The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-11-21
Continued from page II.

Why the smuggling and terrorism in
Chicago?
Why Was Chicago the Best?
Our officials are forever Boosting of
the fact that Chicago is the best unit
in the Amalgamated. We have a unit
ed organization, plenty of money to
carry on future wars" Not at all
like New York.
AS to the few 'left wingers" as they
are called: "They do not amount to
anything" say the officials.
I'VE need not pay any attention to
them," say the officials. But, again,
why have our members been slugged?
To answer this question we must go
back little into the history of about
20 months. alias
Up to about two years ago the Anal,
gamated in Chicago has had more or
less of an aggressive policy
Old Policy Of Struggle.
If a demand for a cut in wages
came along, the membership knew
about it and a fight was put up.
If the employer tried to put some
thing over on the workers, our shop
chairman or business agent was on
his feet to put up battle
Our impartial machinery function
ed more or less within the realms of
the agreement The officials, gener-
ally, saw to it that our agreement was
put into effect
When The Change Began.
Ever since President Hillman came
forward with his reimbursement policy
some 20 months ago, the union policy
took a different turn. That was the
key to class collaboration to stop put
ting up a'strong defence for our con-
ditions and, instead, to settle all diff
ferences, thru negotiations, bargains,
etc.
In other words-our officials put
forward this soft-pedal policy of COM
promise.
Nice Name for Bad hlnes.
What followed from this sort of
policy was just this: Readjustments,
which are another name for wage
cuts.
These were put into effect, all work
ers being affeced by it. Our shop
chairmen no longer fought in the
shops for the workers with the same
vigor as before.
Our business agents no longer
cared as before to take up our COM
plants, often stating, "Oh, what's the
use? Wen lose out anyway. You
should be satisfied that you have
job"
No Longer Impartial"
Our impartial machinery was also
affected by this policy, and in every
decision handed down, partially was
written all over it, in favor of the
employer.
When the First of May came along
new agreement was signed. and at
our ratification meetings we were
told that this agreement is the same
as that of three years ago.
But we soon found out that not
only are wages being cut by the wa,
OF "readjustments,' but actual
straight cuts we're taking place. as in
Alfred Decker C Cohen's shops. and
others.
We found that certain promises
were made to employers that we did
not know of at the time we ratified
this new agreement.
Even Cutters Are Cut
The cutters, who until last Nav
were more or less immune from this
wage cut readjustment policy, found
themselves in the same condition as
the tailors. They are today produc.
ing from five to ten per cent more
work for the same wage.
Those of us who had courage N
stand up at local and shop meetings
demanding explanation for this lacr
OF lighting policy on the part of the
officials, were called "destrovers y
"disrnpters," and traitors to our
union" W
Not Easy.
IL may be said that II is NOT easv
Tor our membership these DAYS TO
fight for their interests in locals. Our
membership today fears more the Of.
hcials OF the union than they do the
employer, because to fight in local, to