Open Shop Pamphlet, Boston, Massachusetts, 1910. Maine State Museum. Gift of Caroline Lumbard, 87.62.1.
Open Shop Pamphlet, Boston, Massachusetts, 1910. Maine State Museum. Gift of Caroline Lumbard, 87.62.1.
In 1893, the shoe manufactures of Lewiston and Auburn banded together to prohibit their workers from organizing for better wages or shorter hours. To maintain "Open Shops," owners insisted their employees sign "Yellow Dog" contracts. In this type of contract, employees agreed to never join a union. Owners often blacklisted, (refused to hire) workers who tried to start or join a union.
Future Auburn shoe factory owner, Henry Lumbard collected this pamphlet as he studied the industry. The pamphlet summarizes a Boston court case against photo engravers Folsom & Sunegren. That company won a court battle to maintain an "open shop."