that the congress saw fit to render more compact and close-knit through its resolution on the sindicato único, which embraces an entire sector or industry.
There is no question that this amendment to organisational methods is very important, but it would be childish to argue that we can implement it fully in a very short period of time as some have suggested. Within some sectors and industries implementation is not going to be feasible until such time as genuine enthusiasm is consistently invested in efforts to achieve the desired end. So there is no question of eliminating the time factor from a matter of such overwhelming significance […]
Furthermore, we hold that this mode of organisation is futuristic in that its very simplicity will, if necessary, make it feasible to compile complete figures for overall production, as well as to proceed with the distribution of said production.
It is, therefore, understandable if the sindicatos únicos should be the most faithful expression of the constructive, offensive and defensive provision sought by us producers.
Its organisational make-up
A sine qua non of the establishment of sectoral and industrial unions is for at least half of the sections (still trade unions at present) to be in favor of their establishment. Let us imagine that in some locality there are six organised sections engaged in the same branch of activity. Three are all for amalgamation and three against it or, for the present, not disposed to follow the example set by the three amalgamating sections. The latter should proceed as quickly as they are able with the launching of a sindicato único. In any case, it is imperative that they not turn their backs on those sections that are not currently joining the newly created body. On the contrary, the former need to keep the latter briefed on all the business and activity they carry out; it is our belief that such ongoing and amicable liaison will better serve the purpose in mind. Keeping to themselves would exacerbate the differences already in existence, which we would wager were the effective cause of the failure to reach an accommodation. Those sections that fail to amalgamate from the outset must not be marginalised or labelled as ‘scab’. Scabbing is inconceivable other than in organisations that blatantly betray the workers’ cause during strikes, by means of denunciations or other serious actions that well merit the label […]
We believe that this is a faithful reflection of the will of congress on this point, since, while we concede the relevance of the time factor in having these resolutions adopted in principle, we also mean to see them implemented, as briefly outlined above, within a reasonable time frame; which will rule out the endless negotiations that might outwardly be caused by a troublesome focus on personalities.
Let us allow time for the establishment of sindicatos únicos, but, once these are in place, let us also set a period of grace within which the unaffiliated can revise and amend their performance prior to their being excluded from the broad workers’ movement.
Some congress accords
Motion 7: In battles between capital and labor, unions affiliated to the Confederation are obliged to give preference to direct-action methods, as long as there are no bona fide circumstances of genuine force majeure requiring recourse to different approaches.
Motions 19 and 22: Professional politicians can never represent workers’ organisations and the latter must see to it that they are not based in any political premises.
Motion 21: The unions have an imperative duty to see to it by all permissible means that the women—partners, daughters, etc.,—living alongside them and working alongside them in some industry or trade, are organised into unions.
In mixed trade unions, the steering committees should be mixed also, so that women take an interest in their battles and personally commit to their economic emancipation.
Motion 26: As long as there is a company in any given locality paying its operatives the set rate and employing unionised workers, no trade union shall provide labor to any other employer not meeting the same conditions. Nevertheless, when the work that needs doing is such as to be of direct benefit to the organisation, labor costs may be reduced with the consent of the comrades who are to perform it and of the unions to which they belong.
Motions 40, 43, 44 and 50: a) There is a duty upon every union member to do whatever he may to thwart the exploitation of minors. b) Under no pretext and in no sector will overtime be worked as long as there are members of that trade without jobs, and if the union, to which the comrade who is obliged to work overtime belongs, reckons it is strong enough to do so, it shall not countenance overtime under any circumstances. c) Those trades that have successfully imposed a maximum working day of eight hours are to help the rest to secure the same victory and then, on the say-so of their Federations, can target the introduction of the standard rate of pay, circumstances permitting.
Motion 47: a) Bodies that do not constitute professional or trade combinations for the purpose of standing up to capital should have no direct input into matters affecting the unions: but congress looks sympathetically upon those that uphold a social ideal consonant with the interests of the proletariat working outside of the unions and on behalf of the emancipation of the producer class. b) Rationalist teachers, having rendered sterling service to the working class and being a necessary factor in the struggle for emancipation, may have a direct input into union business, as long as they are organised as a body.
Motion 48: No comrade who is not from a given trade or locality may be appointed to committees and federations within a locality. But when it comes to regional congresses or gatherings, a comrade from the locality wherein the delegating union is based or the one where the meeting is due to be held may be appointed as delegate […]
Motion 37: This working party is minded that the most practical means of boosting the dignity and the morale and profiles of ‘handicapped’ comrades is for the Regional Committee to have an input into handicapped organisations, supporting these materially, taking a hand in centres of production (already or yet to be established) where handicapped persons engage in manual tasks, as well as having an ongoing, general input into artistic and musical associations.
It is our belief that by so doing and by drawing them into our bosom, this organisation will largely be able to avert begging and, on the other hand, will also avert their having to ply for trade on the streets. Provided that the local committees first draw these comrades into the broader workers’ organisation, it wrests them away from those reactionary protective agencies currently manipulating them according to their whims.
As a result, this working party believes that it would be extremely useful to introduce collective workshops. Said workshops should operate under the administrative supervision of the workers’ organisation.
With an eye to technical operation from the industrial point of view, those nominated for this task should themselves be handicapped persons versed in the various industries in which said workshops might be engaged.
Such problems as might arise in terms of proper development and expansion relate to the distribution and sale of manufactured goods, and in order to do away with this difficulty, the Municipality should, at the urging of the working class, be applied to for a number of fixed outlets in the busiest parts of the city, as long as those outlets are no blight upon the city’s appearance or the free movement of citizens. As well, outlets should be located at the gates of the markets, in conditions akin to those outlined earlier in this resolution.
As a result, therefore, it is our view that in order to do away with street begging, such workshops and fixed outlets should be set up, where the public could go to purchase manufactured goods. As to the internal operation of such workshops, this should differ from what we might regard as collective workshop activity.
By which we mean that the essential point is to furnish the handicapped with raw materials and
