Montana labor news., 1933-03-23
UNIONISM

lhe mdJOIlty Ol Jne meilDerS VI LABOR
unions are not union men at heart
but belong simply because they are
more certain of a job that way.
1t is with considerable regret that
we have to admit that the actions of
some of our so-called union men tend
to prove that statement.
Whether or not this is in fact so,
there is one thing, however, that we
believe the majority of thinking peo-
pie will agree upon, even those who
are outright opposed to unions, that
it would be for the best interest of
all union men if they would stand
united and abide by their obligation.
Even though at times it does seem
that those who are not so particular
but what they will violate the prin-
ciples of unionism and that they
thereby may take undue advantage
Of their more ~steadfast brothers to
their own benefit, nevertheless, in the
long run, they do not seem to get
along so well financially or other
wise.
One thing is certain that if all
members of organized labor would
recognize the rights and welfare of
each other, even though these sew
eral organizations are not of the same
type or class, it would be better for
everybody concerned. If the Rail
way Workers had the united support
Of all organized labor in their strug-
giles for existence and of maintenance
Of their means of earning a liveli-
hood, and these same Railway Work
ers in turn would recognize the rights
and struggles of their A. F. of l..
brothers, much would be accomplish
ed in making it possible to earn a liv-
ing for all.
Often have we noticed, however,
that one class of workers will open
ly defy another class in their struggle
for existence if they themselves think
they may be a few cents gamers
thereby. Railway workers will pat
ronize merchants who are in disagree
ment with employees of the A. F. of
L. group and have been placed on the
unfair list, and A. F.. of L. workers
will often thoughtlessly patronize
trucks and buses when equal and
better service might be had from the
established railways.
Deplorable as this condition is, it
is ever worse when men of the A. F.
of L. group openly violate their own
obligations relative to business rela-
tions with concerns that have been
declared unfair after hopeless nego-
t~iations for an amicable settlement
of grievances by committees from the
Central Trades and Labor Council.
Such action can not help but meet
with scorn and contempt from the
general public and certainly will not
benefit those who are participants in
the act.
We can respect outright opponents
to organized labor when we think
they are sincere in their viewpoint,
however much we may disagree with
their mistaken stand on labor ques-
tons. We are willing to grant our
fellow workers their right to refrain
from joining a labor organization if
they think they are better off that
way. The man, however, who will
take an obligation in joining any or
ganization in order to have the sup
port and benefit of that organiza-
ton and Of kindred other organiza-
tons, and then turn traitor to his fell
low workers at a time when he should
be duty bound to lend his support to
some weaker brothers in their strug-
gle for existence, can not be adequat-
ely dealt with through the terminol-
ogy Of the American language. If
such a person has a conscience, we
know that it must be- gnawing on his
sensibility. 1t is not necessary for
anyone to wish him harm, recompense
will mete out its inevitable punish
ment, and at a time when it hurts
the most.
There is much to be thankful for
the ranks of Unionism, and
that is that after all, during these
difficult times, the majority are true
blue and have suffered want and pri-
walton rather than to betray their
fellow brothers. 1t takes courage and
vision to be steadfast during such
When a better day arrives,
however, such brothers will have the
satisfaction of knowing that their
sacrifice was not in vain, and that
they will be enabled to carry on at a
better standard of wages and con-
ditions than would prevail had they