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Newspaper
New York Times
Location
New York, New York, United States of America
Date
Jun 12, 1919
Page
7
The document describes a strike by Postal Telegraph-Commercial and related unions. Pickets gathered outside Postal, Western Union, and related offices before dawn, with many operators walking out while some stayed to handle essential calls. Leaders warned of financial hardship and misinformation while noting mixed reports on the strike’s effectiveness across different companies and regions.
Postmaster General Burleson announced that Atlanta wire strike activity showed no discrimination against Southern Bell union workers. He noted few dismissals in May, no delay in messages, and that government controls will continue to end with orderly transition. The report cites limited impact and adherence to War Labor Board rules during government control.
Chicago reports show fewer workers on first day than expected yet widespread disaffection at Postal Telegraph Company. Konenkamp claims 600 operators joined in Chicago with 200 more by messengers, predicting national spread while Western Union denies full strike and Postal notes service impairment.
The text asserts that government control ends and the wire system can be returned to its various owners with operating organizations intact and no impairment to the value of those properties.
A spokesman claimed those away from work had felt intimidation by strikers. Recalled workers would return to their posts as the Postal Service vowed improvement tomorrow. He said there is no basis for a strike against the Postal and warned Western Union opponents against relying on a strike to defeat them.
Washington officials from Western Union Postal Telegraph and the Commercial Telegraphers Union clashed over strike impact. Union leaders said more than 1,000 operators and staff across Western Union Postal Telegraph and the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company failed to report at 8 AM when the nationwide work stoppage began. Company officials reported normal operations or minimal disruption.
In Philadelphia on June 11 only one messenger quit. three operators were sent to Atlantic City to fill in. The Postal Telegram Company admitted about fifteen workers, roughly a quarter of its early force, joined the strike but said work continued without delay.
In Boston on June 11 the Commercial Telegraphers Union strike left Western Union and Postal offices with absentee lists near normal. Union leaders claimed eighty operators joined the walkout, with about fifty expected in the city, while strike reports varied and full totals were not yet available.
Albany officials and union members report no resignations. About forty union members cover Albany Schenectady Troy Amsterdam and Saratoga Shane and nearby towns. None of the men left their keys.
Detroit reports uncertain effects as telegraphers strike actions ripple across Michigan. Union claims up to half of Michigan members may strike by today and another portion by Saturday while Postal Telegraph and Western Union offices show mixed staffing. Ansonia brass maker S O G employees join the walkout, swelling idle workers to about 4 800 with 60 at Ansonia Novelty closing after a striker demonstration.
Reports from Columbus and across Ohio say the Commercial Telegraphers' Union strike had no effect with 11 percent at work by 10 am. Officials in multiple cities state communications remain uninterrupted and every keyman is at their post, with no indications of widespread quit.
Portland for June 11 report shows only two central office operators on duty while seven of the day shift failed to report. Branch offices were mostly closed as the Commercial Telegraphers Union work stoppage continues. Western Union staff remained fully staffed per Chief Operator William Brooks.
Secretary Charles P. Ford of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers says the strike order covers telephone operators as well as linemen. He notes fifteen locals have signed with employers, disputes remain for about 110000 workers, and no wage scale adjustments are sought now. He defends collective bargaining rights and non discrimination for union members.
Delegates from 23 building trades unions demand a forty hour week and wages of one dollar per hour from 21 city contractors at a City Hall conference called by Mayor Peters. Employers say the demands cannot be granted as little building work has occurred here in the past year leaving thousands of tradesmen unemployed due to wage disputes.
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