The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-07-04

records show a multitude of such
cases. Being unOrganized, the men
are pOWerless to defend their rep
rescntatives. The natural Conse-
quence is that the committees soon
degenerate into groups of men SUI
pinely subservient to the wishes of
the company and deaf to those Of
the workers.
4. Expert Assistance Prohibited.
When dealing with their employ
ecs in any manner, employers al
ways thoroughly safeguard them
selves by enHsting the aid of the
very best brains prOCurable. The
only way the workers can cope with
this array of experts is to have the
help OF experienced labor leaders,
but under the company union system
this is impossible. All association
with trade union officials is strictly
prohibited. The company reserves
to itself the right to expert assist
ance. As a result the green work
ers' committee, already weakened in
a dozen ways, is left practically help
less before the experts upon the
company's side.
5. Company Union Lacks Power
In establishing wages, hours and
working conditions in their plants
employers hahitually use their great
economic power to enforce their
will. Therefore to secure just treat
ment, the only recourse for the
workers is to develop a power equal
ly strong and to confront their en-
ployers with il. Unless they can do
this their case is hopeless. In this
vital respect, the company union is
a complete failure. With hardly a
pretenst of organization, unafihated
with other groups of workers in the
same industry, destitute OF funds,
and untitled to use the strike wea-
DOn. il is totally unable TO enforce
its will, should it by a miracle have
one favorable to the workers. Weak
and helpless, all it can do is to sub
nit to the dictation OF the company.
1t can make no effective fight for
the men.
6. Company Diverts Aim.-As
though the foregoing practices We're
not enough to thoroughly cripple the
company unions, the employers
make assurance dOubly sure by see
ing to it that their committees ig-
more the vital needs of the workers
and Confine themselves to minor and
eNtraneous matters, such as fake
safety-flrSt movements, problems Of
efficiency, handing bouquets to high
company officials, etc. Discussions
OF wages, hours ana WORKING CORNt-
tions are taboo on pain of discharge
for the committeeman who dares 10
insist upon them. Thus the COM
pany unions complete their record
of deceit and weakness by lodging
the labor Question altogether
WHEREAS, In view OF the fore
going facts. il is evident that COM
pany unions are unqualified to rep
resent the interests of the workers,
and that they are a delusion and
snare set up by the companies for
the express purpose of deluding the
workers into the belief that they
have some protection and thus have
no need for trade union organiza-
ton; therefore, be il
RESOLVED, That we heartily con-
denim all such company unions and
advise our membership to have moth
ing to do with them; and, be it fur
Their
RESOLVED, That we hereby con-
right to bargain collectively through
the only kind of organization fitted
for this purpose, the trade union,
and that We stand Loyalty together
until this right is conceded us.
Referred to Committee on Or
ganization.