The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-02-08
Expose Hidden Deal
To Win Bosses Aid


A third point in the supplementary
contract is that, whereas in the past
a firm had to gain the unions con-
sent when it changed from week
work to a piece-worll basis, this
change may now be made at any time
at the discretion Of the boss.
Fourth, the union has given up the
demand for four hours pay when
holiday falls on Saturday. And fifth,
the union agrees to abolishing the ] 3
per cent extra pay for temporary
workers.
When these terms are added ia
those which have been announced by
the union, the result is a most con
vincing proof Of Sigman's determine
ton to wreck the union in order tt
keep himself in power.
But. accordins to reports at lac
nights meeting Of sNop ,h. ,,~nen, %.
these tactics are proving uI,ssro cess.
full.
MANY workers." sail Zimmerlr~e
"who have registered Nth the )"
ternational, are coming to thor J
calls, turning in their blue books az
asking for union books. They s"y
they do not want to belong to a sen
agency, and did not understand thr'
in registering they had allied them
selves with that sort of group"
Louis Rosenthal, chairman of the
meeting explained to the workers that
they would be fully protected in their
refusal to register with the Interna-
tional; II any worker is discharged
for this cause, his shop win immedi-
ately be called on strike and the boss
will be made to settle the matter d.
rect with the authorized union repre-
sentatives and Joint Board business
agents.
One Of the business agents, Isadorc
Weissberg, explained that the con-
tractors association had announced
that their representatives could not
visit shops only with International
bushes agents; yet he had been going
I'm and out of shops all day and the
bosses dealt with him withoutN any
argument or protest.
Members Join In Discussion.
The meeting was thrown open for
discussion from the floor and num-
Der of union members spoke, among
them Charles Klein, Sam Chester and
Joseph Kugler.
Louis Hyman, manager Of the Joint
Board, also discussed the terms of
Sigman's agreement and explained
that since it was not valid until the
dressmakers had ratified it, it would
never be valid at all.
"They have not dared, and they
never would dare to bring such an
agreement to the dressmakers" said
Hyman. "They know that the work
ers would never listen to such terms
as the abolition of extra pay for
overtime, the abolition of guaran-I
teed minimum for piece workers; the
two weeks trial period and all the
other points that Sigman has relin-
quished.
"The international was not au-
thorized to conclude an agreement, it
has never been ratified by the mem
bers, and it will never be accepted for
it is a direct betrayal of the interests
Of the workers"
The dressmakers voted unanimously
to take part in the mass meetings
which have been arranged for
afternoon, to begin the
nationwide protest against Judge
Otto Rosalsky's sentencing Of the 16
cloak strikers.
Last nights meeting closed with
the. passing of the following resolu-
ton, which was unanimously adopted:
Whereas, Sigman, HICKMAN &
Company, have concluded an agree
mont with the Dress Contractors. AS
ISOLATION without any authorization
from the dressmakers, giving up to
the bosses the most important union
standards and conditions which the
have secured through
years of bitter struggle; and
Whereas, this agreement has never
been submitted to the dressmakers
for consideration or ratification;
Therefore be it resolved, that we
the shop chairmen Of the dress in
dustry assembled at Webster Hall, on
Monday, February the 7th, unani-
decide to disregard the agree
ment concluded by Sigman, without
our knowledge or consent; and
Be it further resolved, that we con-
tinue to ignore the order issued by
Sigman together with his business
agents and bring our complaints, pay
our dues and recognize only the bust
ness agents of the Joint Board, who
have been elected and authorized by
the dressmakers. to serve as our
representatives. We further pledge
to stand solidly with the Joint Board
until our present struggle has been
crowned with victory for the dress.