The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-05-18

Union. AS a result of this united
action hundreds of workers are being
organized in the SMWIU. In about
10 shops the workers were lined up
100 per cent into the organization.
The enthusiasm Of the workers is
high and practically the whole mem
bership is involved in spreading the
organization further and lining up
workers in the union.
AS the drive and the struggles OF
the workers go on, the metal spin
ners, who until now followed more
or less class collaboration policy,
learn the advantages of militant class
struggle and come more and more
under the militant leadership and in
fluence Of the SNIWIU.
United Front With Machinists
Another united front action was
accomplished by our organization be-
tween the members Of our organiza-
ton and the Sewing Machine Ma
chinists of the American Federation
of Labor. In this case a joint strike
was called in the Consolidated Sew
ing Machine Company. After the
strike was called the manufacturers
association declared a lockout in %
shops. involving altogether about 100
workers.
1t was quite evident from the very
beginning that here we were dealing
with an ALL. Local led by reac-
tionary, corrupt elements who were
aiming to -ell out the workers. At the
first meeting of the ALL. Local the
reactionary leaders proposed that the
strike should be settled on the basis
that the workers should go back to
work under a 44-hour week instead
of the former 60-70-hour week. They
proposed also that they should dis
solve their union and form another
organization that would affiliate with
the bosses association.
When the vote was taken, every
one voted for our proposals. At the
same time four rank-and-file workers
were added to the Strike Committee
In spite Of this correct move, the
oetrayers went on with their dirty
work and at the next strike meeting
they came forward with the same
proposals, saying that those who
would not accept the recommended
ton and return to work on Monday
would lose their jobs. They were
forced to put the matter to a vote,
but due TO the fact that gangsters
were present at the meeting, the
membership was terrorized. The Sec
ret ballot which they were able to
control by this means was 40 to ~
II, favor IF THAR fNror7OcoIc
Since these workers are working in
shops where one or two workers only
are employed, Generalization set in
and it was impossible to continue the
strike. The result of this united front
action was that all the members of
the rank-and-f ile became convinced
that the ALL. leaders nisled them.
They see as their only solution the or
ganiSation of the opposition inside
the company union that was formed
that will eventually take over the
leadership and form a real militant
union.
Utilize United Front Tactics in the
Heavy Metal Shops.
The lessons of these united front
actions and the advantages of them
must be spread far and wide among
all metal workers working in the
large metal plants where our union
is concentrating. Open letters should
be sent to all International Associa-
ton Of Machinists Locals in Brooklyn,
calling upon the workers to join
hands with us in organizing the
workers in the Navy Yard, in Robbins
Dry Dock, in Mergenthaler's and
other metal plants, to fight wage
cuts; for higher wages and better
working conditions. These open let
tiers should also be distributed among
the workers whom we want to organ
ize for the above demands.
In this way we will be able to
establish rank and-file committees
which. under our leadership, will
mobilize the workers for the demands
enumerated above and bring into
motion the large masses of metal
workers against their miserable con-
ditions. 1t will result in bringing
about strong and powerful Steel
& Metal Workers Industrial Union.