Burlington Strike, 1888; Labor unions -- United States; Railroads -- United States -- Employees
ago. Aside from pulling pins and coupling cars, there is the continual
danger of collisions, as at Hawthorne, last Thursday night, when switch
engine 176 was run through by a road engine and train, whose engineer
did not see stop signals nor the headlight ahead of him on a straight
track. The tracks in and about Chicago are cut up with railroad
crossings, semaphores, connections and the interlocking switch systems.
These new engineers know nothing about them, and are continually running
through and under them, to the imminent danger of themselves, switchmen
and opposing trains. These varied sources of danger to life and limb are
so great that the men are undoubtedly justified in leaving the service
of that company."
THE FIRST BOYCOTT.
From a circular issued in June, by the Brotherhood of Engineers the
following is taken:
"Shortly after the inauguration of the strike, reports were received at
headquarters to the effect that certain lines of railway, parallel to
the C., B. & Q., were hauling the cars and handling the traffic of that
company. These reports created decidedly bitter feeling on the part of
the striking employes, and ultimated in the convening of the chairmen of
the Grievance Committees of the several systems complained of. At this
meeting, which took place at Chicago, on March 5, it was agreed that the
engineers and firemen employed on said systems should serve notice on
their respective officials, through the proper committees, that while
they were willing to perform all their legitimate duties, they would
decline thenceforth to haul C., B. & Q. cars, or transact any of the
business properly devolving upon that company, as by so doing, they
would virtually be taking the positions vacated by their striking
brethren, and by that means contribute to their defeat, while at the
same time they would be giving aid and comfort to the corporation
against which they were struggling for their rights.
THE QUESTION OF LAW INTRODUCED.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account