The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-09-07
Morrison Declares G. !. q. Rebellion
Il Against the A. F. Of L. Is Utter Failure
Secretary Of A. F.Ls Stresses
! LoYdltY To Federation
Il BY Members
FFTY-EIGHT YEAR TEST

a. F. Of L. Agreements Pro-
tect Wages. Hours und
Conditions
The complete fiasco Of the scheme
of, the dual unionists to destroy the
American Federation Of Labor is en-
phasized by Frank Morrison, secre-
tary-treasurer of the Federation, in
his Labor Day Message. for 1889,
issued from the headquarters Of the
/, American Federation Of Labor in
Washington, D. C.
Mr.. Morrison stressed the loyalty
to the American Federation Of Labor
manifested by the members of all its
affiliated organizations and declared
that the goal of American Federation
of Labor unions is to secure agree
ments with employers improving
wages and work conditions for union
members. He said that in the field
Of agreements millions Of members Of
A. F. Of L. unions have raised the liv-
ing standards of themselves and their
families, but that this outstanding
achievement receives but little atten-
tion in the daily press.
The text of Mr.. Morrison's Labor
Day Message follows:
Labor Day is milestone of special
interest to the American Federation
of Labor. We weight developments
for the period of time marked off as
they have helped or retarded the prog
ress of organized labor.
Within the past few years the
American Federation of Labor has
passed through one Of the severest
tests to which it has been subjected
in the fifty-eight years Of its existence.
This was created when Representatives
0f affiliated organizations formed Z
dial; pnayement Tor TIRE. purpose of
ofet-riding the decision OF the 1894
convention dealing with organizational
policies.
Rebels Accusation Against A. F. Of
L. Proven False
The leaders of this rebellion at
tempted to justify their warfare
against the American Federation of
Labor on the repeated charge it had
outlived its usefulness, that it is not
suited to the complex conditions Of
modern industry. - z.....5.
They launched a, secession move
ment as crusade against the alleged
futility Of the American, Federation
of Labor. The leaders Of that seces-
sion movement must be disconnected
with the results in so far as convert
ing members. of unions who have
passed through the crucible Of expert
ence. - ~; - ..' -
1t has been inspiring to witness the
promptness with which the loyal or
ganizations have fulfilled their finan-
cial obligations to the American Fed
Grafton of Labor through this trying
period. Would this be. the case if
these organizations believed that the
Federation does not live up to its OBJ
jectives in every reasonable manner? ?
Unions Are Practical Organizations
The membership of our affiliated
unions are not united in mutual ad-
miration society. They pay dues to
their unions for the very practical pur-
pose Of securing benefits in the way
of improved conditions of employment.
The representatives of their organiza-
tions are held responsible for results
and there is no test more gruelling
than the requirements which the men,
bership of an organization expects it's
officers to meet in conducting nego-
tiations with employers.
Agreements Are Basis Of A. F.. of l..
At present there are 105 National
and International Unions affiliated to
the American Federation of Labor
with large proportion of the total
membership covered by union agree
ments with employers. There are
over 500 directly affiliated Local
Unions whose members are working
under union agreements. These agree
ments may not work out to the COM
plete satisfaction of all individuals
but to the membership as whole, as
long as maintained, they stand as in
struments that protect them against
reductions in wages, lengthening Of
hours, overtime without compensa-
ton, and other unfair practices ex-
perienced previous to the organiza-
ton of their union and the regulation
of conditions in a written contract.
Wages and Employment Conditions
Protected
The goal of every trade union is to
secure an agreement with employers
to regulate wages and conditions of
employment and to maintain union
representation in the administration of
questions relating thereto. The ability
to do this is the test of the value of
every trade union to it's members. A
Iunion that fails in this faculty can not
retain the respect and support Of its
membership.
Continued on Page Twol