WITHIN THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

 

Two trade unions in particular—the Southern Tenant Farmers’ Union and
the United Cannery, Agricultural, Packing and Allied Workers of America—
have realized the importance of promoting educational activities for farmers
and farm laborers. The latter organization has adopted educational resolu-
tions at its conventions, and the former has established a concrete program
similar to that of the older trade unions heretofore discussed.

The national educational director and local educational committees of the
S.T-F.U. first attempt to,stimulate interest in organization; they provide in-
formation about the Union to their own members and to the communities in
which they function. Secondly, they encourage study of current legislation
and social events. An integral part of the program is instruction in “the three
R’s,” since the inadequacies of rural education must be corrected. Recreational
activities naturally are included. The organization has had the cooperation
of both Highlander Folk School and Commonwealth College, which provide
a resident program and year ‘round extension work. Farm workers have an
opportunity to live among mill workers and local townspeople and to dis-
cover their common problems. Through field classes individuals, formerly
geographically isolated, may meet and converse with other people.”

Commonwealth College felt that “The deplorable conditions among
Southern agricultural and timber workers cannot be corrected until Negro
and white workers are organized together.”™ It therefore used every oppor-
tunity to bring racial groups together and to discuss with them the significance
of their mutual efforts, and has helped many Negro farm workers in separate
units to acquire an elementary education and to find their place in trade
unionism.

Three nation-wide organizations, the National Association for the Advance-
ment of the Colored People, the National Urban League, and the National
Negro Congress also aid Negroes to become effective workers and citizens.
Although none of the three arose primarily to defend their race as workers,
all within recent years have emphasized considerably the problems of Negro
industrial and farm workers. The National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People has set up councils of workers and farmers. In classes they

 

“ hepa a a detailed account of the programs of these Schools, see infra, Chapter
, Pp. 57-8, 62.

Bolder, Educational Program of Commonwealth College, Phases for Which Funds
Must Be Raised, 1937-1938, p. 1.

35