The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-06-13

only be clsssed as stupid, fatal err
ror.
Recognizing this error steps were
Immediately taken to broaden the
fight and to involve in participation,
members of afiliated crafts. In ad-
dition to this resolutions were pre-
pared but were never presented.
Although sympathy and ike resent
nent was manifest in affiliated crafts
and other locals, this sentiment was
not crystallized into concrete organi-
rational support and did not serve
as it should have, as a basis for the
development of large opposition
movement in all of the craft locals
of the union.
Independent Union Formed.
Efforts to get in touch with the in
ternational representative failed and
the group decided to mobilize as
many members of the ringers and
affiliated crafts as possible to go TO
the next meeting and demand a
hearing. At the meeting a small
committee was admitted but the rest
had to remain outside. The Commit
tee failed TO get any satisfaction.
1t was then decided to launch an
independent union. under the name
of the United Riggers Machinery
Movers and Stone Derrick Mems
Protective Association. Several con-
tractors have recognized the new Or
ganization, headquarters have been
opened and club charter obtained.
The constitution and bylaws parallel
those of Local l61, officers have been
elected and certain progress is be-
ing made organizationally but in the
main they are still on the outside.
The result might have been the
same if the first fatal mistake had
not been made. The split might
have been inevitable. One thing
however is certain. If the opposition
had been correctly modified from
the beginning, if the work had been
properly carried on from the inside,
if the affiliated crafts had bsen
reached and organized in support Of
both the riggers and their own de-
mands, then most certainly the hold
of the bureaucrats of the A. r. Of
L. would now be materially weaker
and the strength of the rank and file
materially stronger.
The Tasks Ahead.
The formation of the new union
does not mean the end of opposition
work of the riggers. They must now
become the working base of a larger
and more energetic opposition in the
entire AFFILIATED crafts. Daily they
will come in contact with new prob
lens, problems of organization, prob
lens of struggle against the steadily
worsening conditions. Their task now
is the task of welding unity, of build
ing a broad united front among all
the iron worker and building worker
crafts They must be wary lest the
friendly gestures of the contractors
who have recognized them become
gestures Of betrayal presaging further
wage cuts and worse conditions. Their
struggle now becomes MANIFOLD, they
must fight against the A. r. of L.
takers who will use every effort to
smash them and they must night
az dllSI Ifie puSSeS WHO Will dtCdGk
their living standard. 1t evolves
upon them to become the leaders Of
struggle, to prove that conditions can
be improved and wage cutting at
tempts smashed.
In summing up We come to another
shortening. In this struggle and
it has most certainly been a struggle,
we have not recruited even one men,.
Der into the party or even into any
of our left wing organizations. They,
have accepted our leadership. they,
indorse our policies. They are types
who belong in the Communist Party.
class conscious militant prcletarians
aware of their class position and the
necessity Of struggle.