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What was the R.S. Brine Transportation Company Strike of 1902?
In 1902, R.S. Brine drivers went on strike outside the company on 43 India Street with frequent protests and a prolonged absence of work to revolt against their low wages. This was a long lasting strike which was brought to government authorities such as Senator Marcus A. Hanna who issued a court date to settle the debate on wages.
When was the strike?
January 1902, Company Teamsters (drivers) went on strike to protest low wages and incompatibility with city transportation.
At the end of January, Brine met with the Teamsters leaders to hear their demands regarding higher wages and improved schedules which agreed with city transportation. However, these accommodations were refused and by January 20th, 500 workers went on strike.
Eventually by March 9th, thousands of teamsters, freight-workers and brewers joined the movement.
Who was on strike?
In February 1902, freight-workers joined the teamsters on strike because of low wages. This caused an uproar in the company because now not only are the trucks stationary but they are empty based on the employees refusal to load.
This strike was not only about low wages but the competitive nature between the city and the transportation company. As Brine grew, the city was overwhelmed with shipments and trucks which it was not fully equipped or designed for. However, the strike caused a decrease in transportation of goods and impact on the city's economy and efficiency. Therefore this not only impacted the workers, but also the entire city.
The Testimonies
1902
James Joseph Miller, a teamster on strike who worked for R.S. Brine for almost a full year told the Judge that there are a variety of organizations based on the type of driver they idenitfy as. Miller, was head of the freight driver organization on strike. He exclaimed it is a peaceful strike on India Street and avoids any physical alterations.
Miller mentions this strike bled through other transportation companies as well. However, Brine workers, instead of getting involved in a prolonged strike, began work for other companies as well who inherited Brine's clients.
Miller, when asked about the real reasons behind the strike referring to damage or sabotage to Brine Company responded, "The object of the union [the teamster strike] was not to injure Brine Company's business, but to secure our ends and make the company sign the schedule and pay the scale of wages."
Solution?
The Union influenced an increase from $12 to $14 an hour for teamsters at R.S. Brine Company Transportation.
However, this decision was prolonged by the companies decision to wait until court decision after testimony and trial.
In all, this strike lasted from January to March, 1902.
bibliography
"ADVISED TO WAIT.: COMPARISON OF WAGES. SAW MUCH OF HORNICK." Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922), Feb 04, 1902. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/advised-wait/docview/499617005/se-2.
"MAY AFFECT 10,000 MEN: STRIKE OF 560 CONSOLIDATED FREIGHT HANDLERS. REFUSED TO UNLOAD MERCHANDISE FROM BRINE COMPANY'S TEAMS. TROUBLE MAY EXTEND ALONG THE WHOLE WATER FRONT--SEVERAL MEETINGS CALLED FOR TODAY--FALL RIVER OPERATIVES TO VOTE WEDNESDAY ON THE QUESTION OF A STRIKE ON MARCH 17. WOULDN'T UNLOAD TEAMS. MAY AFFECT 10,000. MEETINGS TODAY. ROAD OFFICIAL'S STATEMENT. POLICE DETAIL OF 30. MEN IN THE DEPARTMENT FEAR LONG HOURS OF LABOR AND A STRENUOUS LIFE IF THE STRIKE SHOULD EXTEND. GAVE STOCK TO HELP. BRINE COMPANY RECOGNIZES ZEAL OF MEN "IN TRYING TIMES." STRIKE TALK PREVAILS. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF FALL RIVER OPERATIVES CALLED FOR WEDNESDAY--BORDEN'S OFFER MEANS 18 PERCENT. CONSIDERING SETTLEMENT. COMMITTEES OF RIVAL CARPENTERS' UNIONS IN LYNN CONFER IN REGARD TO SETTING DIFFERENCES." Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922), Mar 09, 1902. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/may-affect-10-000-men/docview/499647495/se-2.
"MORE DRIVERS GIVE TESTIMONY.: IN THE BRINE INJUNCTION CASE ONE DECLARES THE UNION HAD NO WISH TO INJURE THE CORPORATION'S BUSINESS. SOUGHT ONLY TO "MAKE THEM SUBMIT TO THE SCHEDULE FIXED BY THE UNION"--ADMITS HE FURNISHED LIST OF BRINE CUSTOMERS TO HARTNETT, WHO SAID HE WANTED TO GIVE IT TO STATE BOARD. GAVE A LIST OF NAMES. HORSE STEPPED ON HIM. DAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. BRINE TEAMS MEET WITH NO OPPOSITION, AND THE POLICE DETAIL IS REDUCED BY A HALF." Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922), Jan 30, 1902. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/more-drivers-give-testimony/docview/499585258/se-2.
Public Documents of Massachusetts: Being the Annual Reports of Various Public Officers and Institutions for the Year 1901, Published by the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Vol II
"TROUBLE BREWING.: NEW DIFFICULTIES IN THE TEAMSTERS' STRIKE. FREIGHT HANDLERS UP IN ARMS. REFUSE TO ASSIST THE BRINE MEN. FOREMAN'S ORDER EVEN IS DISOBEYED. BREWERY WORKERS ALSO DECLINE TO LOAD WAGONS. STRIKE ORDER OF FREIGHT MEN TALKED. LEADERS AVERT THIS BY THE HARDEST WORK. ALL ARE LIABLE. JUDGE BRALEY MAKES IMPORTANT RULING IN PERMITTING QUESTIONS ON THIS PHASE OF INJUNCTION PROCEEDING. SENATOR HANNA PLEASED. REGARDS MR EASLEY' VISIT TO BOSTON AS OF GREAT BENEFIT TO BOTH SIDES." Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922), Feb 06, 1902. https://holycross.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=cas&url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/trouble-brewing/docview/499615777/se-2.
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