OUTSIDE THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

 

predicated upon the class struggle, they maintain that complete and demo-
cratic expression of opposing views is allowed.

The classroom technique is used primarily, whether for the heterogeneous
groups or for the specific workers’ units. The Trade Union Institute plans
courses for members of a particular organization or from several groups.
Classes may be held at either the school or trade union headquarters. Courses
are varied. There are training units for organizers, classes teaching the appli-
cation of parliamentary law, and conferences which aim to promote social
and labor legislation.

A few functional and “mass education” techniques are utilized. Workers
are taken to meetings and conferences, held prior to state legislative sessions.
Student councils encourage extra-curricular activities, although with little
direction. And specifically, when a scholarship is granted the Rand School
states that “It is taken for granted that students who receive the benefit of this
arrangement will feel bound to reimburse the school by putting their training
to good use in the labor movement.” *

The political schools operate mainly in large cities. However, workers
from smaller urban and rural districts receive correspondence courses, study
outlines, and literature prepared for their group. They also may come to city
summer schools, organized on a short time basis.

YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

The Young Women’s Christian Association, a pioneer in workers’ educa-
tion, has steadfastly maintained its faith in the movement.

Two Y.W.C.A. units, the Industrial Department and the Business and Pro-
fessional Girls’ Division, have been especially interested and active. The
former has had extensive experience in the past and in 1937 reported workers’
classes in all but two of 22 groups studied.* Many local departments are
cooperating with the W.P.A. Even more extensive and more carefully
planned educational programs are advised for the future. A recent “Industrial
Study” states that “an industrial program which leaves out workers’ education

 

* Rand School of Social Science, Special Bulletin.

*Young Women’s Christian Association, Laboratory Division, Tentative Conclusions
and Recommendations of the Committee for the National Industrial Study Relating to
the Local Industrial Program of the Y.W.C.A., June, 1937, p. 12.

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