Workers of the World

...In contrast with its previous practice, the AFL now cooperates freely with socialistic European unions, but feels that even the ICFTU "is not always vigorous enough in combating Communism...

...Reviewed by Mark Starr Educational Director, International Ladies Garment Workers Union When the First International was launched over 100 years ago in the days of the Communist Manifesto, it had all seemed so simple...

...Lorwin thinks that the ICFTU leaders are troubled by the fact that the AFL carries on activities in Europe and Asia independently instead of working through regional ICFTU offices...

...A dynamic industrialism and national traditions make organized labor in the United States impatient with 'ultimate goals.' The general guiding ideas of American labor are to enlarge its share of the national income, to enhance the social responsibilities of industry, to develop democratic industrial relations, and to play a larger role in national life generally...

...Here is the record of the CIO's ill-advised and short-lived membership in the ICFTU at the instance of Sidney Hilhnan, and the subsequent formation of the ICFTU...

...Unions are increasingly participating in the intergovernmental agencies of the United Nations...

...Reformism in Europe, however, faces revolution in the other continents: "The reformist labor organizations face a new problem as a result of the entrance on the international scene of the labor movements of Asia, Latin America and Africa...

...The use of the international auxiliary language, Esperanto, is again receiving support as an important means of creating mutual confidence by removing the curse of Babel...

...We now see the colossal obstacles to world labor unity posed by centuries-old cultural differences...

...Workers of the world, discarding the chains of their wage slavery, would rise from hell to heaven...

...This struggle between the ICFTU (the free trade unions) and the WFTU (the Soviet-dominated unions) for the support of unions throughout the world gives great importance to the last three sections of the book...

...Currently, Lorwin says, pragmatic and social-reformist tendencies are growing in strength in Western Europe...

...The international labor movement cannot be the sole or primary agency for eliminating exploitation and war, but, as Lorwin shows, it can be an indispensable partner in building a "free international society...

...These movements differ in a number of ways, but they have one feature in common: They are influenced in varying degrees by nationalistic and revolutionary ideas and attitudes which are reactions to agrarian and industrial backwardness, extremely low levels of living, conditions of colonialism, and memories of previous dependence on foreign powers...

...Who could have imagined the nightmare of Black and Red Fascism, with the latter even taking over the International song as its own nationalist anthem...

...Who could have foreseen the bitter internal rivalries of the succeeding Internationals, the two catastrophic World Wars, and the present threat of World War III and cosmic suicide...

...He soberly recounts the history, policies and outlook of the international political associations, the international associations of unions in specific industries, and the general associations, such as the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU...

...While not in accord on all issues, American and West European labor movements share the desire to make international labor organizations an independent and effective force for practical and peaceful international cooperation...

...In his new study--an up-to-date version of his definitive Labor and Internationalism, published a quarter of a century ago--Lewis L. Lorwin spends no time on what-might-have-been...

...Thus, it will give practical expression to Abraham Lincoln's declaration that "the strongest bond of sympathy, outside the family relations, should be one uniting all working people of all nations, tongues and kindred...

...The irregular development or world industry, the strength of nationalism in trade and culture, many workers' identification with their employers in the effort to retain tariffs and competitive advantages, varying ideologies--all these are serious obstacles to effective labor internationalism...

...Nevertheless, international agencies increase and an international economy with industrial and political cooperation grows slowly but surely...

...As a result, these movements swing back and forth between cooperation with and opposition to the pragmatic-reformist international labor organizations of the Western world...

...Ruthless employers would rapidly drive the workers into worldwide unity...

...Never before has there been such an exchange of union groups and individual members...

...The role of American labor and the general problem are thus defined: "The West European labor movements are now reinforced by American organized labor, which is becoming an increasingly influential factor in the international labor movement...

...After the final conflict, a new epoch would begin...