The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-10-16

tAiIC m1kSu tAC SbAAhE was WHY
out revealed, with the reports from
the workers Of the actual conditions
in the shops following the strike.
The strike settlement was to have
given the workers a 65 cent minimum
hourly scale, 371a hour week and
recognition of price committees.
Wages, however, continue to be as
low as before the strike and although
hours have been decreased, the speed
up is intensified. The extra five hour
provision for overtime has been used
to extend the hours of work to 421a
per week. Coupled with the unbear-
able sweatshop conditions, abuses are
being heapad on the workers and no
redress is Forthcoming from the
union.
The cynical indifference of the
union officials Of Local 81 emphasizes
with greater certainty the truth of
the report that secret supplement-
airy agreement was made by the
treacherous officials which was to
completely ignore the terms of the
strike settlement but assured the
check-of of union dues to the buro-
Gratis.
At the Moscow shop at IS East 18th
ST., where 80 workers are employed,
the pay envelopes of the workers show
So to $40 for 421a hour week. Out
of this pittance, $3.50 was deducted
last week for union fees. When the
girls objected, the owner of the shop
declared that this arrangement was
made with the union. ut is your Or
ganization," said the boss. But we
did not benefit. Our wages are just
the same" the workers declared. The
boss said he knew nothing Of the Csc
hourly scale and couldn't pay it any,
way.
In only few shops are the girls
paid time and half for overtime,
the vast majority get straight time.
At the Roth shop, the boss called
the workers together and delivered a
speech on the strike settlement. Now,
listen girls. I am supposed to recog-
nlze your price committee, but they
cannot settle prices on my garments.
so you might as well leave things for
me to adjust. 1t wasn't the union, it
was the government that took YOU
down on strike. I have to live up to
the code and you know the code calls
tor only $13 a week as q minimum.
I'll do my best to raise all I can. but
you don't want me to move out of
town, do you? The scale of 65 cents
is out OF the question I didn't even
pay it in times of prosperity, how can
I pay it now?"
With these words of advice the
workers went back to the same pay
and the same conditions.
Workers reporting complaints to
Shorr and Schneider of the union
have been met with complete indif-
ference. They are too busy or they
know nothing about it, they say.
You're not used to the work yet,
girls" Shorr laughed at committee
OF the Roth workers who came to
protest. No shop meetings are being
called, nor are the officials interested
in what is happening in the shops.
AT the Jay Underwear Co. at a E.
32d ST., the boss is particularly vi
cious. IF you don't speed up you'll
go to your uncle's tonight" he told a
Negro presser in the presence of the
workers. What about the union?"
she asked. Whats the use of your
union working card? 1t doesn't
amount to anything. You ought to
know that"
Union fees being demanded are
$3.50 for initiation fee, So tax, $7.95
for the union book and 40 cents a
week for dues. Great bitterness is ex-
pressed by the workers against the
big amounts to be paid and the dis
regard of the conditions in the shops
by the officials. A left-wing opposi-
ton group is growing, although great
ly hampered by the tremendous es-
pionage in the shops and by police,
who stop any attempt to hold meet
ings or distribute leaflets.
The left wing Is demanding re-
duction in dues. A strong opposition
movement will force action on shop
grievances.