Current Economic Developments, Lot 70 D 467
Current Economic Developments1
No.233
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New International Labor Federation Established
A new world labor federation created as a democratic rival of the Communist-dominated World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) was formally established at the international conference of trade unions held in London, November 28–December 9.2 The new organization, which is to be called the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) is the outgrowth of the split of democratic unions from the WFTU almost a year ago. Participating in this constituent assembly were 261 representatives of 59 national centers and 28 other national and international labor bodies, who spoke for 48.5 [Page 852] million workers in 58 countries. American labor unity and leadership were impressive throughout the conference. The constitution adopted emphasizes trade union and democratic objectives and is completely non-Socialistic, all Socialist-tinged amendments having been defeated in committee, mainly because of US objection. Organization headquarters for the new organization will be Brussels, and J. H. Olden-broek, head of the International Transport Workers Federation, was elected General Secretary. There will be a biennial Congress; a General Council made up of one representative from each country to meet alternate years; an Executive Board to meet every six months; and an Administrative Committee, which will be a watchdog and emergency committee to meet on call. The Executive Board is to consist of one member each from Africa, Asia–Middle East, Australia–New Zealand, and the West Indies; two each from Britain and Latin America; four from North America; five from Europe; and a General Secretary. The ICFTU is expected to ask for consultative status in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the International Labor Organization. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) will drop its status in ECOSOC in favor of the new body.
The Credentials Committee very evidently used a broad definition of bona fides of member federations, withholding seating only from Thailand and Dominican Republic Unions. Both Japanese and West German trade unions were represented, the latter nominally now fully back in the fold, although their role is still reduced as compared to the pre-Hitler period.
Principal Problems Among the most controversial issues of the conference were Catholic union affiliation, location and General Secretary, relations with the International Trade Secretariats, and organization of regional machinery.
The controversy as to whether or not to invite the Catholic Unions to participate in the new international was compromised by a US-sponsored credentials committee resolution to invite the affiliates of the Christian International with full rights and responsibilities on the understanding that they abandon the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions by the time of the next ICFTU bienniel Congress. The Belgian Catholics surprised the conference by affiliating, but the French and Dutch have not yet responded. Brussels as headquarters was agreed upon after a bitter struggle between the US and the British, the latter pressing for London. Relations with the International Trade Secretariats and decisions as to the organization of regional activities were left for the Executive Board to settle. All seemed to recognize the need for some kind of regional machinery— this need being emphasized by the concurrent WFTU Peiping Conference, [Page 853] which clamored for revolutionary nationalism in that area. (See page 6 of this issue of Current Economic Developments.3)
AFL and CIO Cooperation Notable Cooperation between the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations was impressive throughout the Congress. Many delegates from other countries were under the impression that there were real differences between the “conservative” AFL and the “radical” CIO, and were surprised to find both organizations condemning Communism, Franco Spain, and imperialism in the strongest terms. Both groups also declared themselves for the European Recovery Program, the Atlantic Pact, and Point Four. The AFL and the CIO both sent top men to represent them at this meeting and wielded a strong influence. There were some accusations, especially from the British, that US delegates tried to dominate the meeting, but for the most part, foreign delegates were really given an education in the American labor movement and reacted warmly.
WFTU Remains Strong Despite premature rejoicing ever since the January 1949 split, the WFTU remains strong. Its membership is probably greater than the ICFTU; and although losing out in France and Italy, it is still strong there; is strong in eastern Europe, of course; and will soon be in a position to organize millions of workers in China. While it has been reduced in form, the split has removed any need to inhibit its Communist line. In the immediate future it will probably have far greater resources to carry on agitation propaganda than the new organization will have for its activities. Moreover, the WFTU long-term appeal is strong in some areas where the ICFTU is weakest and where ICFTU formation does not yet alter the balance of power. The outcome lies in part in regional activities and in part in the development of government programs nationally and internationally in vulnerable areas of Europe and elsewhere for which ICFTU and national trade union centers can effectively ask support.
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- A weekly classified publication, prepared by the Policy Information Committee of the Department of State, designed to highlight developments in the economic divisions of the Department and to indicate the economic problems which were currently receiving attention in the Department. It was circulated within the Department and to missions abroad.↩
- Representatives of labor unions from 34 countries met for a preparatory conference in Geneva, Switzerland, in late June 1949 to discuss in general terms the form and character of a new trade union international and to adopt a declaration of principles. Agreement was also reached to convene the constitutional congress under reference here. While the Department of State was in no way involved in either of these conferences, it followed the events culminating in the London conference with great interest. Documentation on this subject is included in the Department of State’s central files under file number 800.5043 FTUI and 800.5043 ICFTU.↩
- The item under reference here summarized information on the Asian conference of the World Federation of Trade Unions held in Peiping, China, November 15–22, 1949. The report observed that the conference, attended by delegates from 13 countries, emphasized political activism rather than actual labor issues.↩