On This Date in Minnesota History: May 27

May 27, 1903 – In a suit commenced in the district court today, the American Hoist and Derrick Company is charged with violating the law by blacklisting an employee who was prominent in leading a strike that involved the machinists in the employ of the company. The plaintiff is Timothy Murphy, a union machinist, who sued the company for $20,000 damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained as a result of the company’s efforts to keep him from securing employment after he had been discharged from their employ.

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Murphy was employed by the company during last Nov., when a strike of the 50 machinists was ordered after the request for a 25 cent increase per day was rejected. Murphy was one of the strike leaders, but in his complaint he says the company and the strikers came to an agreement during the month of Dec. 1902, at which time the company agreed to take the strikers back and treat them the same as if there had never been a strike, it being understood that the men who had been out on a strike were not to be discriminated against because of the strike.

Regardless of this agreement, the plaintiff alleges that the company entertained violent enmity towards him, finally discharging him on Feb. 23 of this year, without telling him for what reason he had been discharged. Following his discharge Murphy says he applied to another company for employment, and was given a temporary position in the company’s shops in this city, pending an investigation of his past record. He went to work March 4, but was discharged April 28, the foreman informing him that he could not work for the company, although it was admitted that he was a competent workman, and that he had performed his duties in a skilled manner.

Murphy charges that the cause of his discharge was the result of letters written by the American Hoist and Derrick Company, saying he was a labor agitator and “knocking” him in a general way. The letters are said to have stated that Murphy was a dangerous man to have in one’s employ.

The plaintiff contends that he has been blacklisted, and that he cannot secure employment by reason of the attitude of the American Hoist and Derrick Company towards him. He has been denied copies of the letters written by his former employers, but holds that he is aware of their contents.

By reason of the injuries done to him as a result of being blacklisted, Murphy demands judgment against the American Hoist and Derrick Company for $20,000.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Striker Claims He is on the Black List; Sues American Hoist and Derrick Company, Alleging $20,000 Damage as Result of Failure to Secure Employment Because of Letter of the Defendant.”; May 28, 1903; p. 2.

¹http://gfglaeve.blogspot.com/2013/07/stearns-county-museum-and-granite.html

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