The Daily Worker

Conference Welds the Fur Workers
Into A National Front of Struggle

General Strike Urged in
Industry if N.R.A.
Spurns Demands
By MEILECH EPSTEIN

For the first time since the split in 1926, the fur workers from all over the country convened at a national conference through elected representatives. One hundred twenty-four delegates representing 17,082 workers of all branches of the fur trade met at the call of the Needle Trades Workers Industrial Union, on June 22nd, 23rd and 24th, to organize the struggle against the code recently approved by the President and to lay the basis for a National Fur Workers Industrial Union.

The discussions and the decisions of the National Conference are of tremendous significance for all fur workers. The Conference struck a ringing blow for unity as against division; for actual living workers' democracy as against demagogic phrases concealing contempt for workers' rights; for an aggressive united front policy for the vital needs of the workers, as against the shabby, tricky subterfuges of the N.R.A. and its agents, the A.F.L.

National Strike to Defeat Code

For the first time since the N.R.A. came into effect, the overwhelming majority of the workers in the fur trade, through their delegates thundered a protest against the code imposed by the employers and the A.F.L. conference in case the N.R.A. administration will refuse the just demands of the fur workers for a substantial revision of the labor provisions of the code, a national general strike should be declared.

In this manner the militant fur workers will defeat the code, that threatens to wipe out all the gains they won under a policy of clear-cut class struggle. Here we witness the results of the ideological and organizational activities of the Industrial Union, which schooled the workers to depend only on their own militancy to improve their conditions.

One of the most outstanding features of the conference was the picture unveiled by the rank and file delegates from Detroit, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Los Angeles. It was the same picture all over—of workers betrayed, abandoned and sold out by the A. F. of L. leaders. Wherever the International Fur Workers Union has still some foothold in the trade, one betrayal followed another. The living conditions steadily went down.

Two A. F. of L. Locals at Conference

Two locals of the International Fur Workers Union participated officially in the conference: Local 3 of the fancy fur dressers of Brooklyn, one of the largest units of the International, was represented with seven delegates. Incidentally, same local numbering 700 m other A. F. of L. locals also took part in the conference.

All the discussions were marked by the active participation of the rank and file delegates, by the enthusiasm shown by them and by the unanimous decisions. Eight nationalities and 23 women were among the delegates. A considerable section of the delegation of fur dressers and dyers were Negro workers. No less than 30 rank and file delegates took the floor during the two day sessions. The delegates from the A. F. of L. locals emphasized the difference between this free, united conference and the conventions of A. F. of L. unions. For the first time, they had the full opportunity to speak their minds freely to their fellow workers.

A thorough analysis of the present situation in the fur trade was given by Ben Gold, head of the national
DELEGATES TO NATIONAL FUR CONFERENCE
Conference Welds the Fur Workers
Into a National Front of Struggle

(Continued from Page 1)

were clearly brought out by all the speakers.

The conference has shown the beginning of a break of the more backward workers, dressers, from the International machine.

The dressers are in fact the last position that the racketeers of the International have in the fur industry. For years, the dyers and dressers have been shamelessly mulcted of hundreds of thousands of dollars for the upkeep of the various gangs on which the rule of the Lucchis, Moe Harrises and Jack Shulmans rested.

Under the pretext of organizing a shop or two, workers were assessed with heavy taxes. Now this machine, formerly so entrenched, is being driven out of the entire trade by the constant and persistent struggles of the N. T. W. I. U.

The conference has worked out a detailed plan for a National organization. A national committee of 23 members was elected. The National Committee will work in conjunction with the General Executive Board of the N. T. W. I. U. A tax of $1 on every furrier was decided upon to finance the work of the National Committee.

Important Resolutions Adopted

The most important resolutions unanimously adopted by the conference are:

For a joint board of the dressers and dyers, and for a system of handling all skins with the union seal.

For a referendum in the fur industry.

For a 30 hour week, calling upon all the workers in the needle trades to begin action for a 30 hour week.

For particular support to the Chicago market engaged in great struggles at the present time, with the decision that Ben Gold be sent out there as soon as possible.

For an immediate campaign to organize floor boys and shipping clerks.

For special assistance for the fur pointers.

Condemning lynching and all forms of oppression and discrimination against Negroes in the shops, with special instructions to carry on a systematic campaign among the white workers.

Against injunctions and for the support of all locals that are fighting injunctions.

Against company unions, condemning the legalization of such unions and pledging a fight to eliminate them.

For special work among women, endorsing the women's congress and the women's section of the Needle Trades Workers Industrial Union, calling upon every branch to organize a women's section.

Against police terror and brutality and pledging the moral and financial support of the union in the defense of the 28 indicted union leaders.

To spread and help the growth of the Needle Worker.

In protest against the imprisonment of Thaelmann and Torgler.

To help in the establishment of a training school for union leaders.

Against imperialist war and fascism, with support for the League of Struggle Against War and Fascism.

For participation in the movement to release the Scottsboro boys and the struggle for equal rights for the Negroes.

For the release of Tom Mooney.

In condemnation of deportation threats against foreign born workers, and the dismie.

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