The Omaha guide., 1935-07-27
Green Calls Conference
on Discrimination
in Trade Unions

as technicians and carpenters of
determinations they met with up
on seeking entrance into the trade
unions in Washington; DIR. Rob
ert c. Weaver, Special Advisor
on Negro Affairs in the Depart
ment Of the Interior, and DIR.
Ralph J. Bunche Of the Depart
ment of Government of Howard
University, sought to emphasize
with the committee the necessity
Of the A. f. of L. doing something
definite in the interest Of elimin-
a ing the color bar, as well as the
practice of discrimination against
Negro workers. DR.. Charles S.
Johnson of Fisk University made
a brief statement to the commit
tee on the question and indicated
that he would submit a brief COW
ering the whole matter. Briefs
and statements will also be sub
mitted by DR.. Weaver, Mr.. John
?. Davis and A. Phillip Randolph.
Upon the converting of the
hearing, Mr.. Randolph made a
statement ON the occasion of the
hearing and earnestly urged the
committee to recommend to Pres
William Green and the Executive
Council, the necessity of the COM
mittee holding hearings on dis
examinations by trade unions
against Negro workers, in other
cities, including New York, Chi
cago, Cleveland, Detroit, st.
Louis, Cincinnati and Los Ange-
les, in order that the workers who
are themselves the victims of dis
crlmination may be able to appear
IN person and tell their story.
Randolph pointed out that this
was necessary since the Negro
workers who had a real grievance
against some Of the trade unions.
neither had the money or time to
come to Washington to testify.
Besides, he continued. most of
hem are on relief and should alb
sent themselves from. the city
where they live, they will be cut
off. He presented factual data Of
a serious condition of discrimina-
ton against the Negro plumbers,
steamfitters and latherers in Chi
cago. He submitted affidavits
and photostatic copies Of letters
that had been gathered by the
Consolidated Negro Trades Coun.I
ell Of Chicago, tending to estab-
llsh, beyond the question Of a
doubt, discrimination by the
plumbers, steamfitters' and lath-
erers unions The request for
regional hearings on this question
was supported by John p. Davis
and Charles HI. Houston.
The following program was
submitted for adoption by the
F. of L. for the solution of the
problem of the Negro worker in
trade unions by John P. Davis
l. End for all time color bars in
union constitutions. 2. End ere
alton of seperate locals for Ne
groes. 3. Name a Negro organizer
for Negro workers. 4. Begin an
educational campaign among
black and white workers to the
end that both be convinced there
can be no strong trade union
movement until both races are or
ganized for joint action. 5. Place
A. Phillip Randolph as the Negro
representative on the Federation
Executive Council.
The committee appeared SYM
pathetic with the whole program
of going to the bottom Of discrim-
nations against Negroes and will
be pleased to receive material
from various workers as evidence
of difficulties encountered by
them in securing membership in
the union. Recommendations will
be made for the solution of this
problem of determinations
against Negro workers, by this
committee at the next A. F. Of L.
Convention in Atlantic City.