Granite Cutters International Association of America

The Granite Cutters International Association of America, formerly named Granite Cutter’s National Union, was a safe haven for workers who wanted support for the jobs they did. On January 2, 1877, the concept of an organization which provided support for the hundreds of working men began to form and on March 3, 1877, the Rockland Maine Branch was established. This would be the first of many branches across the United States that would eventually form. The main task of the Association was to discuss working conditions and pay as well as elect officers to represent the branch. For those who were injured, donations were collected from other members so that the man, who couldn’t provide for himself or his family, could still survive.

In order to become a member, there was a .71 cent charge, but this fee covered the cost of supplies for the branch, furnishings for the offices and the cost of printing publications. Once a member of the Association, men were encouraged to voice their opinions or concerns themselves rather than having a representative voice it for them, and each branch President encouraged a familial communication between the members so that no one felt persecuted for raising issues that were important to an individual.

Before the Granite Cutters International Association of America was established, the granite workers worked 10-12 hour days depending on the season. The very small amounts of money that they did make went to food and boarding houses where the men stayed. This meant that there was very little money left over to save or send home to their families. The Association was able to negotiate an 8 hour work day, 6 days a week with a half work day on Sundays. The minimum wage was increased from $2.50 in the 1890s to $8.00 in the 1920s. In the 1940s the work week decreased to 5 days a week at $9.00 minimum pay. Besides an increase in pay, the Association was able to introduce safety and ventilation procedures when pneumatic tools and machines were invented to protect workers from the dust, which was a health hazard.

While the introduction of machinery allowed for work production to increase, it also resulted in a sharp decline in employment. In the 1920s there were roughly 10,000 members and by 1973 there were only 3,033 members.

Through the years, the Granite Cutters International Association of America kept meticulous minutes of meetings as well as publishing a monthly journal. Minute books record events that took place within the union from 1886-1954; entries include but are not limited to votes, appeals, decrees and loans. Their publication, called “The Granite Cutter’s Journal”, was a monthly newsletter sent out to members across the country. A typical issue included: legislative news, employment opportunities for stone cutters, branch correspondence, death notices of members and their relatives, member lists, unpaid loans, and national union information. Finally, membership books (1906-1918) maintained a register of all members of the Association and the identification number associated with each man.