The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-12-17
The Millinery Workers and
the Rank and File
Committee
(By a Worker Correspondent

The millinery trade can indeed be called the
land of Music; the fig-leaf role that is being
played, i E., hiding the fascist rule by means of
fine phrases and oratorical juggling is perfectly
exemplified by millinery headers" Spector and
L H. Goldberg. However, even the dullest worker
is beginning to see through it.
At the last two meetings of Local "a, we were
given information from gentlemen who know.
Accusations were hurled in wholesale numbers,
from petty grating to the turning of the union
headquarters into brothel; that members of
the executive board were guilty of violating all
the laws of the union; that special efforts we're
made to put these persons in the leadership;
that at least one member of the executive board
was a scab that an alliance was made with the
police; that preference and easier conditions
were given to applicants for membership who
were formerly foremen or business men.
Deaf Dumb and Blind
The statement of one member, that in all this
sea of iniquity, Spector, the Mustete "sees Moth
ing, hears nothing. knows nothing" Is almost
humorous, were it not for the seriousness of the
matter The workers in this shop refuse to be-
lieve that these Musteite takers, Spector and I.
H. Goldberg are deaf and blind to the corrupt
misdeeds of the fascist group which really con-
trolls the union, but who at the slightest bidding
of their masters fall all over each others neckS
in their eagerness to attack any opposition which
may arise among the union members, partcu-
larly when these oppositions occur among the
left wing workers
The most pressing problem of the millinery
workers is the collective agreement. which is a
ruse on the part of the bosses to fool the workers
The letters exchanged between ZaritZky and
the bosses association prove this: that the ad-
ministration was always for collective agree
ment.
Check-Off
worker at the meeting clearly showed why
our union officials need an agreement Tor their
purposes; since the workers are not paying dues,
this agreement would install check-off, l. e.,
the boss would collect the dues for the union
Unemployment has been and still is particul-
ary acute in the millinery trade for the past few
years. The average worker, for the privilege of
working few weeks in the year, must pay to
the union officials as high as $40. The officers
of the union still maintain their old grand style;
their pay is still $50 per week. 1t is any wonder
that they seek the bosses help to keep them
selves in Office?
Clique control is evil from which all Of
the millinery workers are suffering, as the con-
and more workers find it impossible to obtain
jobs, which are reserved only for those who up
hold the machine; and if there should be any,
thing left (Which are certainly few and far be-
tweenD, workers may get them by paying large
sums in advance.
Members Organize
The rank and file have organized committees
composed of all the workers in the various divi-
IL
trimmers, to fight against the clique c. ntrol and
Musteite taking servants of the bosses, against
the collective agreement and the administration
which has encouraged 1t, against the betrayals
which are being prepared against the workers.
The workers in the millinery trade have moth
ing to lose in taking up this fight. Even the
blockers, the model craft, those who receive the
highest wages in the trade are affected Their
high wages and security of jobs is a thing of the
past, for they are suffering from the same wave
of unemployment as the rest of the industry.
But Golden, their officer, doesn't feel the differ
ence in living conditions, no need for him to
know the hardships Of struggling to make ends
meet, for his wages are misunderstanding TO MIN
for the fewer hours he works.
Don't Crawl, Fight!
Some workers still believe that by boot-licking
the officers, their conditions will be relieved but
what competition! To be a success, one must be
a specialist with years Of training, so if you're
not an expert boot-lcker your chances are hope
less.
Let us rather rally against the collective agree
ment for a reduction in hours, for organization
Of shop committees of all workers in the shops,
to smash the clique which is monopolzing the
jobs, and against all the cringing. fayor-seeking
servants OF the bosses and the union officials
Millinery workers. Join the rank and file COM
mittees!