The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-09-08

G-I-our Day with 8-HOurs Pay.
Ey 0. H. WANGERIN, Secretary Treas.
National Railroad Industrial League
aF'TER two days of thorough discussion Of con-
II ditions on the railroads, the United Front
Conference held in Chicago on August Is and
Is c-usd by the National Railroad Industrial
League, a program was adopted aiming at bring
ing about complete unity Of action between all
sections of workers in the industry, whether
now organized or unorganized, employed or un-
employed. in the fight against wage cuts, for
the establishment of the 6-hour day with
hours Fay. unemployment relief, and improved
c-'-tst:~~e On the jCb-under the leadership Of
TIE NRIL and local united front committees.
- SPITE of the difficulties encountered and
the short time in which to prepare for the con-
ference, delegates were present representing nine
railroad trades from many OF the larger rail-
read certers thruout the country
n the discussion on the reports Of the Or
ganization and Program Committees which took
80 - ire second day of the conference, it
vas pointed out by the delegates that condi-
.l tie railroads are rapidly going from
b2d to wo-se. BY, introducing various new wage
cutting schemes in the different departments
such IS the 25-day month and mileage limit
'- - -7~a and train service--the monthly
{ ..c.l 10 to 800, and in many instances
to ora-hGlf. Thru the many forms Of the speed
u system, union agreements and schedule rules
&c rot only being disgegarded by the compa-
MES but long established working conditions are
IL Gcs eyed. Numerous instances were cited
s-o~-i11 how the leaders Of the Brotherhoods
al A. :. Of L. railway organizations are work
ing ha@d-tn-hand with the companies to load
TIE en-i~e burden Ct t3e economic crisis on the
shoulders OF the railroad workers.
a United Front OF All Trades
Tie Organization program adopted by the con-
+ ,-ce makes the mobilization of the railroad
w rs in tAe fight against wage cuts, the
CO. CT tie worl. OF the National Railroad
I --r-5tt-ial League. It's main activities for the
i-.-ce-:ate future will be concentrated upon the
o-se-.1ag C. a nationwide united front strug-
G rs united f-cat movement is to be Or
ganized On the basis of delegates elected from
T 4 edges Ct the Brotherhoods, Pullman
Este s, ard = F. CT L. railway organizations,
My g-Cu-,s organized within the cid I'M
ic. ,,c2I mt grievance committees, local
L. = C Z -. 2. I. L. md railroad unern-
r. FL &C. .. 20 C-ic- IS from the unor-
gs"-2d s.,c-5, ads, r0Cldhouses, ard other
p'-c,y # 2y1e1t. Above all, it is absolutely
ir--2 C t. C-aw the half million unemployed
@ers into the fight against wage
c s. BY s-G2 with the men on the job. We
/ re- - -r1iJ tie COMPANIES to separate one
g. II CT the workers from the other. This
vr-@ lead to disaster not only for those still
{ ycd, out it would also result in the defeat
C TIE unemployed and their demands and to
6 -aae-y and strike-breaking. From the begin
RS it must be recognized that the welfare of
tosl employed and unemployed is bound up in
&C AID the same struggle. The 'Divide and
M Of VIII
already attempting to put into effect, must
b. -~eyentcd at all 2cs.s.
Program Of Demands
-ae conference formulated the following pro-
rf-l CT general demands dealing with the con-
tit.ons Of the workers in the different branches
C service, around which the activities of the
H. r I L. shall be developed:
l. The fight against wage cuts
2. For the establishment of minimum wage
Of Sc per hour On the railroads.
8. 30 days Fay for the 26-day month in yard
service and no reduction in present mileage
earnings in train service; expenses away from
home to be paid by the companies.
d. The establishment of the 6-hour day with
9 hours pay; time and one-haf for all hours
owe si,-, double time for Sundays and Holidays;
100 r7l9s or less to constitute a days work in
rced service: road crews not to be required to
k more than 6 hours without being allowed
cime to eat; the present l6-hour law to be
amended to u hours
s. Unemployment insurance, immediate se-
lief and against evctons; old age accident,
sickness, and disability insurance to be paid by
INDUSTRY and the government.
G. Abolition of the speed-up, B g. o. Union
Management Cooperation and other speed-up
programs. Enlargement of train crews to cor
RESPOND with the frightening of trains-65 cars
or less to constitute train limit, with one ad-
Gitional brakeman for the addition of each 10
cars or fraction thereof. On all trains of less
than IS cars a full crew, to consist of mem
bers
T. Adequate protection to the safety and
health Of the railroad workers.
g. Abolition of the Watson-Parker Law
O. The right to organize in such unions as
the workers see fit to establish. The right of
e speech and free sssemblage in all railroad
YRS; protection against arbitrary discharge
To- participation in union activities.
10. The organization of the Negro railroad
vo~-e-s joint with the white workers in the
H. r. I. L., with the same rights and privileges;
equal pay and assignment of work; fight against
a. discrimination practices on the job.
II Young railroad workers a minimum
v~~9 Of 45c per hour for apprentices, graduated
T. r'echanic's Pay during three years; four
IS vacation with full pay each year; me-
,nio'5 rav when apprentice disQlaces a me-
{ So" CT tie job.
- Women railroad wo~lers-the right to be-
l-.-- - eli labor organizations; equal wages for
when doing mems work Special health