Sailors' Union Wins a Crew—and the Shipowners Promise a Fight
A schooner captain signed a union crew at $35 a month, infuriating owners who say they'll tie up their ships before paying more.
The fight between the Sailors' Union and Shipowners' Association assumed a new phase yesterday. Capt. Ross, of the schooner Eric Sander, who is a member of the Shipowners' Association, signed a union crew at $35 per month, and the union is jubilant over the fact, which it considers a victory.
Agent Garrison, of the Shipowners' Association, said yesterday to a Post-Intelligencer reporter that he knew nothing officially about the signing of the crew of the Sander. He said he can get all the men he desires for $30, and has signed two crews this week at that figure.
Capt. Ross could not be seen in regard to the matter.
Several sea captains were seen yesterday in regard to the matter, and they were unanimous in stating that union men were entirely too independent, and wanted to dictate to the masters instead of being dictated to. They say if the union men demand $40 or $50 a month, the owners will tie the ships up rather than run their vessels at a loss. The fight promises to be red-hot.
“If the union men demand $40 or $50 a month, the owners will tie the ships up rather than run their vessels at a loss.”
The 1895 waterfront fight over $30 versus $35 a month echoes every Seattle labor dispute since, from longshore contracts to minimum-wage fights. Then as now, employers warned that higher pay would shut down the industry; workers called the concession a victory.
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