The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-08-06
Continued from Page y

the Analgamated Association of
Iron, Steel and Tin Workers, where
the General Strike was sold out,
the second biennial convention of
the militant Steel and Metal Work
ers' Industrial Union continued ITS
second session, considering with de-
termination and fightirq
organizational problems necessary
to prepare for the coming 0a.tI,
against the steel barons and metal
manufacturing bosses.
The credentials committee re-
ported 125 regular and fraternal
delegates present. with 1O2 repre-
senting locals of the Steel and
Metal workers Industrial Union in
IL districts and 33 cities, with the
majority of delegates working in
steel mills and metal manufacturing
shops. In addition, five indepen-
dent unions and two lodges Of the
A. A. were represented. Fraternal
delegates were present also from the
Polish Chamber of Labor. Interna-
tional Workers Order, Unemploy-
ment Councils and International
Labor Defense.
Following a report of the creden-
tials committee, James Egan, ma
tional ry-treasurer, gave a
two-hour report on the experiences
of the union in struggle during the
past two years. concluding with an
analysis of the work, its main
weaknesses, and an outline of the
tasks which face the S. M. w I. U.
in the immediate future.
s. NJ. w. I. u. Victories
Contrasting the two currents of
the American labor movement as
exemplified in the A. F. of L. and
the militant steel unions, Egan
cited the records of the S. NJ. w.
I. u, which show victories scored
in 80 per cent of all strikes led,
calling on the convention to move
forward toward the preparation of
great struggles in the industry"
Among the principal resolutions
introduced since the convention
opened and now awaiting action by
the delegates is one calling for "a
mass strike in the steel industry
in the near future" as the perspec-
tive of the convention, which can
"only be realized with the presen.
relation of forces by the develop
ment of local strikes and the
broadening and spreading of such
strikes so as to assume general
character"
Following are the demands con-
tanned in this program of action
resolution on which these struggles
will be conducted:
~ Immediate increase Of
wages of IS per cent.
~ The six-hour day, five
day week, without reduction of
wages.
f3) Abolition of differential
between the North and South.
az The right of Negro work
ers to hold any job in the mills
and factories, without discrimina-
tion because of color.
~ Equivalent of two per cent
of payroll shall be paid by en-
pIoyers to unemployment fund to
be administered by the union
until enactment of Workers I'm
employment and Social Insurance
Bill by the federal government.
16) Abolition of speed-up in
all forms.
~ Recognition of the Steel
and Metal Workers Industrial
Union.
The program calls for the raising
Of special local demands in shops
where struggles are conducted, al
ways including one for recognition
Of shop committees Of the union.
Causes of Failures
Surveying past strikes, Egan
pointed out that it was primarily
to the failure to establish strong
committees in every department in
the mills and factories that many
of the lost struggles could be
blamed. Such was the case at AM
bridge, where the absence of shop
and department committees made it
possible for the steel companies to
drive the union underground by a
wave of terror.
A special resolution on the prob
lem of Negro workers and the jim
Grow calls for a fight to unite the
Negro and white steel and metal
workers or the basis of full equal
ity," for the right of Negro workers
to "hold any jobs that they are
qualified to perform, and pledges
a Afioht AGAINST all forms of dis