Labor Militants: The Trade Union Educational League (TUEL)
Oct 5, 2023
auto_awesome
This podcast explores American labor history through the lens of the Trade Union Educational League (TUEL). They discuss trade union consciousness, the necessity of a vanguard party, specific actions taken by TUEL against bosses and labor bureaucrats, the importance of revolutionary theory, and differences between MLs and MLMs on China. The podcast also covers the role of trade unions in the Bolshevik Revolution, TUEL's efforts to raise workers' consciousness, and the history and relevance of union thugs. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of revolutionary theory, combating conservative leadership in unions, and the unity of anti-capitalist ideologies.
Revolutionary theory is crucial in guiding the working class toward abolishing capitalism and achieving their class interests.
The Trade Union Educational League (TOOL) aimed to struggle against reactionary and opportunist leadership within the labor movement and establish a militant minority organization that could influence millions of workers.
The militant minority within TOOL played a crucial role in uniting and leading the workers to transform the trade union movement into a powerful force for emancipation from capitalism.
Despite challenges and misconceptions, TOOL was able to influence the thinking and practice of millions of workers and emphasize the importance of uniting workers around specific needs and demands while advocating for broader goals.
The 1920s encountered setbacks for TOOL due to opposition from figures like Eugene Debs and Samuel Gompers, leading to a difficult period for communists in the labor movement.
The establishment of independent unions by TOOL aimed to lead the workers' struggle against conservative and reactionary union leadership.
Deep dives
The Role of Revolutionary Theory and the Industrial Proletariat
Revolutionary theory is essential for guiding the working class in their struggle to abolish capitalism and achieve their class interests. The industrial proletariat, characterized by mass socialization of labor, plays a crucial role in the revolutionary movement. By transforming the trade union movement into a militant and fighting mass organization, the working class can raise their consciousness and effectively challenge the bourgeoisie. It is important to focus efforts on organizing the working class at their workplaces and strategically prioritize the industrial proletariat as the most consistent revolutionary force.
Overview of the Trade Union Educational League (TOOL)
The Trade Union Educational League (TOOL) was a united front labor organization in the 1920s and 1930s. It served as a link between the Communist Party and the most militant and advanced workers in the organized labor movement. The goal of TOOL was to struggle against reactionary and opportunist leadership within the labor movement and raise the consciousness of workers. It aimed to take control of the trade union movement away from right opportunists and establish a militant minority organization that could influence millions of workers. TOOL focused on organizing specific industries, challenging discriminatory practices, advocating for the organization of the unorganized, recognizing the USSR, and pushing for a working-class-led labor party.
The Role of the Militant Minority
The militant minority, composed of the relatively active and politically advanced workers, played a crucial role within TOOL and the broader labor movement. They united and led the workers in each industry, working to win over intermediate and backward elements. Through specific demands and a general program that included the organization of divided craft unions, recognition of the USSR, and the call for a working-class-led labor party, the militant minority aimed to transform the trade union movement into a powerful force for complete emancipation from capitalism. They emphasized the importance of uniting and organizing the most advanced and militant workers to raise the overall consciousness and fight for the interests of the proletariat.
Challenges and Misconceptions
The work of TOOL faced challenges and misconceptions, with some criticizing it for focusing solely on a small fraction of workers or assuming that the masses were incapable of development. However, TOOL was able to influence the thinking and practice of millions of workers within a short period of time. The militant minority aimed to unite and lead the relatively active and politically advanced workers within each union, relying on them to lead and win over the intermediate and backward elements. This approach countered accusations of elitism and sectarianism and emphasized the importance of uniting the workers around specific needs and demands within their industries while advocating for broader transformational goals.
Formation of the Tool
In November 1920, the Trade Union Educational League (Tool) came into existence, aiming to transform the conservative labor movement and mobilize workers towards militant action. The league grew in support, gaining resolutions from AFL locals for amalgamation, a labor party, and recognition of the Soviet Union. However, setbacks arose in 1923 when Eugene Debs turned against the league, and AFL President Samuel Gompers launched an anti-communist campaign. The United Front was split with the expulsion of supporters, leading to a difficult period for the communists in the labor movement.
Struggles of the Railroad Shopmen
The 1922 railroad shopmen's strike, the largest in US history, saw 600,000 workers walk out against wage cuts and deteriorating conditions imposed by the transportation board. The tool campaigned for a general strike and issued leaflets urging workers to resist governmental interference. However, the strike faced significant repression and employers hired scabs. Eventually, a settlement was reached, with some concessions but several workers experiencing wage cuts and the establishment of company unions.
Setbacks and United Front Split
In 1923, setbacks occurred for the tool as socialist Eugene Debs and AFL President Samuel Gompers turned against the league. Debs' expulsion and Gompers' anti-communist campaign weakened the league's support within the labor movement. The split was further exacerbated when AFL leader John Fitzpatrick abandoned the goal of founding a labor party with communists. The United Front became fractured, leading to a challenging period for the communists in the labor movement.
Struggle of the Miners
The tool played a significant role in the 1922 coal strike, with 600,000 miners walking out in defense of their wages and working conditions. Following the strike, divisions emerged within the United Mine Workers (UMW), and Foster's tool formed an opposition against UMW President John L. Lewis. The tool organized a progressive international committee, but faced opposition and repression from Lewis and his supporters. Despite efforts to save the union and subsequent strikes, Lewis maintained dictatorial power within the UMW and led to the diminishing membership of the union.
The Importance of Transforming Unions for Emancipation
To bring about meaningful change, it is crucial to transform unions into organs that fight for the complete emancipation of the working class, rather than simply seeking reforms or better conditions.
Building a Labor Militant Organization
The need for a united front militant minority organization, similar to the Tool, becomes clear when battling against conservative and reactionary union leadership. Such an organization must work within existing labor movements and focus on organizing the unorganized.
Overcoming Dual Unionism
While the Tool's establishment of independent unions in response to expulsions and opposition may seem similar to dual unionism, the difference lies in the Tool's aim to lead the workers' struggle, rather than solely creating separate organizations.
The Necessity of Giving Your Life to the Struggle
Rather than succumbing to desires for career and retirement, individuals passionate about workers' emancipation should dedicate themselves fully to the struggle against capitalism and oppression.
Recommended Readings and Invitation to Connect
Readings such as Foster's series on the history of the labor movement and Lenin's works on revolutionary theory are recommended. Interested individuals are invited to connect via email to discuss becoming labor militants or engaging in educational efforts.
Chase from Mass Struggle joins Breht to discuss American labor history and communist political theory in relation to the trade union struggle through the lens of TUEL, or the Trade Union Educational League (1920 -1929). Together they discuss trade union consciousness, the necessity of a vanguard party, William Z. Foster, the limitations of spontaneity, specific actions taken by TUEL in their struggle against bosses and labor beurocrats, the importance of revolutionary theory, and then they even have a comradely back and forth over the differences between MLs and MLMs on the question of China. Chase on instagram: @massstrugglepod Emails for contact: massstrugglepod@protonmail.com; aj5284@proton.me; lenniM17@proton.me Link to the Vote No episode Recommended Reading: From Bryan to Stalin Outro Music: "Vote No (Which Side Are You On)" by Space Baby ft. Red Teamsters and Math Rock Matt Follow Space Baby on Insta HERE --------------------------
