The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-02-03
BY SOL HERTZ.

The cutters had many gains to record during
the growth of the Amalgamated. They were
the aristocrats of the trade, securing for their
members, week work, s55 minimum wage scale,
and other union conditions. However, the policy
of peace with the bosses at any cost which
seemed at first not to touch the cutters resulted
in the complete ruination of their jobs and con-
ditions.
The situation among the cutters is extremely
alarming particularly in connection with the
unemployed. Almost one-third Of the member
ship is unemployed, with starvation staring them
in the face.
The near future has much suffering in store
for the cutters. Even according to the conser-
yative estimates of Phil Orlovsky, manager Of
Local 4, more than one half of the 1000 cutters
will not see the inside Of a cutting room the
coming season.
What brought about this intolerable condition?
The A.C.W. administration with its zone sided
cooperation" Gas the cutters call it, policy of
peace, with the bosses, no matter how much the
clothing workers have to pay for it, is largely
responsible for this situation. The policy of
zone sided cooperation" led to the introduction
of brutal speed-up, tremendously increasing
the individual production of the cutter. Grow
ing houses are not putting on more men. On
the other hand, congratulations take place con-
tinuously on the pretense Of decline in business.
In line with the policy of zone sided coopera-
tion," there is not equal division of work,
but there is the hideous temporary card system
This anti-union system leaves the temporary
men completely at the mercy Of the boss and
foreman 1t is a powerful whip in the hands of
the bosses to continuously increase the brutal
speed-up of both permanent and temporary men,
since the temporary men are forced to be at the
disposal of the boss
This anti-urion system is responsible for the
decentralization and mistrust among the cutters
1t is largely responsible for the individual stand
ard Of production with the sliding scale, now
spreading In the cutting trade which is really
the cursed piece work system
The natural reaction Of the cutters and all
other Amalgamated workers, Is to fight these
unbearable and shameful conditions. The mems
clothing workers have many times in the past
proven their readiness to fight the bosses; how
ever the A.C.W. leaders think differently for
instead of fighting, they persistently continue
the policy OF lone sided cooperation" of peace
with the boss at any cost.
What can really relieve the present situation?
Local has time and again gone on record pre-
senting resolutions. demanding the introduction
of the 40 hour week. The Amalgamated at its
conventions also went on record for the 40 hour
Al,
makes speeches to outside organizations like
churches charitable institutions and Chambers
OF Commerce, demanding shorter hours and
more unemployment insurance to be paid by the
bosses, but In reality the ACw. administration
as well as Local administration, do not recede
one inch on the policy Of peace at any cost
Instead Of shorter hours to create more jobs
for the unemployed, instead Of mapping out
plans for struggle to win better conditions, the
official policy remains, mo demands on the bos-
ses. the entire burden Of the crisis on the Shout
ders OF the workers. In line with this, the Adj
ministration keeps on taxing the employed
which only brings more thousands Of dollars into
the bottomless treasury Of the union. There are
also some proposals to reduce hourse, but at the
full expense Of the workers, by direct wage cut
ting. or by bringing in the slave driving system
Of piece work a>
The first step towards the relieving Of the
present condition OF the unemployed, as well
as doing away with the fear OF the majority Of
the cutters Of being thrown out Of the shop, is
to discard the policy Of peace With the bosses
followed by the Hillman. Orlofsky adn,inistra-
ton, and TO Immediately abolish the anti union
temporary card system. Every cutter working
more than one week should remain permanent
To fight for the enforcement Of 7-hour day,
5-day week. union conditions must be strictly
observed. The cutters must participate In the
struggle Of all unemployed for Jobless insurance
to be paid by the state. In order that cutters
may humanity exist, they must organize and
fight to bring these demands into effect.