The daily worker., 1934-07-13
Pension Bill Attacks
r. r. Workers Jobs
Only Strong Unity Increment VIII Prevent
LayOtts and ProUide Real Security

time shopmen and the unskilled
workers, is entitled to a maxi
mum pension of $43.50.
No Real Security
But even this miserable pension
law, passed in answer to de-
mand for old age security after a
lifetime of service, is not definite
or secure. The President in sign
ing the Bill had to admit: cal
though the Bill does not create
very large additional financial OBJ
legation for the railroads during
the next four years, after that
period the financial obligation will
increase progressively and the
BILL MAKES NO SOUND PRO-
VISIONS FOR THIS IN
CREASEw
Since the President has taken
as a starting point the financial
burden to the railroads, it is OBJ
vious that in making any revisions
to offset the increase in financial
obligations, he will propose down
ward revisions in the meagre pen
sions to be given those workers
retired.
However, the above statement
does not give the full extent as to
the downward change in payments
which will be necessary unless the
railroads and the government ac-
cept additional financial respon-
sibility. AS already pointed out,
the bill stimulates layoffs and
general reductions in payrolls. If
the railroad workers allow these
layoffs and payroll savings to con-
tinue, this process will cut out
a large part of the contributions.
Thus by trying to mix payroll
economies with retirement pen
sion legislation, there would have
to be made an even sleeper re-
duction in pensions than even
Roosevelt mentions. In fact as a
result of this process, and in order
to avoid any increase in payments
on their part the railroads will also
do everything within their power to
deprive men nearing pension age
of this privilege by firing them.
But even this Bill, which Pres
ident Roosevelt halls as an i'm
over the previous Bill,
will, he claims, require many
changes and amendments in the
next session of Congress. From
his previous statements it logically
follows that the revisions will, OF
course, further demolish the retire
ment pensions which the older men
are supposed to get.
No Guarantee Against Breakdown
Thus, bill has been passed which
reductions in payrolls
and creates no guarantee that to
protect the profits of the railroads
the whole pension system may not
break down shortly after it has been
enacted.
1t is clear that Congress must be
bombarded with the demand Tor
some serious revisions, which will
eliminate sections of the Bill which
encourages payroll economies and
make the pension legislation inse-
cure. 1t is also necessary that the
railroads and the government be
made to accept additional financial
responsibilities to provide not only
for the security of the present
makeshift, but in order to provide
for an adequate old age pension for
railroad employees.
For the first time, it is made un-
derstandable to the older men that
the fight for the right to a job
is their fight, otherwise there
can be no pension bill based on
Joint contributions which will be
secure, unless its burdens are far
too great for the workers to
meet. Thus the greatest pos
sibility exists to unite all classes
of railroad employees around a
common program of action.
But to win this program, it
will be necessary not only to
unite, but to take militant ac-
ton to enforce the program on
an unwilling group of railroads
who are interested only in their
profits.
That lobbying in Washington
is ineffective, and that the pol
icy of united action as proposed
by the Railroad Brotherhoods
Unity Movement is the only path
which leads to victory is no
longcr theory, but proven
fset ~ he railroad industry.
Until June 5th, explained an
other speaker at this meeting,
ut looked as if we were through.
But then Brother Ellingson sent