Report of Agenda Committee on Trade Unionism
Report of Agenda Committee on Trade Unionism Trade Union ism—h Considering the lea* advanced condition of American trade unions in membership, form of organization, political activities...
...iil To the extent that the economic regime of Soviet Russia eliminates the profit motive in industry and seeks to Introduce a unified system of planned production for public use, we heartily support it and commend It to the emulation of all nations...
...WHEREAS, the craft type of organization Is unequal to the task of organizing workers in basic industries or to protect its members so organized...
...0) We reaffirm the demand repeatedly made by us for the recognition of the Russian Soviet Government by the Government of the United States and the resumption of normal diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries...
...by strengthening the picket lines with Socialist volunteers...
...The Socialist Party, In convention assembled, reaffirms its consistent demand for the recognition of the Russian Soviet Government by the government of the United States and the resumption of normal diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries...
...Socialists should urge the support of the unemployment insurance bill of the party and the six-hour day and the five-day week without reduction In pay...
...that the working class suffers for lack of legal provisions protecting workers discarded at an early age...
...Trade Unionism—II...
...Report of Agenda Committee on Soviet Russia On Russia—I...
...that millions of the unemployed and their families are dependent upon degrading charity doles because we have no system of compulsory unemployment Insurance...
...ILL We deem it necessary to make It clear to our adherents and to the general public that there Is a fundamental difference in theory and practice between Socialism and Communism as represented by the Russian controlled Communist International and exemplified by the Soviet Government...
...and, WHEREAS, since its organisation the Socialist movement has emphasized the essential international interests of workers in all countries...
...Consolidation and amalgamation of unions and Interunion cooperation wherever pracr deal should be supported by Socialist* to make the union* more effective...
...Members of the Socialist Party who are members of trade unions should carry the Socialist message to the rank and file and any member who Is guilty of questionable practices shall be expelled from the Party...
...The progress of Socialism depends upon the development of the working class, not only In numbers, but In political Intelligence, class consciousness and capacity for self-government In order to serve the Immediate and the ultimate Interests of the working class, It must be a movement of and by that class as well as for it...
...Strikes and lockouts also offer opportunities for Socialist service...
...and, WHEREAS, the SodalUt Party la committed to urging worker* to adopt the Industrial system of organization and recognize* the impossibility of emancipating the workers unless the political arm of labor hi supported by the Industrial arm...
...In all their work m the unions Socialists should observe the highest standards of ethics and thus set an example of idealism for others to emulate, never striving to drive the workers to policies which they do not understand but to win them by argument and loyal service to the union Among the immediate measures of vital concern to the trade unions...
...H. Consistent with the views above set forth, and applying the same principles by which we have been and shall be guided in opposing oppression and persecution where, ever they take place, whether In foreign countries or in the United States, we condemn the policy of governmental terrolsm, and the suppression of dissenting opinion which prevail in Russia...
...3) Because we are anxious for the complete realization of Socialism in Soviet Russia, we are not unmindful of certain evil tendencies present there, against which we vigorously protest, such aa the suppression of civil liberties of working-class minority opinion, etc., which tendencies are inconsistent with the Socialist ideal...
...that its economic policy Is socialistic in essence in that it la based on the elimination of private ownership and private profit of the means of production and distribution, and In that It ia founded upon a plan of production for use for the benefit of the working class...
...These measures are of prime Importance because they center attention upon nation-wide Issues of Importance to the workers, and because they Imply an unanswerable Indictment of the Indifference and neglect displayed by the parties of capitalism...
...State ownership and control of Industry, under whatever form, is not a realization in whole or in part of the Socialist idea, unless the state is the responsible instrument of a free peop'e...
...4) Our recognition of the value of the Soviet experiment does not blind us to the harmful anti-socialist tactics of communists everywhere, whose anti-proletarian agitation makes Impossible a united front of militant working-class parties...
...We specifically condemn, as Injurious both to the American and the Russian working people, the efforts to put an embargo on the importation of Russian goods...
...In conformity with the position of the Socialist and Labor International, we repudiate and condemn all counter-revolutionary movements inside or outside of Russia which aim at the violent overthrow of the Soviet government, and base our hopes for political progress in Russia upon a democratization of the regime...
...that "yellow dog" contracts have received judicial sanction...
...We denounce any Interference by this or other government* with the industrial, political or other internal affairs of Russia, whether by armed invasion or blockade, and condemn, as injurious both to the American and Russian working people, the efforts now being made in this country to put an embargo on the Importation of Russian goods...
...that the legal status of trade unions Is weak and precarious, and that effective working class political organization is urgently needed to cope with these problems, this convention declares: That the party no more desires to dominate and control the trade unions than it will permit the unions to dominate and control it What is desired is a friendly cooperation based upon mutual understanding, and this cannot be obtained by any form of coercion, intrigue or assertion of power by one over the other...
...therefore, be It RESOLVED, that the National Committee, through a special committee or through the National Executive Committee, call a conference of all elements, both individuals and organizations, interested in organizing the working class on such basis and such principles as shall prevent repetition of the acceptance of the ideas of capitalism by American unions...
...Our members should also urge their unions to sever relations with the National Civic Federation and with local Chambers of Commerce where such relations exist...
...Largely on account of such tactics, Soviet Russia ha* lost a considerable amount of what otherwise would be greater sympathy and cooperation from Socialist sources...
...This difference is frankly stressed by the Communists, and the Socialist movement has nothing to gain by trying to minimize or obscure It Socialism Is the movement through which the working class seeks to win liberty as well as material well-being for all the people, through the socialization of the means of wealth production...
...On Rusaia HI...
...by establishing machinery of relief and enlisting the support of every agency and organization likely to extend friendly cooperation in support of such struggles...
...Report of Agenda Committee on Trade Unionism Trade Union ism—h Considering the lea* advanced condition of American trade unions in membership, form of organization, political activities and social concepts compared with the progressive organizations of the working class in other modern nations, and the lack of satisfactory understanding between the trade unions and the Socialist party in matters of common concern to both, this convention affirms the need of educational work among trade unionists to effect fruitful cooperation between the two branches of the movement...
...1) We recognize that Soviet Russia Is a workers' government...
...Educational work should be carried on to convince union members of the advantage* of such change*, the ideal being organization on broad Industrial lines...
...The Socialist Party of America, while urging that a greater degree of political democracy be granted Russian workers In line with the spirit of Socialist philosophy, heartily rejoices in the large measure of success attained by Soviet Russia, In a comparatively short period of time and despite serious obstacles and opposition, in Its attempts to build a Socialist Commonwealth and sends to the U. 8. S. R. I" sincere and fraternal greetings...
...We demand the liberation of all working class prisoners in Russia...
...We oppose any interference by this or other governments with the Industrial, political or other internal affairs of Russia, whether by armed Invasion or block, ade or by economic boycott or other exceptional measures...
...On Russia—-II...
...The convention also considers it the duty of Socialist members of trade union* to work for the democratization of their organization* wherever undemocratic practices may exist Considering that the weeklies, monthlies and other publications of the trade unions are agencies for reaching the members, the convention urges that Socialist members contribute letters and articles to these publications on topics of an educational character along the lines set forth in this resolution...
...and, WHEREAS, the A. F. of U assert* ft* dual and schismatic character by refusing to affiliate with the International Federation of Trade Union...
...that they seek to obtain the cooperation of their unions with the party on measures of common concern to both and that they also urge their unions to persuade other unions to take similar action...
...In every locality where they occur it Is the duty of Socialist organizations and their members to assist in the struggles by providing speakers and helping in publicity...
...and, WHEREAS, the business type of union accepts the capitalist order, denies the class struggle ana the need of toaSpandeat work, tng class political action...
...RESOLVED, that the conference set up a permanent central organization to organize the unorganized, the central organization to urge the American representative on the Executive of the Labor and Socialist International to obtain the authorization of the International Federation of Trade Unions to erect such central Committee into an American Council of the I. F. T. U. Trade Unionism—III...
...2) We, therefore, take a decidedly friendly attitude toward Soviet Russia and will utilize whenever and wherever possible appropriate features of the Soviet system for furthering and spreading and bringing about of Socialism in the United States, taking into consideration the different conditions prevailing in this country...
...We urge that Socialists In the trade unions do their utmost to educate their fellow members to an intelligent understanding of the needs at the American workers through discussion and distribution of appropriate Socialist literature...
...Socialist party organizations should also distribute suitable literature among workers in unorganized industries and actively encourage and assist in organizing unions in such industries Considering the sterile character of "nonpartisan" political action by the trade unions, party members bave a special duty to point out the urgent need of Independent working class politics on every proper occasion...
...But we recognize that the Russian revolution and the Soviet Government which It has created sprang from historical, political and economical conditions peculiar to Russia and particularly from conditions existing in that country at the close of the World War, and we believe that neither the political or economic regime of Soviet Russia nor the methods by which it was established and is being maintained are applicable to the United States as other countries of modern western civilization and development While a divergence of opinion among American Socialists as to the nature and prospeots of the Russian "experiment" is entirely legitimate, the question has little bearing upon the problems and policies of Socialism in this country and should not be permitted to divide our ranks or to stand In the way of unified and harmonious activities of all American Socialists along the lines of International social democracy...
...Considering that technical improvement and development of mass production in all large industries are undermining old trade skills and tending to reduce all wage workera to a common level of efficiency...
Vol. 13 • April 1932 • No. 17
