The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-12-02
Work in the A. F. of L.
Bears Fruit

TINAnSTAKABIE evidence Of seethng revolt
among the members Of the A. F. OF L. against
The policies Of the corrupt, controlled ohcaldom
is being reported daily. Even where there is no or
gsnized group within the unions to direct the
ment, spontaneous outbursts of resentment have oc
CURED which have taken the form Of opposition
10 the bureaucracy
The hatred Of the A. r. Of L. workers Is directed
especially against the ruthless treatment of the
ployed who being expelled in union after union
for inability to pay dues against the brazen and in
solent theft of union funds and property of workers
wages and other forms Of racketeerng coupled With
terrorism and murder practced against the member
ship by the ofncialdom.
So great has this revolt become that William Green
has been compelled to circulate letter to the unions
through the officials guilty Of these acts to take steps
to stop racketeering in the unions although Green's
support rests this rotten foundation Furthermore
every report Of the existence Of racketeering submitted
by delegates at the last convention damnng evidence
branding the whole corrupt machine, has been ex-
plunged from the official records Of the A. F. OF Z.
convention.
That organized struggle Of the rank and file around
for Unemployment Insurance and Relief is beginning
to bear fruit Is seen in recent successful actions OF
the workers in the A. F. Of L. unions
A N ORGANIZED rank and file movement in gsngster-
ridden Local Of the Electrical Workers succeeded
the unemployment fund OF the union. At the same
time the rank and file overwhelmingly voted down
proposal to mortgage union property TO the extent
OF $4,000 The rank and file defeated the proposals
although every militant member in danger Of loss
Of life or injury by the gangster henchmen OF the
officials and at least rank and file leader had been
murdered and countless others beaten.
For the first time this week. workers in II Carpen-
tiers locals in New York City demonstrated their in
tention Of wipng out the Hutchinson Hansen gang
which has preyed on the membership for years and
has perpetuated itself in Office by strong methods
Similarly the web pressnen in New Yorks biggest
newspaper plants are organizing to deal death blow
to the machine of George L. Berry member OF the
National Labor Board and notorious strtkebreaker
The painters Of New York have succeeded in win
ming the membership of four locals in the union to
stop weekly tribute Of $3.50 to the zausner treasury
which goes towards supporting gangsers to continue
his rule
All OF these examples point to the Importance OF
action directed by organized rank and ns mem.
bershp in each local union
The A. F. Of L. ofncialdon Ia not concerned wits,
racketeerlng alone 1t has harnessed the membership
to the bosses and has turned the unions into tnstr
ents Tor wage cutting and for the complete destruc-
ton OF union standards won after years OF struggle
1t joins with the bosses in the objective OF apniat
ing the militant Industrial unions
A strong rank and file movement In every rocsy
united through an opposition center and with com,
mon program will succeed In smashing the control
ana domination Of the official machine and instead
eSCaohsn rank and file leadership and trade union
democracy 1t will help the unions to become weanons
1or winning improved conditions on the lob and for
Warolns on the onslaughts OF tbs bosses ca their
union standards -. 49, -