Boot Trade Strike June 1, 1895.

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE, JUNE 1, 1895.

The Boot Trade Strike.

A sullen struggle.

The strike in the Brisbane boot trade still continues, and the men remain as firm as ever. Overtures from the operatives union for friendly conference have been contemptuously rejected by the manufacturers, who, it would seem, aided and encouraged by the forces of Capitalism – as no doubt they are – have resolved upon a brutal attempt to starve the men into submission. The employers were approached again recently by a communication from the union embodying the following definite proposals:

“1 That our members regret they cannot reconcile with any degree of sincerity your desire for an amicable settlement of the dispute in your action by advertising for hands to take the place of the men now out before opportunity was given them to consider the amended statement. 2 That they find the statement does not coincide with your public avowal – namely, the reductions were only from 5 to 7 per cent on old rates. 3 That, unfortunately, the most essential and main point at issue is entirely ignored – namely, that no satisfactory agreement can be made without the concurrence of both parties, and this can only be done by a conference.”

The communication also pointed out there were so many lines in the employers' statement of prices that, unless altered, it must only lead to continued and unnecessary friction. But, in spite of the fairness of these proposals, the employers have intimated that they see no reason for shifting from stubborn position they have taken up.

With a view to bring the disputants together a deputation from the recently-established Conciliation Board waited on representatives of both unions during the past week. This effort has also terminated without result, the employers having absolutely declined to discuss in conference the disputed matters, which involve, as already pointed out, very serious reductions in the men's earnings. The position taken up by the employers practically resolves itself into this; We have drawn up a list of prices which, fair or unfair, we are going to force upon you. What do we want to confer with you about? You are our wage-slaves. Accept the terms and conditions we dictate to you or else you and those wives and little ones depending upon you for life's sustenance must starve. This is the heartless reasoning of these representatives of Capitalism, who have been enabled to build large factories, to live in fine palatial dwellings, to enjoy all the luxuries that this life can offer out of the toil and sweat of those whom they now seek to trample under foot.

It is an old saying “ there is nothing like leather,” and never was better evidence of its truth than in the loyalty and the cheerful courage which members of the Operative Boot Trade Union of Brisbane are displaying at the present juncture.

Efforts have been made by most of the firms, but particularly by one “rosy” one, to secure “free” labour from the other colonies, but so far these efforts have proved futile, which speaks volumes for the organisation in the South. The men's pickets have been most energetic and watchful, and the odd man or two who has been persuaded into accepting employment, quickly joined the strikers when the facts of the dispute have been placed before him. There can be no doubt that several of the employers are being made the catspaws of unscrupulous capitalistic agitators. Were it not so, a conference would have taken place ere this.

The struggle, however, at the time of going to press with this week's WORKER, continues without a ray of hope for its immediate termination. Every Queensland wage-earner will join with us in wishing the men a speedy and a glorious victory. Labour is ever struggling in all parts of the world for its very life, and the causes of this struggle in which the boot-makers are now engaged are so serious in their nature that they should nerve every man who fully realises the injustice which is sought to be imposed upon him to stand firm, fully determined to fight against them, and, if fighting means suffering, to nobly endure it. The advance of industry makes it imperative on every man to rally round the banner of unionism, for it is the only check that he has against the gigantic combinations of unscrupulous employers, who never hesitate to fleece Labour of its just reward. The conditions prevailing in the Boot trade now are bad enough, but if the present struggle ends in defeat they will be ten times worse.

Irritated and goaded on to a strike by the attacks of the employers in the shape of repeated an unwarranted reductions, the men have been forced into the present position after exhausting every reasonable efforts consistent with honour to avert a struggle, and have nothing left to them now but to fight on, nerved by the injustice of the employers' term, and roused to indignation by their boast of starving them into submission.

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English Labour Pledge.

At the recent great meeting of the Independent Labour Party of Great Britain the following pledge of membership was adopted with a view of keeping out of the party those political intriguers who very often climb into office for the sole purpose of gratifying their desires at the expense of Labour:

“I hereby declare myself a Socialist, pledge myself to sever all connection with any other political party, and to vote in the case of local elections as my branch of the Independent Labour Party may determine, and in the case of Parliamentary elections as the conference specially convened for that purpose may decide.”