The Labor Council Takes a Stand on Grease Cups
Everett labor leaders boycott a manufacturing company over unfair labor practices in Los Angeles.
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The Trades Council was called to order at 8 p.m., Vice President Allen in the chair. A communication was read from the machinists asking that the Nelson Compression Grease Cup company be placed on the Unfair list. The machinists explained that Mr. J. M. Frye, who sells these cups in Washington, initially agreed to have them made in fair shops but later reneged after consulting with the Metal Trades Association. The company manufactures these grease cups in Los Angeles under unfair conditions. The Northwestern Iron works, which has been doing the work for Mr. Frye in Seattle and is currently on the Unfair List there, was also implicated. The Council concurred with the machinists' request to boycott the products.
“Hoping the brothers will give us all the assistance possible in bringing this company to see that it will be to their interest to patronize eight hour shops altogether.”
This 1912 struggle over supply chain ethics and 'fair shops' mirrors today's debates regarding corporate accountability and the exploitation of labor in distant manufacturing hubs. The Council's attempt to exert local pressure on a global supply chain remains a classic tactic in the labor movement.
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