The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-11-13


their demands betrayed by
the union via the usual N. r. A.
method of arbitration before the
Roosevelt Labor Board. A strike
call in the industry has been set
for Nov. Is, but President McCabe
is at present in full control of ne
gotiations, with the consequent
danger that strike sentiment will be
throttled and the workers kept at
their jobs despite failure of the
glass companies to concede de-
mands for wage increase.
On Oct. Is, conference was
called of delegates from all glass
workers locals, at which the basis
for universal wage-scale agree
ment was drawn up for presenta-
ton. The conference, held in CO.
lumbus, o., went on record for al
lowing the companies thirty days in
which to consider demands, after
which the workers were to strike If
their demands were not granted.
DifferentIal Exists
A difTerential of from so to 80
cents per hour now exists in the va
rious plants of the country now de-
voted to the production of fiat plate
glass. In addition to requesting a
universal wage scale based on av-
erages for all plants, the demands
drawn up by the conference called
for an average 20 per cent increase
in the wages of all workers in the
industry.
In the time since the presenta-
ton Of demands to the glass en-
ployers, it is significant that no
preparations whatever have been
made for a strike on Nov. Is.
Fearing the strike sentiment,
which was known to exist in the
ranks of the glass workers, the glass
manufacturing companies came
forward just prior to the calling Of
the Columbus conference with the
offer of 10 per cent increase of
wages.
Following the Columbus confer
ence, McCabe issued statement
declaring what a difficult time he
had restraining the glass workers
from taking immediate strike &C
ton.
The Federation of Flat Glass
Workers was one of the first unions
which succeeded in forcing the
granting Of an industrial charter
for the industry by the American
Federation of Labor. The members
sent delegation to Washington to
protest to Green and Co. against
the continued ignoring of their re-
quest for an organizational frame
work patterned along Industrial
lines.
Charter Granted
After hurried consultation
among the official family of the
A. F. Of L., Green finally consented
to issuing an industrial charter for
the union after he was assured it's
leadership would be in the hands of
such staunch supporter of the bu-
rsaucracy as McCabe, then presi-
dent of the Cutters League.
The expenses Of organizing the
industry were born by the League
due to the maneuvering of Green
and Frank Morrison, and the or
ganization drive was begun. In some
Of the plants in the Pittsburgh vi
cinity the workers were organized
while the plants were totally shut
down. When the employees finally
returned to work the demand for
the checkof was presented and the
company pittsburgh Plate Glass
and its subsidiaries) was compelled
to concede recognition of the union
and the voluntary checkoff.
Although strike sentiment is high
among the glass workers in and
around Pittsburgh, their demands
are now in the hands of McCabe
and the Labor Board, and nothing
whatever IS being done to prepare
for the calling of an effective strike
IN case the companies refuse to as
sent 10 the demands of the workers.
There is little doubt, that in view
of the statement issued by McCabe
following the conference, every eff
fort will be made by the A. F.. of l..
misleaderS to betray the interests
of the glass workers and prevent
the calling of strike throughout
the industry. Failing this they have
already taken steps to assure the
leadership Of the strike being IN
McCabe'S hands SO that he may be-
head it when the opportunity pre-
sent5 Itself
A. F. of L. guidance of the work.
ers has succeeded in bringing about
condition wherein the Cutters
League, the Oldest of the glass
workers unions, is still meeting
separate and apart from the rank
and file workers of the industry.
and no assurance exists that this
group will positively come out OH
strike when the call is issued.