The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-10-16
WE REFUSE TO I YORK
WITH. NON UNION MEN

+ 49, NNsvv - AN&A
WITH NON. UNION MEN |
The question why. union men re-
fuse to work with non-union men, il
mooted one. It has been discussed
from time to time from all Viewpoints
and angles, Some people seem ia
think union men have no right to take
such action, It must be remembered,
however, that there are two sides ia
every question and this one has its
two sides, 53=.4x., .s51 .5.5.. 5 u &.
Nothing educates men and gives
them more confidence In their fellow
beings than constant association with
one another through organization. Ia
this this way, they knw each others wants
share each others ,anxieties-con
tribute to each others necessities and
learn that the trouble Of their fellow
men today may be their own tomor-
row. Together they can strive for the
attainment of the same objects
standing solidly together they win;
otherwise. they invariably lose.
Through labor organizations the
wage workers improve themselves and
overcome the evils they have to con-
tend. with. Ancient ''sistory backs us
up in this statement. From the Ear
onai Of Greece and the Collegia OF
Op1thecum OF Rome down through
the Teutonic and then the English
Guilds, the liberties we have and are
now enjoying. were given to. the
world. # It were not for organization
working men would be reduced prac-
tically to slavery. ~. |.- :. -.
Workmen organize for self-protec-
ton, for better working conditions. for
shorter hours, for increased wages
for, sanitary homes and workshops
for. better things generally. In doing
SO they not only protect themselves
In their daily toll and everyday life
but they protect those who are not
members Of their organization as we'll.
They naturally expect their co-work-
ers to: join with them in obtaining
these things. <,, -" 49,,
. Now, on the other hand. In times
OF trouble, strikes and lockouts, the
non-unionist takes the place OF the
unionist-work any hours, under any
conditions and at any pay, thus max
ing it more difficult for the unionist
to win out. ~
The non-unionist act the part: OF the
strtke-breaker and allows himself to-
be used as club by the employers to
defeat the trade unionist. When the
trouble is over and normal conditions
again prevail, he enjoys the increase
In wages and the reduction in hours
OF toll won by the union men.
He is not. entitled to. these things.
He did not establish them. He did
not even help in any way to establish
them. He opposed them. They. there
tore,~ don't belong 4 to him by any
means y; w. Z; They belongs solely to. the
union man, and when a man takes
that which is not his, he is not looked
upon as an honest man. It is quite
natural then that union men who have
sacridced time and money, and stinted
and starved themselves and their tam.
lies In order to establish better con-
.dlttons should feel offended not. onlv
at the, lack of sympathy OF the non,
union men, but their positive refusal,
to assist them in obtaining conces-
sions for their mutual benefit and pro-
lection 1 - 81 IT. u.
It l. qdRs natural; too tor tie ii
union men IS feel resentful toward
the non-union men in their determt-
nation to remain outsof the: union
thereby leaving them, free I'd, continue.
their, despicable work OF strike-break-
ing and keeping the wage workers
ground down. It is hardly possible
under these conditions that union men
will take kindly to-; and work with.
non-union men without raising ob1ec-
tons Of some kind. Therefore, when
non-union men are found working
on a"job the union men absolutely re-
fuse to- work with them. Such action
is said to be un-American and tnhu.
man, but let me ask: It is un-Ameri-
can to ask and fight for increased
wages better working conditions and
the like? Is it intpman? Nothing OF
the kind. e: 49,
Those who have not the spirit of
self-defense In their makeup are not
worthy of better things and should be
stunned. They are Stunned, and
proof Of 1t is shown when the union
man refuses to work with them,-
Frank Duffy, in The Carpenter.