The daily worker., 1934-04-24
Cleveland A.F.L. Chiefs
Sidetrack Rank and
File Committee
ENTHUSIASM HIGH
Demand 5000 Pay Rise
and Union Recognition

CLEVELAND, April %
A strike beginning this morn
ing tied up the Fisher Body
Co. here. There are 8,400
workers recorded on the pay
roll. The strike followed ac-
ton at a local meeting of the
Automobile Workers Federal Union
"a. F. of l. Sunday. The leaders
fearing to lose the local because of
a recent raw sell-out. could not any
longer stop strike action.
Despite the fact that the produc-
ton peak is almost over. the work
ers are determined to fight. Strike
action followed when the bosses re-
fused to reply to the demands sub
nitted to them with Friday set as
the deadline. The workers demand
recognition of their union and
30 per cent wage increase.
A motion was made at the meet
ing for q broad rank and file strike
committee, but through juggling
with Roberts rules of order"
through substitutes and amend
ments, it was decided to leave it in
the hands of the executive COM
mittee. A Socialist member Of the
local fought against the broad strike
committee proposal.
A. F. Of L. leaders say the Cleve-
land strike is the key to the labor
situation in the auto industry. The
Cleveland Plain Dealer states: Be
cause the Cleveland strike might be
the forerUuner Of similar disnutes
throughout the country, labor lead
ers are expected to concentrate their
strength here. feeling a victory
would better their position nation
allv."
There was great deal of enthu-
siasm at the meeting when tele-
gram was read at the meeting tell
ing of the strike decision of 3.10o
st. Louis workers Of the Chevrolet
Motor Co. and the Fisher Body Co.
Workers Keep A.F.L. Faker from
Floor
James P. McSweeney. organizer
Of the A. F. of L., and president Of
the Cleveland Metal Trades Council,
has lost considerable influence in
the Fisher Body local through his
maneuvers. At the last meeting he
was not allowed the floor by rank
and file decision.
The local leaders are doing all
they can to make the strike look
respectable" and peaceful" They
admitted they tried to do every-
thing possible with the company,
President Roosevelt, and the Auto
mobile Labor Board; and after
everything failed, they finally had
to call strike because of the Senti-
ment throughout the shop.
The demands of the strike are.
recognition Of the union, 30 per
cent increase, double time for Sun
day and holidays; time and a half
for overtime. No special demands
for the youth or women have been
drawn up, although all are out
There are thousands of strikers
around the factory. Police are out
in full force patrolling the district.
Two mounted cops were booed by
group of strikers. This morning
a strike meeting is being held.
Auto Workers Union Backs Strike
The Auto Workers Union fully
supports the strike. 1t calls for
broad united front Of all workers,
regardless of union organization
they belong to. The Unemployed
Council here has pledged its full
support and cooperation with the
strikers. They pledge to mobilize
the workers of the whole city behind
the Fisher Body strikers. They will
help with relief and keep unem-
ployed from scabbing.
300 Brass Workers Strike
CLEVELAND, April 23.-Three
hundred Chase brass and Copper
Co. workers went on strike this
morning. The prospects are that
1000 will be out tonight, shutting
down the entire plant. The de-
mands of the workers are for a 25
per cent increase in wages, against
the company union, and for recog-
milton of the Steel and Metal Work
ers Industrial Union, which is lead
ing the strike. The strikers appeal
to the workers in the Waterbury,
Conn, plants of the Chase Brass to
follow the example and support the
Cleveland strike.