Take It Easy, But Take It

"We, the Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers, realize that the struggle to better our working and living conditions is in vain unless we are united to protect ourselves collectively against the organization of the employers. Realizing that the old craft form of trade union organization is unable to defend effectively the interests and improve the conditions of the wage earners, WE, THE ELECTRICAL, RADIO AND MACHINE WORKERS form an organization which unites all workers regardless of craft, age, sex, nationality, race, creed or political beliefs, and pursue at all times a policy of aggressive struggle to improve our conditions. We pledge ourselves to labor unitedly for the principles herein set forth, to perpetuate our union and work concertedly with other labor organizations to bring about a higher standard of living of the workers." This membership book belonged to H.D Eyman, a member of UE Local 121 who joined the union 11/9/39. 

1944 National Maritime Union of America C.I.O. membership book. "Whereas organization is the only means by which the seaman may hope to advance their interests and attain final emancipation from the many evils attending their calling, and Whereas we have learned from bitter experience that the main aim and purpose of the employing interests is at all times to divide and keep apart organizations endeavoring to unite for their common interests, and Whereas the industrial form of organization will insure more unified and harmonious action in all matters directly affecting the interests and welfare of our membership, we Therefore declare ourselves in favor of the organization of an Industrial Union to be known as the National Maritime Union of America and we further declare that in order to protect the interests of the majority of the membership who are aboard ship and in the ports throughout the world, we have adopted this constitution."

This International Mine Mill & Smelter Workers membership book belonged to Giovanni Ardissone. The Stamp inside indicates he belonged to Butte local No. 1. Butte, Montana was one of the major battlegrounds of Mine Mills predecessors the Western Federation of Miners and the Industrial Workers of the World. Dues Stamps inside span the years 1940-1943. Mine Mill was one of 11 unions purged from the C.I.O. for refusing to expel their radicals from leadership after the passage of Taft-Hartley in 1947. Mine Mill was one of the more militant and radical of the CIO unions and as such faced harsh repression from employers and the U.S. & Canadian governments. After the purges, Mine Mill survived independently until 1967. The United Steelworkers raided and picked off their jurisdiction one by one until the eventual merger of Mine Mill into USW was negotiated on the terms that Mine Mill leaders would remain in leadership in the ne wly merged union.