Page:Trade Unions in Soviet Russia - I.L.P. (1920).djvu/57

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work; and secondly, on the prompt and loyal execution of the decisions and instructions of the central organs.

In order to bring the Trade Union elements in isolated districts into regular contact with the whole of the Trade Union organisation, small towns and districts in which there are only a few workers and in which there are no Trade Union Branches should nevertheless establish local secretariats whose object would be to bring together and organise the small groups of workers at present detached from the centre, and to bring them into contact with the nearest branch; and encourage their trade union activities. These secretariats will be organs of the District executives which in turn will depend on the provincial Trade Unions.

The Trade Union mechanism cannot work smoothly unless the economic organs abstain from taking over purely Trade Union functions, and from intervening in the special work of Trade Unions. In spite of this, however, there are certain technical administrative bodies and central committees which are setting up sections for the special purpose of carrying out Trade Union work.

From May 1, 1920, the regular contribution to be made by each worker to the Central Trade Union Fund is two per cent. of his wages. The Trade Unions must make every effort to bring into trade union work the workers who desert their work and enter into the employment of the small manufacturers and employers in the small towns and villages. In the case of craftsmen who are working at their own risk and do not employ others for wages they can 9nly be allowed within their Trade Unions if they are working in their own homes for the State or for the Public Offices which distribute their products at prices fixed by the Trade Unions and which are controlled by the economic and Trade Union organs.

Independent craftsmen who work only for the open market cannot in any case be admitted to 'membership of the Trade Unions. Similarly the Trade Union movement cannot admit within its organisation the workers' associations, communes, and industrial co-operatives. The members of these organisations can only come into their appropriate Trade Unions if their organisations do not employ workers for wages, and are working solely for the Committees of National Economy or for public departments; besides which they must enforce the regulations concerning the protection of labour, and any profits resulting from the enterprise must be for its development and not for distribution among the members.

With a view to re-establishing the effective production of the country and to making use of all scientific and technical knowledge and professional experience that may serve the socialist organisation of society, the Congress decides to admit specialists to the various Trade Unions.

The Congress notes that the women who were working at present formed the most backward class within the Trade Unions and decides that the Trade Unions should devote their attention to the organisation of all institutions which would help women