The I. W. W.: A Study of American SyndicalismBrissenden, Paul F. (Paul Frederick)
History
The I. W. W.: A Study of American Syndicalism
Brissenden, Paul F. (Paul Frederick)
Industrial Workers of the World; Syndicalism
Art. I., Sec. 2.--And shall be composed of thirteen
international industrial divisions subdivided into industrial
unions of closely related industries in the appropriate
organizations for representation in the departmental
administration. The subdivisions, international and national
industrial unions, shall have complete industrial autonomy
in their respective internal affairs; provided, the General
Executive Board shall have power to control these industrial
unions in matters concerning the interests of the general
welfare.[155]
The list of specifically divided industries was later replaced in
the constitution, but in a very much improved form. Wm. E. Trautmann
has worked this up even further, and in 1911 published a still more
improved outline in which the number of departments is reduced to
six.[156]
The constitutional convention also made provision for other and
subordinate bodies, _i. e._, industrial councils, which might be
formed. These were to comprise seven or more local unions in two or
more industries and the local industrial union. These local unions
were the smallest units of organization then provided for, except that
when isolated individuals applied for membership in a locality where no
local union existed, such persons were admitted into the organization
as "individual" members directly attached to the general organization.
The same principle applied throughout. In case, then, there were
not a sufficient number[157] of locals in any one industry to form
an industrial department, the local was directly responsible to the
general organization. Then, as now, the great majority of local unions
were chartered directly by the general organization. At the close
of the first convention the Western Federation of Miners became the
"Mining Department" of the I. W. W.; the Metal Workers became the
"Metal Department"; and the United Brotherhood of Railway Employees,
the "Transportation Department." All local unions are industrial in
character, _i. e._, each one makes the shop its unit and comprises all
the crafts engaged in and around the shop. The mucker in the mine must
belong to the same union as the man who runs the drill. The idea is to
get into the same union all those workers who are coöperating for the
production of a given class of products.
The officers provided for were: a General President, a General
Secretary-Treasurer, and a General Executive Board composed of these
two officers and the Presidents of the International Industrial
Division.[158] The constitutional committee recommended
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