Montana labor news., 1938-10-20

was cast. From then on, there was nothing
left but to build a new and more progressive
labor movement.
The amazing successes of the ClO that
followed are now a matter of historical
record. One after another the great mass
production industries, which the AFL had
never been able to organize, were compelled
to accept collective bargaining with the new
industrial unions.
Three million previously unorganized
workers were organized by the Clio in the
two years that followed.
But still the CLIO unions strove to bring
the AFL leaders to reason, so that the new
movement might be united with the old.
They postponed perfecting their W organi-
zation, until it became all too clear that the
AFL bureaucrats, like the Bourbons, could
neither learn nor forget.
Unity was rejected by these bureaucrats
except under conditions which would have
meant division and death for the sturdy new
unions of the CIO.
So, in April 1888, a meeting of the Clio
confirmed the decision of the organizations
Atlantic City conference, and decided that
a convention should be held this fall to estab-
lish the CLIO On a permanent constitutional
basis.
Since then, the CIO which grew like a
mushroom has shown that it can endure like
a rock. 1t has not only weathered a great
depression, but has gained and grown
through this period of its severest test.
Every one of the new unions of the CLIO
has maintained and consolidated its strength
during the depression. Contracts have been
renewed, wages maintained, and the whole
movement has stood as a mighty bulwark
against the lowering of standards for all of
American labor.
In addition, tens Of thousands more work.
ers have been organized in this recent period;
new national agreements have been won in
electrical manufacturing, communications
and other industries; and whole new indus
tries, like the p~acking-house industry, have
been added to the union columns.
Along with all this growth has come the
consolidation of the movement on a local
and state basis. Industrial Union Councils
have been set up in the cities and states, one
after another,
Now comes the final step of consolidation,
to perfect the organization of the new labor
movement-the calling of a convention at
which all the unions and councils Of the CLIO
may demoeratically adopt a constitution and
laws for the proper regulation of all matters
of common concern,
Reports to the convention in Pittsburgh
show that American labor, through the CLIO,
has made more rapid and substantial progress
than ever before in its history.
The new movement, which is now the main
body of American labor, will adopt policies
rejecting the wishes and aspirations Of all
American working people today.
In line with the consistent policy Of the
CLIO, the Pittsburgh convention will also lay
the basis of effective labor unity through
recognition of the right of all American work
ers to have the form Of union organization
which they themselves choose as best suited
to their needs and to the promotion of their
economic interests.
Finally, the CLIO convention will make
careful plans for such an expansion of labor
organization when business picks up as has
never yet been known.
y y
The Clio has built a movement of four
million workers and doubled the strength of
the labor movement in less than three years.
But there is much work yet to be done to
bring the privileges and benefits of collective
bargaining to all American workers.
This is the main task to which the CIO
will devote itself, once it has consolidated
and perfected its organization at the Pitts
burgh convention.
And in proportion as it succeeds in this
task, the whole country will benefit through
the winning Of higher living standards.
greater economic security and the extension
of both industrial and political democracy
The CIO NeWs.