The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-11-28
A Strikebreaking Bill

officials of the New York State Fedora
" ton of Labor have agreed to vicious
strikebreaking measure which they have
the nerve to call unemployment insur-
ance." In a conference with State Indus
trial Commissioner Elmer F. Andrews representa-
tives of Mayor LaGuardia, Governor Lehman and
employers these A. F. of L. officials approved of
measure to be presented before the next state legis
latre which provides benefits be paid when
unemployment due to trade disputes such
strikes"
Other features of this bill expose the fake bills
New York City, state and national governments are
attempting to palm off on the workers as unem-
ployment insurance The BILL as drafted, it was
announced by Andrews, provides that benefits
shall be paid before Oct l, 1886 (neary two years.
To receive benefits the worker must have been en-
ployed eight weeks during every year proceeding the
payment of benefits 1t bars farm aborers from
benefits. The funds to be administered not
by the workers, but by the state government which
that the employers would be able to hold the
threat of Withholding payment any union worker.
The benefits are to total $40 to SIS week for
a minimum of 20 weeks year-a grand total of
5000 to $500 year at the most The unemployed
worker is to get nothing for three weeks after be-
ing laid off. The bill is to contain misconduct"
clause and the worker is to be barred from benefits
for ten weeks if misconduct" is charged by the
employer. District and state appeal" boards are
to be set up with employers, and impartial" mem
bers we'll representatives of employees which
would delay benefit payments still more.
Those drawing up this draft bill, which will be
presented to Governor Lehman, included George
Meany, president of the New York State Federation
of Labor; Mrs Justine Wise Tun, who represented
LaGuarda A. Epstein, of the American Associa-
ton for Social Security; Miss Mary Dreier, Of the
Womens Trade Union League, and representatives
Of Governor Lehman All approved this vicious
measure
This is what Governor Lehman's representatives
prominent disciples of the New Deal and A. F. of
L. leaders, try to make the workers believe is un-
employment insurance" This bill would be an
anti-labor weapon against strikes and against
unions. 1t is aimed to create doce labor and bars
the totally unemployed 1t is aimed to sidestep the
responsibility of the government to grant real I'M
employment insurance.
1t is significant that such bill is presented by
Roosevelt aides and A. F. of L. leaders Just at this
time, when the workers are preparing broad Con-
greSs for Unemployment and Social Insurance to
take place in Washington, D. c., on jan ST.. The
central demand of this congress will be for the i'm
mediate passage by the U. s. Congress of the Work
Unemployment and Social Insurance Bill. The
congress will demand that the state legislatures
pass the Workers Bill pending it's passage by the
Federal Government.
This congress is being preceded by local demon
STATIONS and struggles against relief cuts now be-
ing instituted by the Roosevelt government and for
real unemployment insurance. 1t has the support of
broad masses of workers, including A. F. of L. and
socialist workers.
contrast of the fake Unemployment insur-
ance" measure proposed by A. F. of L. leaders of
New York State, with the Workers Unemployment
and Social Insurance BILL once more emphasizes
that the latter is the only real unemployment in
surance bill which will come before Congress
The Workers Bill calls for payment of benefits
to all unemployed not ten weeks year but every
week. The Workers Bill provides that the workers
themselves administer the funds and that the
money be obtained by tax on the rich and from gov
eminent funds.
The Workers Unemployment Insurance Bill
sickness, old age maternity etc. 1t Is the only bill
now before the workers which provides for min
imum of $40 week to unemployed, with an addi-
tional So week for each dependent 1t provides
against discrimination against any unemployed
worker, whether strike or unemployed for any
reason whatsoever
The broadest struggles should be organized
in every city a preliminary to the Congress for
Unemployment Insurance
Expose the fake insurance" measures of the
A, F. of L. of1caldom and the LaGuardia and Roose-
welt politicians!
Fight for the Workers Unemployment and So
cial Insurance Bill!