The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-11-27
Rv E. B. HUDSON

IN the early part of october the Marine Work.
ers' Industrial Union called a strike of long
shossmen in the Port of Philadelphia This
strike failed because there was no organizational
basis for it; no committees Of action no strike
vote was taken, no workers involved in the strike
committee or the preparations for the strike;
and because the local organizers attempted to
apply the strategy and tactics of the I.W.W. to
the situation.
In July, as a result OF past mistakes, program
of action was worked out calling fol a campaign
to develop a strike upon the expiration of the
lila. agreement in September For three months
continuous agitation for strike and against
renewal of the agreement was carried on
During the end of September the work was
intensified and additional forces we're drawn
into the port Because Of the past agitation and
the fact that the agreement was being renewed
the organizers d ananded that immediate action,
a strike, be taken
While there was no organi9ationaI response to
the work, and no committees of action we're es-
tabished, a certain dissatisfaction was evident
amongst the longshoremen.
The bosses and the lila. did not know if the
workers would strike against renewal of the
agreement. Probably due to our agitation, the
longshoremen did not receive a direct wage cut.
When the strike was called and our organza-
tional weakness was exposed, the bosses and the
lila Immediately took the offensive against the
MWIU
The morning after the strike was called the
Union held an open air meeting About 1000
longShorenen attended the meeting. Fifteen
policemen were there. Baker, the organizer of
the lila was at the meeting and attempted to
get the soap box but failed. After the meeting
the MWIU. organizers 10 or 10 of them, left
in an organized group. Baker, shouted provoca-
tive remarks against the Union. He had we'll
organized bunch Of gangsters who attacked the
organizers from the rear, bricks and bottles were
thrown at them. The police did not interfere.
Thousands of longshoremen followed the organ
izers who retreated under barrage of bricks
and bottles from the hands of these gangsters.
Groups of gangsters were waiting in all of the
alleys in the vicinity of the M.WIU hall.
When our organizational weakness had been
exposed the bosses determined to take advantage
of situation and attempt to drive the union off
the waterfront. The gangsters az the strategic
points and the cooperation of the police proved
that everything had been we'll planned and or
ganized. And to all appearances they were sue
cessful because the organizers weer forced to
leave without. obtaining the support of the long
shoremen. For several days and nights the
M.WLU. hail was picketed by gangsters to IN
timidate the members and organizers
It soon became apparent that the bosses were
not only taking the offensive against the NV.
III. but also against the longshoremens living
conditions and wages, During the past month
the following indirect wage cuts have been re-
ported and verified.
l. MacGees Stevedoring firm in Richmond have
announced that they would not pay IS cents an
hour for dock men but would only pay so cents
an hour.
2. On Monday, November g. Murphy and Cooks
Stevedores hired five gangs of men, At noon
three gangs were layed off and so cents nom
union men were hired in their place
3. The stevedoring firm of NIiley's announced
that they were only going to hire 5o-cent car
gang men, This aroused considerable resentment
amongst the longshoreren, but the company
continued using these men.
However. when the M.WIU issued leaflet
exposing this and the fact that the lila would
not prevent the wage-cut and calling upon the
workers to take action themselves, the company
discontinued this temporarily
This incident proves that the Union still has
influence on the waterfront and that the bosses
fear its power.
In all of these incidents the lila has abso-
1utely refused to take any action. The men have
appealed to the officials and they have been
ignored.
On pier five campaign of terror has been
undertaken by the bosses to uproot the Union.
Twelve workers have been fired. The dock is
flooded with stool pigeons. Police have patrolled
workers the bosses inmediatel ybegan to worsen
their conditions. During the past month on this