Denver labor bulletin., 1916-01-22
The Union Label: Its Inspiration;
Its Accomplishments; Its Possibilities
By MATTHEW WOLL. President Intcrnatioal
Allied Printing Trades Association

as into the cost at which it is sold. 1t
appeals to reason and not to force and
is a medium thru which the public may
enforce its rightful power OF arbitra-
ment between employer and employees
1t is impossible to define the compre-
hensive possibilities OF the union label;
nothing in the whole realm of union labor
is more capable of effective and continu-
Gus unity. To the trade uniouist it is n
constant reminder of their common in
terests and a common duty in and to-
ward each other, and it is unquestion-
ably the most practical agency yet de-
vised to unity and organize all the forces
so greatly divided and diversified into
distinctive units of organization in the
productive field of labor
The realization of the great social and
economic value inherent in the trade
union label, the increasing agitation and
resultant demand for union label prod
ucts, so ably championed and furthered
by the Union Label Trades Department
of the American Federation of Labor and
the International Allied Printing Trades
Association, encouraged and supported
by all its local branches and by many
international and subordinate local un-
ions, is slowly but surely developing
complete understanding and organization
among all trade unionists OF the great
commercial and social value OF their pur-
chasing power, and it is in response to
this realization that great and power
ful union label movement is developing
among the workers of this country
The union label movement has not
been the first to attempt to organize the
purchasing power of labor. Numerous
attempts and many experiments have
been made in the past to organize and
enhance the value of this economic and
social power of the workers. Cooper
ative movements, consumers leagues and
the like have all been due primarily to
this conception of the commercial and
social value of the purchasing power of
the workers. Unfortunately, however
whenever such activities assumed any
degrees of success and became invested
with power and influence, almost invari-
ably instead of cooperating with the
economic organizations Of the workers as
producers, the Influence and power of
these institutions We're perverted into in
struments of oppression and suppression
almost invariably the spirit of CONNER
cialism, rather than feeling of socializ-
ing industry, became the dominant fac
tor.
The union label movement compre-
|
plete harmony and sympathy with the
hopes and aspirations of the workers ex-
pressed in their organizations as produc-
ers. This movement realizes and re-
spends to the possibility of uniting and
co-ordinating all the attributes of labor
into one great comprehensive associated
effort directed to complete democratiza-
tion OF all industries and to ultimately
establish just and fair condition of life
and labor
Trade unionists themselves have for
years responded in some form or other
to this ideal of directing the purchasing
power of labor so sfs to strengthen them.
selves whenever representations were
made to employers which were adversely
received. These activities usually took
the form of a boycott or an unfair list
While these weapons have proven help
ful in specific undertaking, experience
likewise extremely doubtful at present
whether the admonition TO trade union.
lists and their sympathizers to purchase
only union label goods will have such
an immediate and vital effect on the
sales of an unfair firm as will the ad
monition not to purchase the goods Of q
particular firm, it is equally true that a.