General Strikes Possible in 1 oledo And Twin Cities as Workers Battle Police and Specials; Militia Ready
LABOR SECTION General Strikes Possible in 1 oledo And Twin Cities as Workers Battle Police and Specials; Militia Ready Police Get Taste of Own Medicine as Scabs H u r l Tear Gas Bombs. •...
...They have battled valiantly for the past week against augmented forces of police, specials assigned to scab trucks, and socially prominent bond salesmen, wealthy Idlers and former football heroes who thought It a lark to help break a strike...
...But what do we look like when we realize that while we're picketing with the strikers, getting beaten up for them, fellow members of theirs—affiliated with the AFofL through another craft union—are working away in the very •ame theatre...
...While company unionism is a serious problem to many labor organizations, we suffer very little from it in our industry...
...The accounts of the struggle for better conditions of the workers in Toledo and Minneapolis tell their own tale...
...Today we are returning to you this,trust of stewardship in the hope that you will judge our endeavors to serve you in the traditional spirit 0^ genuine comradeship and fraternity which always has pervaded the councils of our beloved International Union...
...Once, angered by strikers' boos, he ordered his deputies to clear the court...
...Our task, however, is far from completed...
...Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Toronto, Montreal, St...
...we must continue to consolidate our resources against any emergency t h a t might descend upon us tomorrow...
...Party members and Yipsels are helping...
...Fortunately, today our ranks are united as seldom before and the serpentine voices of disunion and disruption within our ranks have been smothered, let Us hope forever, by their own vicious futility...
...CONVENTION BY QUOTING ITS OWN GXf...
...must know that only the use of political power by the union—as well as industrial power—can help attain the union's objectives...
...The tide may have turned to a degree in favor of labor . . . But the bridge toward economic security is far from crossed...
...A general strike to back up the automotive workers has already been sanctioned by one third the local unions...
...Gas Is no respecter of persons, and a couple of policemen went to the hospital and even the mayor got a whiff of the scab gas...
...report points out, in many fields—in collective bargaining, in educational, recreational and h ^ l t h work, in enlisting public spirited agencies in the battle against sweatshops, in taking part as a labor union in community activities, and in helping other labor organizations both here and abroad in their struggles for elementary human rights—the union had suffered both from the 4pfeats inflicted on it by Communist misleadership In New York and from the effects of the depression...
...They've Invaded enemy territory and seen to it that no trucks move...
...Minor industries were organized...
...But when it comes tt> a straight out-and-out battle with the bosses' police and ipeciala, you've got to hand it to our boys—once they're aroused...
...y Sfaff Cerr*tpeiid«iit TOLEDO...
...The members of the G.E.B...
...Something will have to be done, too, about jurisdictional disputes— sometimes even «nthin different locals of the very same union...
...Pioneers, as the G.E.B...
...In 1920, when our union registered its highest advance after the war, we had only 64 local unions, 10 joint boards and 154 delegates...
...A series of events in Chicai:o will conclude on Wednesday night, when the board will go to Milwaukee, the most recent of the millinery markets acquired by the union, to Join In a celebration oi the 100 per cent unionization of that socialistic citj...
...We have today the great opportunity to legislate constiucHvely at our conventidn, imbued u/ith the sole aim and ideal of the greatest good for the greatest number of our membership...
...They've shown the fool bull vcteriins some new trirks...
...Union Gains Recorded "Our international union and its affiliated bodies are today in contractual relations with 37 employer associations in New York and 31 employer associations in various other markets in the United States and Canada, in addition to individual agreements in several cities with employers where no associations exist,—a total of 68 associations," the board will report...
...It isn't only the guardsmen the strikers must fight...
...The word went forth "Prepare for immediate strikes...
...A concerted campaign started in 60 cities...
...Most are employed in the cotton dress and undergarment factories in the Middle and Far West, where they work under the cotton garment code regulations in sharp competition to the organized workers in similar shops in other parts of the country...
...we must never cease organizing and recruiting into our ranks the masses of unorganized workers in our industry who are still half-enslaved by profit-hungry employers...
...We come to this convention representing 131 chartered locals and 13 joint boards located in 56 cities and 16 states...
...I T happened a t a central committee meeting of the Socialist Party in ^ New York...
...In the spring of 1933 a sweeping drive was conducted in the major industries in the metropolis and in out-of-town districts...
...We lire the third largest international union in the American Federation of Labor, with our fighting morale at its highest point and our material resources multiplifed many times...
...Drive Storfs in 60 Cities The oppression of the workers, the ravages of the restored sweatshops, were merciless—in the dress and cloak, in the underwear, children's garment and knit goods trades, in the neckwear, rainwear and corset fields in New York and in other centers...
...Some way out will have to be found or the solidarity of labor doesn't mean a thing...
...So are the strikers and their sympathetic forces, who refuse to bo frightened by talk of militia...
...But there are tens of thousands of workers on women's garments who have not yet been affected by our drives...
...These locals will be represented at the convention by 370 delegates...
...We' must, therefore, keep on building, struggling, strengthening our positions in every sector and comer of our industry...
...EMBATTUD FARMERS" STOOD, BUT LABOR RUSHES IN AMERICAN labor may not know the phrases of the class struggle, * • and,workers may be woefully ignorant ideologically...
...Now the bosses and the boss sheriffs are awaiting the troopers...
...But all arc, atrangely enough, wwking class organizntioiis fighting the industriaL Millinery" Union Executive Board and ILGWU Delegates Convene in Chicago Monday H / I T H millinery local* .reported in all of the larg« millinery centers of the country for the first time in the history of the inl^ernational union, the Cap and Millinery Department of the United Hatters, C»p and Millinery Workers' International Union will celebrate its gains at a series ot evcnlH in various cities...
...Delegates to the Twenty-second Convention of the I.L.G.W.U., we bid you welcome...
...For one craft to continue on the job a t a given plant where another is striking isn't very far from scabbing...
...We have trjed our utmost to discharge our obligations of leadership to the beet of our ability...
...Fellpw delegates...
...Strikers at the Kloclrie Auto-Lite Company plant are determined to hold their ranks, still Arm after a flve-weck walkout...
...WHY NOT ENLIST LABOR TO FIGHT LABOR'S BATTLES...
...The strikers, hungry but full of pep, are In no mood for foolin' and the cops are finding it out...
...In many cases where sweatshop earnings prevailed before, wages were increased twice, four times, and in some instances, even more than that...
...But the question remains, and the A. F. of L. will have to determine that time-honored but never settled controversy...
...The morale of our members at the present moment is at a higher point than ever before in the history of our union...
...While we acknowledge that the NRA ha« been a lever of great benefit to those labor organizations, our own included, wkiek kav« had the foresight and initiative to make the utmost use of the chances offered, we should eipphasi^e here, as we did on many other occasions, that the NRA, standing al<ine, without the enforcement power of a militant labor organization, ^ u l d not have been effective...
...Two years ago, at Philadelphia, you untrusted to us the leadership of this International Union...
...Under the leadership of Max Zarit...
...Militia Ready Police Get Taste of Own Medicine as Scabs H u r l Tear Gas Bombs...
...Over 90 percent of our workers have the 35-hour week...
...Hut they couldif^ do it, so he rescinded his order and the crowd stuck around to boo again...
...The answer to (1) we've given time and again...
...And the sending of state troops, asked for by Sheriff David Krclger, may be the spark that will set the whole thing off...
...Ill ABOUT REACTIONARY UNIONS m ABOUT CONSPIRACIES Of SILENCE pVERY now and then we get parallel letters asking us <1) why we ^ " s u p p o r t so reactionary an organization" as the AFofL and (2) why we persist in criminally ignoring some particular strike situation (the latter usually from someone who resents our not publicizing the particular situation the Communist Party is currently interested in exploiting...
...One other thing should not be forgotten, lest we become overconfident and leave ourselves open to attack...
...LABOR SECTION General Strikes Possible in 1 oledo And Twin Cities as Workers Battle Police and Specials...
...Chicago, the largest of the millinery markets outside of New York, will welcome the general executive board of the department on Monday, May 28, when the board will convene for a thrpcday session...
...Judge Roy Stuart in (Common I'leas Court has been sweating like a day-laborer issuing injunctions against picketers and hearing conUtmpt proceedings against pickets ^ho just can't help violating his Injunrllons...
...We have not completely emerged from the chaos which all but submerged us in the past of not so long ago...
...Experienced campaigners and local organizers were installed...
...We say "Amen" but should like to Add a vrord of prayer, as it were...
...Some are reactionary, some more advnncwl and militant than most Communist paper unions claim to be...
...The spectacle of one local of the restaurant workers' union picketing shops settled by another local of the same union, as is alleged to have happened several years ago, must have been a spectacle to set the gods in the bosses' olympus chortling with glee...
...How about getting them to help...
...ky, president of the department, the board will review the results of t!he various strikes conducted during the last six months to insure the supremacy of the union wherever the millinery trade is conducted...
...O.—With threaU of • general lympathelic atrike hanging over the city, and thouiand* of atrike picketa and union Nympathlxeri resenting the attempt of scabi to get out the work and of police and armed "company employes" to help them, this city will soon l>e an armed camp as the uniforms of state militia begin to tramp the streets...
...In our own industry, we hardly need tell you that without the policing power of the union, the employers would lose no time in converting the codes into scraps of paper...
...The deputies and sensation seekers have tasted a new sensation In the past few days...
...Labor Committee Secretary Altman had called for aid to •triking theatre ushers...
...The result is that the strikers brought bricks and rocks into action as they fell back momentarily...
...Build the Socialist Party and get sabs for The Now hmdtr to Mp build M. Minnesota National Guard Prepares To Help Cops Put Down Truck Drivers 3,700 officcri and men of the Minnesota National Guard, holding •rms in readiness to lnterfereV"as soon as requested by civil authorities," has aroused the resentment of striking truck drivers, who have been compelled to flght for the right to picket and organize...
...We fought and won a historic strike in Chicago, bringing 6,000 dressmakers in, lifting them from sweatshop depths to influence in their trade...
...Up rose an embattled veteran of many such Toluntary battlei with the bosses—^he's all of 20 years old: "We're only too glad to pitch in and help," he said...
...The pictures back up the impression that the wwkers aren't taking a licking lying down...
...Workers' education Vill mean educating the workers to a realization of that fact...
...Wages were increased in our industry from 20 to 25 percent, not counting compensation for the reduced number of work hours...
...THE EDITOT^ COMMENTS MEfTINe U.6.W.U...
...Tiie strikers, with working class spiilinient behind them, have done more than hold their ranks...
...The AFofL is a loo.He federation of autonomous international unions, each of which can set its own tempo...
...TTHE Editor feels that he doesn't have to oomment on the following • passage from the report of the general executive board of the International Ladiaa Garment Workers' Union which will be submitted to the 22nd conventioa of that great union at Chicago Monday, except to say "Amen" solemnly and fervently...
...Especially when the "foolin'" comes in the shape of bolts thrown from the factory, of tear gas bombs hurled by scabs, and of fire hose wielded by specials...
...We come to this convention with a membership of 200,000, as compared with a membership of 110,000 in 1920 and 60,000 in 1932...
...The trade is now over 80 per cent unionized as a result of these efforts, the board will be informed...
...Among other standard labor conditions are: the closed union shop, recognition of the union, elimination of overtime, classification of wage scales for various crafts, and guaranteed minimum wage scales for piece workers, elimination of home work, the right of the worker to his job, and in the event of dismissal, the right of review before an impartial tribunal, and, in the cloak industry, limitation of contractors, labor representition on code authorities in most of our major industries...
...Louis and Cleveland, two of the other cities, V 111 be visited, while members of the board from the western states will bring reports of the milliner^ locals' gains in that part to the 22nd biennial convention ol the International Ladies Garmenl Workers' Union convene here Monday morning, they will be celebrating a jubilee year of change and growth...
...Do two things...
...The 400 delegates will heat from their general executive board a tale of progress and promise which has brought the union to a membership of 200,000 and hat pulled it out of the slough in which it was floundering just two years ago...
...The American Ijegion haii aiitd l>eeii called upon to help enlUt 1,500 members SH special police to preserve the well-known law and order, but so far hasn't rallied to the employers' colors...
...Louis, Kansas City, cities in the Middle West and the South-the union's drive was far-flung and incisive...
...So far four people are in the hospital ns the rciult of the at^ tempt by police and "company employes" armed with iron bars to usher day shift scabs in and out...
...This p^)8l>snd these objectives we must constantly bear in mind as we assembltf'ln-convention, for the twenty-second time in our Iiistory and on the eve of the 36th year of our existence as an international union, in the city of Chicago...
...We rehabilitated the cloak and dress unions in Cleveland," the union's executive board will report at the conv?ntion...
Vol. 17 • May 1934 • No. 63
