The Omaha guide., 1941-05-31
28O6 Seward Street
Omaha, Nebraska
aA

Mr.. u. W. woodward, or,, EdlJof
The Unionist,
2203 Farnam Street,
Omaha, Nebraska.
Dear Sir:
I felt sure that some mistake
had been made when | read in the
Omaha World-H Herald that Roy
Brewer,P resident of the Nebraska
State Federation of Labor, oppos-
ed to the amendment to l.. B. 504.
| know that the State Federat-
ion was opposed to L. B. 500 in its
original form which was designat-
ed to limit to $1.00 the initiation
and monthly fees unions may
charge applicants for common la
Dor jobs at the Omaha Bomber
Assembly plant. But l cannot
see why organized labor should
oppose the amendment which
would prevent a labor organizat-
ion from being the representative
unit for collective bargainging
purposes if it Disseminated be-
cause of race or color.
| was sure that the Omaha Cen
trail Labor unon would take a pro-
gressive stand on this issue, but
| was due for a shocking surprise,
for | soon learned that some of
the local leaders of the labor move
md1t s&upported Roy Brewers
stand. They stated that since
there was no discrimination it was
4, foolish to have such a law on the
/ Statute books to annoy us. that the
passage of this measure could not
hurt the white unions, but on the
contrary, would be very harmful
to the Senator who introduced it
and to the Negro race as a whole;
that organized labor resented this
bill because it would be forcing
them to do something they did not
wish to do. These were the main
points of the arguments raised by
Brothers Olson and Preble, who
contended that organized labor
should oppose the passage of this
measure.
/ must say that | feel it is a
disgrace to have to introduce such
a measure to give any race of peo-
pie equal opportunity in employ
ment and a higher standard of liv
ing in these United States.
Labor unions were founded to
better the conditions of the work
ing class. And one of it's prime pl-
es was the Brotherhood of Man.
Man was not divided according to
race or color.
We all know that there is dis
elimination in most A. f. of L. To-
calls against the Negro. There are
some international unions where
the Negro cannot even become a
member. In most locals where Ne
groes- are accepted they are put
into Jim Crow locals, which are
called Auxiliaries. They often pay
the same initiation fee and dues
and their white brothers pay. Yet
they really have no effective voice
in the operation of their local.
If this is not discrimination,
then | need to find a new diction-
airy.
Let us examine our local situa-
ton with regard to discrimination.
The refusal to train Negroes for
skilled jobs that will be available
when the new Bombing plant OPP
ems for production because Negro
es cannot join the Sheet Metal
workers union; the refusal of the
Mechanics union to take in the car
washers and greasers when attem-
pting to organize the Mechanics
in the Baking industry here.
The leaders of organized labor
cannot honestly say there is no
discrimination here, because there
is, and it is a very serious prob
lem, one that needs our immediate
attention.
Black America can be a power
full ally of White America if they
are organized into a real trade un-
ions on an equal basis and given
an opportunity to seek any EN-
ployment which they are qualified
to hold. The trade unions should
vigorously protest against any dis
elimination in industry against
any race of people.
Black America showed nto the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and unor-
gained "a be a whip held over
the heads of the trade unions by
the employer of our country. 1t