The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-08-28
PAINTERS SOLD
OUT IN STRIKE
AT CLEVELAND
Unity Needed in the
Building Trades

CLEVELAND, Aug. 26.--After the
painters had been out on strike since
March /, the strike committee about
ten days ago demanded from the
meeting of the painters full power to
act. The contractors declared that
they could not deal with committee
that had constantly to report back
to the membership and get their ap-
prevail altho this plan had been sat
isfactory to the unions and the strike
committee till that time.
More significant was the demand of
the strike committee when It was
stated by the "Citizens Committee"
representing the contractors and the
open shoppers generally, that there
would be no compromise, that "the
train had left" This was clear. The
contractors had fund of $1,000 900
to fight the painters and glazers. In
addition, vandalism" was raising
hell in Cleveland It was simple for
the contractors to find men who
would engage in breaking windows,
setting bombs, ETC. That is a simple
and general practice, when men are
striking. So all the accomplishments
Of strike in which the employers go
the limit were In motion. To give
the strike committee full power under
these circumstances was serious
mistake.
Several weeks ago the contractors
offered the painters s13O an hour,
51a-day week, which was overwhelm-
ingly rejected. What must have been
the surprise of the painters today
when they read that their committee
did not get $1.S7h an hour, 5-day
week, but gave in to the demands of
the employers, viz, the conditions
that the workers had when they went
out on strike, that is S1.25 an hour,
5lR-day week. In other words, the
workers won nothing, but have lost
everything. Hundreds of thousands of
dollars have been lost in wages and
the union has been decidedly weak
ened.
"PubIic Interest" the Excuse.
This is the accomplishment Of the
strike committee with full powers.
According to the papers, public in
terest, the growth and prosperity OF
the city of Cleveland, the continued
expansion of facilities for the hous-
ing of new industries, seem in the
opinion of the officers of these organ
izations and the business agents of
their district council, to make it de-
sirable that the men return to their
jobs at the old rate of wages"
This Is what was said in the case
Of the building laborers, who after
several months of strike had to re-
turn on the original terms.
Next year the carpenters intend
to make their demands. 1t is high
time for the rank and file of the
building workers in Cleveland to take
matters into their own hands and or
ganize properly. AS already stated
in these columns. they must see to it
that:
What to Do.
/. All agreements of the building
trades terminate at the same time,
May 1.
2. No agreement should be for
more than one year.
8. The two building trades coun-
ellis must be merged without delay
The existence Of the two councils
both affiliated to the A. F. of L. but
only one belonging to the Cleveland
Federation of Labor--is a menace to
the workers.
4. A grievance Of one union must
be regarded as a grievance of all
unions-a stoppage of work by one
must Immediately be followed by stop.
page by all.