, 1941-12-08
Philip Murray Letter 70 The UE
Dear Sirs and Brothers:

It appears that both the House of Representatives and the Senate
of the United States Congress intend to report out within the next few
days for immediate action some ani-labor legislation. The various
bills that have been discussed and are now under consideration are
analysed in a memorandum which I attach.
Labor has never been faced with such a serious threat to its very
existence as that which now confronts u S a a result of the proposed
anti-labor legislation. I cannot impress upon you too strongly the
need for Immediate, swift, and intense action on the part of our
affiliated unions and their members.
The CLIO, at its recent convention demonstrated that the workers
of the nation r in the forefront in battling for the successful prose-
cution of or national defense program. This goal can be obtained only
through the acceptance of labor within the national defense program
and through the voluntary acceptance by labor of mediation and
peaceful solution of industrial disputes. This is precisely what labor
is prepared and anxious to carry out in the interest of national defense.
Compulsory anti-labor legislation at this time endangers the
national defense program. It can only serve to arouse resentment and
encourage industrial disputes.
An intensive campaign must be Immediately begun and carried on
by or affiliated unions among their locals and members in opposition
to the proposed anti-strike legislation. The enclosed memorandum
analysing the bills should be distributed by each national and inter-
national union and industrial union council to all of their locals and
should call emergency meetings for the purpose of discussing this
problem and to arrange for the support of all other local progressive
groups with their communities to lend support to the position of
organized labor. AS a result of these meetings all affiliated bodies
local unions and individual members should Immediately wire in
expressing their fortnight opposition to any anti-labor legislation
at the present time and specifically their opposition to the bills
representing labor.
Our specific concrete recommendation in lieu of repressve anti
labor LEGISLATION is that the President of the United States should
Immediately convene a national conference of representatives of labor,
industry, and government looking toward the voluntary acceptance
of plan which will assure the peaceful solution of industrial disputes
and guarantee a maximum production for our national defense pro-
gram. Such procedure would protect the interests of America without
the need of depressing labor and thereby endangering the national
defense program.
Communications should be sent to the following persons; () The
President of the United States; () each national and international
union should forward a communication to each member of the House
of Representatives and to each Senator; () the industrial union
councils and their local unions and members should forward COM
to their respective Senators and Congressman.
Any delay or hafhearted action at this time will merely assure
the passage of repressive legislation. It is the obligation of each Of
our affiliated unions and each member to make a contribution on
behalf of all organized labor through u united protest and condem-
nation of any attempt to shackle labor under the gMse of furthering
national defense.
FraternaIy yours,
pbIir ML,rrov