Forty-Ninth Anniversary

364 Pages·2007·53.92 MB·English

OFFICERS' REPORTS
AND
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL
(Forty-Ninth Anniversary)
CONVENTION
OF THE
QIaIifnrnia
lEiabur
nf
CONVENTION HELD AT LONG BEACH
September 27-October 1, 1948
1_W151
PRINTED ON UNION MADE PAPER
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
California State Federation of Labor
PRESIDENT SECRETARY-TREASURER
JOHN F. SHELLEY C. J. HAGGERTY
2940 Sixteenth Street, Boom 214 402 Flood Building, 870 Market Street
San Francisco 8 San Francisco 2
VICE-PRESIDENTS
District No. 1 District No. 8
(San Diego and Imperial Counties) (San Mateo and Adjacent Counties)
MAX J. OSSLO ANTHONY AGRILLO
227"E" Street, SanDiego 1 P. 0. Box 494, San Jose
District No. 2 District No. 9
(Long Beach and Orange County) (San Francisco)
JACK T. ARNOLD ARTHUR F. DOUGHERTY
324 E. 4th Street, Long Beach 1623% Market Street, San Francisco 1
KEORGE KELLY
District No. 3
3705 Twenty-fifth Street, San Francisco 10
(Los Angeles City Proper, Hollywood, North
Hollywood, Burbank, San Fernando, Glendale, HARRY LUNDEBERG
Pasadena, Pomona, Whittier, and San Bernar-
dino and Riverside Counties) 105Market Street, SanFrancisco 5
ELMER J. DORAN VICTOR S. SWANSON
760 Thirteenth Street, SanBernardino 1095 Market Street, San Francisco 3
C. T. LEHMANN District No. 10
1628 South Fifth Street, Alhambra (Alameda County)
JOHN C. LYONS ROBERT S. ASH
540Maple Avenue, Los Angeles 13 2111 Webster Street, Oakland 12
THOMAS L. PITTS HARRY C. GRADY
846 South Union Avenue, Los Angeles 14 2111 Webster Street, Oakland 12
MAURICE A. SKATES
536 Maple Avenue, Los Angeles 13 District No. 11
(Contra Costa County)
PAT SOMERSET
7046 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 28 HOWARD REED
729 Castro Street, Martinez
District No. 4
(San Pedro, Wilmington, Redondo, Inglewood, District No. 12
Venice, and Santa Monica) (Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano Counties)
L. McCLAIN LOWELL NELSON
309 West Seventh Street, San Pedro 316 Virginia Street, Vallejo
District No. 5 District No. 13
(Ventura, Santa Barbara, andSanLuis Obispo (Sacramento and Northern Counties)
Counties)
HARRY FINKS
WILLIAM A. DEAN 5257 "H" Street, Sacramento 16
' 302 La Cumbre Road, Santa Barbara
District No. 14
District No. 6 (Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Tehama,
Mendocino, and Lake Counties)
(Bakersfield to Merced)
ALBIN J. GRUHN
PAUL L. REEVES
Box 259, Eureka
1035 Broadway, Fresno 1
District No. 15
District No. 7 (Siskiyou, Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta,
(San Joaquin and Adjacent Counties) and Sierra Counties)
C. A. GREEN ROY WALKER
1005 "F" Street, Modesto Box 1136, Westwood
The Executive Council of the Federation is composed of the
President, the Vice-Presidents and the Secretary-Treasurer.
Very Rev. Msgr. MARTIN C. KEATING, Chaplain, 737 North Olive Avenue, Burbank
CHARLES P. SCULLY, Legal Advisor, 407 Flood Building, San Francisco 2
I
OFFICERS' REPORTS
AND
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL
(Forty-Ninth Anniversary)
CCONVENTION
OF
THE
FtQt Xatifrnat
*> fl IL[abL1r
CONVENTION HELD AT LONG BEACH
September 27-October 1, 1948
151
PRINTED ON UNION MADE PAPER
I.
IN MEMORIAM
Burg
Paul E.
WHEREAS, Brother Paul E. Burg, Vice-President of the
California State Federation of Labor from 1939 to 1946,
passedintothe greatbeyondonJuly 10, 1948; and
WHEREAS, Brother Burg was a staunch supporter of the
principles of the American Federation of Labor during his
lifetime and long affiliation with the labor movement, and as
officer of the Calfornia State Federation of Labor rendered
an
great service to organized labor; and
WHEREAS, His death is greatly mourned, not only by his
family and friends, but by the entire membership of the labor
movement who have lost, in his passing, a true and devoted
friend and leader; therefore, beit
now,
RESOLVED, That when this 46th Annual Convention of
the California State Federation of Labor adjourns, it do
so
in sincere of Brother Paul E. Burg, and that by
memory a
period of silence, we pay our tribute to him and to all other
deceased brothers and sisters members who have loyally and
...
generously given to the labor movement their time, wisdom
and devotion who have passed during the last
away year.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS
REPORT OF PRESIDENT
instability,
San Francisco, July29. we in America would be closer
to achieving a peace economy.
To the Forty-Sixth Annual (Forty-Ninth
Anniversary) Convention of the Cali- Pan-American Labor Conference
fornia State Federation of Labor-
To implement the program of world
Greetings:
domination, the Red totalitarians have at-
In submitting this report to the delegates tempted to establish control over the inter-
of the Convention, I wish to call to their national labor movement. They sought to
attention that it is not its purpose to enu- sabotage the Marshall Plan by their con-
merate the various activities in which the trol over the labor movement through their
Federation has engaged, but rather to em- predominance in the World Federation of
phasize salient developments and to evalu- Trade Unions. The American Federation of
ate certain trends and basic problems which Labor initiated a counter-offensive, and,
labor has experienced and still faces. The fighting strenuously against isolationism,
Secretary's report is very detailed and es- organized the Inter-American Confedera-
tablishes a record of Federation activity of tion of Workers in Lima, Peru, which rep-
which we can be proud, and from which we resents some 14 millions workers from 14
can learn a great deal. It is my earnest countries. In spite of programmatic dif-
hope that the delegates will consult the ferences that developed at the founding
Secretary's report in order to appreciate convention, this Confederation has estab-
the functioning of tne labor movement in lished greater rapport between North and
California. In this report, I wish to confine South America, as far as the trade union
myself to matters that are, in my estima movement is concerned, than ever existed
tion, ofextreme importance to labor in Cali- before. This is only a beginning, however,
fornia and in the nation as a whole, and to in the campaign to challenge and defeat
certain international developments which communist efforts to dominate and re-
directly and indirectly affect and will in- actionary efforts to destroy labor.
fluence our status.
European Trade Union Conference
World Situation
Meantime, the fight in behalf of the
The present world situation is not very Marshall Plan waged by the AFL has been
heartening. It has been described aptly as meeting with considerable success. Because
not a world ofpeace, but merely an interval of the failure of the World Federation of
in the horrible bloodshed that engulfed the Trade Unions, through the domination of
world only a short time ago. It would be the Russian trade unions, to support the
correct to characterize the present situia- Marshall Plan (on the contrary, its official
tion as an armed truce. And because this action was to oppose the Plan), the British
will determine our orientation as American Trade Union Congress, in cooperation with
citizens and as members of the organized trade unions of Belgium, the Netherlands
labor movement, it is important to keep and Luxembourg, were impelled to call a
this in mind. trade union conference of the nations con-
cerned with the European Recovery Pro-
No one can deny that at present the
gram (Marshall Plan) in March, 1948. An
worldis divided between two basic concepts
unusual demonstration of American labor
flowing from two fundamentally divergent
unity manifested itself, since both the AFL
economies. Totalitarianism did not come to and CIO took part in this meeting. Twelve
an end with the defeat of Hitler. We have nations were represented, Italy being the
today a sinister threat to democracy and only exception as a participating nation in
its underlying economy presented by com- the Marshall Plan, because of its com-
munist totalitarianism. At the same time, munist-dominated unions.
we must be ever watchful of attempts of This conference not only endorsed the
theblackfascisms toreestablishthemselves. Marshall Plan but pointed out that "no
The provincialism of American thought and unacceptable conditions are attached to the
isolationist philosophy has been shattered, offer of American aid, and there shall be no
just as national boundary lines were shat- interference in the internal affairs of any
tered followiing the world war-boundaries participating country." A decision of the
which still remain to be delineated on the conference provided *for the establishment
basis of national integrity and mutuality of of a ten-member advisory committee to
interests. Were it not for this international keep the member organizations informed of
4 OFFICERS REPORTS TO
developments concerning the Marshall Plan, Social Security Narrowed
and to reconvene at a future date. Social security, for which labor has
Other significant developments occurring fought unrelentingly from its inception, and
internationally could be mentioned if space which had finally attained a semblance of
permitted. Nevertheless, it is important for substantiality, instead of being broadened
us to appreciate their development, because so as to cover many more needy and de-
the policy of labor in this country and in serving wage earners, was restricted in
this state will greatly influence the course coverage, so that at least 750,000 workers
of international events. who have enjoyed this protection will now
be deprived entirely of social security.
The 80th Congress The unbelievably low minimum wage of
40 cents, instead of being modified to the
It is preposterous to assume that one is 75 cents requested, has been retained, in
fighting totalitarianism if democracy at
spite of the fact that millions of workers
home is curtailed. Totalitarianism thrives
and their families in this country will be
on exploiting the difficulties of democracy unable to maintain a subsistence level on
and the failure to solve social needs. Com-
these starvation rates.
munism's greatest ally is a reactionary pro- On the other hand, the Congress passed
gram at home, which only lays the basis a portal-to-portal pay bill, which not only
for unrest and offers a splendid opportunity banned suits for portal pay, but weakened
for exploitation by the advocates of class
enforcementprocedure underthe FairLabor
war for their own ulterior ends. That is Standards Act.
why it would be a serious oversight if we The Department of Labor was reduced to
were to ignore the miserable record of the an ignoble and ineffective position, being
80th Congress and its dismalfailure to solve
deprived of so many of its divisions and
any of the basic problems facing the Amer- jurisdictions over them that numerous es-
ican people.
sential services formerly made available to
Aside from the shocking piece of legisla- laborhave been withdrawn.
tion known as the Taft-Hartley Act, on
which it is not necessary to agitate labor, Public Power
there were numerous other basic problems With reference to the question of water
which received similar treatment. Inflation,
andpower, andourCentralValleys Projects,
which is now threatening our whole eco- the Congress passed legislation which will
nomy, was completely ignored by the 80th
victimize the officials supervising this proj-
Congress. The comprehensive and adequate
ect who sought to enforce the 160-acre
measures urged by the President to curb
limitation, in accordance with public rec-
and control inflation were not even taken lamation law. In the Tennessee Valley,
cognizance of, and the pitiful rent control
Congress denied the TVA a steam electric
measure passed by the Congress only ag- plant to extend its flow of hydro-electric
gravated the problem of inadequate shelter
power. All down the line, monopolistic
which millions of our people are now utility interests were given the benefit of
suffering.
every kind of protection and advantage in
their drive to destroy popular and efficient
Housing Crisis Ignored
public power.
Housing, one of the most crucial prob- In the field of civil liberties, a permanent
lems facing us, was similarly sidestepped. federal fairemployment practice committee,
TheTaft-Ellender-Wagner Bill, whichwould an anti-lynch law and an anti-poll tqx law
were defeated.
have provided national goals, stimulated
research, provided for slum clearance, low- In health and education, a bill to provide
$300,000,000 a year as grants to states to
cost housing and farm housing, failed of
provide an educational program for every
passage. Instead, a watered-down, insig-
child was pigeon-holed in a House Com-
nificant and abysmally inadequate measure mittee.
was passed, which will do nothing toward A bill that was finally passed to admit
alleviating the housing problem.
200,000 displaced persons from Europe was
In regard to tax reduction, the Congress grossly and unjustly discriminatory against
saw fit to pass a bill which favored those Catholics and Jews. The legislation re-
in the higher income group brackets, and quested by the President was shoved aside.
disdained even to consider the plight of Such a program, if continued, is the best
those in the lower income brackets, who kind of ammunition that can be furnished
constitute the overwhelming majority of communism. The greatest allies of Stalin-
our citizens, and whose normal wage gains ists are the reactionary interests in our own
have been constantly wiped out byInflation. country, whose political myopia is due to
STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR 5
theirinsatiable selfishnessandindescribably Valleys Projects, in the fight for housing,
stupid opportunism. Inthese circumstances, and in the voluminous testimony submitted
labor has had to activize itself politically to to the various Congressional committees, in
prevent the consummation oftheir reaction- which your President had the privilege to
ary program. participate and represent the Federation.
With the reconvening of the special se- It is this kind of initiative and perspective
sion of Congress, the arrogance displayed that has made the California State Fed-
revealed, without a doubt, that the re- eration ofLaborone ofthe mostprogressive
actionary interests were maintaining an and influential in the entire country.
adamant position toward the social needs
which they failed to recognize in the regu- Labor Education
lar session. To them, the special session
The problem of labor education, for the
was nothing more than a political maneuver
first time undertaken on a statewide basis
to place the administration in a compromis-
by the Federation, in collaboration with the
ing position before the people. Not one iota
University of California, is further evi-
of constructive legislation was adopted at
dence ofthe growingscope of ourftunctions.
this session. As a matter of fact, the Con-
The Institute of Industrial Relations of the
gress refused to consider any kind of legis-
University of California has been able to
lation thatwould be of benefitto the people,
carry on an active program of workers'
no matter how urgently needed. This
education in both northern and southern
cynicism is a challenge to the trade union
California. The high point of this program
movement and one which must be met.
during the past year was the Summer
Labor Political Activity Labor Institute, conducted at Asilomar Ho-
tel, Pacific Grove, from July 5 to 11, 1948.
We of the California State Federation of Over 100 AFL union members, with their
Labor can proudly report that every effort wives and children, attended this Institute.
has been made to activize our members Courses were offered in arbitration and
politically. It is no longer a problem to conciliation, collective bargaining, cost of
discuss: it is a question that must be put living and other labor statistics, labor his-
into effect before itistoo late. tory, labor journalism, labor and the politi-
The campaign to reapportion the State cal situation, public relations and the union,
Senate is an implementation of the general labor legislation, and the Taft-Hartley Act.
progressive drive to streamline and make
I regretted very much that I was unable
more democratic our own legislature by to speak as originally scheduled on labor
changing the State Senate from abodythat
and the political situation, but I know that
represents a minority of the population to
Secretary Haggerty did a splendid job in
one that speaks for the majority. This is
explaining to all labor members present
an excellent example of what we mean by
their responsibilities in the November, 1948,
democracy. The Federation sponsored this
elections.
proposal, which is Proposition No. 13 on
the November ballot, and has done every- The success of this year's Institute makes
thing possible to make the campaign for certain that it will bethe first of many.
its adoption a success. The senate reap- The San Francisco, Los Angeles and San
portionment measure is deserving of the Diego Central Labor Councils have all pre-
unlimited support ofour membership, which sented labor courses to business agents and
approved this issue by decisions reached at union officials. Individual unions, such as
our previous conventions. the CanneryWorkers, theGarmentWorkers
A number of statewide conferences have and others have arranged their own insti-
been held to bring the Federation and the tutes, which have included courses dealing
officers of the various locals in the state specifically with problems peculiar to the
closer together. In my opinion, these con- industry concerned.
ferences have served an extremely useful An important contribution to workers'
purpose in providing greater understanding education is the program of labor films
and confidence between the leadership and which has been announced by the Holly-
the membership. wood Film Council. The Council stands
ready to make films for any union so re-
Federation Leadership
questing. It has already done an excellent
In every social issue that has affected job in presenting the case of the Di Giorgio
our labor movement in this state, the Fed- strikers through a 16 mm. film entitled
eration has taken an active and leading "Poverty in the Valley of Plenty." An-
role. This was exemplified In the power other film, "The Magic State," explains
crisis that developed in the northern part the significance of the senate reapportion-
of the state, In the fight for the Central ment, PropositionNo. 13.
6 OFFICERS REPORTS TO
Other Federation Activities in spite of our past accomplishments. It is
The problem of racial intolerance and with this thought in mind that I urge upon
bigotry has been tackled, and the statement the delegates assembled to increase their
by the Executive Council is one which indi- awareness of international and national
cates the progress that has been made. political implications, and to acquire a
In the legislative field, the Federation has greater appreciation for the many problems
set an enviable record as the principal which still remain a challenge to us.
guardian of the interests of the wage earn- In concluding this report, I cannot stress
ers in this state. To fully appreciate the too stronglythe appreciation Imostsincere-
accomplishments we have achieved in this ly feel for the cooperation I have received
field, Icannot urge the delegates too strong- from the Secretary of the Federation, from
ly to read our reports. all of the vice-presidents, and from the Fed-
In our research and publicity work, the eration office staff. It is gratifying to be
Federation has constantly maintained op- able to say, without qualification, that we
timal standards, and this indicates that we have functioned as a team, with the utmost
are functioning actively in all the important harmony prevailing in our many delibera-
spheres. tions, in spite of differences that may have
The increase in our membership is ain occurred on questions of policy from time
indication of the Federation's ability to to time.
keep abreast of the times and to parallel Finally, I wish to thank the delegates for
the growth of our state with growing or- the privilege they have conferred upon me
ganizational strength. to serve them as President of the Federa-
Only bumptious smugness and delusory tion, a position which I esteem as my most
optimism, however, would make us forget precious possession.
that there is much more to be done, that Fraternally submitted,
even greaterimprovement much be achieved JOHN F. SHELLEY.
REPORT OF VICE-PRESIDENT FORDISTRICT NO. 1
(San Diego and Imperial Counties)
San Diego, August 2. Considerable activity was experienced
To the Forty-Sixth Annual (Forty-Ninth on the new organizational front in the
Anniversary) Convention of the Cali- San Diego County Trade Area by both the
fornia State Federation of Labor- Laundry Workers and the Teamsters. The
Greetings: two latter organizations put up a most
In view of the diverse activities which aggressive fight against strong anti-union
have been carried on since the last con- opposition and made great headway in
vention of the Federation, perhaps the signing new agreements with many laun-
best medium to pursue in expediting my dry outlets. The major victory was the
report is to proceed under the following signing of the Balboa Laundry, the San
headings: organizational gains, affiliations, Diego Hotel and the Park Blvd. Cleaners.
political activity, civic activity, andfurther
Retail Clerks
progress.
Of great importance was the activity on
Organizational Gains the part of the Retail Clerks in bringing
With reference to the first subject mat- to a successful conclusion a long, hard-
ter, may I point out that the labor move- fought battle against the Whitney Depart-
ment as a whole in both counties, ment Store. The Clerks were successful in
has experienced considerable organiza- completing the agreement with this de-
tional gains and wage increases in all of partment store and gaining a 10 percent
their contracts. Some of the most out- wage increase for the employees. This can
standing gains were as follows: well be considered a step in the proper
Beginning in the early part of Septem- direction toward a first break in the or-
ber, 1947, Cooks and Waitresses Local ganizational work which will be forthcom-
No. 402 started an intensive campaign ing in organizing the thousands of depart-
which culminated in the signing of twenty ment store workers in this area. The Re-
contracts. During the past year this or- tail Clerks and also the labor -movement,
ganization has not only experienced con- which gave its full support, may well be
siderable growth in membership, but has proud of this achievement.
been successful in signing contracts with Another organization which had hereto-
chain drug stores in San Diego, in par- fore been considered a small organization
ticular, the Rexall and Thrifty firms. in our fold, through its successful achieve-
STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR 7
ments is rapidly becoming a very sub- what was formerly a recalcitrant manage-
stantial local union. I refer to the activi- ment when they completed the signing of
ties of the Building Service Union. During their last contract with favorable wage
the past year this local union has been increases and experienced no difficulty.
successful in signing up nine major office In referring to the BuildingTradesCoun-
buildings and also the Whitney Depart- cil and its respective affiliated unions, it
ment Store. They have, in addition, se- may be well to point out that this pro-
cured a precedent contract with Glacier gressive, responsible group, through the
Gardens. fine work of its officers, is a bulwark of
The Cannery Workers Union has been strength in our Central Labor Council,and
successful in the face of vicious labor leg- constantly maintains a responsible and
islation in keeping their organization clean labor-management relationship. Re-
strong and maintaining a fine labor-man- cently several of the basic crafts received
agement relationship with its employers. wage increases of as high as 25 cents an
This organization may be complimentedon hour, these craftsbeingthePlasterers, Lath-
the inroads it has made and the splendid ers and Hod Carriers. These negotiations
success it has achieved in blocking out were carried on throughtheBuildingTrades
any activity whatsoever from any opposi- Council, enabling them to protect their
tion rival unions. Well over 90 percent hard-won gains, in spite of the many dis-
of the canning industry in San Diego turbing features and complications of the
County is AFL. Without a doubt, within Taft-Hartley Act, which are such an up-
the next year with continued progress and setting factor to continued good labor-
success, complete organization will be rep- managementrelationship.
resented by 100 percent AFL Cannery
Workers. This group of workers during City Employees
the past year has received a wage in- Considerable development was experi-
crease in the amount of 5 cents per hour. enced in the field of City Employees. This
During the past year exceptional gains militant group of employees was success-
have been made by the Amalgamated ful in getting pay increases of 10 percent,
Electric Railway and Street Car Workers. plus an-additional $7.00 monthly cost of
Their affiliation with the Central Labor livingbonus.
Council brought our membership rolls well In the Printing Trades, we find that
over the 26,000 mark for San Diego Typographical Union Local No. 221 was
County. This particular group of AFL able to hike wages a little more than $9.00
workers has become an integral part of per week during the past year. Electrical
our Central Labor Body and its officers Workers No. 465 reached an accord in
have been most cooperative with all affil- negotiations, providing anaverage increase
iates. of 7.75 percent. Bakers Local No. 315
was successful in renewing its contracts
Teamsters
and increasing wages by 12 cents per hour.
in viewing the activities of the Teams- Electrical Workers Local No. B-569, after
ters Unions, we find that one of the out- fightingaggressively, wona10-centincrease
standing contracts in the milk industry for their members. In addition, a second
was completed by Local No. 683. Local wageincrease in the amountof 21/2 centsan
No. 542, the oldest of the Teamsters hour was won, to be effective June 1.
Unions in San Diego and a most active
and responsible element in our Central Imperial Valley
Labor Council, was successful in renewing With reference to organizational activ-
all their contracts with adequate wage ity, it is my privilege to place special
increases, without one stoppage of work. emphasis on the activity oftheAFLunions
In addition to the above, an outstanding in the Imperial Valley. This group, situ-
victory was achieved by this union when ated in the "Garden of America" (where,
retroactive pay affecting some 66 mem- from my own experience, they endure the
bers in the Lyon Van and Storage Co., privations of intense heat, cold and the
amounting to $5,792.79, was received. various elements) have been most success-
With further reference to the Teamsters ful in their organizational activity.
Union, It will be recalled that consider- All contracts of affiliated unions have
able hardship and litigation was experi- been renewed, with worthwhile increases
enced In the organization activity at Union in wages as well as maintenance of the
Ice Company, the organization being con- security of their working standards and
ducted by Local No. 424, all of which was conditions. This has been successfully ac-
successfully overcome. Considering such a complished in a territory which has been
difficult beginning, this particular group considered, to a great degree, anti-union.
of Teamsters is to be complimented on Such organizations as the Box Workers,
having achieved fair recognition from Carpenters, Electricians,Teamsters, Butch-
8 OFFICERS REPORTS TO
era, Engineers, Bricklayers, Laborers, material was addressed personally to eah
Plumbers, Culinary Workers, etc., have not ofourmembers.
only protected their wages and working A public speaking clas was sponsered
conditions, but in addition, they have pur- under the auspices of our Central LaL;bor
chased a beautiful Labor Temple. This Council in the hopes of better qualifyig
AML House of Labor in Imperial Valley is various leaders in the preseatation of
an edifice which spells good labor-manage- facts. A membership card is being dis-
ment relationships and fair play. Particu- tributed to all of our volunteer workers
larly outstanding work has been done by participating in our League. In addition,
the Culinary Workers, who have built a a Speakers Committee has been formed,
splendidorganization. whose duty it is to assist the representa-
tives of local unions in developing the
Affiliatioru necessary enthusiasm on the politicalscene
During the past year affiliations to our within our membership.
State Federation of Labor continued to A precinct organization was established
come in and thus keep pace with the to develop the reapportionment story, not
splendid progress of past years. We now only to our membership, but to the en-
find our affiliation of local unions reach- tire community. The results of the pri-
ing a saturation point, when during the mary election prove the necessity of the
past year such organizations as Typo- further development of this worthwhile
graphical Union Local No. 221, Carpenters medium.
and Joiners Local No. 2398, and the Allied Meetings of the League, under the aus-
Printing Trades Council, in addition to the pices of the League officers, have been
Plumbers and Steam Fitters Local No. held from time to time to coordinate the
230, all affiliated with our State Federa- activities of our Labor League with that
tion of Labor. of the State Federation of Labor, in order
to effectively deal with the legislative
Political Activity problems. It may be pointed out that this
In this field I am confident that we task, while it is most arduous, is meeting
are all cognizant of the multiple prob- with appreciable success and cooperation
lems we face in a major degree. It may from a large portion of the representa-
be briefly and simply stated that on the tives of our local unions. In order to get
whole, the affiliated local unions in the the true feeling of the problems faced on
State Federation, and our Central Labor the local scene, polls are conducted from
Council have cooperated in state political time to time. As we face the coming elec-
activity. In this necessary and worthwhile tion the tempo of the League's activities
activity, it is our hope to nullify anti- will be accelerated.
labor legislation, destructive to the future
and well-being of our members. The many CivicActivity
worthwhile gains which have been secured San Diego AFL unions are to be com-
through tedious toil and sacrifice, as we mended for the workthat they are doing in
well know, are being challenged at every their unselfish participation in community
activity. Full-hearted cooperation has been
Bearing in mind the hard road ahead, received in such humanitarian projects as
our affiliated unions of the Central Labor the Blood Bank, which has been supervised
Council formed the AFL Voters League by a detail from the Medical Society, in
on August 20, 1947. One of the first proj- order to assist in immediately giving neces-
ects of the League after its inception was sary transfusions to all people.
a concentrated effort to register all of our
The activity of our local labor move-
members. As a result, San Diego County
ment in the Infantile Paralysis Campaign
had the largest registration of voters in
has been most outstanding, as well as the
its history. This was followed by our first
representation various labor leaders are
successful rally, staged under the auspices
making on Boards of Welfare Agencies,
of the League. The rally was held on Community Chest, etc.
January 21, 1948, and as a part of the
program many of the problems that would Perhaps one of the most touching situ-
face organized labor in the coming elec- ations of the year has been the conditions
tion were dramatized. An aggressive cam- affecting AFL workers in the Di Giorgio
paign has been started among our unions Strike scene, and in this behalf our move-
to bring the true story to our member- ment cooperated with the State Federation
ship. In this behalf, representatives of our of Labor by supplying a caravan of cars
unions have been most cooperative in dis- and donations valued at an estimated cost
tributing the worthwhile literature en- of nearly $7,000.
dorsed by our State Federation, such as Another project of our labor movement
"The Senator" and other pamphlets. This is the Christmas Party which to sponsored