The daily worker., 1925-07-03
CONN. TEXTILE
STRIKERS GAIN
PART VICTORY
Hold Ranks Solid; Co.
Signs Agreement
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by Meekan, the manager. First, all
OF the strikers were to be taken back
without discrimination Second, the
company and committee OF the men
were to draw up method Of settling
disputes. Third, girls were to get the
same pay as the men. Fourth. No
worker was to be compelled to work
two of the 4 wide looms, without his
consent
The Terms.
An advance was made, when the
girls were promised the same pay as
men. How TO handle disputes has not
been settled. Before this, when the
representative OF the men went to the
foreman, he was often told that these
matters were beyond the power OF the
representative. Now, at least, in
theory, the company comedies to the
workers the right to take up with the
responsible manager any disputed
points. And its specifies that it will
meet with a committees OF the men
TO decide how disputes shall be ad-
justed. If they fail to agree, the mat
ter hangs in the air. What should
have been settled by the past-strike
may have to be settled by another.
The wage increase of 10 per cent,
was dropped. Many men felt that the
strike should have been continued,
until the wage increase was granted,
but there was no unanimity on this
point
Not Compelled to Work on 2 Looms.
Last and most important is the 2
loom system on the wide loom. The
strike was called primarily to abolish
this evil. Of the two loom system. No
such prohibition appears in the agree
ment signed by the company, an orr
ginal copy Of which was seen by the
writer. The agreement merely states
that no worker may be compelled to
work 2 looms Of the 4 wide.
This is a victory for the strikers as
individuals. But the company will
try to divide the workers, by offering
bonuses for such work; it can bring
in outside men. Again, the company
can ask weavers to run 2 Of the
wide looms and thus get increased
PROFITS for the company The COM
mitteemen interviewed by the writer
: on Sunday at their picnic (which was
huge success) believe that they can
hold the ranks of the men solid. and
iefeat any attempt by the manage.
nent to continue the 2 loom system
IN the wides.
Splendid Fight.
1t was the spirit of solidarity dis
played by the men that accounts for
he company coming to some agree
nent. Last January, the company
made a verbal agreement and violated
t. This time, the management was
compelled to put it down in writing.
.ast time, only the weavers were out.
his time, the entire weaving depart
aent A forward move.
One would have liked to see the
trikers get all of their demands But
hey were recruits, many entirely new
, Industrial struggle. The commit
se realizes that they did not get all
hey wanted, that there are loopholes
hich the company will try to use;
nd they are therefore urging the men
, stick to their Weavers' club and
oomixers' Club. The strike has
oubled the number of dues paying
lembers in the weavers' club. Their
resent struggle will mean greater
onfidence of the strikers in them
lives, and greater endurance in long
struggles.
Prepare Now.
There is no doubt that the company
Ill try to get around the agreement
I'd nullify II. The workers will be
the watch. 1t is of the greatest
iportance that closer relations be
tablished between loomfixers and
savers; the two clubs must be COM
ned. Had they belonged to one or.
nization, the loom system would
We been abolished, without any
ubt. 1t is not too late. II must be
ne, and done quickly. And the other
,rkers in the plant must be drawn
o the organizations.
The fight is not over. 1t has Just
gun. The company, like all capital
firm, will watch for the moment
lower wages, worsen conditions in
shop, lengthen hours, etc 1t will,
the first opportunity, reduce the
rkers' committee to nothing II
Il seek to regain the full right to
adle all questions, without inter-
ence from any workers committee.
e foreman may again become the
rs.
Must Unite.
We must be ready. We must unite.
must unite the workers in Blum