The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-12-17
APPEAL FOR SWEDISH WORKERS.

has been in progress in Sweden, and
the issue at stake is the very life of
the labor movement of that country.
Because of the sharply defined class
divisions in Sweden and the lingering
influences of the old feudal system, the
development of the Swedish labor
unions has been exceedingly difficult,
but withal they have steadily fought
their way and gained. The last ten
years, however, witnessed a consider
able impetus in the interest of the
workers in the unions, and this has been
the period of their greatest progress
and growth The period of prosperity
experienced between the years 1900 and
1907 was favorable to their success. and
the labor organization became great
power in the defense and advancement
of the conditions of the workers. The
growing strength and aggressiveness Of
the unions brought about the counter
organization of employers, and their
antagonism was centralized into for
midable force through the means OF
their three large associations, namely,
the Central Employers Association, rep
resenting the building industry, employ
ING 100000 men; the Machine Shop
and Iron Ship Builders Association,
employing $4,000 men, and the Swedish
Employers Association, representing all
the large industries, employing $4,000
men The panic and industrial de-
preston beginning in 1908, considerably
weakened the strength and resources of
the unions, and the Swedish Employers
Association endeavOred to turn these
conditions to its advantage in its effort
to disrupt the unions. For the past two
years the threat of a general lockout
has been held over the heads of the
worklnen when any advance was made
them. either of defense or Tor
the ameloration OF conditions. Early IN
1909 some of the employers put into Ell
feet a reduction in wages. strike
involving 400 men was declared
against it. The Employers Association
served notice on the officers of the or
carnations that unless the men res
turned to work under the reduction in
wages there would be a general lockout
The men on strike refused to return TO |
work, and the association carried out
its threat and locked out 10000 men
This violent attack portended more
than was involved in the local dispute,
and the unions recognized it as clear
declaration of war from the employers
The situation had reached the stage
where. in order to maintain the or
carnations and the labor movement, the
attitude and demands Of the Employ
ers' Association had to be combated'
The organized wage workers realized
that all that had been built up, after
wears Of effort, and at great sacrifice
was at stake. Therefore, instead OF
submitting to the lockout, the organiza
tions of labor answered it by general |
strike. and 100000 men Joined those al
ready locked out.
Because of the magnitude of the
strike it was necessary for the unions
of Sweden to appeal to the workmen
of other countries for financial assist
ance. Nessrs. Clause f. Thohn and
Sandgren were sent as delegates to this
country. and in furtherance of his mis-
sion. Mr. Tholin appeared before the
recent convention of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, held in Toronto
Ontario. Canada, November 500, 1909,
where he addressed the delegates upon
the subject Of this struggle. His adj
dress was supplemented by statements
by President Gompers and Delegate
John p. Frey, of the Iron Molders
Union. who was fraternal delegate to
the last meeting Of the British Trades
Union Congress; they We're in Europe,
and had opportunity to learn the facts
at first hand from the representatives
of the labor movement of Sweden, and
both substantiated the great Justice and
merit of the strike.
A special committee was appointed at
the Toronto convention to consider the
appeal of the Swedish workers for fl
nancial assistance, and in accordance
with its report and recommendation the
convention directed that an appeal be
issued and forwarded to organized Ia
Dor for immediate financial assistance
for our Swedish brothers.
Every phase Of the struggle merits
our earnest consideration and support
While separated by great distance from
the workers there, yet their cause and
the principle for which they are con
tending the right TO organize, to rem
edv their just grievances, and to secure
70 the toilers a fair share Of the fruits
Of their labor. are identical with the
aims and aspirations of the organized
workers of America Their splendid
fortitude and courage in the face OF the
adversely Of this prolonged struggle
proves their loyalty and devotion to the
cause of labor and it is evident that
nothing short of starvation will enforce
their surrender. The struggle has re-
solved itself into a test of endurance,
and the hope was expressed by the con
vantion that the amount contributed by
A-aIo ,,piou movement