The Northwest times. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1947-1955, 1949-01-12
Take Advantage of Job Opportunities
In This City, MinatO Urges NiSei

work for tolerance And labor orga-
nizations, both in the AT. of L. and
the C.IO., have set up committees
to fight discrimination In employ
ment. Fair Employment Practices
Acts are being pushed in many
states and in the United States
Congress.
This trend toward favorable ac-
ceptance of the Nisei and other nil
nority groups did not come about
accidentally; it was forced mainly
through the valiant record of the
Nisei CT and the untiring efforts
of our numerous friends.
The Nisei should take advantage
of gathering momentum for equal
ity to all peoples by taking active
steps to show our friends that we
also will try to help ourselves IN the
betterment Of our lot.
In the past our friends have been
asking about our lack of interest
in the program to give us our BIRTH
right.
An AT of L. union executive
once said that there were more than
300 persons of japanese ancestry
with membership books in hts local
and commented on the higher than
average scholastic record they had
attained. But, he said, they refuse
to participate in union activities and
shun expression from the floor.
This same union, in the fall OF
l945, felt unfavorable towards some
Japanese employees because they
were reluctant to join in the organ
ization of hospital union. Address
sing "All Trade Unions of Seattle
and Vicinity, the union, in an open
letter, made such remarks as these:
the management has threatened
10 use Japanese as scabs' =" and
i" Japanese have refused 10 join
the union
, The international Association OF
Machinists. Local 751, which return
ed to work after a losing strike at
Boeing's, noted few non-union
Nisei crossing its picket line Nisei
members of Local ISL. however,
Loyalty supported the union strike.
Then Dave Beck, in his strike
busting role organized workers be-
hind the picket line into one of his
locals. ASH. Aeronartical Workers ~
Helpers. which accepted the Nisei
who we're employed during the
lstrike. II seems ironical indeed.
that the picket-lne crossing Nisei
should Join Beck's group and ignore
1.-THE lam. ISL which was one Of
the first international unions TO
lower the racial barrier Beck has
ALWAYS enforced the race he in his
unions
Il To the 30 or more labor organiza-
ltions. both AT of L, and Clio.
supporting Local ISL during the
Boeing strike, people working be-
hind the picket Ines were "scabs"
Ito the unions. the word, "Scab"
leaves bad taste in their mouths,
to say the least
II much more negative impress
= sions are made upon these unions,
they may some day wonder whether
; the SANDER against our first gener-
5 alton should not be applied against
the second generation
Y The leading role that labor groups
! play in the fight against discr'mi-
nation In employment and better
\ ing OF working conditions, puts
= them down as one of our greatest
@ allies.
&, We should not cross their picket
e lines; instead. we should Join with
them in their fight which is ouI
d fight.
4 We should join unions and take
r, active steps to strengthen them
for only with the support Of q
y strong labor movement can we ex-
n pect to attain our goal for equal
). treatment