VII.
1. Nor have these needle trades unions been content with merely imitating the progressive German and French speaking labor movement.
2. In addition to practicing the progressive policies of unionism, socialism and cooperation they have been the pioneers in launching and imitating many vital activities.
a. They were the first to appreciate the significance of Workers' Education in which the International Ladies Garment Workers Union was the pioneer.
b. These unions were among the first to appreciate the importance of research and investigation as a basis for effective and intelligent action.
c. They were the first to improve on the old collective bargaining practices by introducing methods now characterized as the first steps in constitutionalism in industry. This consists of a form of machinery functioning continuously and giving the workers an equal voice with the employer in the administration of working conditions.
d. To the needle trades unions also goes the credit of being the first to wage successful campaigns for the 44 hour week.
e. At present these unions are leading in the attempt to stabilize industry and reduce unemployment to a minimum, through the pressure of unemployment insurance financed by the industry.
f. These needle trades unions are also equaling the efforts of the remainder of the labor movement in organizing labor banks so as to use the financial resources of the workers in controlling credit in the interests of labor.
g. And now the needle trades workers are turning their attention to the organization of the American workers in their trades, while this is a difficult task, their experience thus far seems to indicate that they will master it as they have other difficult undertakings.
REFERENCES:
Hourwich, Immigration and Labor, Chapter XV.
Jenles & Lauck, The Immigration Problem, Chapter XI.
Saposs, The Mind of Immigrant Communities, Chapter IV, in Interchurch Steel Strike Report on Publiic Opinion and the Steel Strike.
Leiserson, Adjusting Immigrant and Industry, Chap. IX to XII.
Schulter, The Brewing Industry and the Brewer Workers' Movement in America.
Budish & Soule, The New Unionism.
Levine, The Women's Garment Workers.
Wolman, The Chicago Clothing Workers.
Saposs, The Immigrant In the Labor Movement, In the Modern Quarterly, February–April, 1926.
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