Address by Harry Bridges at the Installation of the Charter of the Federated Auxiliary of the ILWU

Address by Harry Bridges at the Installation of the Charter of the Federated Auxiliary of the ILWU

Delivered before the first convention of the ILWU Los Angeles, California, April 8, 1941

Madame Chairman and Ladies of the Auxiliary:

In the work of the international and the work of the unions connected with the international, sometimes some of us including myself, have neglected the Auxiliaries, but we are beginning to realize in times such as now, the work of the Auxiliaries attached to our trade union movement assumes an importance all of its own. In a way the ILWU, when it was the ILA, was the promoter of the movement to affiliate the women connected with our trade unions, to our International though the Auxiliary method. It has paid dividends, because of the efforts of a small group of women who have courageously struggled ahead without advice. On that point, I wish to state that the struggles we have been through in the past five or six years has taken most of our time and generally we have been too busy to give much time to the Auxiliary phase of our activity.

However, we are beginning to feel the importance of the work being done by the Auxiliaries attached to our regular trade movement, and for that reason we made special provisions in our International constitution for granting this charter to coordinate the work of the various Auxiliaries I do not want to launch into an outline of current events of today, but it is reaching the point where the voice of the women is heard with more insistence than ever before are at least with more insistence that at any time since the last great war. In San Francisco I have repeated requests for advice from women, some of them just individuals, many others representing various organizations.

I think it is indicative that despite the propaganda regarding our organization and its work these women who know little or nothing about trade unions,, national and international struggles, seek our offices, mine in particular. I have asked them the reason for coming to us and they state that they have heard somewhere that we are interested in women's organizations and that we do something about them. They are not specific, but as I gauge it, they have read of heard of our activities, not only with trade union women but as an organization that does concern ourselves with other problems, and they find their way down to my office/ Their story is generally the same. They feel something is going to happen. They feel the problems, but don't know the answer, but they are eager to do something about these problems...the war problem...other problems, such as slum clearances.

It was very noticeable that most women realize what is at the bottom of their particular problem, and I thought that it was a tribute to the work of our women as their Auxiliaries that so many of these people who knew nothing about trade union policies found their way to our union offices, Again I thought it very peculiar that a union such as ours which is being condemned from all sides, did not seem to worry these women, and I asked them whether they recognized it was all propaganda. I think that if we look at it that way, we can recognize that our work as a trade union and the work of our Auxiliaries has had some very good effects.

It might interest the Auxiliaries to know that at the time of this convention, the ILWU has one off the most stable unions in the nation. I say this because the bid majority of our membership is under contract with good conditions and unless, as we fear is possible, certain action is taken by the Government that will tend to weaken our contracts, we are in good solid position for some time to come. The Auxiliaries do not have to be a bit bashful about singing praises to their organization, the ILWU. A little research that we have done reveals that the average income of the large majority of the members of the ILWU is better than any group of unskilled or semi-skilled labor in the nation. We can be proud of this, it was not accomplished without the help of the women, whether in Auxiliaries or not. It is my opinion that the Auxiliaries should take it upon themselves to make these things known.

I recognize the many worthy tasks the Auxiliaries have set for themselves. It is my opinion that in the near future, the Auxiliaries can carry on the work and do tings that our trade union will be prevented from doing. I am sure the program is already afoot to outlaw and render illegal the bonafide tasks of a trade union. I am sure we will face a situation where unions will be unable to meet and take certain actions. I feel the time is very close when a union will be forbidden it indulge in a strike in a so-called national defense industry. I believe that time is close where they supposedly harbor communists. I am sure that the time is not far off when the unions cannot meet and express itself and record itself in any effective fashion against war, especially will this be true if we get into war.

Past history shows that at such times the women become very important, and in some cases the women will be the only group that will be able to make an effective fight against such things as I have referred to I believe that the auxiliaries should keep this in mind as son as possible take these things into serious consideration and do all that they can in this fight. I had occasion in recent months , keeping as I do in close contact with the National CIO office, in Washington D.C. to have to find out all I could about these problems. I can assure you I am not dreaming. Logically those people who are for war, of for following policies that lead us to war, do not intend to stop half-way. They believe in times of war and stress, that sacrifices should be made and enforced. There is not ant question that there is an organized campaign to sway public opinion against strikes, in so-called defense industries, in order to outlaw strikes by trade unions. We all know when you take away the right to strike, you have little left.

I am convinced that the time is here, very soon, when the organized employer interests will see to it that the labor unions will be rendered ineffective to the point where they will be practically be company unions. The work of the Auxiliaries will be of increasing importance at that time, and prior to that time.

I do not want to seem pessimistic. I am not. It is necessary to look ahead and realize our problems. One to the reasons I have gone into this at such length is because of many people, even in our ranks, who will be confused. I see many sincere people in our ranks beginning to waiver and retreat before some of these attacks. If we expect to hold what we have gained, we be always on alert, by remaining a solid organization of trade union women. Such an organization as the ILWU Federated Auxiliaries can be of great assistance in this task. Even though I have been guilty of not spending too much time with the problems of Auxiliaries, and the same hold true of the other officials, I want you to know I realize clearly the importance of auxiliary work. We know what an auxiliary can accomplish. I sincerely hope you will go ahead with a definite program, expand as far as possible.

I hope you will realize you cannot accomplish everything, that you cannot take on the problems of the world. be practical in your plans. Apply yourselves to tasks you can accomplish instead of wasting time trying to do so many things that it will mean you accomplish nothing in the immediate future. I advise you it not just spend time in an elaborate program that would involve you by simply passing resolutions.

I would advise you pick out two or three immediate things to do. Things you know that if you work at four of six months you will able to do in that time. On the other hand, you can aim at lots of things, and be entirely sincere in your aims but the net result in the end, would be very small. I would recommend a practical program that can be accomplished with the forces and finances you now have available. Then after things are done, you can do more things. If there is any criticism to offer in regard to auxiliaries, it is trying to do too much, and therefore not being able to finish a job completely. pick out a few things and start to do them immediately. With the practical immediate program, you will be able to expand your organization and be of great help to our trade union movement.

Again I want to say, do not forget the importance of women's work, in auxiliaries and other women's groups, since the time is fast approaching when women will have to carry on the work that the trade unions will not be able to speak and act upon. I thank you and am glad to be able to address the Federated Auxiliaries, and wish you all success, and in presenting this, your charter, trust that you will grow and prosper as part of our organization.

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