The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-05-11

On May / at midnight, over
two thousand bakery workers
in A. F. of L. local 507, sos,
sos. left their shops and declared
o strike against the attempt of the
employers to slash rs per cent of
their wages. The enthusiastic res
ponse of the membership of the To-
Gals affected by the strike was a
blow to the bosses, as well as to in
oiyldual leaders in the International
who had attempted to put over a
wage-cut on the rank and file, and
who had tried to demoralize the
ranks of the bakers in preparation
for the cut. These individuals, swept
away by the enthusiasm and spirit
OF the workers, are now falling in
line, fearing loss Of their jobs. Out
oS about 400 shops controlled by those
locals now on strike, over $50 have
already settled, with more falling in
line each day
Solidarity of Workers Organizations
The most outstanding and char
acteristic feature Of this strike is the
fact that for the first time in the
history of the bakery workers, we
find a spirit of unity and desire for
united action on the part Of every
bakery worker regardless Of union af-
filiation or pastry. Daily, mass pick
e. lines, open-air meetings, demon
STATIONS, etc, are participated in by
hundreds of bakery workers, belong
ing to various locals of the Amalga-
mated and Industrial unions. Hun
dreds of women, members Of the
Womens Council, are the most &C
tive participants in the strike. In
employed Councils, Communist Par
ty sections and units, etc. are lend
ing active assistance to successfully
terminate this splendid struggle.
The bakery workers are opening
their eyes in wonder at the support
given them by different left-wing Or
ganizations Now more than ever be-
fore they clearly grasp the full mean
ing of United Front action and what
it means to them. They learn that
the Communist and left wingers are
the best fighters for the working
class. Those officials of the Anal
ganlated who up until recently sabot
aged and fought every attempt at
united action, are today forced
through the pressure of their men,
be9ship to actively support the strike
nov conducted by the international
membership.
Re;e of Bakers United Front Com
mittee
Before all, the Bakers City United
Front Committee must be brought
forward as that driving force, that
weapon, that has succeeded in. bring
ing this unity into full realization,
After months of relentless struggle
against enemies from within and
without, forced to retreat because of
the treschery Of the international
efficialdom in Chicago, the United
Front Committee gained a tremen-
oous amount of influence and pres
tige amongst the bakery workers, and
is firmly rooted amongst them. 1t
was the United Front which only re-
Gently gave courage to the member
ship of the Amalgarnated to defeat
a rs per cent wage-cut. 1t was the
United Front Committee which pre-
pared the workers Of the Interns-
tional against the wage-cut, which
they are now successfully combat
ting.
Certain Shortcomings
But the United Front Committee
must also see certain shortcomings
in this strike. In spite Of the fact
that hundreds of workers have gone
back to work in settled shops, de-
feating the cut, they have gone back
to slave as before, 10, IL, and IA
hours night, instead of the 8-hour
day which was one of the main is
sues in the strike. This is imper-
Missile, and must be immediately
remedied by the leadership. If we
are not successful in establishing the