The daily worker., 1934-02-24
Discusses Action
on c and NV Strike
Ballot Maneuyer
Should Prepare to Do
for Ourselves What Paid
Officials Fail to Do
By a Railroad Worker Correspondent


BY Railroad Worker Correspondent
CHICAGO, Ill read with inter-
/ est the article In Saturdays (Feb.
/ l0th) Daily Worker, on the Chicago
and North Western so-called strike
ballot. Your correspondent correctly
| points out that this ballot does not
call for a strike, but calls for giving
our officials additional authority to
monkey with agreements and settle
our grievances to suit their purposes.
But there are one or two points which
the writer or the article failed to
bring out clearly enough.
Your Correspondent proposes that
we vote "for" strike on the ballot and
then makes the following proposals.
But In addition we should go into
our lodges and raise the demand for
an amendment to the strike ballot
calling for a lodge or ballot referen-
dunn Of the membership before any
settlement. We should demand rank
and file representation in all future
negotiations. And we should demand
real preparation for a strike if these
| grievances are not settled immedi-
4 ately Further, we should see that
open meetings Of both members and
non-memberS be called by every lodge
and organization, to discuss the ballot
and negotiations"
All these proposals are good and
necessary, but while the ballot is be-
ing circulated, counted and negoti-
] 1AnG "a 4s an3a4sy1rgf4ada "A
break our agreements and grievances
continue TO pile up. The writer of the
Feb. 10th article, in critieizing the
Brotherhood officials, indirectly points
the way to what we should do. He
says, Never once have they (the off,
cials) tried to rally the rank and file
for militant action on the job. Partial
stoppages Of work, slow down or mass
rank and file committees would have
forced the company to restore condi-
tions."
These truths which are here stated
negatively should be taken as positive
guides to action. We should prepare
to do for ourselves what our paid off,
cials fail to do. Side by side with the
effort to have our say in negotiations
should go the effort to settle griev-
anceS by direct action on the job. One
little example Of strike action on the
Job would do us more good in the
strike vote negotiations than any
number Of high powered Grand Lodge
representatives or lawyers.
Split Unity
Your correspondent also slides over
the fact that three Of the organizes
tions, Brotherhood Of Locomotive En-
gineerS, Order Of Railway Conductors
and Order OF Railway Telegraphers,
are not included in this so-called
strike vote. This point is of great i'm
portance, and the rank and file of
the whole 16 organizations should de-
mand explanation from our officials
why when they bring up the question
Of strike, they fail to secure 8 united
front Of sill the crafts.
Some Of the Brothers on the Job
try TO explain this by saying that 1t
is because Of personal differences be-
tween Al Whitney Of the Trainmen
and johnson and Barry of the En-
gineers and Conductors. II that is the
answer, it is hell Of a state of af-
fairs that allows the personal dislikes
OF our would-be leaders to split our
ranks.
But I don't think that is all there
is to it, for the Grand Chiefs were
able to get together on accepting the
10 per cent cut and they have un-
animously agreed on Its extension
Rather this looks like q definite plan
to lessen the chance of a strike even
while raising the question of strike
In considering strike, the big Four
Of the operating department are the
most important organizations. Be
cause of lay-offs many engineers
(members of the B. Of l.. Ed are firing
engines and many conductors (mem-
bers Of the ORGY are working as
freight brakemen. That leaves the
opening in case of strike for the lead
ers of the ORC. and B. Of l.. E. to
: demand that their members scab on
brakemen and flremen. The company
J is reported to be preparing for just
J this by reinstating several discharged