The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-05-18

number of workers. Only in
the last few months do we see
an influx of workers into the
union numbering hundreds. This is
due to the correct. application of the
united front tactics by the SMWIU.
United Front With the Spinners
In the middle of February, fifty
workers of the Cromwell Silver Man
ufactming Corp. went out on strike
under the leadership of the Steel and
Meal Workers Industrial Union. In
the same shop there we're 8 spinnerS
a. work VINO were members OF the
~sEetaI SpinDers Union OF New
York ard vicinity. During the strike
preparation the SNTWIU approached
the Executive Board Of the Metal
.Spinners. in order TO convince them
10 bring about a joint strike. At the
Beginning. the majority of the Elk
esutive Board. due to their prejudice
towards the SAIWIU, and their craft
4deology, adopted an antagonistic
attitude towards the proposals and
to.ards the SMWIU. Then the
SNIWIU rent mass delegation to
the membership meeting of the Metal
Spinners Union, where they appealed
for united action against the bosses
on the basis of fighting against fir
ing. against wage-cuts and for re-
cognition of the unions.
Unity With Whom?
The reactionery elements in the
Meal Spinners Union got in touch
with Beardsley. a former member OF
the Union Preservation Committee
that had the task of trying to wreck
the Needle Trades Workers Industrial
Union, at present leading member
of the Socialist party and OF the
sJewelry Workers Union, affiliated
with the A. F. L. Beardsley was pres
emit when the mass delegation of the
SMWIU appeared at the Metal Spin
ners Union. Beardsley appealed to
the workers to affiliate with the AFL.
But the metal spinners, by a great
majority. rejected the proposal of
utilization with the ALL and de-
cided to join hands with the SMWIU.
Final Attempt to Break Unity
At the instigation of certain re-
dictionary elements in the Metal
Spinners Union, the spinners in the
Cromwell shop asked that during the
duration of the strike the SMWIU
should give every spinner S. weekly
strike relief. They did this in the
hope that the SMWIU would reject
this proposal and thereby destroy the
united action of the members of these
two metal organizations. But they
were mistaken.
The SAfWIU finally accepted this
condition and the unity was accomp-
lished with the result that the Cron-
well strike was successfully ended.
Further Unity Achieved
AS a result of the victorious Crom-
well strike, the workers learned thru
their own experience the advantage
that spring from united action
Rank and-file workers, members of
the Executive Board of the Metal
Spinners Union, who at the beginning
were not only antagonistic but hos
file towards our union and towards
the united front proposal, as a result
Of the Cromwell strike changed their
attitude and became the best fighters
for unity The reactionary elements
in the union lost all ground and they
lid not even dare TO put up an open
fight against further united action.
AS result concrete agreement
was arrived at by the two Executive
Boards and by the two organizations,
the most important points Of which
are
/. A united organizational cam
paign shall be carried on in all metal
Shops to organize the workers against
wage-cuts; for higher wages, for div
ision of work; against firing and for
the recognition of both unions.
O. Joint Shop Committees shall
be formed In the shops.
3. Joint Strike Committees shall
be formed in case of strikes.
4. A Joint appeal to be sent to all
tuiorganized workers calling upon the
spinners to join the Metal Spinners
Union and the machinists, die max
ers, die-setters, platers, polishers,
solderers scrapers. etc. to join the
Steel = Metal Workers Industrial