Evening star., 1933-08-19
Green Says Demand Will Go
Further Than Restoration
of Present IS Per Cent.
RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES
RETURN TO Be ASKED
Program Revealed at Session Which
Launches Membership Drive
of New Union.

Government workers will go before
the next Congress with wage demands
which will include not only elimina-
ton of the Is per cent economy act
slash, but will provide also for "rea-
sonable. just increase" above the re-
stored level.
This plan of action was outlined last
night by william Green, president Of
the American Federation of Labor, In
an address at meeting which launched
membership campaign for the Amer
ican Federation of Government EN-
ployes.
During the past year, Government
workers have lost much, but If they
have lost much they must gain much;
and to gain, they must unite and
fight" the labor chief emphasized.
In addition to the pay ADJUSTMENT
restoration Of rights and privileges cut
of in the retrenchment program also
will be sought, Green declared.
Meeting to Be CaAed.
In this connection, he said that as
soon as he can get time from the Ia
bors involved IN recovery act code
hearings, he proposes to call a meet
ing of representatives Of all unions
with membership in the Government,
so we can center upon Congress in
presenting our demands"
Last nights meeting, at A. F. Of L.
headquarters came on the first ami
versary of the chartering Of the Amer
ican Federation Of Government EN-
ployeS after the National Federation
of Federal Employees had. withdrawn
from the American Federation OF La
Dor.
Green said the new organization had
not made the progress here he would
have liked, but that difficulties, includ-
ing some internal dissension. had been
overcome, and that he looked forward
with confidence to the future OF the
organization.
He asserted that only with the solid
backing of all organized labor could
Government workers hope to achieve
their aims.
In the course of his speech, Presi-
dent Green repeated previously voiced
criticism of the Government in calling
for shorter hours and higher pay IN in
dustry and then taking an opposite
course in its own employment policy.
In my opinion. We ought to have
the Government of the United States
out in front carrying the recovery act
banner, leading the way as the largest
employer in America" he declared.
Great Labor Expansion.
In urging intense efforts to recruit
members, Green said that the Ameri-
| can Federation of Labor now is ex-
periencing the greatest period Of eX-
| pansion in history.
Cecil NJ Mears, chairman of the Ma
tional Campaign Committee, outlined
plans for the membership drive which
will open August Is and continue
through September 8. All solicitations
are to be made by personal contact,
and prizes are to be awarded for the
best showing.
| Cecil E. Custer, executive secretary.
: who presided at the meeting, reviewed
the first year and said he is sure our
organization has made material prog
ress and that we are On our way to
greater accomplishments for the Gov
! ernment employees"
Other speakers were William Otto,
Secretary-treasurer of the National
! Federation of Post Office Clerks John
! Torka, assistant secretary-treasurer
and R. A. Morrison of the Trades
| Union News of Philadelphia, which
| now is the official organ of the Fed
/ Grafton of Government Employees
The postal union officials lauded the
part the American Federation of Labor
has taken in aid of Government work.
ers for the past 25 years.