St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1953-09-04
Unions Rapidly
Ending Discriminufion
Within Their Runks

Nashville, Tenn. - Significant
and steady improvement in the
attitudes and policies OF American
trade unions towards Negro men,
bers has taken place in the past
ten years, national survey re-
leased here reveals.
Delegates to the Tenth Annual
Institute OF Race Relations. which
was held at Fisk University In
July, heard a report OF progress
In breaking down racial barriers
in labor organizations from
Emanuel Muravchik, National
Field Director OF the Jewish La
Dor Committees Anti-Discrimina-
ton Department, who disclosed
for the first time the findings Of
special study conducted by his
organisation based on replies to
questionnaires submitted to In
ternational and local unions. spec
iahsts in labor research and COM
munity and intertaciai organixa-
lions.
Mr.. Muravchik pointed out that
in 1913 thirty international unions
Disseminated against Negroes by
means Of constitutional provi-
sions.. tacit consent or segrega-
lions In separate auxiliaries. The
unions which Disseminated In tina
above categories represented s.3e6
$50 and 5.4se respectively Of the
total trade union membership. In
all. the membership OF the unions
which Disseminated in one form
or another in 1853 represented
1879 OF the total number of or
ganized workers,
Since that time there has been
great progress In eliminating dis
elimination against minority
groups. Today, the membership Of
those unions which stiil discrim-
mate in some form has been re-
duced from 1917 to AZ of the
total number OF organized work.
crs. In actually II may be less
than ~ since even these unions
have been compelled to comply
with Fair Employment Practice
Laws which are now in effect In
~ states and 2s cities. This
means the 75qs OF those unions
which Disseminated ten years
ago no longer do 80.
Mr.. Muravchik also pointed out
that employers who once used
racial antagonisrns TO deprcss
wage standards no longer find II
possible or profitable to do so In
the face Of strong and united
trade union movement
Mr.. Muravchik highiighted an
other aspect OF this encouraging
development by pointing out that
20 international unions now have
special Fair Practices Depart
ments or programs devoted 70
safeguarding the rights and *
panding the employment oppor
tunities OF all members regaru'ess
OF race. color. creed or nationaa.y'
These unions spend approxina.ely
one half million dollars on tnis
program.
According TO Hr. hnravcnik.
the changes in union rsciai poll
cies developed largely fnrougn de-
Tense employment pods opera
ton OF the presidents FEP Com
mission and state and local FEP
laws. Another major factor,
aside from the general climate Of
on,n,on. wa. the active role taken
by the trsds. pnion leadership in
the fight for sivii rights
Mr.. Mursvchik concluded by
pointing out that this study is an
sffectiw snswer to the Com
,un,st campaign to smear the
rrr,,sd states as the citadel Of
-.c,su and discrimination. AS .
.,.ttr Of fact" he said, the
compiinists and their phony
s,osis have served to hinder and
" help the labor movement In
~ fight against racial and re-
uxious discrimination"
(see EDITORIAL. labor Day A
Good Time To Think.-)