The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-01-16
HOD CARRIER HEAD
WRITES OF DUAL
BUILDERS LOCALS
Letter to Pres. Green
Cites Corruption

nor GOV. Al NN1tn OF New ofk can
he expected to maintain the interests
Of the workers, according to new
charges made by Patrick McNieholas,
president of Local 33 Of the Interna-
tional Hod Carriers Union, in connec-
ton with current disclosures of the
corruption Of building trades union
officials.
MeNicholas, who for over IS years
has been forced out by the machine
in various unions only to rise again
through the support of the rank and
file, announces that this time he in
tends to carry his message about
conditions to every building trades
worker in Greater New York.
viii Expose MisIeaders.
Il will show these official job hold
ers and parasites that no amount of
persecution or intimidation can
brighten me into submission" he
stated. "The conditions in the build
ing trades unions and especially in
our International are disgrace to
the labor movement. The employers
with whom these so-called labor lead
ers work hand in hand have taken
advantage of the situation to beat
down the conditions of the building
trades workers to the lowest level
since before the war"
At the same time McNicholas made
public letter which he has written
to Green protesting against TIE for
nation Of dual unions fostered by
the Bricklayers' and Plasterers' Of
ficials Of the city, discrimination on
Jobs against union men and the sign
ing of Illegal agreements by these Of
ficials with the employers over the
heads of bonafide union leaders of
ether locals.
Expects Nothing from Green.
81 have been under no illusions that
President Green would do anything"
McNicholas said. II have protested
TO him merely to be able to show in
lis failure to act a clear instance of
the character Of the official leader
shin Of the American labor movement
today"
The letter to President Green fol-
Lows.
"Sir: l have previously informed
you of the despicable conditions that
exist in New York City. Laborers
are being discharged from their en-
ployment because they refuse to join
a dual union sponsored by disloyal
union officials in this city
Il myself was discharged from my
employment Dec. 10 for the same
cause. This is the third time I have
been discharged over my union card.
Our international officers have
brought charges before the executive
council Of the American Federation
of Labor against the bricklayers' exc
cutive board of New York and also
against the Plasterers' Union. But
we have been waiting for abou& three
snd one half years and nothing has
been done to reetify conditions by the
officials of the A. F, of L.
Officials Must Declare Themselves.
snow, sir, I consider it is high time
we knew whether the officials of the
A. +. Of l.. are going to uphold the
constitution of their organization and
protect US from a gang of corruption
lists. Is it possible that the labor
movement in America has fallen so
low that some Of its members will
have to pay tribute to corruptionists
and scabs and ex-convicts for the
privilege Of working in this country :?
"This is the condition at the pres
emit time. The bricklayers' executive
committee is the chief cause of said
conditions. Yet il is allowed To be a
part Of a union affiliated with the
A. F. Of l..
"We expect the bosses to be against
us. But when members of unions af-
filiated with us are our worst enemies
and are allowed to foster dual unions
and our parent body will not uphold
the laws and constitution and protect
its members, what respect can real
union men have for the officials of
the labor movement who allow such
a rotten system to prevail in their
organization?
Will Fight to the Finish.
Il wish to inform you that am
IN this fight to finish. I ask you
and the officers of the A. F. Of L.
te do your duty, to uphold the laws
Of our Federation and TO assist us.
"If You will do this, I know that
the membership of the A. F. Of L.
viii increase by millions of workers.
! know that in our local field alone
between $4,000 and 10000 laborers
and helpers will be added
"This is certainly something worth
fighting for am hoping to have
en- early reply and assistance. I have
written to Governor Smith, advising
kim Of the violation of laws N this
situation and asking him to uphold
the laws Of the state.
eff ] cannot get redress from the
Federation or the governor the only