Agreement in regard to industrial conditions in the Clifton-Morenci-Metcalf district. The Arizona copper company, ltd. The Detroit copper mining company of Arizona. Shannon copper company

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AGREEMENT

IN REGARD TO

Industrial Conditions

IN THE

Clifton-Morenci-
Metcalf District

A

Bancroft Uhrvrs
1^7-77

The Arizona Copper Company, Ltd.

The Detroit Copper Mining Company of Arizona

Shannon Copper Company

Introductory Letter

Clifton, Arizona, June 20, 1916.

To Our Brothers and Comrades Everywhere,
Greeting:

With a heart full of gratitude to all of you for your
loyal support during the dark days of our seemingly
hopeless struggle here in the Clifton, Morenci and Met-
calf mining districts of Arizona, and desiring that you
should know the outcome and that your generosity was
not entirely in vain, we hereby enclose to you a copy of
our signed agreement. This agreement is not the best
one in the world, but it represents and is monumental
of a fight against great odds and handicaps, the enu-
meration of which would forever mark the brothers
here who stood and fought it out, as true and faithful
patriots.

A very brief review of the principal events and
phases of this fight is all that can be given in a letter
of this kind, but we feel that this much is due you, and
it may be of some interest to you as well.

The representatives of the Western Federation of
Miners, in the persons of Brothers Guy Miller and
Tribolet, arrived in Clifton some time in August, 1915,
and started the work of organizing the three camps. It
is needless to say that the district was ripe for organiza-
tion and the progress of the work was rapid, until the
companies became alarmed and started the resistance.
This consisted in the interruptions of meetings at va-
rious times by company hirelings, and which finally cul-
minated in the discharging of a number of men in the
mines for refusing to give up their union cards.

In the meantime Brother Guy Miller had tried to
get a conference with the mine managers, but failed, as
they refused absolutely to deal with the Western Feder-
ation of Miners, and consequently on the 11th day of
September, 1915, the strike was called in the mines,
mills and smelters, and it will ever remain to the credit
of our brothers, including all nationalities, that it was a
complete tie-up.

On Sunday afternoon of the 11th Brother Miller
spoke to the multitude in the public square and called
upon all union men to remember their obligations, and
especially the crafts.

The response was prompt, as practically all work
stopped from that hour all over the district, including
the Arizona & New Mexico railway shops, Morenci
Southern shops and all of the workshops connected with
the mines, mills and smelters, and the strike was on.
Most of you know what followed, as this strike is now
a matter of history. You undoubtedly know how Gov.
Geo. W. P. Hunt, chief executive of the state of Arizona,
came to Clifton and spoke to the people, and assured
them that he was the governor of all the people of the
state and would see fair play. He thereupon held a
consultation with the mine managers and sent out word
to our boys to come to the hotel and talk with him and
displayed great interest in all grievances laid before
him leading up to the strike.

Governor Hunt has proven himself a valiant and an
invaluable friend to the workers, and his name should
be revered wherever honest workers toil, in the mines,
mills, smelters and workshops of the world. Governor
Hunt also contributed liberally from his own purse to
aid the strikers.

There is another man whom we all know and re-
cognize everywhere, the county sheriff, who has proven
himself an exception to the general rule, a good fighter
and a man among men. Jim Cash, sheriff of Greenlee
county, is the man and he also proved himself a sheriff
of all the people, and contrary to the general rule, gave
us a square deal, and it can be duly accredited to his
coolness and good judgment that no violence was com-
mitted to speak of.

Adjutant General Harris, with the state militia,
were encamped here for weeks, and their presence here
is now to us only a pleasant memory, for contrary to
the experience with the state militia in the past strikes,
it was a common occurence with us to meet the soldier
boys in town both day and night and exchange pleasant
greetings with them. Adj. Gen. Harris proved himself
very much of a man, and his logic and good advice at
opportune times helped to allay the spirit of violence
always so near the surface during labor wars.

While passing along, brothers, we desire to say a
good word for the citizens and the business men, among
whom we had many friends. The Becker-Franz Mer-
cantile Co. helped us in the way of credit to the extent
of about ten thousand ($10,000) dollars, and we still owe
some of it. Dick Franz was the leading spirit and stood

by us when hope was almost abandoned. We owed
him at the conclusion of the strike about $9,500 and our
whole indebtedness, including other merchants' ac-
counts, was about twenty thousand ($20,000) dollars.

We received during the four and one-half months
that we were out on strike in cash donations about
twenty-four thousand ($24,000) dollars, making the cost
of support for about 9000 people, something less than
fifty thousand ($50,000) dollars. Figure this up brothers,
and you will readily see that our bill of fare was mea-
gre indeed. Of course there were some among us, such
as the crafts, who received benefits from their interna-
tionals, and a few among us had money enough to carry
them through, but these amounted to perhaps not over
five per cent of the whole.

Of the men engaged in this strike there were per-
haps about ninety (90) per cent of Mexican nationality,
both native and foreign born, with a considerable
sprinkling of Spaniards and Italians.

Some of the wise ones told us before the strike was
called that these people could not be depended upon in
case of a strike, and that they would not stand fire, but
some of the older and more experienced ones, replied
wait and see. These people are loyal and make good
fighters, and this prophesy came true, for as ideal
strikers none better have ever come under our observa-
tion, and as for heroism, fortitude, long suffering and
loyalty, the much vaunted superiority of the so-called
Anglo Saxon fades into a myth.

Figure a little, brothers, and you will find out that
these people lived on less than half of what the average
striker would consent to remain loyal on.

The great drawback in this strike was the lack of
funds to feed and clothe the people. The executive
committee tried to impress this fact upon the locals and
internationals throughout the land, but outside of local
contributions nothing further than moral support was
granted.

Moral support is effective, no doubt, and it helped
us to win what we hold today, but a substantial assess-
ment by one of the great internationals of even 5 cents
per month per member would, no doubt, have brought
the companies to terms in short order and would have
given us a most glorious victory.

The treasury of the Western Federation of Miners
was depleted when the strike was called, although a

false impression went abroad here that they were able
to finance it.

We gladly give them due credit, however, for the
moral support given us from the Denver office, as well
as the direct financial support, which was considerable
considering the condition of the treasury. The moral
support consisted in the issuing of twenty thousand cir-
culars and also of putting in the field to solicit funds
Bro. Guy Miller and others, whose influence was great
in bringing funds to us. One of the unique donations,
received here, was a fine bridle, sent by Bro. Ernest
Mills, general secretary of the Western Federation of
miners at Denver, but we were so busy at the time it
was received that it was laid aside for further consider-
ation.

The question arose here, more than once during the
strike, as to whether the men could be called out again
if we were starved into a temporary submission. And
many were in doubt on this point. But now, brothers,
you will no doubt be incredulous when we tell you that
the hardest task the committee had to perform was to
persuade these loyal brothers to accept the proposition
for a settlement that was presented and return to work,
and furthermore to keep them from striking again be-
fore the agreement could be formulated and the ma-
chinery thereof be put into motion.

Consequently, brothers, we have decided to keep
the bridle as a reminder not to be hasty, and to hold on
to what we have gained, viz: A solid unionized district
with about all of the avocations among the workers
organized. A Central Labor Union, with fifteen unions
represented and with more to come, the prospect of
peace and good will, after a fight of four months and a
half, to see all industries in full blast, and with little
strife and bitterness existing between the factions en-
gaged in the fight, it gives us great pleasure to mention
here the names of some of the most prominent leaders
of the W. F. of Miners and the State Federation of La-
bor, all of whom came from Miami and Globe, Arizona,
excepting one: Brothers Lester B. Doan, President Ari-
zona State Federation of Labor; John L. Donnelly, secre-
tary Miami W. F. of M., an invincible fighter, orator and
organizer; Geo. Powell, of Miami, a labor war horse and
organizer; H. S. McCluskey, organizer and chairman of
strike relief committee, Miami, whose indomitable en-
ergy in rustling funds helped materially to save the day
for us, and Gutierrez de Lara, orator, writer and patriot.

whose good work among our Mexican brothers here
marks him as an organizer of the first class.

This array of names we have good reasons to be
proud of, but space will not permit of the mention of all
the valiant ones who gave all they had to give of energy
and means to win this fight.

There is another important factor which entered
into this controversy at an early stage and proved a
pivotal point at the settlement. Upon request, Secre-
tary Wilson, of the Department of Labor, sent into this
district two very worthy gentlemen, Mr. Howell Davis
and Mr. Myers, to investigate alleged abuses and the
causes leading up to the strike, and with the assistance
of a number of our brothers here they heard grievances
of every nature and made a record of their findings, and
after a stay of about two weeks they returned to their
temporary headquarters at El Paso, to await results.

Some time passed, during which a conference with
the managers was arranged in El Paso, Texas, where
they had taken up temporary headquarters. This con-
ference proved fruitless and also considerable corres-
pondence that followed, until finally the strike com-
mittee received word that Messrs. Davis and Myers
were coming back to Clifton with a proposition from the
managers for a settlement.

The proposition was that the men were to return
to work on the old scale of wages, and when work was
again resumed the managers would return to Clifton
and adjust all grievances as fast as possible, including
consideration of the wage scale. Also that all old men
would be put to work before any new men would be
hired. They reserved the right, however, to discrim-
inate against ten men, but this only affected men who
had gone so far as to violate the law in their zeal to win
the strike.

The managers also agreed to meet a general con-
ference committee at their earliest convenience, repre-
senting all departments in the mines, mills and smelters
and mechanical departments in the district. This was
done and the enclosed agreement is the result of a con-
ference which lasted more than two weeks.

Now, brothers, we desire to emphasize the very im-
portant fact that Messrs. Davis and Myers, representing
the U. S. government, constituted themselves the third
party to the contract, and agreed to see to it that the
companies lived up to their part of the agreement and

were with us at each daily session of the conference.

We can safely say also that had it not been for the
Department of Labor and the good work performed by
its representatives, there would have been no settlement
here, and probably chaos would have been the result.

We should bear this in mind when future troubles
arise; this department was created for us, and the secre-
tary, the Hon. Mr. Wilson, is truly a representative of
labor. It is the most important department of all and
let us make use of it. In bringing this letter to a close
we desire to thank you one and all for your loyalty to
us in the hours of our direct need. We aspire to acquit
ourselves in future as becomes good union men in all
our dealings with employers and our fellow workers.

We hope to give a good account of ourselves in the
future battles of the workers for better conditions,
whether it be on the firing line or in furnishing the mu-
nitions of war.

Labor Forward is the watchword here now, broth-
ers. On the 22d, 23d and 24th of May we started the
ball rolling for a solid union district and not one will es-
cape us. Agitate, educate, organize, for in the perfect
solidarity of the working class, both industrially and po-
litically, we will reach the coveted goal of entire eman-
cipation from wage slavery and realize fully the joy and
glory of industrial liberty.

With best wishes to all, we remain,

Yours Fraternally,

Chmn. Strike Central Committee.
SeCv^^Strike Central Committee.

AGREEMENT

IN REGARD TO

Industrial Conditions

IN THE

Clifton-Morenci-Metcalf District

The following general rules of working conditions
and wages in the Clifton-Morenci-Metcalf District were
agreed upon in a joint conference between the respect-
ive managers, Mr. Norman Carmichael, general mana-
ger the Arizona Copper Co., Ltd.; Mr. M. H. McLean,
general manager The Detroit Copper Mining Co. of Ar-
izona, and Mr. J. W. Bennie, general manager Shannon
Copper Co., and a committee of seventeen employees,
representing all men employed in the district.

These rules are to apply to all men working in the
mines, mills, smelters and workshops in the district,
and will be posted in proper and conspicuous places for
the guidance of both parties to this agreement in their
mutual relation as employers and employed.

There shall be on the part of the company and its
employees a strict observance of the federal and state
laws respecting mining and labor and of the company's
rules and regulations supplementing the same.

The right to hire and discharge, the management
of the properties and the direction of the working
forces, shall be vested exclusively in the company and,
except as expressly provided, this right shall not be
abridged by anything contained herein.

It is understood and agreed that all operations shall
be conducted upon the open shop principle, and no dis-
crimination against union or non-union men on account
of their affiliation or non-affiliation will be practiced by
employers or employees; the Western Federation of
miners always excepted.

Every employee shall have the right of ultimate ap
peal to the manager of the company concerning any
condition or treatment to which he may be subjected
and which he may deem unfair, and nothing contained
herein shall forfeit to him this right.

Employees shall not be obliged to trade at the com-

pany stores, but shall be at perfect liberty to purchase
goods wherever they may choose to do so.

Any employee charged or entrusted with the em-
ployment of any workmen or laborers, or with the con-
tinuance of workmen or laborers in employment, who
shall be found guilty of demanding or receiving, either
directly or indirectly from any workman or laborer, em-
ployed through his agency or worked or continued in
employment under his direction or control, any fee,
commission or gratuity of any kind or nature, as the
price or condition of the employment of any such work-
man or laborer, or as the price or condition of his con-
tinuance in such employment, shall be immediately dis-
charged, and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the
law.

Any employee, workman or laborer who may be
found guilty of offering or receiving, directly or indi-
rectly, any fee, commission or gratuity, of any kind or
nature, as the price or condition of his employment, or
continuance in employment, on behalf of himself or any
other person, shall be instantly dismissed.

New Wage Scale to Take Effect on
March 1, 1916.

The companies agree to give their employees the
following increases in wages over the wage scale in ef-
fect during the month of February, 1916.

1. Employees receiving, in February 1916, on the
13 cent base between twenty and one-half cents and
twenty-four and one-half cents per hour inclusive, will
be given an increase of ten per cent when copper sells
for thirteen cents (13c) and over, with a minimum wage
of Two Dollars ($2.00) per day of eight (8) hours,
and nothing less than Two Dollars ($2.00) per day will
be paid to common labor in the district when copper
sells at thirteen cents (13c) per pound or over.

2. Employees receiving in February, 1916, on the 13-
cent base between twenty-five cents and thirty-three
and one-half cents per hour inclusive, will be given an
increase of ten per cent when copper sells for thirteen
cents (13c), fourteen cents (14c), fifteen cents (15c), and
sixteen cents (16c).

3, Employees receiving in February, 1916, on the
13-cent base between twenty-five cents and thirty-three

9

and one-half cents per hour inclusive, will be given an
increase of fifteen per cent when copper sells at seven-
teen cents (17c) and over.

4. Employees receiving in February, 1916, on the 13-
cent base between thirty-four and thirty-seven cents per
hour inclusive, will be given an increase of five per cent
when copper sells for thirteen cents (13c), fourteen
cents (14c), fifteen cents (15c) and sixteen cents (16c).

5. Employees receiving in February, 1916, on the
13-cent base between thirty-four cents and thirty-seven
cents per hour inclusive, will be given an increase of
ten per cent when copper sells for seventeen cents (17c)
and over.

6. Employees receiving in February, 1916, on the
13-cent base between thirty-seven and one-half and
forty-five cents per hour inclusive, will receive an in-
crease of ^ve per cent when copper sells for seventeen
cents (17c) and over.

7. The following Mechanical crafts receiving in
February, 1916, from forty-six and one-half cents to
forty-nine and one-half cents per hour inclusive, on 13-
cent base, will be advanced to fifty cents (50c) per hour:

Journeyman Machinists.
Journeyman Boilermakers.
Journeyman Blacksmiths.
Journeyman Coppersmiths.
Journeyman Carpenters.
Journeyman Electricians.
Journeyman Steamfitters.

This wage is based upon thirteen cent (13c) copper,
and will advance with the sliding scale to twenty-six
cent (26c) copper inclusive.

8. The present sliding scale of rates to remain in
effect.

9. Wages will be paid on the average price of elec-
trolytic copper for the previous month, as published by
the Engineering and Mining Journal.

/

Annual Election of Grievance Committees,

10. Employees in each Department or District
shall annually elect from among their number repre-
sentatives to act on their behalf with respect to matters

10

pertaining to their employment, working and living
conditions, the adjustment of differences, and such
other matters as may be of mutual concern and inter-
est.

Time, Place and Method of Calling Annual
Elections, and Persons Entitled to be
Present and Participate in the Election of
Representatives.

11, The annual election by employees of their rep-
resentatives shall be held in the several departments or
districts on the second pay day in December. Notices
of the elections Indicating their time and place, as well
as the number of representatives to be elected, shall be
publicly posted in each department, or district, a week
in advance. All workmen, with the exception of offiTJ
cials, foremen, shift bosses and salaried employees in I
the employ of the company at the time of the election |
shall be entitled to vote.

Nomination and Election of Representatives.

12. To facilitate the nomination and election of em-
ployees' representatives, and to insure freedom of
choice, both nomination and election shall be by secret
ballot under conditions calculated to insure an impartial
count. The. company shall provide ballot boxes and
blank ballots for purposes of nomination and election.
Each employee entitled to vote shall be given a nomina-
tion ballot on which he shall write the names of the
persons whom he desires to nominate as representa-
tives and deposit the nomination ballot in the ballot box.
Each employee may nominate twice as many represen-
tatives as the department or district is edtitled to elect,
and of which public notice has been given. Employees
unable to write may ask any of their fellow employees
to write for them on their ballots the names of the per-
sons they desire to nominate; but in the event of any
nomination ballot containing more names than twice
the number of representatives to which the department
or district is entitled to elect, the ballot shall not be
counted. The persons, to the number of twice as many
representatives as the department or district is entitled
to elect, receiving the highest number of nomination
votes shall be regarded as the duly nominated candi-
dates for employees' representatives and shall be voted
upon as hereinafter provided. (For example: If a

■

department or district is entitled to three representa-
tives, the six persons receiving the largest number of
nommation votes shall be regarded as the duly nomi-
nated candidates. If the department or district is enti-
tled to five representatives, then the ten persons receiv-
ing the largest number, etc.).

All members of grievance committees shall be em-
ployees of the departments which they are to represent.
r^ Vacancies shall be filled by special election within
I thirty days in the department or district affected.

Counting of Nomination and Election Ballots.

I 13. One representative of the company and one
i representative of the employees, who shall be the chair-
f man of the retiring committee, shall act as tellers and
Fake charge of the ballot box containing the nomination
votes and shall make out the list of the duly nominated
candidates, which they shall certify to, and make returns
of, to the General Manager, who shall cause same to be
posted at the various time offices. These names shall
be printed on a ballot which will be presented to the
men, to be voted upon on the next succeeding election
day. Balloting for nominations shall be held at least one
week prior to the regular election, and notice of such
balloting for nominations shall be duly posted. The
election of the committees shall be by secret ballot from
among the candidates nominated, the same procedure
to be followed as in the case of the balloting for nomina-
tions. In case of any dispute arising regarding these^
elections,' the_ same shall be referred to the General \
Manager, whose decision shall be final. ^J

Organization of Grievance Committees.

14. In the Arizona Copper Company, Limited, there
shall be a Grievance Committee for each department or
district specified in the notice calling election, which
shall be composed of the departmental representatives
of these districts, and the chairman and secretary
chosen by the departmental representatives of such de-
partment or district shall be the chairman and secretary
of said committee.

In the Detroit Copper Mining Company of Arizona
there shall be a committee for each department or dis-
trict, and to the number specified in the notices calling
election. Each departmental committee shall choose one
from among their number to act as chairman. The chair-

12

t

men of these departmental committees shall compose the
grievance committee. This grievance committee shall
select a chairman and secretary from among their
number.

In the Shannon Copper Company there shall be a
grievance committee for each department or district
specified in the notice calling election, which shall be
composed of the departmental representatives of those
districts, and the chairman and secretary chosen by the
departmental representatives of such department or dis-
trict shal be the chairman and secretary of said com-
mittee.

Duties of Departmental Representatives.

15. It shall be the duty of departmental representa-
tives to investigate trouble of any nature in their respec-
tive departments or districts and all complaints made to
them by employees, and to adjust them if possible, it
being distinctly understood that no investigations of any
nature whatever shall be undertaken during working
hours.

In case no adjustment can be m.ade, they shall report
the same to the grievance committee having jurisdiction
of the department or district.

Duties of Grievance Committees.

16. The grievance committee having jurisdiction
shall hear anew all matters presented by the depart-
mental or district representaiives, and if by them deemed
proper, such matters shall be by said committee reported
to the general manager of the company affected for con-
sideration; if not so presented, the case shall be deemed
closed. The secretaries of grievance committees shall
keep a record of their proceedings which shall be open
to the inspection of the general manager.

The grievance committees shall meet once a week
or as often as they deem necessary, outside of working
hours, at which all members shall be present if possible.
They shall meet with the general manager by arrange-
ment at stated intervals to discuss any matters pertain-
ing to the welfare of the workmen or the industry in
general. In case of emergency the general manager will
endeavor to meet with the grievance committees at any
time at their request.

The chairmen and secretaries of the grievance com-
mittees shall receive two day's extra pay per month at

13

their usual rate; members shall receive one day's extra
pay per month.

Subjects that May Properly Come Before
Grievance Committees.

17. Complaints regarding working conditions.
Complaints regarding treatment by any overseer,

foreman, shift boss, etc.

Complaints regarding discrimination in employment.
Complaints regarding uncalled for dismissal.
Complaints against Hospital or Medical Departments.

18. When an employee has been discharged, if he
desires to claim reinstatement, he shall present his case
to the grievance committee and it shall be by them in-
vestigated within five days from the date of discharge.
If the grievance committee shall decide the case a proper
one to present to the general manager, it shall be pre-
sented within the five days from the date of discharge,
and if not so presented, the case shall be closed and the
discharge final. If presented to the general manager
and the discharged employee is found to have been dis-
charged without sufficient cause, he shall be reinstated
and shall be paid for lost time. If the discharged em-
ployee was at fault, but the manager is willing to rein-
state him, he may be reinstated without pay for lost
time.

19. Employees believing themselves to be subjected
to unfair conditions or treatment, before presenting any
grievance to the manager, shall first seek to have differ-
ences or the conditions complained about adjusted by
conference, in person or through their representatives,
with the superintendent of the department in which he
is employed. If having failed to secure satisfactory ad-
justment of the same through the superintendent of the
department, they may present their grievances to the
manager in the manner provided.

20. Work shall be carried on as usual during the
investigation of any grievance.

Any employee or group of employees agitating and
quitting work, or causing others to quit work, on account
of any grievance, without first submitting such grievance
to properly constituted grievance committee to be in-
vestigated and adjusted, if possible, will forfeit the right
to protection or support of his or their fellow employees,

14

and cannot be reinstated without the consent of the
general manager.

21. Foremen and shift bosses shall not be affected
by anything contained in this agreement.

Complaints that Will Not Properly Come
Before Grievance Committees.

22. Disputes regarding accounts. These must be
taken up by complaint individually through general
manager, or by proper official at general office.

Joint Conference Committee.

23. In case of a general grievance affecting the
whole district, a joint conference committee shall repre-
sent the employees, and shall consist of twelve members
as follows:

The chairman and secretary of the grievance com-
mittee of each of the three districts for the Arizona Cop-
per Company, Limited; the chairman of each of the four
departments for the Detroit Copper Mining Company of
Arizona; and the chairman of each of the two districts
for the Shannon Copper Company.

24. The final conclusion of both parties to this
agreement is that justice and equity shall prevail in their
relations as employers and employees, and that a fair
day's work, a fair day's pay, and the common courtesy
due to all in their business relations of life be observed.

THE ARIZONA COPPER COMPANY, Ltd.,

By Norman Carmichael, General Manager.

THE DETROIT COPPER MINING COMPANY
OF ARIZONA,

By M. H. McLean, General Manager,

SHANNON COPPER COMPANY,

By J. W. Bennie, General Manager.

Employees' Committee: Theodore Hollingsworth, C. S. Edmondson,
C. Duval, Dick Walsh, Rudolph Palacio, Sam Bridges, Canute A. Vargos,
Ignacio Aja, Santiago Eras, Lidio Dominguez, C. C. Smith, Frank J.
Starr, Jose Bernal, Noberto Gonzales, Hilario Penas, Francisco Maese,
Encarnacion Lucero.

Theodore Hollingsworth, Chairman.

Chas. S. Edmondson, Secretary.

15

Miami Ptsr. Co. ^a^^^tc Miami. Ari7,nna

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