The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1932-01-28

Pittsburgh were never in worse con-
dfions than at present. They are
passing through the most critical
period in their history. Over rs per
cent Of their number are at the pres
cnt moment completely or part time
unemployed. Those who enjoy any
regular work are forced to support
t2ae Sell-out policy Of the business
agents or to turn back to the con-
tractors by whom they are employed
. certain percentage of their wages.
This form Of wage-cut is taking
Fface in all Of the trades.
Now the industry stands face to
face with q proposed wage cue Of
Is per cent. The Master Builders de-
clored their intention to put this
wage cut into effect in letter adj
dressed to the Building Trades Coun-
Gil on November 23rd.
This letter announced that the
contemplated wage cut would con-
tinue from January LIST, 1882 for
period OF one half years, expiring,
June LIST, 1888. The wage cut is it
self in direct violation OF the ag-
reement, which the various con-
tracing groups in the building in
dustry" have with the "a locals,
which will be affected by the cut.
Attempt to Hide Attack
But the various contracting groups
in the building industry have sought
to hide their vicious attack upon
living standards of the building
workers under such hypocritical
phrases as:
Many jobs have gone to contract
ors who have no regard for organized
labor, or wages, or working agree
mentS you are compelled to adhere
to, and the situation seems TO be
beyond the control of the Labor
Unions"
On many occasions 1t has been
proven that members of the Master
Builders Association, coniving with
business agents of the locals, have
forced the workers to accept lower
wage than that set forth in the ag-
reement. The l1ypocritical phrases
about contractors who have no re-
gard for organized labor, or the
wages, or working agreements" COM
ing from the Master Builders is q
sorry joke. The Master Builders,
however. are trying to put the res
possibility for their vicious attack
upon the present wage scale on the
backs of the building trade workers.
This can be clearly seen in their fur
ther statement:
ut Is hoped that this reduction
will establish a stabilized condition
in the employment of building
craftsmen, and make 1t possible for
the labor unions to control their
members. To continue under present
condition will put OUR entire industry
in the hands Of the open shop con-
tractors"
This STERILIZATION" of the industry
Is a Sterilization on the basis of
starvation. How solicitious the bosses
have become concerning the workers.
The workers in this industry repres-
ent the aristocracy of labor, yet rare
~ do any of them make more than
$500 or $500 yearly. This is due
to the seasonal nature Of the work,
but as well to the technical improve
nnents in the industry have created a
very high percentage Of permanent
unemployment also to the fact that
the unions themselves are in the
hands Of labor racketeers of A. F. L.,
who see that only those are employed
who are willing to pay for their Jobs.
Master Builders Farley for Cut
The Master Builders suggested to
the Building Trades Council that it
form committee to meet with them.
It is obvious that since their letter
was the basis for this meeting their
only intention was to work out ways
and means Of putting the wage cut
over on the rank and file with the
support of the corrupt leadership OF
The Building Trades Council. The
council appointed six of its members
To meet with the Master Builders.