Archive Transcript: Minutes
Minutes from the August 19, 1919 Meeting
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING of the GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
31 Union Square, New York City
August 19, 1919
Present: Vice Presidents Sigman, Wander, Amdur, Lefkovits, Koldofsky, Halpern, Silver, and Miss Cohn
Vice-President Amdur presided
Secretary Baroff stated that he called the meeting after receiving a report on the Toronto strike from Vice-President Koldofsky who came again to New York from Toronto. The situation in the cloakmakers' strike in Toronto had changed and required the attention of the Board.
Vice-President Koldofsky reported that after the last special meeting of the General Executive Board, where the Toronto strike was discussed, and where it was decided to give it up, he left New York and went to Toronto where he arranged for a meeting of the strikers and placed the decision of the General Executive Board before them. He went through great difficulties before he convinced the strikers that it would be best to give up the strike. It was decided, at that meeting, to send committees to the employers. These committees were only to take up the question of hours, increase of wages and recognition of committees, eliminating the question of week-work. The committees visited the manufacturers who expressed contempt for them, refusing to recognize their authority and stating that they were licked and ought to come back unconditionally. "You understand," said Vice-President Koldofsky, "that this action on the part of the employers had it effect upon the workers. They saw that were they to go back to work without any understanding, they would be mercilessly exploited by their employers. When the committees reported at the meeting of the strikers, the latter decided unanimously to continue the strike with renewed vigor and determination. They also decided not to give up until the manufacturers change their attitude and recognize the Union. It became therefore, absolutely impossible to carry out the decision of the last meeting of the General Executive Board, and I appeal, on behalf of the strikers, that the International help them fight out their just demands. It is my opinion that after two or three weeks of striking the manufacturers will be compelled to change their stand and deal with the Union, and because of this it is necessary to have the International donate $3,000 weekly at least. We will try to interest the local unions in New York as well as the cloakmakers in Montreal to aid the Toronto strikers.
A motion was made to reconsider the decision of the last meeting of the General Executive Board in reference to the Toronto strike and it was carried. After much discussion it was decided to authorize Secretary Baroff to donate $3,000 weekly to the Toronto strikers. It was also decided that Secretary Baroff visit Toronto during the next week, look up the situation and find out whether there are any chances of winning the strike in the industry. The Board decided to give Vice-President Koldofsky a credential with an authorization to visit New York locals and any other locals he may find necessary, and to make appeals for donations to the Toronto strikers.
The controversy between the Association in the children's dress trade Local #50,--Children's Dressmakers' Union, was again taken up at the meeting. Secretary Baroff, who was present at the conference between the Union representative and the Association, reported that the manufacturers are taking the stand that the agreement was not abrogated by them. The manufacturers contended that the order of the President of their Association to the chief clerk not to go out with the representative of the Union on complaints is not an abrogation of the agreement and that the Association is ready and willing to place all the complaints of the Union before an impartial chairman. Secretary Baroff stated that the manufacturers have not lived up to the clause dealing with the preferential union shops as well as to other clauses such as the registration of contractors and the sending of work to Union contractors. Secretary Baroff further stated that from the discussions which took place at that conference he feels that the manufacturers have given co-operation to the Union in any manner and that they have done all in their power to interfere with the work of the Union in organizing non-Union shops. He added that the Union had made clear to the manufacturers that it will not stand for such action, but the view of the employers is contrary to this and the conference at which only questions of the unionization of the shops of the emmbers [sic] of the Association and an increase for workers shall be discussed and adjusted.
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Secretary Baroff reported that he had many committees of the petticoat makers industry, the ladies neckwear industry and the corset workers industry in New York visit him asking aid from the International to organize their trades. He believes that now it is the opportune time to organize the above mentioned industries and to establish strong organizations. After discussing the matter, Secretary Baroff was authorized to engage organizers to take up the organization and the preparations for campaigns which are to result in establishing unions and getting the required conditions for the workers in the above-mentioned industries.
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Secretary Baroff read the following letter which was sent out to all local unions of our International
"August 21, 1919.
"To All Affiliated Locals and Joint Boards:
Greetings:
We wish to draw your attention to a very vital fact which is growing in importance from day to day and which should invite your immediate attention.
We have reliable information that great number of our Local Unions, in the bigger and even the smaller cities, have not yet recognized the importance of being represented in the central labor bodies and the state bodies of their respective localities. Our organizations are often dissatisfied with the actions and the policies of central and state bodies of organized labor, and they are always ready and willing to criticize them.
It is opportune in this connection to point out that if our organization would, instead of criticizing from the outside, enter the central bodies and endeavor to assist in progressive, constructive work from the inside, they would be instrumental in creating a new spirit and better achievements on the part of these central organizations.
We, therefore, urge all our Local Unions and Joint Boards, in conformity with the decisions of our previous conventions, to take immediate action in obtaining representation at the various central city and state bodies in their respective territories.
We also request all our locals to inform us as to whether they are already affiliated with such central bodies and as to whether they intend to affiliate or have applied for such affiliation, upon receipt of this letter.
Fraternally yours,
Abraham Baroff (SIGNED)
General Secretary-Treasurer"
The question of the next quarterly meeting was taken up and it was decided that same be held in St. Louis on or about the 15th of September, 1919.
Fraternally submitted,
ABRAHAM BAROFF
General Secretary Treasurer.