The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-04-05
FOOD union HEAD
GAGS MILITANTS
in OFFICIAL PAPER
Hotel Workers Branch
To Meet Tonight

Inc Selt-Styled 'progreSSlveS' in
control of the Amalgamated Food
Workers Union have finally decided
to adopt franker method of retain
ing the machinery of the national or
ganization, by refusing to permit the
opposition candidates running against
August Burkhardt, for the secretary
treasurership, and other positions, to
state their views to the membership
in the official organ of the union,
"The Free Voice."
Burkhardt Gags Opponent.
Carl Gertig, a member of Local
164, was nominated to run in opposi-
ton to Burkhardt, in a petition pre-
sented to the union organ and signed
with the names of IT'S members.
Neither this nor any other statement
was permitted to be printed in Gree
Voice" by the Burkhardt machine.
Gertig therefore issued a statement
yesterday accepting the nomination
and denouncing the reactionary poll
cies of the officialdom.
After declaring himself for an i'm
mediate organization campaign thru
out the trade, immediate amalgama-
ton with all existing unions, strict
enforcement of union working hours,
wages and other standards, estab-
lishment of democracy and free
speech in our union, Gertig in his
statement continues:
Assails Burkhardt Misleadership.
During the last six years condi-
tions in the Amalgamated Food
Workers Union, under the present
administration, have become so intol-
cradle that it has provoked wide
spread revolt of the rank and file of
the organization. AS an expression
of this revolt, and dissatisfaction with
the present leadership l have been
asked to serve as a candidate for the
position of general secretary-treasur-
er.
Contrary to the usual custom fol-
lowed in past elections, in which can
didates were given full opportunity
to express their views in the official
organ of the union, the Burkhardt
reactionary machine has refused to
permit me to place my views before
the membership. This old, WORKOUT
group of office holders are afraid
that their incompetence will be eX-
posed too openly to the members Of
our organization.
SabOtaged Organization Drive.
"The campaign for the amalgama-
ton of the existing unions in the
baking industry, so that real at
tempt might be made to tackle the
Bread Trust, which is growing every
day, was sabotaged and hindered in
every possible way.
GAS result of this suicidal policy,
our fellow workers in the Interna-
tional, who should be fighting Shout
der to shoulder with US against the
Bread Trust, are being asked to
picket the Amalgamated shops. This
chaos is the direct result of the
Burkhardt policy, and can only lead
to strife between the two organiza-
tions, from which the bosses will
benefit.
"The policy of seeking injunctions
against brother bakers unions in the
capitalist courts can only lead to fur
Their division in the ranks of the bak-
cry workers.
"The eight hour day is not en-
forced and we find that our members
are compelled to work 9, 10 and even
II hours a day.
Demand Militant Leaders.
"Our Free Voice. which should be
an organization medium and a stimu-
lator for the activity of the union, has
become dry, dead sheet, in which
the membership is not permitted to
participate.
Hotel Workers Meet Tonight.
The Hotel and Restaurant Workers
Branch of the Amalgamated Food
Workers Union is to hold a meeting
tonight at which elections for ma
tional officers will also take place.
All members are called by the union
leadership to participate in the cleo
tons.
This branch of the union several
days ago passed resolution con-
demning Secretary-Treasurer Burk-
hardt for the arbitrary and undemo-
cratic measures he and his followers
have taken in order to perpetuate
themselves in office. The resolution
also calls upon the membership to re-
place the reactionary leadership Of
the national union with leadership
that will conduct a struggle to or
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