central Union.

Musicians' Protective Association.