The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1952-10-17
By HARVEY McCUMBER,
Anaconda Junior High School

By HARVEY McCUMBER,
Anaconda Junior High School
Organized labor has made many
important contributions to American
democracy. They make practical use
of our guaranteed freedoms freedom
of speech, by open discussion at un-
ion meetings; the right to assemble
freely, through their meetings and
conventions; freedom to write what
they believe, in their newspapers and
pamphlets; freedom to vote, in their
elections and referendums. Many
immigrant workers are members of
labor unions before they become citi-
zens. There are also many union men,
bers who are too young to vote. Par
ticipation in union affairs is often
their first contact with democratic
government procedure. Their inter
est in civic affairs is aroused by ac-
tivity in union government.
Organized labor has conducted
schools and has granted scholarships
in public schools to interest young
people in labor union activities. The
people who participate in h
courses gain a broader knowledge of
the running of a government in a
democratic way. These educational
activities help them not only in I'M
ions governmental affairs but also
help them to become better acquaint-
ed with the functions of our civil
governments. Some labor unions also
conduct job training classes to aid
their members to advance to better
jobs and higher pay.
Labor unions are democratic units
within themselves. There is no class
distinction and everyone has an equal
voice. This democratic attitude car
ries over into everyday life and en-
courages tolerance in our society.
Labor unions have consistently
worked for progressive labor legis-
lation. The child labor laws encour-
aged higher education and changed
many "children's jobs" to adult jobs
at adult pay. The minimum wage laws
raised the standard of living of the
working people and abolished section
al inequalities. The Fair Labor Stand
ards Act of 1888, labor's greatest
Legislative victory, established the
forty-hour week and so increased the
leisure time of the worker.
The higher wages and shorter
hours, won by the unions, gave the
workers more time and money to
enjoy, to the full, their liberties,
rights and freedoms. With this leisure
time people can take more interest
in community affairs. 1t also gives
them more time to devote to civic
and political activities, making them
better informed voters and better
citizens.
By increasing the earning power
of the working people, organized la
Dor has greatly expanded the oppor-
tunities of their children. In many
countries child's future is largely !
governed by the occupation of his |
father Most children of the working
people in our country have a chance |
to fit themselves for almost any vo-
cation they choose. This would not |
be possible if the general wage scale |
was not high.
There are several countries that are
at least equal to the United States
in granting political equality to their
citizens, but no other country Of !
fers such equality in economic OPP
portunities. The working people of !
this country have more luXuries and
more leisure time to enjoy them than
any other working people in the
world.
Labor organizations are making
definite contributions to democracy
in our every day life. In our own city,
the Smeltermen's day festivities,
sponsored by the Smeltermen's Union,
is an example of democracy in its
finest form. Everyone is welcome to