The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-11-09
Trade Unions Real Power in the Soviet Union
Sole Lawful Representatives of Workers,
They Play An Important Part in Produc-
tion-Code of Labor Laws Recog-
nized Trade Union Power
Participate In All Phases
of Social Activity

Soviets, and in the factor of repre-
sentation on the Soviets. In the cleo
lions to the Soviet from the factories
the participation of the trade unions
in which the workers of the given en-
terprises are organized is obligatory.
At the same time for those categories
of workers for whom voting cannot be
conducted in enterprises commercial
workers, Soviet employees, educational
and art workers. the electoral meet
ings are summoned by electoral COM
missions in agreement with the unions
and must take place under the chair
manship of a representative of the
trade unions. Besides this, prospect
i've of this participation of the union
in the election, there is representation
on the Soviets themselves, not only
of the trade union masses, but also
of the trade union apparatus in each
electoral district (town, province,
uyezd): two from every union and a
definite number from the inter-union
organizations.
Trade Unions Always Represented.
IN the supreme state organs &C. E. G..
Of the U. S. S. R., C. E. c. of the
R S. F. S. R. and other republics) we
find definite representation of the
trade unions, altho the elections are
conducted by the congress of Soviets
personally, and not according to rep
resentation of the separate organiza-
tions. The significance and role of
the unions is so considerable that in
all lists of candidates adopted by con-
crosses there is included a definite
number of trade union workers in
order that the opinion of the workers
may also be expressed thru the appa-
ratus of the unions. In the leading
! organs of the state and economic
structure (such, for instance, as the
Council of Labor and Defense) there
is a representative of the All-Union
Trade Union Center 1.-THE A. U. c. T.
u with full voting powers. In APP
pointing members of the supreme eco
nomic council of the u S. S. R. the
representative nature of the trade
unions is also taken into account and
definite number of members appoint
ed from amongst trade union workers
who upon appointment continue work
ing in the trade union movements
Active Part in Production.
TN the economic field the trade unions
L are invested with no less, if not
more, rights than in connection with
state structure. We have already
pointed out that among the members
Of the Supreme Economic Council the
trade union movement is well repre-
scented. Generally speaking, represen-
tation of the unions in the organ regu-
lating ECONOMIC life and establishing
economic policy constitutes a substan-
tial part of the work of the trade
unions in the U. S. S. R. While not
interfering in the direct administra-
ton of production, the trade unions
take active part in the work of the
leading organs of administration and
construction in the national economic
! system. There is not single union
in the U. S. S. r. which does not
devote a considerable amount of this
time and energy to working out and
testing the plans and projects of eco
nomic construction in the respective
branch of national economy. One may
cite as an example the metal work
ers' union, which takes active part in
celebrating plans for the entire metal
industry of the U. S. S. R.
Labor Code.
| THEREFORE, the code of labor laws
L establishes for the lower organs of
the trade union movement extremely
wide powers for participation in the
construction of national economy.
Article 1853 of the code formulates
their rights in this field in the follow
ing manner:
1.-THE object of activity of the COM
mittee factory or local committee) is:
"(a) Representation and the de-
tense of the interests of the workers
anu bnpiOy0iS WHICH II COAipA ioGos bS~
fore the administration of the enter
prise or institution on all labor and
social questions concerning the work
ers.
"(b) Representation before govern
mental and social organizations.
"(c) Supervision Of the accurate
fulflllment by the administration of
the enterprise or institution of the
established laws on labor protection.
Social insurance, wages, rules of SAM
tation and technical safeguards, etc,
! also cooperation with the state labor
protection organs.
ed Measures for improving the
cultural and material life OF the work
ers and employees.
"(e) Help in the normal process OF
production in state enterprises and
participation thru the respective trade
unions in the regulation and organl'
cation Of the national economy"
Important In other Fields.