The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-08-19
(By a Progressive Worker.l


1t is already twenty months since
Shiplacoff has become manager of
the Pocketbook Workers Union.
1t is twenty months since Wolinsky
was forced out of office, not by those
heading the administration, but by
an outside investigation committee.
The members of the Pocketbook
Workers Union thought, though the
progressive workers warned them to
the contrary, that with the absence of
Wolinsky they would be able to
breathe freely. The progressive work
ers kept on stating that it was not
enough that Wolinsky should go from
the union but that the whole clique
must go with them.
But unfortunately the clique did
remain in office. 1t learned the trick
of forcing itself upon the member
ship.
For twenty months Shiplacoff has
been the mouthpiece of this irrespon-
sible group, trying to break the back
bone of the membership. There has
been twenty months of misleading
misrepresentation and ruthless sup
preston of the membership.
Lined Up With WolI.
Search however hard we may, we
cannot find a single act committed
by this administration that should
point to the welfare of the member
ship. Let us for a moment ignore
Shiplacoff's connections with the Sig
man, Vol and McGrady bunch--a
group whose reputation as labor fax
ers and union breakers is admitted
by every honest and class-conscious
worker. Let us see what's doing in
the pocketbook shops.
Systematically and without any in
reference of the union representa-
tives the employers are reducing the
wages of the week workers to a star
walton minimum. It is we'll known
fact that the minimum wage for the
week workers guaranteed by the
agreement is generally becoming the
maximum. There is silent agree
ment among the employers not to
engage worker without the permits
sion of his previous employer. Should
a worker leave his shop after a raise
has been refused to him, he soon
finds out that he is not living in the
land of the free and the brave. He
must either go back to his old place,
or wait for weeks for another job.
After a worker has been starved out
for weeks, he gives up the idea of
raise and contents himself with his
previous wages. The officials know
that but do nothing to put stop to
this sort of black listing.
Piece Worker Hit.
The piece worker, barring the
small trainers section whose work
cannot so easily be bought or con-
tracted in shyster shops, are helpless
against the price ,slashing campaign
carried on by the employers. The
piece workers are forced with their
backs to the wall and must choose
one of two things: Work for prices
the employers offer them or walk the
street. 1t does not mean that the
manufacturers give up their business
when their prices are not accepted.
Oh, no! They get their products thru
buying and contracting, despite the
fact the agreement forbids such prac-
tice during a time when their work
ers are not fully employed.
Aided Scab Nests.
Shiplacoff may boast that dozens
of scab nests were organized during
his administration. The results of
such organization work should serve
as check upon the buying and con-
tracing evil But those workers who
have suffered from this evil for the
last few years are still suffering
Why? Because these organized"
scab nests remain scab nests with his
permission. Union conditions never
entered there and never will as long
as union has such irresponsible
leadership. The manufacturers know
that the present leadership will do
nothing to prevent them from buying
and contracting merchandise pro-
duced in scab nests at the expense Of
starving the "inside" workers.
Suspends Militants.
Dozens of workers-honest con-
scientious union men were suspended
deprived of their union rights and
privileges, so that the bosses may
use their victims as a means to crush