The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-01-18
Organization Problems
in a Foundry

I WORK in a foundry. We have
had four direct wage-cuts. Now
they introduce another system
piece work. Each worker used to
make between SO and go cents an
hour, and now he makes 80 cents
an hour doing the same work. The
workers have not been organized in
the shop at all.
Last summer there was somebody
who distributed leaflets there and
there was little news in the Daily
Worker about the shop, but could
not find anybody who was doing
the work. Later on I found that
I wouldn't be able to do anything
until I joined an organization. So
I joined the Unemployed Council
and then the Party. Then we
started to work in the shop. We
organized a group in the factory,
but some stool-pigeons exposed the
workers who attended, and they
were fired.
We started to organize workers
in our department alone. And so
far we have ten workers ready to
join the union. I also have two
fellows ready to join the Party.
Here is the way got them fellows
together. They have a scheme in
the shop here to replace workers at
lower wages. Instead of a German
they have a Pole. The Polish
worker who takes the job gets his
wages cut. I explain this to the
workers at dinner time. I tell them
that we have to organize so that
the company can't take advantage
Of US. The workers begin to listen
to this. And I bring some Daily
Workers and leaflets, and give it to
them.
One time it was very cold there.
No heat. We have to take bath
In the shop because we get so
dirty, but we can't. We couldn't
eat our dinner-so cold in there.
About ten fellows sitting down
came and said: How about elect
ing committee to see Mr.. -"
They laugh at me. "They won't
give it to you" they say. But we
finally convinced them. So two
fellows went. We told the boss that
the fellows get sick. The boss
promised the heat. The fellows
laughed at us, not believing we
would get the heat. At 2 o'clock
heat was coming in. go around
to the workers. They see heat is
on. Then, the next day, there is
no heat. The workers come around
and say to me, Where is the
heat?' Next day, only ten work
erS are working. l meet the boss
and tell him the heat is shut off.
He said, no. Well, I said, there is
no heat in there. He said, well,
you better see the man who takes
care of it," I find out that the
heat was not shut off, only pipe
stuck. So the workers now trust
me.
I tell them we got to organize
against the wage-cut. They tell us
they were going to cut our wages
10 per cent. The workers were get
ting 81. Now they are going to cut
80 cents. 1t takes day and half
TO make that 81. Some Of the
workers earn as little as 50 in two
weeks. have seen checks between
So and 81 for two weeks. I tell
them they would be even better off
if they get relief from the relief
bureau. So I tried to organize.
They say it is impossible to organ
ize now with SO many unemployed.
I ask them if he want a job with
four children and wife to feed
like this. So the workers don't
care no more for that job.
One worker who first thought
was not responsible proved to be
good contact. I had to do some
work for him and then j started
to talk to him and he said he didn't
give a damn for the job. He said
he would rather be on the relief.
He came. to our meeting and now
all our department is going to be
organized except five fellows whom
I suspect. I am going to make the
others join the Unemployed Coun-
Gil and maybe later the Party.
Editorial Note.--Here the cor
rect emphasis placed OH partial
demands as means of approach
to the workers succeeded only In
winning a partial struggle In the
shop, but resulted in gaining the
confidence Of the workers. This
already lays the basis for build
ing. the organization in the shop.
developing further the struggle
for partial demands and strength
ening the organizational basis of
the Party in the shop. But here,
also, 1t Is essential to link up the
struggle for the immediate de-
nands in the shop with the fight
for Unemployment Insurance.