Conference for Progressive Labor Action - A Short Review of the Origin, Purposes and Activities - The Call to Action

Sep 21, 2026

A short review of the Conference for Progressive Labor Action outlines its origin, purposes, and activities, framing the organization as a call to action for progressive labor in the face of economic and political pressure. It discusses the challenging environment surrounding the conference’s launch, criticism of official labor traditions and big-business influence, and the impact of the late-1929 depression on unemployment and workers’ conditions. The document also describes how the conference promotes compulsory unemployment insurance through publications and public agitation, including a bill presented at an Annual Labor Day Conference in September 1930.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

The Call to Action

Restrictions on Use

Technical Microform Data

What is the Conference for Progressive Labor Action?

C.P.L.A. and Unemployment

# 97-84172-9Conference for Progressive Labor ActionThe call to action [New York] [193-?] ## COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISION BIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED-EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD 308ZBox 742 Conference for progressive labor action.The call to action.2nd year of C.P.L.A.A short review of the origin,purposes andactivities of the Conference for progressivelabor action. 193=?, NewA.13-了 12,p.20cM ### RESTRICTICONS ON USE: Reproductions may not be made without permlssion trom Columbia University Libraries. ## TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE: 35mmREDUCTION RATIO: 9:/ MAGE PLACEMENT:IA IB IIB DATE FILMED: 397INITIALS: TM TRACKING\#: 27032 FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. ## The Callto Action 2nd Yearof C.P.L.A. 308 2 14742 A Short Review of theOrigin,Purposes andActivities of theCONFERENCE FO RPR O G R E S S IV EL A B O R ACTION | | | | --- | --- | | The Call to Action | cion which are carrying western
civilization rapidly toward the preci-
pice of war.
On the other hand,we have an of-
ficial Labor Movement which is still
wedded to the outworn tradlit:ons of
craft unionism and no11-partisanship
in politics.It acknowled ges the social
philcsophy of big business.It is im-
bued with the spirit of nationalism,
and has no vision in dealing with in-
ternational problems.
C.P.L.A.and Unemployment
FoR YEARS the masses of the Ameri-
can people were psychologized by these
agencies into the belief that American
prosperity was permanent and inde-
structible and that no effort on their
part was necessary to improve the
weak spots in our economic structure.
The depression which set in late in
1929 has changed their views.Work-
ers have been ruthlessly thrown on the
streets by the millions.Many of those
who have been fortunate enough to
1946
retain their jobs have had their wage
slashed.Searcely a vestige remains of
the boasted benevolence of the Ameri-
O
can employer uncler the New Capital-
ism,which had made the workers feel
SEP
so secure as to spttrn all appeals to
unionize.
The number of workers now unem-
ployed is estimated at between six
and seven million. Some place the
total at an even higher figur.Our gov-
ernment agencies have developed no
machinery for accurate and reliable
estimates of unemiloyment,leaving
state and federal officials free to make
appraisals to suit their immediate po-
litical ends.lnstead of adopting im-
mediate measures to mest the desperate | | HAT is the Conference for
Progressive Labor Action?
How does it function and
what has it accomplished in the one
and one-half years of its existence?
What definite lines of action does it
lay down for its members and sympa-
thizers during the coming year?
The answers to these questions will
be found in the pages of this little
leaflet.
The environment in which the Con-
ference for Progressive Labor Action
launchedl its program two years ago
was indeed a challenging one.It con-
tained every element of opposition to
progressive opinion and action.That
situation is in no way modified today:
if anything,even more threatening—
and so more challenging.
A dominant comlbination of indus-
trial and finncial forces uses govern-
ment in this country for its own ends.
Our natural resources under our big
business and Republican regime have
bzen bartered and despoiled;human
rights have been cynically destroyed;
public channels of communication
have bcen s

FAQs

What is the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, according to the leaflet?

The leaflet presents it as an organization that launches and advances a program for progressive labor action, answering how it works and what it accomplishes in its early years.

How does the conference respond to unemployment during the depression?

It argues for compulsory unemployment insurance as the core remedy for relief needs and promotes the idea through its publications and public outreach.

How were the conference’s ideas circulated before national agitation?

Through its organ (LABOR AGE) plus special articles and pamphlets, the conference spread its message among workers, including agitation in public places and around employment exchanges.

Sep 21, 2026

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