The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-12-26
Problems Shoe Workers Are
Facing Today

but those were an active and militant element
who had faith in the shoe workers.
In April 1881, the first strike involving about
100 workers in the Feifer Bros Slipper Co. in
New York against 10 per cent wage-cut took
place.
The S. L. W. /. o. was called upon to lead
this struggle. This strike was the first sign that
the chloe workers in New York were recovering
from the defeat and will start to struggle against
the rotten conditions existing in the trade.
Our Union realized that 1t must mobilize and
prepare our forces for struggle.
During the summer months following, the
union devoted itself to building shop groups and
preparing the workers for struggle. Thanks to
this policy, we succeeded through several strikes
to force union agreements, whereby we raised
the wages in some instances, forcing the with
drawsl in others. The opportunist theory that
IN time OF depression the workers have no chance
to win did not work with U.s.
The popularity of our union as the onry fight
ing organization in the shoe and leather in
duStry grew, and-nany shoe and slipper work.
ers joined the union, helping to expand our &C.
tivities
At the same time, the Boot and Shoe started
to lose one shop after the other because Of their
open betrayal Of the workers in helping the
bosses to force wage-cutS upon the workers. The
workers refused to accept 1t, struggling against
the bosses and the union bureaucrats
Never before did such favorable conditions
present themselves for organization.
We cannot be satisfied with these achieve
ments. The bulk Of the 10000 shoe and slipper
workers IN New York are not yet coming In mass
es to the Shoe and Leather Workers Industrial
Union. We must state that there has not vet been
seen enough resistance on the part OF the shoe
workers to the growing need Of the bosses for
more profits.
We must see to 1t that this passivity on the
part of the workers should come to an end.
What should be done? If the masses of the
shoe workers are not ready to Join the S. L. W.
I. u, their dissatisfaction with the conditions
existing now must be helped to find expression
in united action of the rank and file in the
shops The shoe workers. regardless Of affilia-
lions and opinions, must decide on action against
the growing Worsering of their conditions
A conference Of shoe workers OF New York or
ganized and unorganized employed and unem-
ployed, must come together to discuss their prob
lens and lay down plans for struggle against
the bosses.
The S. L. w. l. U. Will support such a con-
ference Fundamentally and will give all pos
slble aid and assistance to organize this con-
ference. If such a conference of rank and file
representing the workers organized In the Boot
and Shoe, in the Shoe and Leather Workers
Industrial Union, as well as organized and I'M
employed, Is to take place, 1t must come soon
The season is approaching and the bosses are
preparing new surprises for the workers. Other
methods are used by the bosses to put over dras-
tic wage-cuts. The method Of reorganization
is introduced whereby the workers are laid off
and then hired again on lower prices
The struggle against lay-offs must be devel-
oped. The workers should refuse to leave the
benches. Committees of action must be or
ganized in the shops on the basis of united ac-
ton of the rank and file regardless OF opinions
and affiliations. This action can and should be
organized through broad conference Of shoe
workers. '''-
Joint action Of the workers will cause the
bosses to give in to the demands Of the workers
Shoe workers, the time of struggle is approach
ing. Raise the question of United Front Con-
ference in your shops and organizations. Don't
delay it. Time is valuable. Prepare yourself for
struggle Ir