Typographical Union Protests Outsourced Printing
Seattle printers pass a resolution condemning the outsourcing of the local city directory printing to firms in other cities, arguing it drains the local economy.
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At the meeting of Seattle Typographical Union No. 202 yesterday, the following resolutions were passed unanimously regarding the letting of the contract for the printing of the Polk directory to a firm in another city: 'Whereas, it is rumored on the streets of this city that it is the intention of the managers of the Polk city directory to have said directory printed in another city, and whereas, such a course would deprive the printers of this city of considerable and necessary work and also drain all lines of local trade of a large sum of money, therefore be it resolved by Seattle Typographical Union No. 202, that we petition the directory managers to have their work done in Seattle.' Steps were also taken to assist any men embarrassed by the introduction of typesetting machines, with the union providing aid to those wanting to leave the city due to the market surplus of labor.
“Such a course would deprive the printers of this city of considerable and necessary work and also drain all lines of local trade of a large sum of money.”
The union's struggle against outsourcing and technological displacement (typesetting machines) provides a striking parallel to the contemporary concerns of Seattle’s labor force in the face of automation and globalized supply chains.
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