A threat was recently made by the representatives of the miners
that industrial action would be taken unless the Government at once
withdrew all troops from Russia and abandoned conscription. There
has been, it appears, an unfortunate misunderstanding as to the
exact meaning of the term "industrial action." On Sunday a meeting of
protest against the miners' proposal was held under the auspices of
The United Brotherhood of Worshipful Lead-Swingers and Affiliated
Trades. Violent attacks were made by several speakers upon the Miners'
leaders, and serious disruption in the Labour World seemed imminent.
But when it was authoritatively explained that "industrial action,"
instead of meaning work, as was supposed, was a euphemistic term for
striking, harmony reigned once more. It was, however, unanimously
resolved that in future the expression "industrial inaction" be always
used in such connection, as "action" was a word repugnant to all
right-thinking Lead-Swingers, and, anyhow, calculated in such a
context to give rise to confusion of thought.
* * * * *
A Trades Union has recently been formed to further the interests and
raise the status of all who are in receipt of Government unemployment
pay. It is hoped eventually to obtain a charter, and thus give
professional standing to those employed in receiving such pay. In the
meantime, however, the Union is working on orthodox labour lines, and
arrangements are practically completed for calling a national strike
of unemployed to compel the Authorities to increase the amount of the
grant by one hundred per cent. In the event of a strike each member
of the Union will formally week by week refuse to accept his or her
money, and it is believed that the Government will quickly be brought
to its knees. No special steps are to be taken against traitors to the
cause who accept work. The social ostracism thereby incurred is felt
to be a sufficient deterrent.
* * * * *
A regrettable impasse has been reached in the dispute between The
Amalgamated Society of Trades Union Leaders and the Trades Unions.
Mr. Blogg, speaking for the Leaders' society, stated, on leaving the
Conference last night, that the outlook was black. Unless the rank and
file of the Unions were prepared to meet the Leaders' demands a strike
was certain. He shrank from imagining what was likely to happen if the
Trades Unions were left leaderless. The responsibility, however, did
not rest with the Leaders. They had made every possible concession. A
four-hours' day and a salary of one thousand pounds per annum was the
minimum which would be considered.
* * * * *
Comrade Snooks informed our representative that he was conducting
negotiations on behalf of the employers, that is to say the ordinary
members of the Trades Unions. He stated with a full sense of
responsibility that if the Leaders went on strike all the resources
of the Unions would be employed against them. On the whole the Leaders
had good berths--easy work and high pay. Their demands were becoming
absolutely unreasonable and must be opposed. Their methods of
enforcing their demands too were to be deprecated. Only the preceding
evening one of the Trades Union Loaders had become abusive and
broken one of his (Comrade Snooks') windows. That sort of thing was
disgusting, and in the interests of decency and order must be put
down. In case of need police protection would be applied for.
* * * * *