Trainman News

Hits U. S. For Backing Down On ILO Help

WASHINGTON - The U. S. Government's participation in the International Labor Organization during the past several years has been neglectful, niggardly, and fearful of Brickerism, says George P. Delaney, American workers delegate to the ILO.

In a recent interview, the AFL representative cited a bill of particulars in his critical evaluation and sketched an area of positive support by American trade unions to make the work of ILO more effective.

He accused official government policy-makers of neglecting the tripartite international labor body, both in terms of present work and its potentialities.

"The ILO has not been used adequately," he said, "to present the function of a democratic industrial society to nations and unions which can learn much from it, or to bring a better understanding of this nation by workers throughout the world."

US policy-makers have avoided initiating discussions of the most serious issues that face workers throughout the world, said Delaney, such as reduced hours, minimum wages, housing and social security.

Employer 'Brickerism'

In past years, particularly at the June 1955 ILO conference, the U. S. delegates have followed employer "Brickerism" in opposition to all ILO conventions, said Delaney.

For the past six years, the U. S. has insisted on agendas to forestall the approval of conventions, he said. Today the attitude is even more rigorous because of the "Bricker climate."

Delaney also asserted that U. S. financial help to the ILO has been inadequate to do its necessary job. The U. S. contributed only $1,633,855 in 1955, less than one cent for each American.

"If our legislators and government administrators don't know the importance of the ILO's work," he said, "American trade unions should tell them."