Archive Transcript: Pamphlets
Here's What You Can Do About Rising Prices
[page 1]
HERE'S WHAT
YOU
CAN DO
ABOUT RISING
PRICES
See Inside
[pages 2 and 3]
COME TO THE MASS MEETING * COME TO THE MASS MEETING * COME TO THE MASS MEETING * COME TO THE MASS MEETING * COME TO THE MASS MEETING
[page 2]
Tomatoes Are Higher
Potatoes Are Higher
...NOW'S the time to Get a Raise!
HERE is what the International Ladies' Garment Worker's Union means to the 280,000 members in the Ladies' Garment Industry throughout the country.
How Do Your Wages Compare With These?
| Branch of Industry | Percent Organized | Average Earnings in Union Shops per hour |
| Skirts | 90 | $1.25 |
| Coats and Suits | 97 | 1.21 |
| Dresses (silk) | 95 | .95 |
| Embroidery | 75 | .91 |
| Rainwear | 72 | .68 ½ |
| Belts | 64 | .63 |
| Neckwear | 85 | .58 ½ |
| Bathrobes | 74 | .57 ½ |
| Blouses | 84 | .54 |
| Dresses (cotton) | 47 | .53 |
| Buttons | 38 | .51 ½ |
| Corsets and Brassieres | 24 | .49 ½ |
| Underwear and Nightwear | 32 | .49 |
| Infants' and Children's Wear | 34 | .47 ½ |
These figures show that there is a close relationship between how well organized a branch of the industry is and the hourly earnings of the workers in the union shops: by and large, the better organized the branch of the industry, the higher the wages.
[page 3]
ALONG with higher wages and shorter hours, it is our aim to achieve real security for the workers. Individually, alone, the worker is helpless before his employer. He can be fired on some mere arbitrary whim, just because the boss happens to feel like firing him. He lives in fear and insecurity, never sure of tomorrow. But in the ILGWU, side by side with his fellow workers, he is no longer one, no longer alone; he is 280,000 strong. He gains a new sense of security, a new sense of dignity and self-respect that is his right as an American. He can face the future with confidence and hope; he can look the boss straight in the eye with erect head and shoulders squared.
The ILGWU is out to help the garment workers raise their wages, shorten their hours of toil and improve their conditions generally. Experience everywhere has shown that only if workers organize into a Union and bargain collectively can they hope to gain these ends. Therefore the ILGWU is bent on organizing the women's garment industry 100 per cent and on establishing Union standards in every market and in every branch of the trade. In some fields, where Unionism is older and better established, we are within measurable reach of our goal;-- in others, we still have a long way to go-but we're on our way!
Up to August 28th food prices in Chicago rose 33 per cent over the same date 1940. How much has it risen since? How can you meet it? How about rent, clothing, and other necessities? Have your wages kept pace with these prices?
Come and hear the message that we have to bring you. In addition to the prominent speakers who will address the meeting there will be a splendid musical program. COME AND COME EARLY SO AS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN GET IN.
What to do about it?
Attend the MASS MEETING
SEE NEXT PAGE
[pages 2, 3, and 4]
COME TO THE MASS MEETING * COME TO THE MASS MEETING * COME TO THE MASS MEETING * COME TO THE MASS MEETING * COME TO THE MASS MEETING
[page 4]
DO SOMETHING
About the
HIGH COST OF LIVING
Come to the
HUGE RALLY
AND CONCERT
Friday, Nov. 28, 8 P.M.
MUSICIAN'S HALL
175 WEST WASHINGTON
The Meeting is Open to All Dress Workers-Union and Non-Union
HEAR:
The REV. FATHER WILLIAM J. BERGAN, personal representative
Of Bishop B.J. Sheil
ABRAHAM PLOTKIN, Midwestern General Organizer of the I.L.G.W.U.
INTERNATIONAL LADIES' GARMENT WORKERS' UNION
329 W. MONROE STREET
STATE 7618
COME TO THE MASS MEETING * COME TO THE MASS MEETING