The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-06-13
FOSTER WRITES TO METAL
WORKERS CONFERENCE

ly stated, of the actual demands of the metal
workers; against wage cuts against the r.
hour day and for the 7-hour day and 5-day
week, against the speed-up, for the release of
political prisoners, etc. Such demands must
be widely popularized among the armies of
metal workers.
Fight Unemployment.
The very greatest emphasis must be laid
upon the fight against unemployment. The
interests of the employed workers are identi-
cal with those of the unemployed, and all must
make a common fight. The union must join
with its entire forces in the struggle for I'M
employment insurance, the shorter work week.
etc, 1t should utilize all its connections to
build up the great mass convention of unenl-
ployed in Chicago, July As, and actively or
ganize the unemployed workers. Only by the
keenest solidarity and militancy can the work.
ing class make Roadway against the hostile
combination of employers, government and
fascist labor leaders. Hence the union you
are forming must from the outset realize its
position as vital organization that the Trade
Union Unity League is building up. The new
union must actively support the $4,000 men,
bership drive of the T. U. U. L. Every men,
Der should become a reader of the T.UU.L.
central organ, Labor Unity. The conference
should take active steps for setting up the
closest relations with the railroad workers
and coal miners organizations of the TUUL
for joint action
It's Worldwide Fight.
The new union must also take its place in
the great world labor organization, the Red
international of Labor Unions. The confer
ence should elect its delegates to the vitality
important Fifth Congress of the R. l. L. U.
1t should establish the closest working rela-
tons with the metal section of the R. l. L. u,
onI or,z H. s1.I.
metal workers generally.
Your conference should also nav close atten-
ton to the developing war situation The
metal industry plays key role in munition
making. The capitalists are making special
efforts to mlitarize it in every respect in
preparation for war. The conference should
take sharp position against the coming inn
perialist war, warn and unite the workers to
fight it, and seek to secure organization in
the key plants
The metal workers conference, while devot-
ing itself closely to the organization of struggle
around the workers immediate demands, must
not lost sight of the elementary fact that only
by the abolition of capitalism and the establish
ment of workers government can the basic
evils affecting the working class be eliminated
This requires the emphatic development of the
everyday fight into broad political struggle
The Soviet Union, with its glorious achieve
ments in building Socialism despite the attacks
of hostile capitalist world, is the inspiration
and model of the revolutionary workers every
where in the United States, as we'll as in revo-
lutionary China and India. The new union must
realize the wonderfully inspiring effect upon
the workers of the great successes of the Soviet
Union, and utilize this fully in organizing them.
Above all, it must unite these working masses
to defend the Soviet Union in the threatening
war against it by the imperialist powers
The need for organization is urgent among
the metal workers. You have to face the most
gigantic and ruthless combinations of capital in
all parts of the industry, such as the United
States Steel Corporation, General Motors Com
pany, International Harvester Company. Cen
eral Electric Company, etc. These great COM
blnes stop at no act of terrorism to increase
their exploitation of the workers The govern
ment everywhere is their tool In fighting
such powerful organizations, the new union of
metal workers has big task But if it fol-
lows the line laid down by the RIL.U. it can
make successful fight. 1t will build great
labor organization which can defend the metal
workers interests now, and half prepare tbs
way for the final overthrow of capitalism by
the working class
The other members of the unemployed dele
cation here in this jail-Comrades Minor,
Amter, and Raymond-join with me in sending
revolutionary greetings TO your conference and
IN wishig it the greatest success