Brewery Workers Strike in Everett
A labor dispute over wages at the Van Valey Bottling Works leads to an order for local drivers to cease work.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The brewery workers some time ago placed the Van Valey Bottling Works and Brewing Agency on the unfair list and their action was concurred in by the Trades Council after the latter body had exhausted all efforts to settle the wage controversy. At the time it was thought best not to call out the drivers until it was certain that no settlement could be reached and the drivers were permitted to work up to this week. Early in the week orders were received from the international headquarters to call off the drivers as it was apparent that nothing was to be gained by allowing them to work any longer. Secretary Ben Barfuss, of Brewery Workers' Local No. 142 of Seattle, of which the Everett local is a branch, came to Everett Wednesday night to attend a specially called meeting. At this meeting, the drivers were notified to come off the job, which, it is reported, they have refused to do. Action upon the refusal of the drivers to obey the orders of the brewery workers' international will undoubtedly be taken up by the teamsters' union at its meeting next Tuesday evening. In the meantime, bear in mind that the Van Valey Bottling Works and Beer Agency is still unfair to organized labor.
“In the meantime, bear in mind that the Van Valey Bottling Works and Beer Agency is still unfair to organized labor.”
This 1911 dispute highlights the internal tensions of early union organizing, where international mandates often clashed with the immediate job security of local workers. Everett's long history as a union town frequently saw these labor-capital battles played out on the streets of the business district.
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