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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., 1925 - William Green, newly installed president of the American Federation of Labor, speaking before the Harvard Union, pictured the trade union movement as a logical development that has matured in modem society as a responsible and essential element of economic development.
The new spokesman for labor, whose own experience dates back to the recent and yet seemingly remote era of struggle between die-hard labor opponents on the one hand and angry - and often irresponsible labor leader-ship on the other, in effect stated that under his direction the labor movement, will be a constructive force, as interested in improving modem society as in exacting benefits from it.
The promise of this new era is highly significant, coming closely on the heels of great strikes in the coal, steel and railroad industries since the World War which, regardless of the merits of contending sides, greatly delayed recovery of the peacetime economy.
We all know from a study of history the progress of the working people from the stage of barbarism to that of slavery, serfdom and later individual freedom. . . . .
In the development of civilization the use of tools grew and multiplied. Later the use of steam power revolutionized the whole industrial organization and transportation. Manufacturing enterprises were formed and undertaken in all civilized countries. With these changes in civilization came a change in the mode of living. ...
The human element played a very important part in the transition. The workers were brought together in groups, upon the railroads, in the manufacturing plants and in the mines. They became the users of the tools, the operators of the engines and machines. Naturally, the question of wages and conditions of employment, became a subject of vital interest to both employers and employees. Differences of opinion arose as to what the wage schedule should be and what constituted tolerable conditions of employmentuctive force, as interested in improving modem society as in exacting benefits from it.
The promise of this new era is highly significant, coming closely on the heels of great strikes in the coal, steel and railroad industries since the World War which, regardless of the merits of contending sides, greatly delayed recovery of the peacetime economy.
We all know from a study of history the progress of the working people from the stage of barbarism to that of slavery, serfdom and later individual freedom. . . . .
In the development of civilization the use of tools grew and multiplied. Later the use of steam power revolutionized the whole industrial organization and transportation. Manufacturing enterprises were formed and undertaken in all civilized countries. With these changes in civilization came a change in the mode of living. ...
The human element played a very important part in the transition. The workers were brought together in groups, upon the railroads, in the manufacturing plants and in the mines. They became the users of the tools, the operators of the engines and machines. Naturally, the question of wages and conditions of employment, became a subject of vital interest to both employers and employees. Differences of opinion arose as to what the wage schedule should be and what constituted tolerable conditions of employment. Out of the differences, which arose between employers and employees grew the organization of workers. In the beginning it was crude, simple and of little influence. These organizations we called unions. ...
It is clear to all, who have studied the history of this great social and economic development, that trade unionism is not a discovery or a formula. It grew and evolved slowly out of the needs of human experience. In the beginning when unions were first formed their primary purpose was to defend the workers against wage reductions and unfair treatment. They were regarded almost solely as defensive measures for defensive purposes only. It seemed that the thought uppermost in the minds of the workers was the maintenance of what had been secured by them in the way of wages and working conditions. The methods employed in those days could be characterized as dominantly militant. The rule of force and might seemed to guide and influence the thoughts and actions of the workers. Concessions granted to workers by employers were usually forced through the medium of industrial warfare. There was little attention given to the thought or suggestion of conference, understanding and reasoning between employers and employees. The thought of fight to win, of force and brutality seemed to inspire both employers and employees in their industrial relationships.
From such crude and primitive beginnings trade unionism, or organized labor, has grown into the place which, with increasing influence, it occupies in our social and industrial life today. During the formative period organized labor relied almost solely upon its economic strength while today it places immeasurable value upon the convincing power of logic, facts and the righteousness of its cause. More and more organized labor is coming to believe that its best interests are promoted through concord rather than, by conflict. It prefers the conference table to the strike field.
Trade unionism has kept pace with the progress, which has been made in industry. It has emerged from its primitive state into a modem institution, grappling with modem problems in a modem way. It is resolutely facing the task of seeking and finding a remedy for existing industrial ills. ...
Organized labor recognizes and appreciates the value and importance of education. It believes that the workers can advance their economic and Social interests through education and knowledge. The workers believe fully that the future of the trade union movement is very largely conditioned upon the effectiveness with which we link up educational opportunities with trade union undertakings. The trade unions were truly pioneers in demanding free public schools so that there might be equal educational opportunities. Along with the adoption of the free public school institution, labor is advocating a constant widening of the servie rendered by the public schools. Culture should not be the heritage of any limited group. All should be enabled to make their life experiences opportunities for culture. The statement made by Lord Haldane that "class division in knowledge goes deeper than any other class division" is profoundly significant.
We believe that the only way to assure our civilization a culture instinct, with life is to make the work process an agency for educating the worker. Whether that work process be making pottery, managing a steel plant, or operating a power loom, it is in the day's work that the human agent shows most clearly what manner of man he is and finds opportunity for growth. If he brings to his work an attitude of mind that is inquiring, resourceful, constructive, he increases his service many fold. When trade unions have established certain fundamental rights, which assure industrial justice, and the channels through which mutual problems may be discussed and considered, there is created an opportunity for this higher kind of workmanship. If the whole industrial situation stimulates initiative and therefore workmanship, educational possibilities are quickened. Industrial development of that character will purge our civilization of the blight of commercialism and low ideals. The trade union movement is making its contribution to that end and can accomplish much more when management offers understanding cooperation.
The trade union movement has been passing through that period when physical controversies and the tactics of force were most effective; it is now in a period when its leaders must seek the conference room, and there, by exposition and demonstration, convince conferees of the justice and wisdom of Labor's position. In such service Labor is finding a special need for trained representatives and effective information.
The organizations of labor are adjusting themselves to the marked changes. which have come through education and the modernization of industry .The union of the workers is not standing still. It is consolidating the gains of the past and pressing courageously along the highway of progress. The union itself is an elemental response to the human instinct for group action in dealing with group problems. Daily work in industry is now a collective undertaking. The union expresses the workmen's unsatisfied desire for self-betterment in all of the phases that desire may find expression. No substitute can hope to replace the union for it has the intrinsic right to existence which comes from service rendered to fit changing stages of development. Many wage earners have had dreams of ownership of industry but we all know that whatever the ownership, private, governmental or employee, the vital problem for us is the terms and relations we have with management. To deal with this problem, labor must always have its voluntary organizations directed and managed by itself.
~ Postlogue ~
Mr. Green proved to be the prophet of "an uneasy peace" that lasted for a while within labor's ranks and in its general dealings with mass industries. The trade union movement forged ahead until the depression dealt it the same serious blows as were felt by the general public. Then came demands for more aggressive leadership, and the emergence of a new form of union organization, which eleven years later saw new faces and new labor problems arising concurrently on the scene.