Problems Now Confronting American Labor
Problems Now Confronting American Labor President Green in Address at New Leader Dinner Discusses Vital Questions of Organization and Policy Agitating A. F. of L.—Stresses Importance of Unity,...
...In many instances the laden were executed...
...But these agencies failed They could not carry, the, burden...
...Instead it was created dnage it when Ussy srtsh and tbey till do so when a majority of the delegates so decide...
...But because the American Federation of Labor holds fast to the principle of voluntarism it will not force these printing trade organizations to do so...
...When private enterprise, because of faulty construction snd mismanagement, fails to serve the public need and public welfare or becomes a deterrent force*: the government must respond, assuming such management snd control fa industry snd private enterprise as wijl tend to develop its functional processes to the point where society is served and protected.* The experiences through which the nation has passed during the fast few years have shown that without a mandate from the people the government has been forced to assume responsibilities and to discharge functions within the field of prfrate endeavor which were heretofore regarded as outside the limitations of governmental activities...
...As an illustration—those employed fa the printing industry were at one tifae united fa one organization...
...Because the American Federation of Labor is deeply interested in the development of high wage standards, it felt that these key men should be accorded the right to use their special skill and training in a definite way, through their own organisation, to secure the highest wages possible...
...Conversely, on a number of occasions, .the American Federation of Labor, upon the earnest solicitation of the workers involved, has permitted separation snd the setting up of additional organizations...
...It has aggressively led fa the fight for economic freedom, a wider distribution of created wealth and the enjoyment...
...These writers are prolific fa giving advice, extreme fa denunciation and purely theoretical in their logic...
...When the report of this accomplishment was made to the San Francisco convention of the American Federation of Labor the delegates directed -that a national charter, comprehensive fa character, be issued to tim automobile workers...
...Labor's Fight tor Freedom The organised labor movement has ever been progressive...
...HEo* are always arrived at in democratic: fashion' after ¦ffttsenntne has teen accorded $he widest and most complete opportunity to express his views and ..offer sach —fcjiinmendations and suggestions as he may deem necessary jad advisable...
...When the point is reached where it becomes clear and convincing that the equity of the government fa the railroads can only be protected and conserved by socializing them, the government will be compelled to take them over...
...This fact aas tragically demonstrated fa Germany, where trade unions j^^Bjfapletely annihilated, their property confiscated, their leaders unfeamps...
...In addition, the .ffb-ployer establishes the oompaBy union and through bis perfected spy system and the doanneWKMO control of underlings eueY nawftp the workers are coerced fate ^Bf* coming identified with the ©onjpaay unions...
...It is one of the nation's newest industries...
...ditions a century ago...
...I am confident tl)at if those employed in the printing industry would now agree to unite and create one organization for the printing industry, the American Federation of Labor would respond to such a request and would grant a charter under which all those who are now members of several printing trade unions would be blended into one international printing trade organization...
...jf...
...Moss Product/on The grant of a charter to the automobile workers constitutes a direct and definite answer to those who charge that the American Federation of Labor is failing to meet the organization needs of those employed in mass production industries...
...Until such •ho participate in the deliberations sFtae sajnii policy-making au-Bsriny «C Leber are ander obhgabyws, decisions and mandates...
...tm Within the next few months Aft American Federation of Labor Will convene fa solemn conclave...
...The American Federation of Labor has declared fa favor of such action and is supporting the railroad workers of the country in their declaration in favor of the government ownership of railroads...
...It is regrettable that it is seized upon as a basis for singing a song of hate...
...representatives of the...
...For obvious reasons the organization policies of the American Federation of Labor, which is a parent body, have attracted widespread public attention...
...This was necessary in order to save them from financial ruin...
...These are the real obstacles fa the way of organizing, the unorganized and particularly these employed fa the msss-prodojeate industries...
...One can see this clearly in the support which the public ffnd public opinion is giving to the enactment of unemployment insurance, old age pensions, health and accident insurance snd other social justice legislation...
...Problems Now Confronting American Labor President Green in Address at New Leader Dinner Discusses Vital Questions of Organization and Policy Agitating A. F. of L.—Stresses Importance of Unity, Readiness to Respond to Changed Conditions and Need of Progressive Outlook—Approves Principle of Industrial Unionism but Warns Against Splitting Tactics—Insists Majority Must Rule—Lashes "Liberal" Critics...
...It matters not aMjIsasaa* infae or under what ^H^fa known...
...teen sp|ss|i'aBa ergaaixed laboi Skterof conviction then, as it is ^B,^SasB>e^Ktbee^nnw are asso-Bad wish the vAmerican Federa-^at Labor, that freedom diet jfanion, assumed and steadfastly SbSained by Labor, hss been vin-JesssssssLwiat ana transpired in V^lrsfpaa nations, where autocracy sal &etsjstehipe have been estab-h'diij ¦pnrrarir trade unions, compnetfe to the American trade aaiosa^Were destroyed and ceased to ffagjjftn when autocracy and dictatorship took command...
...Unfortunately, because of misrepresentation and a distortion of the facts, much misunderstanding prevails regarding this particular matter...
...authority yet made by the American Federation of Labor since the jurisdiction of the United Mine Workers was made to cover those employed in and around coal mines...
...It is a pa#^nf the institutional'-life ef team Every controversial question which has arisen has been censtatetoftpjt1 courageously acted upon by the...
...It is the need of each organising situation which arises that governs rather than the rigid, inflexible requirements of any particular plan...
...It has beentirbufb buttons of the organized Workers extended1* to those who have seen the victims of economic persecution, discrimination and rrphwjhtion...
...The government is now a large stc ckholder in many of the bank...
...There is no such issue...
...The government was co: npelled to discharge the functions which it had always been understood* belonged to privately eaaed banks...
...The thoughtful, constructive "lbmesenta-tives of the American Federation of Labor hold such men, such writers and such publications in Utter contempt.' Tbey classify them as the real enemies of social reform, liberalism and democracy...
...No chance to pro-MMnre has ever been suggested, so attempt has ever been made fy SS* democratic rule which has ^ sppiied in the determination gfsTpsrt from the application of Lpoeratic procedure followed dur-¦ the deliberations of conventions nVrsrious subordinate bodies, it fid be decisively defeated...
...The more fortunate may earn up to 6 cents an hoar, bat rarely more...
...The printing industry, through modernization, has now become a highly specialized industry...
...Then and there, fa the names' of those whom tbey have the kenelrfa represent, they will make answer to every challenge made ieanidfag the policies snd the philosophy of the ^American Federation of Labor...
...tssa\Hew that they will be discharged sad win be dented the opperteasast^te earn a living...
...ot the nation...
...The public mind has become confused because it has been led to belftve that there is an issue in the American Federation of Labor as to whether it shall espouse and apply the craft or industrial form of or ganization...
...S^^fM*?*^ sti uction Finance Corporation, the fi< ate Owners' Loan Corporation as I other aa^natos sot ap by the corporations, business men, home owners snd real'estate owners and to the transportation lines ef the nation...
...In many o^JMeountries the workers and MB Snd brutal treatment, mental isgassrasfttfeeiet bate caused by the senmrate who assumed dicta-^^^Smers fa these unfortunate ad^aasfae oCtbe working people of our' own country who cherish n» kssaanga and benefits of freeThe form of'ihctetorship fa of ^^Hwaeonettce...
...This fact can be appreciated more fully if we picture an automobile production plant in operation...
...It has moved from one advanced position to another in conformity with social changes which have . taken place in our national and political life...
...Tbey are the type of men who never bad been called open to serve fa responsible positions, never will be called upon to do so— bat who are sure and certain that they could perform miracles...
...They "out-radical" the most radical among the workers, denouncing corporations and corporation management as oppressors and exploiters...
...who are able to bar JSjfaI?~ worked handsnrchtets^ dfrsjnng...
...The rate for making a dozen exquisite si tlctoa* fps tepeate one at retail...
...A survey of embroidery homework fa Texas, the bureau, fpv ported, disclosed that women, mainly Mexican, are st their aeadles from early morning an- • little as $1.60 a weak...
...These workers demand the enjoyment of this right...
...bey are purely academic, both fa writing and in . arriving at conclusions...
...They have not been brought about because of choice, bub because necessity, knowing no law, compelled the government to act...
...One may ask, fa considering this problem: does experience gained or sacrifices made by Labor in its struggle for existence count for naught ? Does its knowledge of the realities of economic life mean nothing ? Shall judgments properly formed by those who officially participate in the deliberation of the supreme governing body of Labor, based upon a knowledge of their experience, be respected end obeyed or shall they be flouted and disregarded, each affiliated unit becoming a law unto itself ? All of this involves the essence snd the preservation of the principles of self-government...
...He, indeed, is blind who cannot see the trend of events and the inevitable drift of our government into a broader participation in the affairs of private enterprise, private ownership and private management and control...
...end support of all pg^teSatMaliidcd...
...In the light of these facts, where is there any justification for the assault made upon the American Federation of Labor by some of those identified with a movement regarded as dual to it by a great many people connected with as well ss outside the labor movement * Amazing as it may seem, the charge has been made that the American Federation of Labor is a failure, and that it fan failure because millions of workers em-tries are unorganized...
...The government supplied the railroads with large sums of money...
...4eromob/Ie Charter This broad grant of jurisdiction means that 99% of those employed in the automobile production industry are eligible to membership in this national automobile workers' union...
...A departure from this Baas> would jeopardize the welfare sad success of any cause, however sable and laudable, and substitute Me ^^^^^"S^i.y^y^?^^!^ regime States, more than fifty years age, expressed their unyielding devotion to,the principle of democracy...
...Corporation spies do the same...
...No fair-minded person will dare challenge the soundness of this economic rule, •rood Jurisdietiom This is how far the American Federation of Labor has gone fa the establishment of the industrial form of organization in - the greatest mass-production industry of the nation...
...Otherwise they would be repudiated and new delegates elected...
...They are irresponsible writers who venture to tell officials of the great, constructive, progressive movement of Labor, who face tremendous responsibilities and are required to discharge serious obligations, what to do, what decisions to make and what policies to pursue...
...INusasul to these instructions, the Executive Council issued such a charter in which extended grantof farfadiftion...
...They decided, however, that because of differences in skill snd tile character of work tbey were called upon to perform special organiza-tMOfceJaoald be created fax special groups...
...maintenance of demo^te^which must be guarded, American SeWratlon of La-g^Jjjje^nsannuee:etesdxast and ly**^«es just what it preaches, libers will defend this sacred PW...
...The automobile industry is a mass production industry, highly specialized and seasonal fa character...
...It represents one of the broadest grants of jurisdictions...
...The invasion of the government in the banking field, when the banks were closed, was made inevitable because those who owned and managed the financial institutions of the nation failed in a national emergency...
...AH provide for ^H^Kaeership, the subjugation •f minority expression snd the esnplete destruction of economic ^¦ps/rBtrikas dp not occur beeaaw'tpay are forbidden...
...that "it is not linen tbey4p wearing out, but human crea: tores' lives...
...Tbehsndrads and1'eesaterod ay^tite American Federation of Labor wore blended into this new Automobile Workers* Union...
...When these repoets are made, the auikssa -imMpyjmfc geously joined the unteaO ,'sapx4h-charged...
...They represent the composite judgment of ^EPjccrs and delegates who participate in the conventions...
...The American Federation of Labor win endure because It'^JP* upon a sound basis ano-'fa iw-perted by millions of loyal, devoted men and women...
...American f < »MHB*m<y?4j*j»oy * listed on November 15, ststfT-isr' tea^^ifflgS^i^ formation it represented the best judgment of those who were ^0thi^ each^socceeSn^ ^Umlon^^^teY ^T*^ jljirr- have guided its activities' and its* progres/have Ifa formulated...
...The reason for this is obvious...
...They are controlled by...
...The exploited women, inter...
...Even in these trades the lines of jurisdiction, have, been changed fa many fataliiwasp, to-suit the shifting needs of modern industrial expansion, change, growth and development...
...They follow a policy of deception and pretense...
...It is quite evident that many of the editorials and special articles appearing fa these so-called liberal publications are written, by men Who are controlled by feeling and their likes snd dislikes of the official representatives of the American Federation of Labor and its affiliated organizations...
...The wisdom and soundness of such a policy Igs never been questioned or challenged...
...They have a legal right todo so, and that being true, what is mere to prevent them from organising teteJ'tear^MPr constructed and e*tabhemjis?e^mn*h ration T The facte are jfte> *tej> unorganized workers are prevented from becoming organized because of the tremendous opposition and persecution of their employers...
...That sort of service was at one time regarded as belonging to local communities and the states...
...All of these developments are taking place because of the operation ef powerful economic forces and stern economic facts...
...The American Federation of Labor met this request in accordance with the expressed wish of the workers themselves...
...Expanding Social Control The federal government has been compelled to care for the needy and the unemployed...
...Tread of Events When private industry fails to meet the social needs of modern life, the people must turn to government for service, safety and protection...
...with every nteens at y^^jp'nnand because they wish gsr^~e instrumentalities made R~ *>v democratic control for gag about political and social 3^ Because of its staunch, H*"8* defense of this funda^Kof Labor should rece^ve^he fHE5...
...millions Of members who make up the American Federation of Labor...
...Notwithstanding these difficulties, the American Federation of Labor, inaugurated en organising campaign in the automobile industry...
...j , Trado Union Policies ' The millions of men and women associated with the Amexican Federation of Labor give their service and their money fa support of all the organizing efforts which are pat forth to mate those workers who are not a part of the Aineriofn Federation of Labor economically free so that tbey may unite :sfid and protection...
...The threat of starvation forced the federal government in...
...J*H...
...It organized thousands of workers into federal labor unions...
...As evidence of this fact the building trades, many metal trades and printing trades organizations have been formed into classified craft unions...
...The attempt, therefore, to create an issue upon this question at this time, causing division and discord, is to be deplored...
...Some organizations chartered by the American Federation of Labor have been accorded the right to expand their jurisdiction and authority, while others have asked for and secured the right to limit and restrict their jurisdictional lines...
...The only exception msde fa this grant of jurisdiction was thst of a group of technical workers, tool makers, die sinkers and a limited number of other highly skilled workers, not exceeding two per cent, employed In conjunction with or outside the assembling and production automobile plants...
...In conformity with this general policy, the American Federation of Labor has, on a number of occasions, blended two or more organizations into one so that the workers in the particular industries affected might become subjected to the administration of an industrial form of organisation...
...a4»'«jB|SLf, ferent form of organisation Shan tbey could secure through affiliation with the Amsshsn*?iimNp of Labor, there is nothing, under the sun to stop them from creating such an organization...
...The officers and delegates, coming from their homes and communities with credentials from their constituents, will meet in the fifty-sixth annual convention of the American Federation of Labor fa Tampa, ritleas...
...Along the assembly lines thousands are employed performing routine service, all engaged in the installation of the engines and equipment and fa the construction of bodies, in painting, finshing and upholstering the constructed, finished automobile...
...It is oamsnanty known that fa mill >TsA»fKiin.|n-dustries spotters, stool pigeons •end spies are employed to legemk'baMte management all evidence, asjg INS-cation on the part of faswM» ployees of organizing into bon*_fl*W trade unions...
...It fa jMbnat for those wbo enjoy the hnrtui and blessings of a demo**bc form of government and who •Sceree of a situation in dicta-¦^esaj^nlied governments, where JVo^Soss-' opposition press or Jpjr through which minorities *** tmtejon,teemselvea, no, free-tea ef speech or of assemblage, no WWgstaen of the principle that all ¦fceJdowed^^the^r^reator with these are life, liberty and HPJPeeuit of happiness—and jfffatls'many instances, religious is either curtailed or com-JWr destroyed...
...That fas ana earths cardinsl principle...
...Both forms have been applied and are now being followed in its organizing work wherever possible...
...Hqpaerican Federation of La> ^Mpa.aot imposed upon the ^who eons%rto its Sssbership...
...It recognizes how stern economic facts have required an invasion on the part of the government fate those fields of industrial enterprise which were always regarded as belonging to private initiative snd private control...
...of higher standards of life and living for the masses of the people...
...Then, when they assume they have gamed . the confidence of the Werners, they denounce labor representatives as traitors to the working class...
...All of these workers, regardless of the work they perform or the service they render, are eligible to membership fa the-one organization under'the' charter granted the United Automobile Workers of America...
...They honestly and truly represent th« sentiment and opinion of 'Jps workers when they cast their votes in the convention...
...Working people B*e United States understand J* n^wetr/ welL They-consider •ASlessings of democracy, demo-Procedure and the establish-*2...
...No better- pfcan has Igp offered...
...The jurisdictional authority granted by the Automobile Workers' International Union provided: "That a charter for a national or international union of automobile workers be issued at once to embrace all employees directly engaged in the manufacture of parts (not including tools, dies and machinery) and assembling of those parts into completed automobiles, but not including job or contract shops manufacturing parts or any other employee engaged in said automobile production plants...
...The American Federation of Labor has not at any time attempted nor is it now attempting to apply the one form of organization to the exclusion of the other...
...It is too'much to expect that the loans, made by the government, will be repaid...
...At no point in the existence of the American Federation of Labor has it remained static...
...Nc refusal'to^conform to the decisions of the ftmnrwaa rederetion oi tave participated intiieir deliberaEhprity...
...Organization Policies The organization policies of the American Federation of Labor are based upon a wealth of experience gained during changing social and industrial periods which have taken place within the fast half century...
...Those...
...It is alleged that these unorganized workers are i Isissi bag and fighting and strugAmeriean Federation of Labor fa keeping these esnv 4bssh^« ahsjs-sja' ~1 Audi u. J1iji~i S^W" founded and eiia'aiisstedffijp, facts...
...Industrial Unionism On the other hand, the industrial formof organization was conferred upon the United Mine Workers of America by the American Federation of Labor, and the same form of organization, to a very large degree, was granted to other organizations, such as the garment, textile, automobile, rubber trades and certain organizations of government employees...
...The submersion of their identify would mean the sacrifice of their bargaining power...
...Texas Wogoen Woofa* Earn Starvation Wage* A prosaic report issued by the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor told a story as pitiful as Tom HoeA *4tStmL the Shirt," depicting labor co...
...No sensible, rational person who knows anything about the economic character and industrial construction of the automobile industry wilKfail to realize and appreciate the difficulties which must be encountered snd overcome in the organization of the workers employed fa this involved and highly mechanized industry...
...progressive groups within our national bie...
...The indications are that government ownership of rsfrrnses is inevitable and will ultimately become a reality...
...What dees it show and what does it make clear ? It reveals that in the pursuit of its organization policies the American Federation of Labor has applied both the craft and industrial form of organization...
...In considering this issue, it seems appropriate and necessary to examine the record of the American Federation of Labor...
...Liberal" Critics Bat, 'fastsod, so me so-called radical publications, with editors claiming to be constructively liberal, denounce the American Federation of Labor just as vehemently as they do the most publicly known enemies of freedom, democracy and social justice...
...This operates te^genijjp the workers from otrgaabB^SMMP trade unions...
...If those who publish these so-called liberal periodicals were sincere fa their advocacy of liberalism and social progress, tbey would differentiate in their criticism snd fault-finding between the most reactionary organisations fa the nation and a constructive, progressive movement such as' the American Federation of Labor...
...That is evidently unjust, for men of genius, special skill and training should be accorded the privilege of capitalizing their skill and training to their economic and social advantage as well as to render the highest and best possible service to their fellow-workers...
Vol. 19 • April 1936 • No. 15
