The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-06-13

posed the Workers Relief Ordinance,
which was adopted in its present
form at the conference called by the
Provisional United Front Committee
on June 3. The draft follows:
WORKERS RELIEF ORDINANCE
l. A minimum base rate Of $40
weekly cash relief for every unem-
ployed couple and 81 for each single
unemployed worker, plus So for each
dependent, shall be provided by the
city.
2. Work relief shall be permitted
only at prevailing trade union rates,
but shall not be less than SIS cents
per hour, payable in cash, for not less
than "A hours. Workers suffering ac-
cidents on relief jobs shall be en-
titled to compensation. Appropria-
tons for relief jobs shall be for raging
slunls, erecting modern workers
dwellings, schools, hospitals and play
grounds in working class neighbor-
hoods.
3. Part-tirne workers whose wages
are less than the basic unemployment
relief rate shall receive an amount
in relief to equalize their income with
that of workers receiving relief.
4. Unemployed and part-time
workers unable to pay rent shall not
be subject to eviction and shall be
entitled to retain their rooms or move
to equally convenient rooms of their
own choice at the expense of the
city. Gas, light and transportation
shall be furnished free to all unem-
ployed.
5. Children of the unemployed
shall be furnished with free hot
lunches, shoes, clothing, books and
fares; fees in city institutions Of
higher learning shall be abolished.
child labor to be absolutely pro-
hibited, children to be maintained at
cost Of city.
s. Unemployed workers and their
dependents shall be entitled to med
ical and dental care by doctors and
hospitals of their own choosing at
fixed rate to be paid by the city.
Z. Homes and other possessions Of
the unemployed and part-time work
ers shall noe be sub ect TO foreclosure
or repossession for non-payment Of
interest, principal or taxes during the
period OF unemployment and until af-
forded ample opportunity for rehab-
ilitation.
8. Employers shall be liable and
required to pay every worker whom
they lay off or discharge an indem-
nifty equivalent to one months pay.
When an employer, because of bank
ruptcy or other reason, fails to make
such payment, this obligation shall
be assumed and discharged by the
city. If the discharged worker dur
ing the period Of the one month does
not obtain employment, he shall be
entitled to relief from the city in
such amount as to make his income
equivalent to the base rate of unem-
ployment relief provided by the city
for the duration of unemployment.
9. Relief shall be administered by
committees directly elected by the
workers for this paxpose.
~. WSlIn1C lChCA CIehSASAAo
shall be established wherever $50 or
more unemployed make known the
need for such station in their sec
ton.
IL. These provisions shall apply to
ALI workers, regardless Of race, ma
tionality, religious or political sffilia-
ton, or period of residence in the
city.
u. These provisions shall be put
into immediate operation, but shall be
considered as temporary relief meas
ures pending the enactment by the
federal government of the Workers
Unemployment Insurance Bill. The
city government shall memorabilia
Congress for immediate passage Of
this bill.
Organize Campaign.
BY means of open hearings, the
press, leaflets, pamphlets, mass meet
ings, etc, the need Of this relief ordi-
nance must be brought to the masses
All organizations should elect COM
mittees to carry on the work, and to
register their unemployed members
and to make fight for relief, against
evictions, in cooperation with the
other organizations. Workers in the
shops should be assisted in fighting
for the shorter work-week with no re-
duction in weekly or monthly pay,
and to obtain wage increases.
The workers must no longer be
content to accept the miserable re-
lief that is given them. They must
fight. The Workers Relief Ordinance
is our immediate weapon.
This is not merely a petition cam
paign. In all sections, at the relief
bureaus, the masses must be mob
ilized to carry on struggle for the
payment Of this budget, not waiting
for the city to enact It into law.
The struggle must begin on the
broadest united front basis.
THE END.