Red International of Labor Unions

Problems of Strike Strategy

Decisions of the International Conference on Strike Strategy

Held in Strassburg, Germany, January, 1929

 

Organizing Strike Relief

During a strike the question of relief is very important. In view of the fact that the reformist unions sabotage the movement, often declaring it to be an outlaw strike in order to justify their refusal to give aid to the strikers, and further, that the reformists look with contempt upon the unorganized, refusing them even the most meagre relief, it is the task of the trade union opposition and the strike committees to procure the greatest possible amount of relief for the workers on strike and those locked out. For this purpose it is necessary:

1. To demand that the unions give assistance to all locked out and striking workers.

2. To demand that the union allow a definite sum as strike benefit for the unorganized.

3. To arrange special collections among all workers thruout the country for relief funds to be distributed among the organized as well as the unorganized.

4. To draw into this task the Workers International Relief. which must function as an auxiliary organization during economic struggles. In countries where independent trade union organizations exist, it is the task of these unions to give relief to the strikers. The local organizations of the Workers International Relief must also participate in this work.

5. To give particular attention to the need of utilizing the cooperative organizations during the strike. In this work it will be necessary to overcome the resistance of the cooperative functionaries who consider lockouts and strikes as no affairs of theirs.

6. To place before city committees and parliaments our demands for the relief of strikers’ and locked out workers’ and their families. These demands must be supported and emphasized by delegations and demonstrations of the strikers.


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