The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-06-21
| entirely destroy their usefulness to the

! ent4re!yf 0estrOy@ Inelr u6eIulneSe 10 the
workers. 80 ':>
g. No Democratic Organization
Permitter: It is common knowledge
that, in order for the workers to ar
rive at a.; ,uniform understanding
| through the standardization and FORM
ulation of their grievances and de-
mands, it is necessary for them to en-
joy and practice the rights of free
Speech free assembly and free asso-
citation. They must conduct an elab-
crate series :of meeting under their
own control, and genarlly carry on
their business in a democratic organ
lied way: But with the company
union system this is impossible All
independent organization and meet
ings are prohibited on pain Of dis
charge. Consequ emily the. workers
| are kept voiceless and destitute OF
program. They are deliberately held
down to the status Of mob. Under
such circumstances, intelligent, az
gressive action by them is out Of the
question.
3. Intimidation of Committeeman:
AS part Of the general plan to keep
their company unions from being of
any possible service to their Employees,
it is customary for the companies to
summarily discharge committeeman
who dare to make a stand in behalf
of the workers, The records show a.
multitude of such cases. Being I'M
! organized, the men are powerless to
defend their representatives. The
natural consequence is that the COM
mitteemen soon degenerate into
groups Of men supinely subservient
to the wishes of the company and
deaf to those of the workers.
4. Expert Assistance Prohibited
When dealing with their employees in
any manner, employers always thor
oughly safeguard themselves by en-
listing the aid Of the very best brains
procurable. The only way the work.
ers con cope with this array Of ex-
perts is to have the help Of expert
enced labor leaders, but under the
company union system this is impos-
sible. All association with trade union
officials is strictly prohibited. The
company reserves to itself the right to
expert assistance. AS a result the
green workers. committee. already
| weakened in a dozen ways is left
practically helpless before the experts
upon the company's side.
5. Company Union Lacks Power
In establishing wages, hours and work.
ing conditions in their plants. employ
ers habitually use their great econom-
ic power to enforce their will. There
fore to secure just treatment. the only
recourse for the workers is to develop
! nnuyor crua11v stronc and 1or.
front their employers with it. Unless
they can do this thereir case is hope
less. In this vital respect, the COM
pany union is complete failure. With
hardly a pretense of organization, I'M
affiliated with other groups of work
ers in the same industry, destitute of
funds, and untitled to use the strike
weapon, it is totally unable to enforce
it's 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.
It can make no effective fight for
the men.
6. Company Diverts Aim 49, AS
though the foregoing practices were
company unions. the employers make
assurance doubly' sure by seing to it
that their committees ignore the vital
not enough to thoroughly cripple the
needs Of the workers and confine
themselves to minor and extraneous
matters, such as fake safety-first
movements, problems Of efficiency,
handing bouquets to high company Of
ficials, etc. Dis cussions of wages
hours and working conditions are ta-
boo on pain of discharge for the COM
mitteeman who deres insist upon them
Thus the company unions complete
their record of deceit and weakness by
lodging the labor Question altogeth-
er.
> WHEREAS, In view of the forego-
ing facts. it is evident that company
that they are a delusion and snare
unions are unqualified to represent
the interests Of the workers, and
set up by the companies for the ex-
press purpose Of deluding the work
ers into the belief that they have
some protection and thus have NJ
need for trade union organization
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That we heartily con.
denim all such company unions an6
advise our membership to have moth
! ing to do with them; and. be it fur.
Their
RESOLVED, That we demand thu
, right to bargain collectively through
the only kind Organization fittet
!. for this purpose. the trade union. and
|. that we stand loyalty together unit
|. this fight is conceded us.
|. Referred to Committee on Organi
cation.
CHESTER M. WRIGHT.