Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1982. január-június (36. évfolyam, 1-25. szám)
1982-06-17 / 24. szám
Thursday June 17. 1982. AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZO 11. James Lustig; WHICH WAY IS THE CORRECT WAY ? During the past few months we have witnessed the shameful retreat of the trade union movement. The largest , most powerful unions'. UAW, SWU, Teamsters, Rubberworkers, gave significant concessions to the employers. Wages were cut, or frozen; the COLA-clause of the collective bargaining agreement was either eliminated, or curtailed, paid holidays were given up, newly hired workers are employed at a lower rate of pav, etc. It is estimated that in those four instances alone between 10 and 20 billion dollars are taken out of the pockets of the workers and placed in the coffers of the giant corporations. It is proper to emphasize, that never in the history of labor relations was there an instance when the corporations made money hand over fist, that anyone would send a letter to the union and say: we are making very satisfactory profit, we would like to share this with you and give you a wage increase. No, every wage increase had to be fought for, every improvement in the collective bargaining agreement relating to holidays, vacations, pensions, etc .had to be forced out of the employers. The question is: is it necessary for labor to go backward, to give concessions, to aid financially the corporations, at the expense of the workers? Obviously the leaders of the four above mentioned unions say: the economic climate is such, that we . think these concessions are necessary. Are they right? We don’t think so. We have to remind these leaders - or misleaders *- that the workers in the industries they represent, made the greatest economic advances just at the time - in the 1930’s - when the economy of the country was in the worse position. The organized strength of the workers is capable, under proper leadership, to safeguard all the achievements secured during the past decades of struggle and even further improvements could be realized. THE FIRST MAJOR MISTAKE The first major mistake was made at the time, when organized labor did not support the strike of the air traffic controllers. With proper solidarity, the strike could have been won. That would have given the signal to ALL EMPLOYERS that the workers are not ready to pay for the economic depression, that was brought about by the policy of the big corporations and the government representing those monopolies. The defeat of the air traffic controllers’ strike was equal to opening the flood gates, resulting in wage cuts and attacks on the standard of living, of all workers in all industries and offices. Most of the unions are following the example • of the above mentioned unions. But not all. The most outstanding exception is the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (U,E.) Even the voire of finance, the Wall Street Journal, had to recognize this interesting phenomenon. In it’s April 28th edition the leading article is describing in detail the function of the U.E We can add to this W.S.J. article that the UE, fiom its very inception in 1937, has pioneered in bringing about higher wages and better working conditions. Just to mention one example. In 1937 the UE established a vacation schedule in the Ford Instrument Company (Queens,N.Y ), that guaranteed one day vacation for each month service, up to two weeks. That means that if a worker started to work in the month of January and the vacation started in July, that worker was guaranteed 6 days paid vacation In those days this was unheard of in industrial- labor relations. (By the wav,- that agreement was negotiated with the help of the writer of this article.] We could go on and on, enumerating the pioneer work of the U.E in bringing about decent wages and working conditions. These improvements were brought about by a union, the UE, that had an active rank and file, that was always ready to fight — and this is the reason that most contracts were agreed upon WITHOUT a strike. But, when the employer demonstrated a lack of sanity, a lack of cooperation, and many a times acted provocatively, the workers were ready to strike knowing full well, that hardships, sacrifices, and privations will follow, The 3.700 workers of the American Standard Company were on strike since Nov. 1. 19811 The employers demanded concessions, similar to the ones given by the above- mentioned unions. The workers refused. Strike followed and the workers were determined to canyon, until the employers give up the idea of concessions. The strike was won. As usual, the UE workers were getting excellent support not only from other UE members, but from the whole labor movement. Merchants and the clergy were also supporting the just demands of the UE members. The Wall Street Journal article relates the fact that the employers did everything possible, especially during the McCarthy period, like redbaiting, dismissing active union workers, etc. to destroy this fighting labor organization. But to no avail. The WSJ points out that the top officers of the UE are getting the same salary as the highest paid worker in the shop. Their wage today is $ 23.858.70 and no more. The rank and file of UE is still active. The shop committees are watching the day to day problems of the workers in the shop. The Shop Committee sees to it that the employer shall live up to everv clause of the agreement. Yes, the one million Hungarians in the USA can be proud of Julius Emspak, who played a prominent role in building this union. During the II. World War the UE had 600.000 members. It was one of the largest unions in the country. It was a democratic rank and file organization. That is the reason it was attacked by the employers time and time again. But the UE is still here. Still fighting. Still holding the torch of workers solidarity high. In these troubled times, it shows once again that during economic depression it is possible to defend the wages and working conditions of the workers. In the W.S.J. article, Prof. Herbert Northrup of the Wharton Business School accused the leaders of the U.E. that they still have connections with unions of other countries. Well, dear professor, you should know that the present situation demands that all union leaders should be in touch with the union leaders of all nations because unless international labor solidarity is brought about, the unions in the USA will be unable to defend the most elementary interest of their members. Which is the right wav? The UE-way. let us learn Hungarian What should we eat? Mit együnk? What will you haue? What may I offer you? Do you take tea or coffee? I prefer coffee [tea]. Do you take sugar? Help yourself. Help yourself to some fruit [vegetables], (Do) take (have> a little of this meal. Will (Won't) you have some ham? [rice?\ Shall I help you to some I May I pour you o some wine? Yes, please. Thanks. No, thanks (thank you). Just a little [a small piece], please. May I have fust a little to taste? We don’t have it in England. Give me a small piece, if you please. You’re giving me far loo much. May I have a slice of bread? Will you, please, give me some bread and butler? Mit enne? Mit adhatok? Teát vagy kávét parancsol? A kávét (teátj jobban szeretem. Cukorral issza? Parancsoljon! (Vegyen!) Parancsoljon gyümölcsöt [főzeléket]! Vegyen egy kicsit ebből a húsból ! Parancsol (Nem parancsol) egy kis sonkát) Adhatok egy kis rizst“ Tölthetek bort? Igen, kerek. Köszönöm (kérek). Köszönöm, nem kérek Csak egy kicsit [egy kis darabot] kérek. Csak egy kis kóstoló! kérek. Nálunk, Angliában, nincs ilyen. Adjon (aggyon) nekem egy kis darabot, legyer szíves! Ez nekem nagyon sei lesz. Kérek egy szelet kenyeret. Egy kis vajas kenyer- kérnék. THIRD HUNGARIAN FOLK DANCE and FOLK MUSIC SYMPOSIUM June 25-July 2, 1982 Organized by the AMERICAN-HUNGARIAN FOLKLORE CENTRUM Division of the American-Hunqarian Educators' Association One full week in beautiful, historic Morris County. Fairleigh Dickinson University Madison, New Jersey This event is sponsored in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts Folk Arts Program.
