The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-09-17
AT .OfL.LOcals
COndennGang
Rule in Unions
Demand Inner DemOc-
racy in Resolutions to
AFL Convention

NEW YORK.-Many local unions
of the American Federation Of La
Dor have passed resolutions con-
demning gangsterism and racketeer-
ing in the Federation, the A. F. of
L. Rank and File Committee an
nounced here yesterday. This reso-
luton, drafted by the rank and file
body and sent to many locals, has
been endorsed along with another
one urging solidarity actions with
strikers, regardless of union afiha-
ton. All Of the resolutions will be
brought up on the floor Of the ma
tionaI convention of the A. F. Of L.
in October at San Francisco.
The resolutions follow:
Resolution On Democracy in the
Trade Unions
WHEREAS; The practice is widespread
in our unions Of officials perpetuating
themselves in power as buresucrats, build
ing around them machine and terroriz-
ing those members who are in disagree
ment with the policies and actions Of the
clique rule on top, and
WHEREAS: At all conventions Of the
A. F. Of L., state and national. there is
complete absence OF democracy and a
marked domination of well oiled ma
chine which railroads through the de-
cisions Of the bureaucracy, and
WHEREAS: All decision concerning the
interests Of the rank and file, as for ex-
ample, the calling and settling Of strikes.
the signing Of trade union agreements and
negotiations with the employers is carried
on without consultation with the member
ship and contrary to their wishes and
interests, and
WHEREAS: The autocratic rule Of these
union bureaucrats was instrumental in
leading to widespread corruption among
these officials and to the development Of
gangsterism and racketeering In our A. F.
Of l.. unions, which has terrorized and
demorslized the ranks Of the workers and
weakened the organized labor movement,
and
WHEREAS: Trade union democracy will
enable differences OF opinion to be ex-
pressed and give the rank and file full
expression, serving as check on the &C
tons Of the union leaders and will in
volve the rank and file in participation in
union activities, developing their fighting
spirit to the end that better conditions
may be secured, be it therefore
RESOLVED: That the ................. goes on
record for trade union democracy and
bdAAo WI all 4uleLlldL4DlldA OAlEldlS " BoLdD-
lish this principle on the basis Of the
following procedure:
That: ALI oficials shall be elected by
popular vote in secret ballot and elected
rank and file committees shall be in charge
of counting the votes.
That 2-The practice Of not seating
delegates to central bodies must stop.
That 3-The membership have the right
to recall officials and representatives by a
majority vote before the expiration Of the
term.
That: mo member OF the union eK-
cept those who were found guilty az strike
breakers or as working in the interests of
the employers shall be deprived II the
right to be nominated, put on the ballot
and act as an official or representative Of
the union when elected.
That: 5-All trade union agreements, all
amendments to the Constitution, and all
other questions affecting the interests Of
the membership, shall be submitted to the
members for a vote.
That: 6-The right Of local unions to
start referendum, the right Of individual
free speech, free criticism Of policies, mem
bers to initiate proposals and tactics the
right Of local union to declare a strike
and to lead its members on strike, the
right Of a member to belong to any poll
teal party, all these shall be considered
rights which cannot be violated.
That: Nobody shall try and convict
member or an official except by a trial
board elected by popular vote of the
members and giving the accused one all
the unrestricted privileges Of counsel, wit
nesses, his or her own stenographic record
and full publicity to the proceedings.
That: 8-International officials call con-
ventions as stipulated in the constitutions
Of the respective international organiza-
tions but under any circumstances such
conventions shall be called at least every
two years.
Resolution Calling for Solidarity Actinns