Southwest Washington labor press. [volume] (Hoquiam, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1923-08-31

shop but IN a real American institu-
tion for American workers, maintain
ed under American standards. Prog
ress, justice, and humanity. Those
are the three cardinal principles of
the union label"
Is An American Emblem.
When one stops to consider that
the Union Label Trades Department
embraces 100000 members represent
ing some 40 unions, each with its own
special label or card, or nearly one
fifth of the total enrolment of the
Ameriscan Federation, it is reason
able to assume that the union label
was intended to carry a special mes
sage to workmen everywhere. It car
ries more than message. It gives a
promise to both employer and en-
IplOye of better working agreement.
"The union label is purely an Amer
lean institution" explained Mr. Man
ming. THE movement originated in
the United States to distinguish white
American labor in the cigar making
trade from Chinese coolie labor. 1t
is in very little use outside the United
States. In fact the label disc rimin-
ates against foreign-made goods, and
you might say un-American goods, in
favor Of the real American product.
at is entirely safe to say that the
union label was the forerunner or the
beginning Of the trade agreement as
we have 1t today" Mr.. Manning add
ed, because that label never has been
issued to an employer except when
his employees, through Their represent
atives have the right OF collective bar
gaining. When place Of business
uses the union label or a union shop
card You know it's on 100 per, cent
union basis. The label Is a mark Of
protection for the employer as well
as the employe. 1t is also a health
guarantee to the public.
Helps Fair Employer.
mo goods produced by child labor
or prison convict labor can bear the
union label. All factories that pro
duce union labeled goods are required
to meet the most rigid health and
sanitary standards
and the employer, too, is begin
ming to realize the benefits from the
label" said Mr.. Manning. They are
using 1t in every increasing numbers
He knows for one thing, 1t frees him
from cutthroat competition, because
his competitor who uses the label and
pays the same scale of wages and
maintains the same standards of en-
ployment. Then, too, he is wise enough
to see that the continued and persist
ent agitation for the label Is bound
to widen his own field of business"
Another thing the union label move
ment has done is to put a brake on
the exploitation of women and chill
dren in industry. THE union label is
the everlasting foe of child labor, "
said Mr.. Manning. ut has been a
factor in leveling upward the pay OF
women who perform the same work
as men. In this way it has proved a
protection to their moral and physical
welfare.
origin OF Union Label.
For the head of the family it has
driven away fear of losing his job
during slack periods. By persistent
demands the union label movement
has brought about a larger measure Of
continuity of employment in trades
now using the label. There is not so
much laying off in the dull season.
you will find, also, more peace In
the industry under the label than else
where and the promotion OF friendly
relations and mutual benefits"
The union label had It's birth in
1874, when inaugurated by the cigar
makers in San Francisco as a protest
against Chinese labor. Then a white
label was used. In 1880 the cigar
makers of st. Louis issued a red label.
Later came the blue label OF the pres
emit. From one trade the idea reach
ed gradually into many fields.
The Union Label Trades Depart
ment was first organized in 1909 with
John B. Lennon as its first president.
100 Per Cent Union"
Cooperation has been the secret Of
the success Of the movement. That's
the point we try to drive home" said
Mr.. Manning.
What must one do to be 100 per
cent union label mani" Mr.. Man
ming was asked.
'T'll answer that question this way"
he replied. Practice what you
preach. When you buy a union la
beled shirt get a union labeled collar
to match it. Be unionized from head
to feet. That's cooperation. Garry
It out all down the line, with hat, suit,
shoes, and socks, and keep your trou-
sers up with union label suspenders.
Stand by the label"
Mr.. Manning has been preaching
the union label nationally ever since
1918, when he became secretary
treasurer of the department. Before
then he was general organizer Of the
United Garment Works. of America
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