The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-02-10
STRIKE LESSONS TO BE
LEARNED

have been clear from the general character Of
the meetings and the dwindling picket line, that
the spirit was tagging
Cd The Trade Union Unity League was kept
in the background, even though speakers OF the
TU.UL spoke at the meetings. No effort was
made to enroll even the strike committee in the
TU.UL go The TU.U.L.. on the other hand,
made the serious mistake of not forming union
of the workers the very first day of the strike.
This matter was not brought up Till the last day,
so that the strikers at no time could feel that
they were part Of the organized labor movement.
90 The section of the Party was active long
before the strike through issuing shop bulletins.
and thereby secured contact with the workers 1t
held open air meetings and was mainly instru-
mental in creating the theological and prelnl-
mary organizational basis for the strike. But
the section did not draw the entire Party mem
berShip OF the section into the strike, so that
both the workers would be given the full sssis-
lance of the Party, and the Party membership
would gain experience from the strike
(10) The district underestimate the jmpor-
lance OF the strike. 1t should not have failed
to rally all forces for the struggle, which. even
though in an industry not of key Importance.
was manned with inexperienced, unorraJjScd
workers, who play a most significant role IN in
dustry today.
OD The Young Communist League failed al
most completely in the strike. 1t is true that
some members of the Y. G. L. were at the strike
meetings the first days, but owing to the at
titude of the leadership OF the strike, who looked
with disfayor on the activities Of the "Reds,
the young comrades were pushed into the back
ground, and did not exert any influence. Instead
of persisting. instead Of recognizing that, being
that the bulk of the strikers were young work
nd he nv
ers and be stiffened in their fight the Y. C. L.,
both nationally and in the district paid little
heed to the strike, for which it must be seriously
criticized.
Q2) Another serious error In the struggle was
the appointment of Comrade Rubin as the lead
er of the strike. Comrade Rubin has had little
strike experience, which should have necessitated
closer attention by the T. q. U. L., and greater
assistance. Once the T. U. U. L. recognized the
impermissibe attitude and actions of Comrade
Notwithstanding hands with the police captain
when an agreement was made to report to each
other any complaints on the part of the police
against the strikers, and of the strikers against
the police Can openly opportunist point of view,
his reporting the Solidarity of Mr.. Rybicki,
head of the city employment bureau. with the
strikers % and his general pessirnism regarding
the strike-the T. U. o. L. should either have
ened the leadership This the TUUL failed to
do-and this together with the other serious
basic errors in the strike, led to the defeat of
the workers.
Many lessons must be learned from this strike
since an attempt was made to conduct 1t ac-
cording to the new methods and strategy It is
obvious that in this period, when the workers are
showing willingness to strike against wage cuts
and conditions more is necessary than an arous-
ing Of enthusiasm. Both theological and organ
Rational preparations must be made before and
during the strike. The shop committe must
know its responsibilities and duties 1t must see
the whole scope of the strike It must under
stand the various fields in which the workers
must be active. 1t must make provision for all
the needs Of the strike. And above all 1t must
unhesitatingy criticize itself and encourage all
criticism unearthing the weaknesses and short
comings and rectifying them at once For such
delay often costs the strike
The Trade Union Unity League and the Party
must accept full responsibility for the loss of the
strike. The workers went back to work. not
feeling that they were beaten by superior forces
but by failure of the leadership properly to or
ganize the strike.
New contacts must be obtained In the shop
The defeat of this strike will encourage the COM
pany to introduce further wage cuts and speed
up. The workers, although discouraged by the
failure of this strike, will fight again. Having
learned from the experiences of this strike they
will be in a better position to conduct strike
along the lines Of correct strike strategy, with
the proper organization and militancy But
above all, the Party and TUUL membership must
learn from this strike. Shop bulletins must be
issued by the Section Committee, meetings with
the workers must be held. A new organization
committee must be formed and the work con-
tinue 1t will be more difficult, but it can be
done, and the workers will be convinced that, al
though the TUUL did not succeed in this strike,
there is no other method than thai IF the TUUL,
which must be correctly understood and applied.