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| Turn-of-the-century homebuilding in California |
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More Dates May/Jun 1899 Mar/Apr 1899 Jan/Feb 1899 Nov/Dec 1898 >Sep/Oct 1898 Jul/Aug 1898 May/Jun 1898 Mar/Apr 1898 |
In late 1898, McGuire ran accounts from the Brotherhood's 10th General Convention that July, including his report to the convention, excerpted here.
"Here we are at this convention with more local unions and a membership larger than we had at our last convention, with more cities unionized, working eight hours a day, and upholding the union standard among the carpenters of our land! To do this in these distressing times speaks well for the zeal and devotion of our members. . . .
"When the United Brotherhood was formed in 1881, the ten-hour day was universal among the carpenters. At this date, there are only 23 cities under our jurisdiction working the ten-hour day; 105 have the eight-hour rule, and 424 work nine hours a day. This is a gain of 35 cities on our eight-hour list since last convention two years ago.
"Besides that, since 1881 we have advanced the rate of wages in hundreds of cities and towns and established trade rules securing generally better treatment for the men in the trade. In less than two score of places have we suffered any departure from these rules or any reduction in wages during this present long spell of hard times. This is due to the influence of our local unions and the activity and determination of our members. . . .
"This is not all we have done. The scattered threads of local and so-called independent unions, isolated and apart, provincial and narrow, have been woven into a majestic network of thorough organization, with strong financial resources and vast public influence. The chaotic and segregated elements have been trained into a disciplined force, tried in many a sturdy struggle. The isolated and fragmentary local societies of carpenters have been brought together all under one head, with unitary interests and common purposes-a shining example of the value and power of well-directed combination. . . .
"But much more remains to be done, and alas how few there are who realize they should help at all.
"Those who dropped out must be brought back, new converts must be made, the helping hand of unionism must be extended with no begrudging stint, for evidently we are now on the eve of a steady revival in general business similar to that of 1880 and 1881. We must be prepared in our organization to make the best of it for our members and for the advancement of the craft.
"Liberal [bylaws] must be framed to reach ex-members and bring in new members, plans must be devised to place active organizers in the field, the eight-hour agitation must be pushed more vigorously and extensively, the work of the general office must be no longer hampered by petty appeals and frivolous complaints.
"A new spirit must be aroused-one of energetic work and devoted, untiring action. And if this is accomplished by this convention, it will deserve no small praise."
- P.J. McGuire
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