The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-31

rotary of the TUUC in an interview
with the Daily Worker
In his ONCE at 799 Broadway. An
drew OVergaard, who has devoted.
many years to the trade union move
ment, worked closely with Conrade
Foster, discussed the highlights Of
the recent strike movement that has
stricken terror into the MIRA bosses
and provoked a fascist attack from
the red-baiter, Grover Whalen.
I'VE lead the workers in their
fight for higher wages, for improved
conditions, against the bosses often
sive. For example, Whalen Is at
tempting to make the issue Com
munism in our strike leadership. This
is vancouver to hide the real issue
in all Of the strikes we lead, against
the employers attempt to continue
long hours, to refuse increases in
pay, to reduce the wages of skilled
workers, and in many instances, the
refusal to pay even the miserable
wages of the codes"
The TUUC participates In every
strike; it leads opposition groups
within the A. F. Of L. Now, in this
critical period when the combined
forces Of the state and bosses are
striving to smash the workers or
CARNATIONS, the TUUC is showing its
fighting leadership.
The TUUC strives to unite all
workers into a fighting center, re-
gardless Of union Affiliations, on the
basis of determined and united
struggle for improved conditions. In
our unions there are democrats, So
cialists and republicans.
At the mention OF arrest of the
6 pickets Of the Elco Shoe co. in
Brooklyn by the Wall Street tool
Whalsn, Overgaard's face frightened.
We are meeting the attacks of
Whalen with general strengthens
ing OF our organizations, increasing
strike activity and with protest tele-
grams to Washington, with delega-
tons to Mayor OBrien.
I'VE are now preparing a mass de-
monstration in one Of the largest
halls in the city, most likely at
Madison Square Garden. i
turned the discussion to thsI
strikes now in progress. We wer1
constantly interrupted by telephone
calls from various strike centers. MI
one could doubt that Overgaard hal
his hands full. 4
IN the metal industry" he conf
tinued, I'VE have added 1000 new
members, practically doubling OUR
membership. All of this in the last
few weeks. Many of the shop. b.
the silver and holloware trade have
already settled with the union and
have granted most Of the major de-
mands The Fixture and Figure
Workers Union won its demands in
almost all of the shops"
"Our struggles are carried on along
a wide front. Strikes on two ships,
the SIS. Diamond Cement and the
Cornore, are being successfully led
By the Marine Workers Industrial
Uricn. In the Brooklyn Navy Yard
Cur leaflets have aroused the work
eTs to protest against wage cuts, and
we have been able to add to our ranks
over $50 seamen.
1.-THE arrest of the Elco Shoe pick
cts has, Of course, conferred atten-
ton on the shoe strike, which we are
leading. Eight thousand workers are
members Of the Shoe Workers Indus
trial Union, which has grown rapidly
in a very short period. Half the
shops have already settled. The
others will probably follow shortly.
But the big strikes are not our
only concern. The TUUC Is leading
in struggle over 5000 tobacco str''--
ers. II has won over completely $50
striking textile workers in Brooklyn,
has directed the strike Of $50 young
celluloid workers, and has just or
ganized $50 young workers Of the
Aerovox Company in strike for
higher wages"
I asked about the furTiers. Over
gard smiled.
Here" he replied, "our policy Of
mass struggle has been especially
successful The union has 1,100 shops
working under union contract, and
5000 members in the union"