The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-01
Six Ships Strike
In Sympathy in
Cuban HarbOr
DIV a MARINE Worker Corresnondent

BY Marine Worker Correspondent
NEW YORK.-Six ships, flying
the American, English, German and
Norwegian flags, struck recently in
Puerto Tarafa, in Cuba, in support
Of the strike of the workers of the
Cuban Northern Railways and the
sugar mill workers in more than 20
mills in Camaguey province.
On Jan. 26, the railroad union
(Soceidad de Empleados del Ferro-
carril del Norte de Cuba) called a
strike, effecting the longshoremen,
the completely tieing up the port of
Tarafa. In Neuvistas, three miles
from Puerto Tarafa, the anarcho-
syndicalists (Sindicato Unico de OBJ
reraS de Nuevitas) agreed at first to
united front strike, in sympathy
with the railwaymen and the work.
ers in the sugar mills. Later, how
ever, acting under orders from their
central offices in Havana, the an
rcho-syndicalists withdrew their
support because of the Communist
leadership and, as they explained,
"a general strike would bring Amer
lean Intervention"
The demands of the united front
strike called for the agreements
made with the Grau- San Martin
government which had never been
fulfilled These demands called for
the universal eight hour day. the
withdrawal Of the troops from the
sugar mills, and the resembling of
the so per cent law. CThis infamous
law, intended to divide the workers,
Negro, white and foreign born, by
dividing work equally among foreign
born and native, dNs~ite an dispro-
portionate number Of foreign born.)
Propose General Strike.
AS soon as the longshoremen
v 9rt on strike, members Of the crew
Of the Gypsum King, flying the
English flag, conferred with the
longshoremen, and proposed gen.
eral strike meeting of the seamen
in the port. Leaflets were drawn
up, and a flying squad" of organ
.zers visited all the ships.
On Jan. %, forty-five delegates
from the six ships in port met to
draw strike plans. The ships rep
resented were the Lynchaug and
Eelle, of Norwegian registry; the
Lasbek, OF German registry; the
Munlsto, of the American Munson
Lines; and TIE Treyvola and Gyp-
sum King, of English registry.
At this meeting the seamen
passed resolution as follows: 1--WE,
members of crews of ships in Puer-
to Taraia, Cuba, declare our soil
darity with the longshoremen, rail-
road workers, and sugar mill work
ers who are now on strike.
1--WE will prevent any scab cargo
from bling handled by every means
IN our power; by firemen refusing
t. give s'eam. and semen refusing
to work winches until the strikers
demands are obt@ med"
500 Sugar Workers Join.
Leaflets were issued, and SOC
sugar mill workers in nearby Qua
jaba also came out on strike. The
strike was spreading rapidly. On
receipt OF notice from their head
quarters in Havana, the syndicalists
withdrew their support on the
grounds that a general strike would
bring American intervention.
The seamen's delegated committee
visited each ship, and immediate
demands Of the Seanlen were pre-
sented to the captains. On the Lyn-
chang, the men demanded: recog-
milton of the Marine Workers In
dustrial Union, one more coal pas.
ser to be added to the crew, 6
Seven-hour day in the tropics, wage
increases, no logging, and no dis.
elimination. After four hours ne.
gotiation, the demands we're wor
with a slight concession on wages
The Lynchaug sirns articles ir
American ports, and since this /.
the first time that articles have
been broken through a strike In 9
foreign port, the men realize thai
the real fight will come when the
men are paid off, since in all proba
bility the captain will claim that h,
was forced to sign under duress.
Force Release Of Seamen.
During the afternoon a membe,
of the crew of the Lynchaug wa.
arrested but threats Of genera
strike forced his release. When tn,
captain ordered the arrest of the
members of the strike committee
the captain of the Rural Guarc
refused because of the threat of G
general strike.
The strike was spreading. Wher
the workers in the electric PLAN
went on strike, martial law was de.
clared, the workers were arrested
and the plant operated with scabs
The Abe, armed, patrolled thu
streets with the soldiers, and cleared
the streets.
Orders came from New York thai
Gypsum King proceed to New York
With the otter ships, the Gypsum
King steamed out of Puerto Tarafs