Cigar makers form a Seattle local union on April 15, 1887.

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On April 15, 1887, seven Seattle cigar makers form Local 188 of the Cigar Makers International Union of America.

In 1906 the local's 85 members earned an average $2.00 to $3.50 per eight-hour day. They worked a six-day week (48 hours). By 1908 membership increased to 100, 94 men and 6 women. This was 100 percent of the trade. By 1918 there were 75 males and 5 females.

Sources:
[Washington] Bureau of Labor, Fifth Biennial Report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Factory Inspection 1905-1906 (Olympia: C.W. Gorham, Public Printer, 1906), 94; [Washington] Bureau of Labor, Sixth Biennial Report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Factory Inspection 1907-1908 (Olympia: C.W. Gorham, Public Printer, 1908), 115; [Washington] Bureau of Labor, Seventh Biennial Report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Factory Inspection 1909-1910 (Olympia: E.L. Boardman, Public Printer, 1910), 65.

By Greg Lange, May 05, 1999

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