The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-02-02
A Democratic
Union Y

The local unions of the Information.
al Typographical Union are about 10
nominate candidates for the various
international Offices. Nominations are
made at the regular February meetings
Of the unions. The election will take
place on the third Tuesday in May In
asmuch as the typographical union is
the oldest and best conducted trade
union on the American continent
information as to its methods of self
government will be of particular inter
est at this time.
Many persons outside the ranks of
organized labor are unfamiliar with
the democracy that prevails in almost
all trade unions. AS a democratic
body the International Typographical
Union of North America is a pioneer,
and stands pre-eminent as such in the
organized labor movement.
The typographical union is a free
association of economic equals, men
and women, for be it known women
are admitted to membership in this
organization upon the same basis as
men, one of the cardinal principles OF
the union being equal pay for men and
women for equal service performed.
The international union is composed of
unions scattered throughout the
United States and Canada, and its jur-
| iSLlCtiOn extends from Alaska to the
| Philippines. Each local union admin
! listers its local affairs in conformity
| with international rules and regula-
| tons, said rules and regulations being
! developed by the combined local
unions and administered by Il central
| body known as the executive council
| in the interest of the locals. This eX-
ecutive council is composed of certain
of the international officials. who are
elected by the referendum for terms of
two years.
| When more than fifty years ago rep
/ lesentatives from the unions scattered
/ throughout the United States met and
organized a national body. which de-
yelOped into the present international
Organizutoin. the initiative and refer
cndum were but little known or used.
so that up to about ten ) ears ago the
annual convention. composed of dele
gates from affiliated unions, elected
all of the international officers and
formulated the rules and regulations.
This has now been changed. While
the annual delegate convention is re-
tanned, all OF the international officers
are nominated and elected by the refer
! endum, Legislation is initiated and all
constitutional laws and amendments
must be submitted TO the referendum.
The officers of all local unions art
elected by the local referendum. Il
fact the way in which these men an
women associated in a voluntary Oh
ganization for their collective beneH'
govern themselves is one of the gTea
est expositions of democracy extant
Not only does each local union 90,
EN- itself, but each union shop is q
&anized into a chapel, the members
elect a chairman and secretary. am
such other officers as the may deem.
necessary. depending upon size Of tbs
chapel. The chapel fOImulates and
adopts rules for government Of lis
members and 1t is the duty OF chape
officers to see that all union and Chape
laws are lived up to. These chape'
are not only for the benefit of mem
oers, but are a protection TO the Ell.
ployers, as the members are as zealou
in seeing that the Office rules are oh
served as they are to see that the
union laws are lived up to.
) All members of union have a voic
il the discussion of all matters before