1934

Articles and/or issues from the Industrial Worker, the newspaper of the revolutionary union, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

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Articles from the 1934 issues of the Industrial Worker, the newspaper of the revolutionary union, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

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Articles from the April 1934 issues of the Industrial Worker, the newspaper of the revolutionary union, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

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Articles from the April 17, 1934 issue of the Industrial Worker, the newspaper of the revolutionary union, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

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An article by Cleveland Organization Committee I.U. No. 400 about an IWW strike at the Enameling Division of the Ohio Foundry Company in Cleveland. Originally appeared in the Industrial Worker (April 17, 1934)

Walkout 100 Per Cent Complete. Bosses Amazed at Solidarity of Workers Organized and Striking the I.W.W. Way. Strikers Holding Out for Original Demands.

CLEVELAND, Ohio. – The Metal and Machinery Workers Industrial Union No. 440 of the I.W.W. called a strike at twelve o’clock noon, Thursday, April 5, at the Enameling Division of the Ohio Foundry Co. This action was the result of the failure of the company to meet the union’s demands for 25 per cent to 30 per cent increase in wages, abolition of the piece-work and bonus system, and recognition of the I.W.W. Shop Committee.

The company held several conferences with the Strike Committee Friday and Saturday, offering full recognition of the Shop Committee and a 10 per cent increase in wages, but insisted on maintaining the piece-work system. The men, by unanimous vote, decided not to accept the peace terms.

The strike involves 175 workers and is 100 per cent effective. During the early days of the last week several meetings were held at the union hall and all details of the strike were carefully mapped out. Tuesday, April 3, a committee was elected to present demands to the company. Wednesday these demands were rejected, and Thursday at noon the day shift walked out of the shop, where the night shift, watches in hand, and with picket signs ready, were waiting to join them in forming the first picket line.

The pickets have split into five “shifts” of four hours each, and every man has to answer “roll call”, the picket captains being responsible for the men on their shift. An added incentive to being present for picket duty is found in the fact that a report of the picket captains is heard at the strike meetings at 1 P.M. daily, and those who shirk their duty are few indeed.

The local organization committee is mapping out an ambitious program for the cause of industrial unionism. “Red” Shannon of New York has been added to the speaking battery and factory gate meetings will soon be started. All in all, the coming warm months should see a healthy growth of the I.W.W.

Cleveland Organization Committee I.U. No. 400

Transcribed by Juan Conatz

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Articles from the July 17, 1934 (Vol. 17, No. 24, Whole No. 916) issue of the Industrial Worker.

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An anti-state editorial, probably written by Ralph Chaplin. Originally appeared in the Industrial Worker (July 17, 1934)

Murder, violence, treachery and deceit have written the history of the State with letters of blood across the ages. "Give your taxes to the State, your loyalty to the State, your life to the State." These have been and are the slogans hammered into the dull brains of the unthinking multitudes since man first learned to degrade and exploit his fellow man. "The people must be governed at all costs and under all circumstances", was the claim. And so, from the days of Caesar to the days of Stalin, the workers have been gouged, butchered, betrayed and left helpless in the face of their enemies. And the end is not yet. The I.W.W. takes the position that the State is as useless and out of place in the modern world as would be the stone axe of the paleolithic cave man. And this includes not only the State dominated by kings, nobles and aristocrats and the State ruled by politicians, lawyers and businessmen: it includes also the State dominated by commissars or dictators.

What is needed at the present time is the administration of things rather than the government of people. The scientific administration and control of industry by the functionally competent elements of the working class would not rest upon a base of clams authority and class robbery. It would not call for bloodshed, violence and duplicity to keep it going. Workers have proved that they are capable of running railroads, mines and factories without wanting.to slit each others throats. But with diplomats, statesmen and politicians it is different! That is one reason why diplomats, statesmen and politicians are becoming increasingly unpopular throughout the world.

The free and classless society of the future—the Industrial Commonwealth—will simply be the intelligent administration of the machinery and resources necessary to sustain human life or a given Continental area. For the first time in history it will give the people of the earth a chance to live, grow and develop to full stature under conditions which favor abundance, rather than scarcity, tolerance, rather than hatred, and growth, rather than destruction.

Originally appeared in the Industrial Worker July 17, 1934 (Vol. 17, No. 24, Whole No. 916)
Transcribed for libcom.org by Juan Conatz