may just as truthfully be laid at the door of
the British Government. In any case these
Russian revolutionaries home from America
are the leaders and inspirers of nearly all
National work and in the end, it is they, no
matter what form of organisation is set up
who will determine how the business of organising
industry is to be carried on. They
are all keen Trade Unionists and in addition
are class conscious communists. Already the
whole work of labour exchange is in the hands
of the unions ; where out of work pay is
needed they pay it ; when labour is needed to
be moved from one place to another they
make the necessary arrangements ; sickness
and sanatorium benefit is managed by the
unions and so also is the payment of maternity
benefit. Hours of labour and workshop conditions
are variable in different trades and
places ; owing to the great shortage and lack
of transport the eight hour day has been altered
to permit of overtime so that a total of
twelve hours per day can be worked. The
school age of 16 has, in certain instances,
been lowered owing to shortage of labour.
These facts cause the enemies of the new
regime much rejoicing. They appear to
imagine it is possible to create ideal conditions
in the midst of war and civil war. When
this is proved impossible it is argued that the
whole system is a failure.
Page:George Lansbury - What I saw in Russia.pdf/97
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TRADE UNIONS AND LABOUR
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