All-Russian Union of Workers on Public Communications

by Central Committee of the Union of Workers on Public Communications

Russian Socialist Federal Soviet Republic.

Workers of the World, Unite!

 

ALL-RUSSIAN UNION
of
WORKERS ON PUBLIC
COMMUNICATIONS.

 

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Published by the All-Russian Central Council of
Trade Union.

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Moscow.—1920.

All-Russian Union of Workers on Public
Communications.

The history of the Union begins from October 1905. During the revolutionary movement of 1905 the post and telegraph workers impulsively joined the struggle against the tsarist system regardless of the hardships they had to suffer under the monarchist regime, their own inactivity and the lack of solidarity created by the wide gulf existing between the upper and the lower classes. During the days of freedom in 1905 the workers undertook the organisation of the Union. Several committees were started, but they had a hard struggle for their existence. In November 1905 a Congress was convened in Moscow; 100 delegates from all parts of Russia were present. It is to be noted that most of the delegates and leaders of the movement belonged to the middle and higher officials. Therefore the movement was of a moderate character, ready to compromise, in spite of the efforts of the socialist party to lead them on for the revolutionary struggle aganst tsarism. The movement acquired a distinctly revolutionary character only after the dissolution of the Congress and when the majority of the delegates and active members were arrested or dismissed. It became evident that under the then prevailing conditions no Union of Post and Telegraph Workers could exist. A spontaneous, unorganised strike of the Post and Telegraph Workers broke out; it spread over the whole country and had a great influence upon the development of the revolutionary movement. During this period the moderate elements were driven to the background and the leading part was taken by the social democrats and the social-revolutionists. In some places the strike lasted about a month, but on the whole it soon ceased because of the want of organisation and preparation, Arrests and repressions followed one another and active workers were dismissed. The movement was thus crushed. A second attempt to organise the Union in 1906 also failed.

From that time until the revolution in Februar 1917 no organisation of a Union was possible. The tsarist service literally enchained the Post and Telegraph workers corrupting them and killing every tendency towards independence and social work.

The Revolution of 1917 threw off the heavy chains which held the Post and Telegraph workers in bondage and awakened them to life: the masses revived at once, the leaders of 1905 returned and feverish organising work began, inflamed by revolutionary spirit. The creation of the Union went on impulsively, without any plan whatever. The committees took whole responsibility of the administration upon themselves. The work of the Post and Telegraph offices was paralysed.

The leaders of 1905 resolved to convene a Congress in order to direct the construction of the Union according to a definite plan. The Congress was held in May 1917. About 400 delegates were present at it. It lasted for six weeks. This can be explained by the extreme prolixity of the delegates, the lack of organisation and preparation of the Congress. It, however, performed a large amount of work; it fixed the plan of organisation of the Union, left a vast amount of data relating to wage rates, pensions, general improvement of the Post and Telegraph Services, educational work, etc. In politics the Congress followed the programme of the socialist-compromisers, unanimously acknowledging the Provisional Government.

The majority of the members of the Central Committee were either non-party men, or were mostly of a bourgeois turn of mind, or else belonged to the leaders of the 1905 movement, i. e. to the social-revolutionists. The activity of the Central Committee was distinguished by a desire to cooperate with the Ministry of Post and Telegraph and did everything it could in this direction, becoming, in the long run, nothing but a servant of the Ministry. All the claims of the masses were entirely disregarded. The Central Committee tried to drown all protests.

But in its organisation the Union made rapid progress. Regional Congresses were being called at which regional committees were elected and the Union continued to organise itself in accordance with the scheme adopted by the All-Russian Congress.

But, owing to the lack of experience in the past and the absence of workers acquainted with trade-unionism the organisation went on irregularly. Yet at the All-Russian Congress several unions of technical workers and workers employed in the railway mail service were called into life; in October was organised the Union of Radio-Telegraph Workers. These three Unions continuously fought between themselves, thus considerably diminishing their influence. During the October Revolution of 1917, when the proletariat attempted to take first of all possession of the most important institutions, the Central Committee, influenced by the social-revolutionists, remained neutral and did not acknowledge the Soviet Government; at the same time they however carried on a most abominable struggle against the revolutionary proletariat. Under the pretence of remaining neutral the Central Committee organised strikes and sabotage (in Petrograd Saratoff, etc), But the policy of the Central Committee met with great opposition on the part of the masses.

The Union of the Petrograd Post Office protested most energetically against this treacherous policy. The Central Committees convened an All-Russian Council of Delegates for the purpose of strengthening its hold the workers which was elected a long before the opening and consisted of monarchist and compromising elements. A Secret Strike Committee was elected at this Council for the purpose of preparing and carrying out a National strike in the event of the dissolution of the National Assembly. The decisions of the Council met with vigorous opposition. A deep breach was made between adherents and opponents of the Soviet Government. The gulf between the two parties was widening. As a result of the struggle of parties in February 1918 an All-Russian Conference of Post and Telegraph Workers sympathising with the Soviet Government met in Petrograd at the invitation of the Committee of the Petrograd General Post Office; the Conference elected a revolutionary Central Committee, because the former Central Committee declined to carry on any negotiations. Thus two centres were opposing each other and the struggle became extremely acute. The revolutionary Central Committee decreed to call an All-Russian Congress on April 15th. 1918, while the old Central Committee did the same for March 1st.: but the latter was, thanks to the efforts of the Revolutionary Committee, dissolved.

In April and May 1918 the Congress, convened by the Revolutionary Central Committee, took place; about 280 delegates were present: 120 were communists sympathisers, 92 left social revolutionists and their sympathisers, 13 anarchists; the rest were non party members. The social-democrats, constitutional democrats and social-revolutionists formed the „business“ group of trade-unionists. The Congress, under the direction of the Communist Party, corrected the rules of instruction,-drew up a rough outline of wage-rates and a plan of educational work, but paid special attention to the administration and management of the whole apparatus etc.

The members of the Central Committee comprised: 13 communists, 8 left social revolutionists 2 anarchists and 2 maximalists. The new Central Committee to which the Revolutionary Central Committee and the Committee of the 1st. Congress had given over their functions and funds, could not resume its work owing to the conglommeration of parties which composed it. Only after the withdrawal of the social revolutionists and anarchists did it resume its work. The Union succeeded in carrying out a great work of organisation. The Union became a part of the All Russian Central Council of Trade Unions while its branches joined the provincial and district councils of Trade Unions. After prolonged negotiations with the Central Committee of the Union of technical Workers and the Union of Workers employed in the railroad mail service satisfactory results were obtained and in October 1918 those three Unions combined into one.

One of the chief problems of the Union was its participation in the management of public communications. By mutual agreement with the People's Commissariat for Post and Telegraph three representatives of the Central Committee were elected to the Central Collegiate board. Most of the provincial collegiate boards were also formed by the Union.

On the whole, after the Congress of April 1918 the Union soon acquired a healthier character, its organisation became strengthened, it began an energetic campaign against the general decline and sabotage; strict labour discipline was established, the economic interests of its members were safeguarded, great attention was paid to the awakening consciousness among the working class and to educational work.

By the time the 2nd All-Russian Congress was convened the Union was already well organised.

At the 2nd. Congress of the Union (February 1919) a great majority of communists were present (out of 177 delegates represented, 156 were communists or sympathisers). In 10 days the Congress achieved a great amount of work. It ratified the rules and planned out a new scheme of organisation in connection with the amalgamation of the Union of technical workers and workers of the railroad mail service, it worked out instructions for the different sections and a new standard rate of wages; the educational work and the work of the Union relating to the protection of labour were fixed, etc.

At the Congress a new Central Committee was elected; all its members belonged to the Communist Party.

During the period between the 2nd- and 3rd. Congresses if may be noted that the Union was rapidly growing, its organisation was improving and its functions widening. During this period the Union also paid great attention to its participation in the organisation of Public Communications.

It directed its best forces to this work. The Collegiate board of the People's Commissariat of Post and Telegraph was almost entirely composed of members of the Central Committee (4 out of 6 members belonged to the latter). On the periphery two thirds of the members of the board of administration of the Post and Telegraph Departments were representatives of the Unions. All appointments to responsible posts were made by the Union. Thus the Union played an active part in the organisation of the administration of Public Communications. The old monarchist and unsatisfactory system was removed, thanks to the efforts of the Union and only expert workers remained in their places. At-present two-thirds of the members of the administration board are representatives of the Union. The consequence of this was that further disorganisation of public communications was averted, although the surrounding conditions proved to be very unfavourable.

The Union paid great attention to the proper organisation of public communications in the Red Army. Many responsible workers are now at the front; they are appointed chiefs of divisions, armies and fronts. Five members of the Central Committee were sent to the Board of Administration of the Public Communications of the Red Army.

The Central Committee recommended the mobilisation in view of the acute food crisis, the dearth of experienced workers and the wholesale resignation of the post and telegraph workers. As soon as the decree was issued the workers could no longer resign from their work at their own free will, nor could they transfer from one place to another. This decree was absolutely essential in order to avoid a stoppage of the work; the Central Committee, while maintaining this, was guided by state and class considerations in the interests of the proletarian revolution.

The Union paid t attention to the establishment of labour discipline. The Union, while exercising an educational and moral influence upon the masses resorted to stern measures towards all sluggards, idlers and passive-stikers. The carrying out of labour discipline is entirely given over to the Union. The Management only reserved the technical training of workers. All important questions were solved by the Union or by its representatives.

The 3rd. All-Russian Congress of the Union took place from 16th to 24th of March. Delegates from the recently liberated provinces of Russia, the Ukraine, Siberia, Turkestan, the North, etc., were present. Of 173 representatives—123 were communists, 14 sympathisers, 2 mensheviks, 3 anarcho-syndicalists and 31 non party men.

The work was carried on in perfect harmony. Practical problems were set and their possible solution outlined.

Questions concerning the general policy were not considered, for they had already been solved at the two previous Congresses.

Greatest attention was paid to the general problem set before the working classes, viz. the reconstruction of the economic life of the country; the methods of administration were re-examined, The questions of one-man and collegiate management, the participation of the Union in the organisation and management of public communications were considered from a practical standpoint. The Congress decided upon the collegiate form of administration in the centre and provincial departements, however, the principle of individual administration was carried through. The pernicious duality in administration was abolished through the removal of the representatives of the Unions.

Having defined the functions of the administrative board and of the Union and having also set up the administrative apparatus the Congress found it imperative for the Union to improve the administrative organs by instilling in them its best working forces. A series of ratifications relating to the structure of the Union were made which shaped the scheme of organisation of the Union.

The Sections of the Unions, which had entirely lost their significance during their one year's existence were abolished. The principle of a centralised Union was proclaimed; the Union unanimously protested against the organisation of the Union on national principles. In the question of finance the centralisation of the funds of the Union was considered essential.

As to the question of the fixing of wage rates the Union protested against the further increase of wage rates; the gradual naturalisation of wages was considered more efficient.

The premium system was unanimously agreed upon. Many debates arose relating to the increase of the proportion between tho minimum and maximum wages. The Congress decided to leave the former proportion 1:4. All the work relating to the fixing of wage rates, the standardisation of pay, the premium system, the fixing of the staff of officials, was entrusted to the Union.

As to educational work the Union pointed out three fundamental paths: an energetic campaign against illiteracy, industrial training and publishing work. The Congress gave practical solutions to these problems. A series of practical measures connected with food supplies, rural economy and protection of labour were outlined.

The Congress charged the Central Committee to establish relations with the European Unions of Workers in Public Communications, to lend them a helping hand and to set to work for the purpose of establishing an International Union of Workers in Public Communications. Attempts to establish relations abroad were made before the calling of the Congress. Thus invitations to attend the 3rd. Congress were sent out by wireless to Germany, France, England, Spain, Denmark, Switzerland and other countries; but no answer was received.

The extent of efficient, practical and useful work performed by the 3rd. Congress is remarkable. This can be explained by the experience acquired during the past years of struggle. One may gather from the reports sent in from the local branches that the friendly relations of the Union with other trade unions and industrial organisations are continually growing stronger. The members of the Union take an active part in the Councils of Trade Unions, in party organisations and in Soviets, thus contributing to the constructive work begun by the Soviet Government.

 

In 1917 there were four All-Russian Unions of Workers of Public Communications: 1. the All-Russian Union of Post and Telegraph Workers, 2. the All-Russian Union of Technical Workers in Post and Telegraph Offices, 3. the All-Russian Union of Workers of the Railroad Mail Service and 4. the All-Russian Union of Radiotelegraph Workers. Between those unions serious controversy arose. Only in October 1918 did the Unions of the Post and Telegraph Workers, of the Technical Workers and of the Workers of the Railroad Mail Service unite under the name of the „All-Russian Union of Post, Telegraph and Telephone Workers“. In 1919 the Radiotelegraph Workers Union joined it. and thus the All-Russian Union of Workers on Public Communications was formed. The following sections of a consultative character were organised: the technical, the railway mail service and radiotelegraph. Their work was very insignificant, while the Union itself was continuously widening and growing; finally, at the 3rd. All-Russian Congress they were dissolved. Thus in a period of three years of Revolution we succeeded in creating an industrial Union of Workers of ant Public Communications: about 140.000 post telegraph, telephone and radiotelegraph workers of Russia, Siberia and the Turkestan, Ukraine and the Caucasus are members of this Union. Membership is compulsory.

This regulation was unanimously confirmed at the All-Russian Congress in 1917 and further confirmed at all following Congresses. Nobody protested against it. The number of members of the Union changed according to the situation at the front.

Members' contributions are collected by the local committees and sent over to the provincial branches of the Union.

The Union is based on the principle of democratic centralisation. The Annual All-Russian Congress represents the supreme organ of the Union; in the intervals its functions are assumed by the Central Committee elected by the All-Russian Congress. Then come the provincial branches, at present their number amounts to 60; then come the district Departments and finally local committees are formed in the local Post and Telegraph offices.

The principle of centralisation is carried out from top to bottom. An immense amount of work has been accomplished by the Union in the districts liberated from the counter-revolutionary bands.

It is evident that the white guards, supported by the Allies, had abolished the Unions wherever they had the possibility of doing so. But as soon as the Ukraine and the Crimea were liberated from the white guards and the bands of Petlura in the spring and the summer of 1919 the Central Committees sent 7 members to the Ukraine; these members organised, after the calling of provincial Congresses, 7 provincial branches. All the provincial Congresses unanimously acknowledged the principle of centralisation; they protested against an independent Union in the Ukraine. After the provincial Congresses the Central Committee convened a Conference of the South of Russia; the latter also confirmed the principle of centralisation. The occupation of the South of Russia by the white bands put an end to the work of the Union; and everything was destroyed. It is only thanks to the victory of the Red Army that the work of the Union could be continued in the South. In 2 or 3 months the organs of the Union were re-established. In the South a Bureau, composed of four members of the Central Committee is active since October 1919.

The Central Committee sent a considerable number of workers to Siberia and to the Ural after these had been freed from Koltchak. The work of organisation in Siberia and in the Ural district presented immense difficulties because the means of transport were in a very bad condition. But, on the whole, we succeeded in establishing and organising the work of the organs of the Union and in establishing their connection with the centre. All the members of the Union were registered, but it was impossible to utilise those data owing to the sudden rush of events. It was only in Sept. 1919 that the Union could begin the solution of these problems.

 

At first the Union adopted the policy of equalising the wages. The first wage rates established by the Union in 1918 embraced 10 categories from the unskilled labourer to the engineer: the second, in September 1918, embraced 11 categories: the proportion between the maximum and minimum was as 2:1. This can be explained by the fact that the Union attached the greatest importance to physical labour. But afterwards the Union to give up its original scheme. In February there were already 28 categories: in July—35 and the proportion between the minimum and maximum was 1:5. But even these wage rates proved unsatisfactory: to many expert engineers the Central Committee had to appoint high personal salaries. But, on the whole the wages of the members of the Union were less than those of the average trained worker: because the piece-work rate system and the premium had not yet been introduced.

In 1919 a temporary statute was worked out for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the workers and the increase of wage rates; but it is only partly applied in large telegraph offices.

The premium can be granted either to the whole staff of workers or only to individuals. The latter is the only one used so far. The average rates of wages are increased by 50% owing to the premium.

At present the Central Committee partly „naturalises“ the premium which is paid in kind.

A premium is granted not only for output above the normal but for a certain output produced by a staff the number of which is below the usual.

The Congress realised that it would be inefficient to increase the wages owing to the general depreciation of the rouble and the limited amount of food supplies; therefore, the 3rd. Congress decided upon the immediate naturalisation of wages within possible limits.

Special Wage Standardisations Commissions were charged to carry out those wage rates in provinces and districts. These Commissions are composed of representatives of the administrative and of the managing Board of the Union; in the centre the Wage-rate Department is composed of members of the Central Committee. The Wage-rate Department is the supreme organ in the matter of the standardisation of wages and administration is compelled to carry out its decisions. The Union has succeeded in regulating the working hours. The 6-hour working day has finally been established throughout.

 

In March 1919 the Central Committe worked out and carried through the rules of the All-Russian Central Council of Trade Unions concerning the supply to workers and employees of industrial clothing.

These rules were ratified in 1919. It proved impossible to carry them out completely owing to the lack of clothes, boots, etc. Since August 1919 the following s supply of industrial and special clothing have been received: 150.000 yards of heavy canvas for special clothing, 150.000 yards of cotton tissue; 173.000 yards of heavy canvas for special clothing, 165.000 yards of various material for general clothing, 70.200 yards of material of various kinds for underwear, 4550 yards of coat material.

In the sphere of labour protection the largest achievement was the organisation of Labour Inspection. At present there are 13 inspectors in the Post and Telegraph Service. One is elected to every three provinces.

In local institutions committees for the protection of labour are formed. According to data of 20 provincial departments,—i. e. about 40%, of all the Governments in Russia—372 Committees for the Protection of Labour have been organised.

These Committees visit the yarious institutions, study the conditions of labour, establish the percentage of noxious influence upon the health of the workers, etc. In 1919 in 20 Government Departments 54 investigations were made. The Union has assigned a premium of 15–20% for the radiotelegraph workers owing to bad conditions of work.

Recently a large quantity of soap has been distributed by the Commissariat for Labour through the committees for Labour Protection; this is very important in view of the prevailing epidemic of typhus and the general scarcity of soap.

At present the Benefit Societies of the Union (each member had to pay 2% of his wages) have been dissolved because the State has taken over the organisation of social maintenance.

A Department for Food has been organised by the Central Committee.

It came into existence last year during the food crisis. At first it was a department of the People's Commissariat of Post and Telegraph, but after the 2nd. All-Russian Congress, it was taken under the Control of the Central Committee. The work of the Food Department mainly consisted in helping the members of the Union to get rationed food supplies; a large number of the workers and employees lived in far off provinces where the State Distributive Departments had not yet resumed their functions and therefore could not provide themselves with food at fixed prices. Apart from this food purchasing agencies were opened but the results obtained were insignificant because the corn-growing districts had been occupied by the whites. In spite of this the Food Department succeeded in securing about 80 wagons of food. Again, a certain number of horses and cattle were bought in the Ukraine by the Derpartment for agricultural estates. The Central Food Department had secured several estates in the Moscow province. At present the estates are organised and supplied with the necessary tools and implements. Last summer 390 acres of land were cultivated besides the work done by the provincial Departments. At present the Union has secured about 69 estates; the People's Commissariat for Agriculture has assigned 5,000.000 roubles for their organisation. The Food Department supplies the provincial Departments with seeds. Last year the Central Department organised a colony for 150 children. Moreover, vegetable gardens and laundries for the members have been organised. In view of militarisation and the extreme difficulty of getting sufficient food, the Post and Telegraph workers of Petrograd, Moscow and 22 provinces are receiving the same amount of food as the workers for the Defence.

In education work the Union has not been able to achieve the desired results for lack of means as these were supplied by the members' contributions. Even the strike funds were used for this purpose. Most of the educational work was carried out in the local institutions. The Central Committee cooperated with the provincial branches, directed them-and supplied the provinces with literature. 213.992 copies were distributed for the sum of 485.772 roubles.

Educational work in local institutions is carried out very energetically; this may be seen from the following data: 18 provincial branches, 236 Educational Committees, 196 libraries. 177 travelling libraries, 30 clubs, 14 theatres, 1 cinema, 62 musical, 63 literary and 4 dramatic societies, 13 schools, 19 training courses, 5 various studios have been organised. In the provinces post and telegraph workers often carry on educational work among the peasants.

 

The Union had to pay particular attention to the training of workers, because there are very few experienced, trained workers in Russia. At the People's Commissariat for Education a sub-department for Public Communications has been formed at the head of which stands a Collegiate beard, appointed by the Central Committee. The Sub Department of public communications has worked out the programmes and has calculated the sum necessary for the organisation of courses and schools. On the whole there are 167 courses and schools; 45 courses for engineers (mechanics), 52 for post and telegraph workers. The educational workers had not only to control the finances and the existing courses, but also to organise a Polytechnic institute. At present the organising work and the supply of the institute with the necessary implements is approaching its end and the courses will open in the nearest future. The Organisation of the Polytechnic is of extreme importance and will have a great practical influence.

The publishing work of the Union is concentrated in the Central Committee. The lack of paper in Soviet Russia and the slowness of print prevented the wide development of this activity.

The Union publishes 3 periodicals: „The Post Telegraph and Telephone Worker“, „The Proletariat of Public Communications“ and „The Technical organisation of Public Communications“ apart from this the Union published a series of non periodical literature.

 

The interests of the Soviet Government and the proletarian revolution are the bases upon which the Union has founded its work and activity. The Union realises that the existence and the liberation of workers of public communications from moral and physical bondage is possible only in the reign of the communist system: the dictatorship of the proletariat opens the way to it. This is the reason why the Union has applied all its forces to the struggle against the white guards. The Central Committee mobilised 50% of its members during the attack of Denikin and Koltchak. The Government Departments mobilised from 10% to 50%; in some instances, e. g. when Youdenitch was advancing upon Petrograd, all the members went to the front.

The narrow bourgeois prejudices of the officials were done away with by means of energetic propaganda and appeals. The proletarian spirit penetrated the mass of workers of public communications. They united in the Allproletarian struggle for communism.

The Communist Party found many adherents in the Union. At present a communist group of the workers of public communications exists in every provincial town; in 1917 there were only a few communists and there existed but one communist group in the Petrograd Post Office.

In the Union there are nearly 7000 communists. In some of the provincial Departments about 16% of the members are communists, At the lead of the Union are members of the Communist Party. Only 2 members out of 21 do not belong to any party. In 12 provincial Managing Boards the majority of the members are communists: in 6 provincial Managing Boards there are only communists: in 1 the members do not belong to any party at all: in 6 others the majority does not belong to any party; we are insufficiently informed of the political views of the remainder.

In the leading organs of the Union ⅔ are communists and ⅓ of the members do not belong to any party.

Other parties have had no influence whatever in the Union.

The Union has attained considerable results in the political educational work of the masses and in awakening their self-consciousness even under the prevailing unfavourable conditions and the apathy and inactivity of they workers whose energy was crushed by the tsarist system. After 2 years of revolutionary work carried on by the Union the miserable passive officials, with their narrow bourgeois psychology became imbued by genuine proletarian enthusiasm. At present the Union of the workers on public communications go hand in hand with the Russian proletariat in its struggle for the final reign of communism.

Central Committee of the Union
of Workers on Public Communications.

 

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Printing Works of the III Communist International, Moscow.