The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-01-06
MINERS IN PENN.
WANT STRUGGLE
FOR STRIKE RIGHT
By a NIiner Correspondent


YUKON, Pa.-Last summer wnen
some 75,O00 struck several times. the
National Miners Union issued leaflets
calling the miners to put demands
and have a central leadership; some
of the demands were for a six hour
day, five day week and a Sc day.
Payments were not considered be-
cause the miners at that time had
faith in Roosevelt, the N.RA. and
Lewis and his machine.
At that time, with a fighting lead
ership there was great possibilities in
spreading the strike, throughout the
entire American coal fields and the
hour day and IS wage scale could
be won. But the strikebreaking Lewis
and the N.R.A. served the coal OPP
orators faithfully.
But today is another story. The
coal companies have recognized the
U.MWA. Conditions are Just as bad
as before; no right to strike; the
miners are supposed to have the right
Of electing their own checkweighman.
But whoa! There Is a lcop-hole to
keep militant miners off the tipples.
Men who have been backlisted for a
number of years, the following clause
in the contract speaks for itself: IF
suitable person to act as check
weighman is not available from
among the mine workers, a man not
employed at the mine may be selected
upon MUTUAL AGREEMENT" I per-
sonally know Of two miners who have
been e,seted but cannot act as check
weighman because of this clause.
Today preparations are going on for
the International Convention Of the
United Mine Workers, of America;
dozens and dozens of local unions in
this field have adopted resolutions for
six hour day, five day week and
$6 day wage scale, for the right to
strike, the right to elect their own
organizers and officers. Delegates
have been elected to the Convention.
I spoke to a delegate who is also
president Of his local of some 700
members; ne told men his duty is to
serve the men who elected him, and
their demands; some of which are the
hour day, Sc wage and five day
week. We also discussed policy and
procedure; he told me that his idea
of winning a demand or demands was
strike action, and that the arbitra-
ton ties the miners down, although
he is not acquainted with the Lewis
machine. I told him of other con-
ventions where militant miners were
slugged and about the handing out of
cigars and whiskey, and other tricks
Of the officaldom.
This miner, at whose local was
member at one time, is one Of the
many delegates who will come to the
convention with purpose to fight
for bettering their conditions. But
what is needed most is a militant CEN
trail leadership which will show the
way for hundreds of delegates who
are honest
The local OF the U.M.WA. Of which
I am member adopted a resolution
for determined struggle in April for
six hour day and five day week and
six dollar wage, Of all coal miners
in America; also resolutions on the
Scottsboro case, appointive power, and
other rank and file demands; also
our delegates have been elected to
he Unemployed Conference Of West
noreland County on Jan. In Green
5urg, Pa, which is called by the I'm
employed Councils.
It is now the duty to work hard and
prepare for April 1st, and may there
be a general mine strike in America
for the six hour day as one of the
main demands. Around this demand,
the miners will fight, as they are
speaking about 1t already.