8-K

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT

                    Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                       Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):   June 4, 2003



                          THE L.S. STARRETT COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          Massachusetts                 1-367              04-1866480
  (State or Other Jurisdiction       (Commission         (IRS Employer
        of Incorporation)            File Number)      Identification No.)



                  121 CRESCENT STREET, ATHOL, MASSACHUSETTS  01331
                (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number:   978-249-3551




          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

















                                  Page 1 of 2



Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits
      99.1        Press release dated June 4, 2003 announcing quarterly
                  dividend on the Company's common stock.



Item 5.  Other Events and Required FD Disclosure

On June 4, 2003, the L.S. Starrett Company (the "Company") issued a press
release announcing its quarterly dividend on the Company's common stock,
payable June 27, 2003 to stockholders of record June 16, 2003. A copy of the
press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.




                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                              Description

  99.1            Press release dated June 4, 2003 announcing quarterly
                  dividend on the Company's common stock.




                                   SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                             THE L.S. STARRETT COMPANY


Date:  June 5, 2003                          By: s/ ROGER U. WELLINGTON, JR.
                                             Name: Roger U. Wellington, Jr.
                                             Title: Vice President, Treasurer
                                                  and Chief Financial Officer









                                  Page 2 of 2

EX-99

Directors today voted a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share for both Class
A and Class B Common Stock, payable June 27, 2003.  Record date June 16,
2003.

This dividend represents a reduction of $0.10 per share.  This reduction in
dividend is taken with a long-term view of our business and we think it is in
our best interest, and that of our stockholders and employees, to retain
enough cash in the business to invest in our future.

At the same meeting the Board set the record date for those entitled to vote
at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on September 17, 2003, as
at the close of business on July 25, 2003.


THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

R. Wellington, Jr.
Treasurer