Industrial Organization Idea As Applied Radio Workers
Beedie, William
Industrial Organization Idea As Applied Radio Workers Head of New York Union Defend. Affiliation with Electrical Brotherhood—Holds Separate Union Would Divide Worker Who Need Mutual Support By...
...MlfsS this period the administrative work of the school will be m the hmJm of a faiaitWiii) consisting of iveiiei jrriiiicr Child: What's that big crowd, Mother...
...These proposals with attached copies of questions . and answers were given to the delegates in mimeographed form...
...WeMon Cale, National SecretaryTreasurer of the Electrical and Radio*Workers' Union (Independent), addressed the conference and stated that the A. F o.f L. and independent unions have but a small percentage of the workers in the industry and that they had 6,000 to 10,000 in the metal group and about 16,000 in the radio group...
...C: Why not, Mother...
...But if they do, they can go to the City Hospital...
...Knowing the radio industry, I am at a loss to know where these 16,000 are organized...
...The curious act is that it is not the Old Guard Socialists, whom the "militants" denounce as "compromisers" and "reformists," but fhe so-called revolutionary Communists who have changed their attitude on fusion or coalition...
...conference reconvened fat the afternoon it was moved to rescind the action and not allow President Tracy to speak...
...The fact that Roosevelt is not a fascist te not sufficient for Socialists to dorse him or make a united front with the Democratic Party...
...He argued that the amount of per capita tax could lis diverted into the organisation if set up as an independent element outside the A. F.of L. A resolution' setting forth conditions in the radio and allied trades ! and arguments for issuance of a national charter to radio workers was adopted for presentation to the A. F. of L. convention...
...M: The place where, poor people without work get help:: C: What kind of help, Mother t M: They used to get food and clothes, and coal' in winter...
...Approximately 8,000 employees, comprising craftsmen m machine, electrical, wood and other crafts, as well as the unskilled mass production workers, are organised in a federal labor union of the A. F. of L. Origin of Hie Union This Philco union was a child of the NRA...
...At the same time, however, I did not fail to emphasize that Socialists were far from satisfied with Roosevelt's program, that Roosevelt concerned himself too much with capitalist opposition and criticism, and lacked courage to carry out his own program in a determined and consistent manner...
...C: Wouldn't it cost less to give them coal to keep them from getting sick...
...m The Socialist Party never approves such action...
...Officers and an •Wentive board were elected...
...We have always maintained that the question of fusion of coalf?ioa» is not one of principle but of tactics, and that the Socialists of seel country had the right to detormm* what their policy should be at any given moment—when to enter ana when not to enter into coalition...
...That the issue be decisively met I then moved "that the proposals of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers be accepted...
...His International, he stated, had taken a referendum vote for an amendment to their constitution in order to take in low-dues members...
...But this is a Communist, asllNf Socialist way of thinking...
...M: Because the President said, "No one shall starve...
...Now the relief agency is giving only a little food...
...In the New York area are many radio and radio-parts plants with a IMfcral local union of the A. F. .-•Vl* .functioning with a numbei of (tend shop contracts and an aefim.»smbership of approximately r», •Sat• isportant manufacturing tester-ef Chicago is entirely un(ffiSjissnL There are a number of rasla Ipfemts scattered throughout t*t country with about six federal local anions chartered, none of tlssv nali closed shop contracts, and taring a membership not exceeding 1300...
...C: Then* why doesn't the stato give the poor people enough to boy toed...
...Following this the radio workers held a conference in Washington m February 10, 1936...
...Illogical Reasoning The "militants" have simply resorted to the Communist yardstick...
...It's the Belief Headquarters...
...C: Hew much is a little, Mother...
...God probably intends them to be poor...
...Shortly after the inception of the Philco union, Carey was appointed A. F. of L. organizer for the radio industry in the entire United States and served as such over a> year.'•There is no record of any radio plants organized, agreements negotiated, or strikes led by him...
...The Survey...
...has radio sound men, broadcasting and radio service men...
...The new union is led by men with no labor background, and stampeded by extravagant promises of support from the C.I.O...
...It always rejected fusion and;'«f» clined to make any united front with capitalist candidates, howeyfs radical or progressive they * fffa peared to be...
...M: That depends on what state they are living in...
...had a craft form as well as a council form as well as an industrial form of organization, and that the proposals they submitted met all requirements of an industrial set-up...
...C: It sounds .like a game, _ Mother—the game Daddy and Uncle play...
...He stated that this report was drawn up with the advice and help of the C.l.O...
...Are you warm enough, darling ? C: Oh, yes, Mother...
...E.W., criticizing the Executive Council of the A. F. of L. and recommending setting up of a , new national union...
...The radio plants of Atwater-Ker.t in Philadelphia and the huge plant of R.C.A., employing 10,000 workers in Camden, near *Fhiladerphia, are still unorganized...
...that the LB...
...Proposals From I.B.E.W...
...They are Seals/ to unite not only with radio*) groups but)" with outspoken bonis geois parties...
...An officers' report and recommendations was then read by Carey, setting forth reasons for refusal to affiliate with the LB...
...President Tracy addressed the conference on Sunday...
...C: Coaldnt it get the money...
...Present Administration-Constructive Approach us Dangerous Negativism-Reply to Attacks...
...There have been ilkstances of unions under Socialist influence supporting uncrffiCttB^ the candidate of a capitalist parto...
...The conclusion the "militants" have drawn is that anyone who denies that Roosevelt _ is a fascist is, therefore, urging sup- * """SI'S port of Roosevelt in the election...
...The independent unions were seated as fraternal delegates with voice but no vote...
...Delegate Block, representing the Philco workers," reported that his local union had been withholding payment of per capita tax to the A. F. of L. since the convention, and would continue to do so...
...I told you the relief agency is giving only food...
...C: I thought God took care of us...
...Carey stated that the per capita tax paid to A. F. of L. since the Philco union...
...We spend much more than that on you, much more...
...that the proposals pledged fall local autonomy, election of our local officers, etc...
...Eager Bjjyw the existence of a large ¦IjMusation at the convention, |BP*'_loeal unions in the heavy "PsWeal manufacturing industry JBl in the electrical appliance field induced to join the...
...Neither in my article nor anywhere else was there the slightest suggestion that Socialists should support Roosevelt in the coming campaign...
...Our state is giving seventy-five cents in food for each person...
...This motion was also defeated and the door definitely closed on the proposals of the IJ3.E.W...
...I Coalition Policy ; . " At the same time, however, the Old Guard Socialists in this country did not consider llisimjlis justified in criticising or corn demning Socialists of other sojBat tries who in critical moments found it necessary to enter into coalitions with democratic bourgeois parties...
...Oh, here comes one of them to the car...
...John Brophy, Kitty Polack, now working for the C.I.O., ind Frank Palmer, former editor iof Federated Press, now of "People's Press," were also present at all sessions...
...In view of this confusion I moved that the President jfc- the LBE.W...
...M: Heavens, yes, dear...
...Father has a good position, and will take care of us...
...ample, with the problem' «now facing the German, Spanish, "taljen or French Socialists of mobilising all anti-fascist forces in a mighty coalition to smash fascism...
...C: Then why doesn't He take care of the poor people...
...Look, some of 'those men haven't overcoats...
...i*e The Old Guard has led the SjU c is list Party during the entire $• years of its existence...
...Mother: That's not a store, my dear...
...My vote was cast for sane practical unionism against dual unionism...
...of L., reached after considerable study...
...Vice-President Phillip Murray of the United Mine Workers also addressed the radio inference along the lines followed by Brophy...
...C: But can't someone help the poor while the government and the state play the game, Mother...
...I explained that this was not an issue of industrial unionism, but a sensible effort to merge temporarily chartered local unions into an established union already in the radio field, in that the I.B.E.W...
...M: Perhaps...
...i C.l.O...
...conference held at PhiladelHjun July *•1935'attended b>* BJ«8Bl«s**tes representing seven ¦HP it was recommended that we ¦JP*t all locals to withhold payment of per capita tax to the A. F. of L. .New York delegates opposed the 'recommendation and demanded a roll-call vote, which resulted in 10 ayes, 2 nays, the two nays being east by the New York delegates...
...The council announced that it bad decided unanimously that local unions in the radio industry be transferred to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and that the latter be requested to conduct an active campaign to organize the radio industry...
...The total number of organized radio workers in A. P. of L. unions is approximately mm National Charter Demanded 0b December 29, 1934, a conferIWtWhtt Radio Federal Unions was held in Buffalo for the purpose of making plans for co-operiHsa...
...Eleven unions with 18 delegates responded...
...The President of Philco union is James B. Carey, 24...
...C: What will become of the poor people whos can't get work or enough to eat...
...You'd be sick if we didn't...
...I pointed out also that attacks of this kind produce a bad impression, from the point of view of the interests of the Socialist Party, upon those groups and elements of the population—unemployed workers, union men, farmers and small busines men—who have benefited more or less by Roosevelt's "New Deal...
...But let's not worry...
...I^B-E.W...
...A letter from rmsident Green was read by J. B. PflKf;The letter stated: HJP is the opinion of the Exec Wire Council that the time has yet arrived when it would >asesi wise to issue a charter to a ¦¦teal Union of Radio Workers...
...C: Why, Mother...
...Nevertheless, though they were only received by the delegates on Saturday morning, they were rejected without analysis by the delegates oil the recommendation of Carey and on the ground that it had already been decided to set up our own national organisation...
...The government has quit rebef businss...
...Father will be here soon, and well go home...
...What if all the poor people get sick, or starve ? M: They won't my dear...
...C: Do the poor people get sick, Mother...
...C: Wouldn't it be better if they had more to eat now so they wouldn't get sick...
...Carey stated that he had conferred with President Tracy of the I.B.E.W., who had submitted terms of affiliation...
...Lee's accession to The New Leader staff is made possible by the fact that the Rand School' board of directors recently granted his request for a years leave ef absence from active duty in latir school, to enable him to devote a larger part of ate time and energy to other work in and lot the Socialist movement...
...i Communist Contradictions But what are these same Coat -nunists doing now ? With the saw* enthusiasm with which only yestdr-day they had denounced fu*ion and coalition as treachery they t»ow defend them as a sacred revolutionary principle...
...On December 27, a conference of the Radio and Allied Trades was held at Pittsburgh, at which delegates from the independent dual unions outside the A. F. of L. were seated as fraternal delegates, thus rescinding former action that np independent delegates be seated...
...After an hour's debate that motion was narrowly carried...
...M: The government at Washington has quit sending it...
...C: What's the Relief Headquarters...
...that we had the right to continue organizing skilled men, machinists, necessary craft men, into our locals and that no division of workers would take place...
...The WPA gives work'to the poor so they do not need relief...
...But Mother, won't the poor people get sick from the cold...
...M: Oh yes-y-they're sick then...
...It was decided to set up the United Electrical and Radio Workers of America to take in all the independent unions, its jurisdiction to cover workers on radios and radio parts and employees engaged in manufacturing electrical or radio parts who also may manufacture other products...
...The Communists have clearly expressed themselves as ready to make alliances with any and all bourgeois parties of non-fascist character...
...National *»S» and Allied Trades, thereby !jgj*mg jurisdictional friction with RJMbe electrical workers and the 5**famists, and adding confusion jMjhe radio picture...
...Several local jjPjJ...
...a*iMM*i ¦ Atiu s-M_—rm I MTiQiiTic wiTy w on ? ere nee It was decided to hold s conference in Atlantic City three days, prior to the A. F. of L. convention...
...Why don't they go home and sit by the fire ? M: Some of them have no fires...
...for the best interests of radio workers and the labor movement . • - • RaacavaH Hie Wmm lUiaP Roosevelt, His 'New Deal' And Policy of Socialists Some Additional Comment on Our Attitude Toward...
...Nevertheless, a motion to reject the proposals was made, and though I appealed to delay action until after hearing from President Tracy, it was carried...
...Then, as I said, there is the City Hospital if they get very sick...
...Besides, the government has done something to help...
...Don't worry...
...Mother...
...See how ragged his clothes are...
...Like the Communist* they Bad it necessary far the safes ef their little groap interests to slander aad vilify the Old Gaarsl"V*1, Algernon Lee Joins New Leader Staff The New Leader is glad to announce that, beginning next week, Algernon Lee will regularly give from two to three days a week to editorial work on the paper...
...Lee is widely known as president of the Rand School of Social Science and is also City Chairman of the So-, cialist Party in New York...
...C: Seventy-five cents every day* . M: Oh, no, darling—every week...
...M: I can't tell you, my dear...
...was the existing union in the field...
...Besides, the WPA does not help people who are too old to work well, or who are sick—it calls them unemployables...
...It HHpNeided to take jurisdiction oi radio, radio parts and allied prodi^jtsVenehaa manufacture of wire, mfls, switches, etc...
...of General Electric and g**»ghouse Electric joined, BNthig the organized membership ¦L** National Radio and Allied I****8 to approximately 15.000...
...C: Does that mean that you and father and I will have a new automobile and nice clothes, and that the poor will get hungrier...
...Hush, dear, here comes your father...
...C: Doesn't the City Hospital cost anything, Mother...
...I pointed out that attacks by radicals Based upon this charge, which I considered unfounded, were likely to drive Roosevelt into the arms of the reactionaries...
...Don't speak of the poor people to him...
...The Communists have in the past declined to regard coalitions as a question of tactics...
...M: Don't ask so many questions, darling...
...for amalgamation against splits...
...At the January meeting of the Executive Council of the A. F. of L., Carey argued for the issuance 3f a national chanter...
...They are trying desperately to gain a foothold t* churches, among clergymen and rabbis, not excluding superstitious fanatics like Father Divine and fate followers, not to mention all sorts of bourgeois and liberal political groups...
...During this period we have frequently had te do with the question of fusion, at indorsing candidates of bourgeois parties in one state or anojpf* The Old Guard always riliidjMa firm and consistent in its policfa...
...C: Does my food cost more than seventy-five cents a week...
...The one where they each wait for the other to make a move...
...that locals coming in would pay no initiation fees and that per capita tax was almost similar to that now paid the A. F. of L...
...M: No, no, dear...
...A name was adopted, "The Radio and Allied Tnufes," its purpose being "to seBBf* national charter...
...It is to have the full support of the C.l.O...
...E.W...
...As for the "militsnU," they kevft simply lost all capacity far' j§ honest approach to HsciaWst pyjs> lems...
...In the past the Communists assailed such tactics as a betrayal of the fundamental pHjj| ciples of Socialism...
...THe Communists, on the other hand, are as confused on this as they IB an all other-questions...
...The conference adopted a resolution declaring "that the members of Radio and Allied Trades will not affiliate or be a part of, or subdivision of any craft national or international union now in existence in the present set-up of the A. F. of L." Motions expressing resentment against the A. F. of L. md stating that under no conditions would a charter similar to those issued to the robber workers and automobile workers be accept3d, were adopted...
...M: Something like that...
...M: Certainly, dear, quite a great deal...
...Wouldn't He like us to give them some of what we have...
...be invited tcv address the radio workers' conference •¦^personally explain proposals and answer questions...
...that this was a decision of the Executive Council of the A. "F...
...HptJtsrch 30, 1935, a convention Sf-the Radio and Allied Trades was BPjSja Cincinnati to review the H^psss- made...
...Regretting the hasty action of closing the door after he had been invited and not waiting for further proposals and explanations, he stated that the setting up of a new union would not end jurisdictional disputes but' increase them, in view of the fact that the...
...In that article I tried to show how false and harmful are the constant attacks directed by Norman Thomas against President Roosevelt on the alleged ground that he is a fascist and is driving the country^ to fascism...
...Let us start the true story with the centralized plant of the Philco Company in Philadelphia...
...that they guaranteed full industrial organization of all radio workers irrespective of classification...
...Of course, if they're sick, they get coal...
...When the...
...M: The state says it hasn't enough money...
...Carey resigned ss A. F. of L. organizer early in 1935 and is now President of the Radio and Allied Trades Council...
...Let's not talk about it any more...
...We 'have never been confronted, for i...
...This resolution was presented to the convention and referred to the Resolutions Committee, which recommended that it be referred to the Executive Council for future action and consideration, in which the convention concurred...
...I.moved that such a committee be elected but the motion was defeated...
...was organized was a waste >f money...
...By Harry Rogoff IX an effort to prejudice the party membership against the "Old Guard" in New York, the so-called "militants" are circulating a report that their opponents in the Socialist Party are piannbig to endorse President Roosevelt in the coming presidential election...
...M: The government thinks the state should raise the money to care for the poor...
...But the state is waiting for the government at Washington to begin sending money again...
...HNp fa) no evidence st hand that ¦pfenatioaal charter were grantee *** national union set-up under jjtej-suthority of said national fltaRer would be self-sustaining BP* declining your application UP^a- - national charter at this fae, tbe Executive Council dieted that the President of the It F, of l, bring about the consolidation of local unions of radio agsjfters now established...
...It organized the WPA, which is like a big business...
...S I The Old Guard Socialist*, how* ever, have remained consistent¦' feu the question of fusion or cosHtjon, as they have on all questions of Socialist policy and principle...
...Let's give him some money...
...My coat keeps me good and warm...
...At that conference, attended by 16 delegates, Carey stated that if we did not obtain a national charter we would be forced to withdraw from the A. F. of L. and work out our own salvation...
...C: Don't they still get it, Mother...
...It was chartered by the A. F. of L. on August 3, 1933, as a Federal Labor Union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers temporarily waiving jurisdiction in this plant, though jurisdiction of the radio industry is in the Brotherhood's constitution...
...A horde of individuals outside the union , movement, with no knowledge of radio problems, now seek to guide the destinies of radio workers...
...C: Why not...
...M: Well, He does—in a way...
...M: It would seem so...
...M: Chess, dear...
...The "militant" canard is based upon an article I published recently in The New Leader...
...Such unions considered this 1 m exception and motivated UflUf conduct by their own immediate interests...
...Is there a sale ' at that store...
...C: Does God want the poor to stay poor all their lives...
...The new union will be outside the A. F. of L. but will apply for admittance at the next convention...
...M: I can't answer that, my child...
...C: Then why aren't these people working, instead of waiting for food ? M: The WPA hasn't enough money to put them all to work...
...At least, they won't starve...
...We in the United States lave never entered into coalitions ^am cause we have never been W*W fronted wirfrthe problem as affecting the immediate interest* of democracy, the working class- si the nation as a whole...
...Remember, now, don't say a word...
...Affiliation with Electrical Brotherhood—Holds Separate Union Would Divide Worker Who Need Mutual Support By William Beedie EXTRAVAGANT churns, ConjJP* fused press releases, political speeches have set the labor movement buzzing with rumors that $,000 radio workers are spitting the American Federation of Labonthat powerful radio unions -pe, with the support of the Committee for Industrial Organization, setting up a new National Industrial Electrical and Radio Union Charges of dual unionMi, claims of being "kicked out of the American Federation of Labor," and of craft onions raiding jurisdiction and forcing industrial unions of radio workers against their will into craft anions, are rampant...
...He thinks they are retarding business recovery...
...They opposed fusion or toalition as violating simon-pure revolutionary principle, and, s»sailed bitterly those Socialist -par-* ties in Europe who believed -it necessary at certain moments,' M .support democratic bourgeois a«M srnments or to indorse a bourf edst candidate...
...en the Scene John Brophy, for the Committee for Industrial Organization, addressed the conference on industrial } unionism and craft unionism and stated the radio workers should de:ide what to do and act on their own responsibility...
...They presented an imposing document for study...
...But the agency doesn't have enough money...
...It was reported that late Friday further proposals bed been submitted by the I.B.E.W., but that these were not available to the delegate because they had been mailed to Carey at Philadelphia...
...M: That is too deep a problem for me to try to explain...
...The confer**ee departed from its origins) purpose and resolved to demand '.HgHas A. F. of L. a charter foi "jPPJBfaal anion...
...This game is called politics, but don't ask me to explain it...
...That would pauperize him...
...To the man) Sorry, we can't C: (as the man walks away) Mother, I'm so worried...
...The Bible says, "For unto every one that hath shall be given . . . but from him that hath not even that which he hath shall be taken away...
...M: .No, dear...
...C: Do they get more to eat in the City Hospital...
...0n Carey's recommendation it ¦Ppsrmed to carry the fight to By-T- ef L. convention...
...Tracy's Overture Rebuffed In closing, President Tracy requested that a committee of radio delegates be elected to further meet with him and work put proposals...
...M: Perhaps...
...It was decided, as Tracy had already been invited, and had agreed to appear on Sunday afternoon, to allow the previous action to stand...
Vol. 19 • March 1936 • No. 11
