LABOR IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2080, 15 May 1907, Page 1

LABOR IN SAN FRANCISCO.

A BRICKLAYER’S EXPERIENCE,

“NO PLACE FOR AUSTRALIANS’ ’ Mr. Colin McKenzie, bricklayer; who recently left West Maitland,■ New South Wales, fer San Francisco, has written to. his friends thus concerning his experiences':—“lhave had a trying time looking for work. There are a great many ' buildings going on, but also a'great number of men here' to do the work, as many as 40 or 50 on a job, and scores of others looking them up every day' for a chance-to get a start. I have been on nearly all of thorn, and the' answer is ‘Full up ; can’t make' room,’ but at last I was fortunate enough to meet a fellow from Johannesburg,and he has given me a start. 1 “Bricklayers here will not give a stranger a job if they can possibly help; it, keeping jobs open for their mates. It costs bricklayers 24 dollars to join the union, and they' won’t let you join straight away. You must first get a job before you can become a member. You have to bo a citizen—that is, take out papers that you will become a citizen, and forswear King and country —so you see I have come to a beautiful place. Before you lift your, trowel you have to show your ticket. There are over three thousand bricklayers here now, and more coming every week, and they are now closing against taking any more into the lodge. Jobs are all kept waiting for material, principally lime and cement. I have not seen a job built with new bricks. All old bricks from destroyed buildings are used,- and when the old bricks begin to get scarce they will not be able to keep one quarter of the bricklayers going. “Work here is terribly rough. I am thoroughly disgusted at the style in which it is done —just thrown together, Plumbers are worse off than bricklayers, having to pay 40 dollars down, then pass an examination, when they have to pay 30 dollars more, making 70 dollars to join the union. Failing to pass the examination, they lose 20 dollars. There are several from Australia doing laborer’s, work, not having enough funds to join the union.

“I think San Francisco the most ■ujfgodly place a man was ever in. They work at nearly all factories, iron works, etc., on Sunday, as well as all kinds of amusement going on. If anyone enquires liqw things are herd, T advise one and all not to leave Australia for San Francisco. It is no place for Australians.”