The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-10-26
BUILDING TRADES
WORKERS SCORN
BETRAYAL
Progressive Group for
Militant Unionism

The Progressive Building Trades
Workers group are distributing thou
sands of leaflets throughout the city
telling building trades workers they
were betrayed in a recent agreement
signed with the Building Trades EN-
ployers Association.
The leaflet quotes extracts from
the agreement prohibiting strikes or
stoppages and discrimination against
scab-made material. On the other
hand, according to the agreement, the
employer is at liberty. to employ or
discharge whomsoever he chooses.
"Under this agreement" the leaflet
continues, members of the Building
Trades Unions are compelled to han
die non-union material and in most
cases in violation of their union con-
stitution or trade rules. Such as the
use of non-union electrical appliances
by the electricians or non-union trim
by the carpenters.
Discharge Union Men.
''The employers have the right to
rush US as much as they please and
the privilege to discharge the best
union men or even the shop or job
steward who enforces union condi-
tions. Speed up is more and more be-
coming the order of the day.
"There are tens of thousands of
unorganized building trades workers
such as plumbers helpers, laborers,
parquet floor layers and those en-
gagged in alteration and maintenance
work. In times of strike, they are
utilized to defeat us. Nothing is done
to organize them.
"The only effective weapon we
have for defense, the right to strike,
is prohibited. In case one trade calls
a strike, other trades would be COM
PEELED to work with non-union men
and scabs. If all the trades cannot
give protection to one or more trades
in the maintenance of or better of
their conditions, then we will find our
selves in the position of being defeat
ed one at time by the United Build
ing Trades bosses, as for instance,
the plumbers of Brooklyn.
"The overwhelming demand for the
five day week and the S14 day was
entirely ignored.
Nothing is done against the
wholesale violation of the agreement
with our unions by the employers.
Our membership is heavily fined for
the least violation of our rules but
the bosses are not forced to abide by
the agreement.
"In the light of the above, John
Halkett, successor to Brindel as head
of the Building Trades Council, con-
siders the renewal Of this agreement
victory for the building trades
workers. But let US look at more
facts.
Brother building trades men: Con-
denim this agreement. In place of
this shameful surrender we must de-
mand:
81. The five day week and the
fourteen dollar day.
"2. The unconditional right to
strike when the principles of organ
lied labor as well as union standards
are involved.
"3. One building trades council to
comprise all the building trades
unions with agreements to be of
uniform character and to expire at
the same time.
For Job Control.
"a. Job control to eliminate the
hire and fire system. This would
abolish rushing and give us power to
enforce union conditions.
SO. Union made material to be
used on all jobs.
sc. The organization of the unor-
gained.
"Our slogans are:
"More unity!
"On with the five day week and
the $14 day!
Con with better union conditions on
the jobs!
Down with all who approved this
treacherous agreement!
Down with Halkettismw