The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-06-17

American countries. Inc union mo-
bili5ed its forces against the Hitler
ties and in support Of the German
proletariat The union modified sup
port against japanese imperialism
and for the struggles of the Chinese
peoples for emancipation.
Marine Workers Voice
One of the biggest achievements of
the union which was made possible
only thru great sacrifices in the reg
ular publication of the official organ
of the union-the Marine Workers
Voice. This paper has to a certain
extent become one of the most i'm
portant weapons of the marine work.
ers in the fight against the ship
owners. We can also record that it
is one of the best papers published by
the TUUL unions. The union also
in the course of the last years pub
lished number of important pam
phlets, and large quantities of leaf
lets on numerous questions.
Fight Against Reformist Leaders
The union has taken the first steps
in work within the LILA and ISU and
in exposing the Ryans and Furuseths
who are openly allied with the ship
owners and with the government
against the marine workers. But it
must be admitted that this still re-
mains a very weak phase of the work
of the union. The union as whole
has not yet grasped the fact that one
of the prerequisites for the develop
ment of the mass struggle of the sea-
men and longshoremen is the build
ing Of strong oppositions within the
reformist controlled organizations,
and the exposure of the role of the
labor bureaucrats. The convention
will devote much time to the discus
sion Of this question. An effort is
being made to secure fraternal de-
legates from the A. F. of L. locals
to the convention.
Consolidation of the Union
One of the principal tasks of the
convention will be to consolidate the
present positions of the union for the
purpose of strengthening the strik-
ing force Of the union in the develop
ing struggles for the needs of the
employed and unemployed seamen
and longshoremen. AS yet there is
too much lcoseness in the organiza-
ton. The financial policies of the
union must be strengthened in the di-
rection of building up a regular dues
paying organization. Greater at
tention must be given to building the
united front action committees on
the ships and on the docks The ship
delegates system must be further de-
veloped and made part of the very
life of the union. The union has
developed some excellent cadres in
the course Of the struggles it has
conducted. They must be better
trained and consolidated.
Perspectives
The union is establishing as its
immediate perspective the develop
ment of mass struggles on the ships
and docks among the unemployed
and employed. One of the most es-
sential problems that faces the union
in the development of these strug-
giles is the exposure Of the govern
lnent role in general in this industry,
and especially now the Industrial
Recovery Bill. The problem of de-
veloping the united front of the
workers in the various unions and
the unorganized is another key prob
lem. Concentration which the union
is attempting to carry thru must re-
ceive more systematic attention. The
problems of formulating demands,
raising the most essential and vital
issues of both the employed and I'M
ployed must received much of the at
tention of the convention.
While it is true that there are
numerous issues agitating the marine
workers, such as workaways, pay
ment Of wages on time, ETC., the
question of wapes hours, speed-up
must be in the very center Of the
work Of the union. While the union
must develop its work with the per-
spective Of fight for an agreement
on definite minimum wage and i'm
proved conditions, the first steps to
achieve this require the carrying
thru Of individual, local, and COM
pany struggles for the purpose of
strengthening the organization, to
build contacts, to lay the basis for
a gigantic national struggle which
would inevitably be facing the union
in its effort to carry thru such ma
tional agreement. At present this
can only be presented in the form
of a goal. 1t can not become the i'm
mediate perspective of the union in
such way that it is counterposed
to the immediate development Of the
local struggles.
Again Support
Again let me emphasize that it is
necessary for the whole revolution
airy labor movement to become better
acquainted with the work OF the
Marine Workers Industrial Union, to
give more support in the building
of the union. And especially in con-
nection with the carrying thru of the
convention which in the light Of the
deepening crisis, the whole interna-
tional situation, places heavy respon-
sibilities upon all of us. To take the
situation in all its seriousness, GER
tainly We can not for moment fail
to appreciate the Importance Of work
in this key war industry.