Full text of Labor Organizations in Chile : Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, No. 461

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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner

BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES)
XT
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS f ................... IlO e 4 0 1
M I S C E L L A N E O U S

SERIES

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
IN CHILE




BY

MOISfeS POBLETE TRONCOSO

OCTOBER, 1928

UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON
1928




CONTENTS
Page

Freedom of association--------------------------------------------------------------------1
1-7
The legal system in general_________________________________________
Summary of Chilean act of 1924 on union organization____________
2-4
Works unions.--------------------------------------------------------- -----------2.3
Trade-unions-----------------------------------------------------------------------3,4
Legal conditions governing labor unions______________________________
4, 5
Lawful activities of labor unions__ ___________________________________
5-7
Historical view of the labor-union movement___________________________
7,8
Mutual benefit societies_________ ___________________________________ 8-17
Social Labor Congress of Chile_________________________________ 8-15
Society of Artisans of “ the Union ” of Santiago_______________
8,9
Union Society of Printers of Santiago_____________________ 9,10
Fermin Vivaceta Mutual Aid Society_________________________ 10,11
Union Society of Day Workers_______________________________
11
Manuel Rodriguez Society___________________________________ 11,12
Universal Mutual Aid Society________________________________
12
Aurora Mutual Aid Society-------------------------------------------------12,13
Society for Mutual Aid, Equality, and Labor_________________
13
Juan Miguel Davila Baeza Mutual Aid Society_______________ 13,14
Union of Mutual Aid Societies_____________________________
14
Artisans* Society of Curico_________________________________
14
Artisans* Society of Copiapo_______________________________
14
Artisans* Society of La Serena_____________________________
15
Union Society of Artisans of Chilian________________________
15
15
Other societies affiliated with the Social Labor Congress_____
Federation of Societies of the National Union___________________ 16,17
La Sagrada Familia Mutual Aid Society--------------------------------16
Other societies affiliated with the Federation of Societies of
the National Union______________ ________________________
17
Labor organizations having reform tendencies-1_______________________ 17-22
Federation of Labor Of Chile___________________________________ 17-22
Early organization and aims_______________________________ 18,19
Present objectives__________________________________________19-21
Present organization------------------------------------------------------------ 21,22
Official organs______________________________________________
22
Headquarters and membership______________________________
22
Industrial labor unions_____________________________________________ 22-37
Construction___________________________________________________ 22-24
Union of Construction Workers, Santiago_______ :___________ 22,23
Other construction unions__________________________________ 23,24
Metals and machinery__________________________________________
24
Transportation--------------------------------------------------------------------- :----- 24-28
Confederation of Railroad Workers_________________________ 24,25
Organizations affiliated with Confederation of Railroad
Workers_____________________________________________
25
Chilean Railroad Union_____________________________________
26
Chilean Railroad Labor Union______________________________
26
Santiago Watt Federation of Machinists_____________________
26
Federation of Contract Employees of the State Railroads_______
27
Central Council of Street Railway Workers, Chauffeurs, and
Teamsters and Drivers------------------------------------------------------ 27,28
Association of Teamsters and Drivers------------------------------27
Association of Street Railway Workers----------------------------27,28
Chilean Federation of Chauffeurs-----------------------------------28
Manual Montt Chauffeurs* Society-----------------------------------28
Seamen’s Confederation_____________________________________
28
Mines--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28,29




in

IV

CONTENTS

Industrial labor unions—Continued.
Page
Printing------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 29,30
Federation of Printing Office Workers_______________ ________ 29,30
Typographical Society of Valparaiso_________________________
30
Clothing-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------30
Union of Needleworkers-------------------------------------------------------30
Federation of Tailors and Tailoresses_________________________
30
Textiles-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------30
Food, beverages, and cigars______________________________________ 30, 31
Council or Union of Food Workers___________________________
30
Chilean Bakery Workers’ Labor Union_______________________
31
Labor Union of Mill Workers------------------------------------------------31
31
Confectionery and Pastry Shop Workers’ Labor Union________
Glass--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------31
Leather------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 31-33
Leather Industrial Union-----------------------------------------------------32
Harness Makers’ Union______________________________________
32
Society of Shoemakers, Last Makers, and Tanners_____________
32
Tapestry Workers’ Center___________________________________ 32, 33
Lumber-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------33
Ship and Lumber Union_____________________________________
33
Public Service Workers--------------------------------------------------------------33
Municipal Workers’ Branch of the Federation of Labor of Chile.
33
Union of Sanitary Police of Santiago_________________________
33
Salaried employees--------------------------------------------------------------------- 33-37
Chilean Salaried Employees’ Union__________________________ 33-35
Society of Commercial Employees____________________________
35
Bank Employees’ Union_____________________________________
35
35
Chilean Commercial Travelers’ Association____________________
Federation of Hotel and Similar Employees___________________ 35,30
Industrial and Commercial Employees’ Trade-Union of Santiago’ 36
Union of Domestic Workers of Both Sexes____________________
36
Union of Waterworks Operators and Employees______________
36
37
Association of Employees of the Chilean Electric Co. (Ltd.)___
Autonomous Union of Domestic Workers_____________________
37
Union Hairdressers’ Society_________________________________
37
Confederation of White Trade-Unions------------------------------------------------ 37, 38
Anarchistic unions--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38, 39
Industrial Workers of the World (I. W. W .)______________________ 38,39
Unions of professional workers-----------------------------------------------------------39, 40
Chilean Medical Union________________________ _________________
40
Other professional associations----------------------------------------------------40
Association of Chilean Teachers_____________________________
40
Employers’ associations_____________________________________________ 40, 41
Association of Labor___________________________________________ 40,43




INDEX OF UNIONS
Page

Artisans* Society of Copiapo____ ____________________________________
14
Artisans’ Society of Curico_________________________________________
14
Artisans’ Society of La Serena______________________________________
15
Asociacion de Artes Mecanicas. (See Association of Mechanical Arts.)
Asociacion de Empleados de la Compania Chilean de Electricidad Limitada. (See Asisociation of Employees of the Chilean Electric Co. (Ltd.))
Asociacion de Obreros i Obreras Tranviarios. (See Association of Street
Railway Workers.)
Asociacion de Profesores de Chile. (See Association of Chilean Teach­
ers.)
Asociacion de Viajantes de Chile. {See Chilean Commercial Travelers’
Association.)
Asociacion del Rodado i Tracdon Animal. (See Association of Teamsters
and Drivers).
Asociacion del Trabajo. (See Association of Labor).
Asociacion Obreros de Copiapo. (See Workers’ Association of Copiapo.)
Association of Chilean Teachers____________________________ _________
40
87
Association of Employees of the Chilean Electric Co. (Ltd.)___________
Association of Labor------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40,41
Association of Mechanical Arts__________________ ____________________
24
Association of Street Railway Workers_______________________________ 27,28
Association of Teamsters and Drivers________________________________
27
Aurora Mutual Aid Society__________________ _______________________ 12, IB
Autonomous Union of Domestic Workers_____________________________
37
Bank Employees’ Union____________________________________________

35

Caupolican Union Workers’ Society__________________________________
24
Central Council of Street Car Workers, Chauffeurs, and Teamsters and
Drivers__________________________________________________________
27
Centro de Socorros Mutuos Chacabuco-----------------------------------------------17
Centro de Tapiceros. (See Tapestry Workers’ Center.)
Centro Obrero Blanco Encalada_________ ’_______ ____________________
15
Centro Obrero Carahue de la Union Nacional__________________________
17
Centro Obrero Cordillera de la Union Nacional_______________________
17
17
Centro Obrero Moises Castillo de la Union Nacional_______________ ___
Centro Obrero Playa Ancha de la Union Nacional____________ ______ 15
Centro Obrero Victoria de la Union Nacional_________________________
17
Centro Social Obrero Concepcion____________________________________
17
Centro Social Socorros Mutuos Patronato Sagrado Corazon________ ___
17
17
Centro Social Socorros Mutuos “ Patrono San Antonio ”_______________
Centro Union Nacional de Vina del Mar______________________________
17
Chilean Bakery Workers’ Labor Union_______________________________
31
Chilean Commercial Travelers’ Association_____________________ _____
35
Chilean Federation of Chauffeurs___ ________________________________
28
Chilean Medical Union____________________________________________
40
Chilean Railroad Labor Union_______________________________________
26
26
Chilean Railroad Union____________________________________________
Chilean Salaried Employees’ Union_________________________ :________ 33-35
Circulo Leon X III de Socorros Mutuos----------------------------------------------17
Circulo Obrero Corazon de Maria de Socorros Mutuos_________________
17
Circulo Obreros San Jose___________________________________________
17
Circulo Social Obrero de Socorros Mutuos Sacramento_________________
17
Confectionery and Pastry Shop Workers’ Labor Union________________
31
Oonfederacion de Gente de Mar. (See Seamen’s Confederation.)




v

VI

INDEX OF U N IO N S
Page

Confederacion de los Sindicatos Blancos. (See Confederation of White
Trade-Unions.)
Confederacion de Obreros Ferroviarios. (See Confederation of Railroad
Workers.)
Confederation of Railroad Workers__________________________________24, 25
Confederation of White Trade-Unions________________________________37,38
Congreso Social Obrero de Chile. (See Social Labor Congress of Chile.)
Consejo o Sindicato de Alimentacion. (See Council or Union of Food
Workers.)
Council or Union of Food Workers___________________________________
30
Electricians’ Union Federation______________________________________

24

Federacion de Chaufferes de Chile. (See Chilean Federation of
Chauffeurs.)
Federacion de Empleados a Contrata de los Ferrocarriles del Estado.
(See Federation of Contract Employees of the State Railroads.)
Federacion de Empleados de Hoteles i Ramos Similares. (See Federa­
tion of Hotel and Similar Employees.)
Federacion de Maquinistas Santiago Watt. ( See Santiago Watt Fed­
eration of Machinists.)
Federacion de Obreros de Imprenta. ( See Federation of Printing Office
Workers.)
Federacion de Sastres de Ambos Sexos. (See Federation of Tailors and
Tailoresses.)
Federacion de Sociadades de la Union Nacional. (See Federation of
Societies of the National Union.)
Federacion Obrera de Chile. (See Federation of Labor of Chile.)
Federacion Sindical de Electricistas. (See Electricians’ Union Federa­
tion.)
Federation of Contract Employees of the State Railroads____________ _
27
Federation of Hotel and Similar Employees___________________________ 35,36
Federation of Labor of Chile------------------------------------------------------------ 17-22
Federation of Printing Office Workers------------------------------------------------ 29,30
Federation of Societies of the National Union________________________
16
Federation of Tailors and Tailoresses-----------------------------------------------30
Fermin Vivaceta Mutual Aid Society_________________________________ 10.13
Glassworkers’ Union------------------------------------------------------------------------

31

Harness Makers’ Union--------------------------------------------------------------------

32

Industrial and Commercial Employees’ Trade-Union of Santiago------------36
Industrial Workers of the World (1. W. W .)-------------------------------------- 38.39
3uan Miguel Davila Baeza Mutual Aid Society-------------------------------------13,14
Junta Central del Rodado—Tranviarios, Chaufferes, Traccion Animal.
(See Central Council of Street Car Workers, Chauffeurs, Teamsters,
and Drivers.)
La Sagrada Familia Mutual Aid Society____________________________
Labor Union of Carpenters and Cabinetmakers of Concepcion__________
Labor Union of Mill Workers----------------------------------------------------------Labor Union of Stucco Plasterers of Santiago------------------------------------Leather Industrial Union------------------------------------------------------------------

16
23
31
23
32

Manuel Montt Chauffeurs’ Society-----------------------------------------------------28
Manuel Rodriguez Society-------------------- -------------------------------------------- 11,12
Medical Union of Santiago----------------------------------------------------------------40
Midwives’ Union-----------------------------------------------------------------------------40
Miguel Angel Union of Painters--------------------------------------------------------23
Municipal Workers’ Branch of the Federation of Labor of Chile________
33
National Metallurgical Union________________________________________
National Union of Carpenters-----------------------------------------------------------National Union of Stucco Plasterers---------------------------------------------------




24
23
24

IN DEX OP U N IO N S

V II
Page

Painters’ Trade-Union____________________________ ___________________

24

Santiago Watt Federation of Machinists______________________________
Seamen’s Confederation____________ _____________________ ______ ___
Seccion Obreros Muncipales de la Federacion Obrera de Chile. (See Mu­
nicipal Workers’ Branch of the Federation of Labor of Chile.)
Ship and Lumber Union___________________________________________
Sindicato Autonomo de Empleados de Casa Particulares. (See Auton­
omous Union of Domestic Workers;)
Sindicato de Artes Mecanicas de Santiago. (See Union of Mechanical
Arts of Santiago.)
Sindicato de Buques i Maderas. (See Ship and Lumber Union.)
Sindicato de Empleados de la Industria i del Comercio. (See Industrial
and Commercial Employees’ Trade-Union of Santiago.)
Sindicato de Empleados Domesticos de Ambos Sexos. (See Union of
Domestic Workers of Both Sexes.)
Sindicato de la Policia de Aseo de Santiago. (See Union of Sanitary
Police of Santiago.)
Sindicato de los Tejedores. (See Union of Weavers.)
Sindicato de Matronas. (See Midwives’ Union.)
Sindicato de Obreros del Vidrio. (See Glassworkers’ Union.)
Sindicato de Obreros i Obreras de la Aguja. (See Union of Needleworkers.)
Sindicato de Operarios i Empleados del Agua Potable. (See Union of
Waterworks Operators and Employees.)
Sindicato de Pintores Miguel Angel. (See Miguel Angel Union of
Painters.)
Sindicato Medico de Chile. (See Chilean Medical Union.)
Sindicato Medico de Santiago. (See Medical Union of Santiago.)
Sindicato Nacional de Estucadores. (See National Union of Stucco
Plasterers.)
Sindicato Nacional de Metalurjicos. (See National Metallurgical Union.)
Sindicato Obrero de Constitucion. (See Workers’ Union of Constitucion.)
Sindicato Obreros de San Jose. (See Workers’ Union of San Jose.)
Sindicato Profesional de Pintores. (See Painters’ Trade-Union.)
Sindicatos de Obreros de Construccion. (See Union of Construction
Workers, Santiago.)
Sindicatos Nacional de Carpinteros. (See National Union of Car­
penters.)
Sindicatos Union de Carpinteros i Ebanistas de Concepcion. (See Labor
Union of Carpenters and Cabinetmakers of Concepcion.)
Social Labor Congress of Chile----------------------------------------------------------Sociedad Centro Mutual Andacollo----------------------------------------------------Sociedad Centro San Miguel la Union Nacional-------------------------------- ---Sociedad de Artesanos de Antofagasta-----------------------------------------------Sociedad de Artesanos de Copiapo. (See Artisans’ Society of Copiapo.)
Sociedad de Artesanos de Curico. (See Artisans’ Society of Curico.)
Sociedad de Artesanos de la Serena. (See Artisans’ Society of La
Serena.)
Sociedad de Artesanos de "la Union” de Santiago. (See Society of
Artisans of “ the Union” of Santiago.)
Sociedad de Artesanos Juan Cornejo-------------------------------------------------Sociedad de Chaufferes Manuel Montt. (See Manuel Montt Chauffeurs’
Society.)
Sociedad de Empleados de Comercio. (See Society of Commercial Em­
ployees.)
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Artes. Circulo Obrero----------------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Bernardo O’Higgins, Kancagua----------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago----------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Centro Diego Portales dela Union Nacional.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos “ Centro Ejercito Libertador ” ----------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Centro Lurdes--------------------- !----------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Chaufferes de Chile------------ :-------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Circulo Catolico Corazon de Maria-----------

26
28




83

8
17
17
15

15

15
15
15
17
17
17
15
15

VIII

INDEX OF U N IO N S
F fii f P

Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos “ Club Sargento Aldea ” _________________
Soeiedad de Socorros Mutuos Cooperativa de Edificacion la FraternidadSociedad de Socorros Mutuos de Zapateros, Chilian------------------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Dieciocho de Setiembre---------------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutues “ El Condor ” ----------------------------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Fermin Vivaceta. (See Fermin Vivaceta
Mutual Aid Society.)
Sociedad dfe Socorros Mutuos Figueroa Alcorta, Santiago______________
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Igualdad i Trabajo. (See Society for
Mutual Aid, Equality, and Labor.)
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Jose Manuel Balmaceda-------------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Juan Miguel Davila Baeza. (See Juan
Miguel Davila Baeza Mutual Aid Society.)
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos la Estrella Chilena----------------- --------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos la Fraternidad, Santiago------------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos la Fraternidad, Yaldiva-------------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos la Union Nacional Centro Reyes________
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos la Universal. (See Universal Mutual Aid
Society.)
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Obreros de la Sagrada Familia, San Ber­
nardo ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos “ Operarios de Escoba ”__________________
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Rafael Murillo--------------------------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos San Jose----------------------------------------------Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Union Nacional de Ambos Sexos________
Sociedad de Zapateros, Hormeros i Curtidores. (See Society of Shoe­
makers, Last Makers, and Tanners.)
Sociedad la Aurora de Socorros Mutuos. (See Aurora Mutual Aid So­
ciety. )
Sociedad Manuel Rodriguez. (See Manuel Rodriguez Society.)
Sociedad Mutual de Ambos Sexos, Yina del Mar----------------------------------Sociedad Mutual la Clsterna-------.-----------------------------------------------------Sociedad Obrera Cosmopolita de Socorros Mutuos_____________________
Sociedad Obrera de Soeorros Mutuos Circulo Santa Filomena__________
Sociedad Obrera de Socorros Mutuos la Fraternidad-------------------------Sociedad Obrera de Socorros Mutuos Liga del Trabajo________________
Sociedad Obrera de Socorros Mutuos Manuel Blanco Enealada____ ___
Sociedad Obrera de Socorros Mutuos San Jose________________________
Sociedad Obrera Union de Caupoliean. (See Caupolican Union Workers’
Society.)
Sociedad Socorros Mutuos “ Iquique” -----------------------------------------------Sociedad Socorros Mutuos la Sagrada Familia. (See La Sagrada Familia
Mutual Aid Society.)
Sociedad Socorros Mutuos Obreros de la Sagrada Familia_____________
Sociedad Tipografiea de Valparaiso. (See Typographical Society of Val­
paraiso.)
Sociedad Union de Artesanos de Chilian. (See Union Society of Artisans
of Chilian.)
Sociedad Union de Artesanos de Curico_____________________________
Sociedad Union de Obreros de Diarios. (See Union Society of Day
Workers.)
Sociedad Union de Peluqueros. (See Union Hairdressers’ Society.)
Sociedad Union de Tipografos de Santiago. (See Union Society of
Printers of Santiago.)
Sociedad Union Mutual Caupolican----------------------------------------------------Society for Mutual Aid, Equality, and Labor----------- ----------------'______
Society of Artisans of “ the Union ” of Santiago----------------------------------Society of Commercial Employees-----------------------------------------------------Society of Shoemakers, Last Makers, and Tanners____________________

15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
17

17
15
15
17
17

15
15
15
1.5
15
17
15
17
15
17

15

15
IB
8, 9
85
32

Tapestry Workers’ Center---------------------------------------------------------------- 32,33
Typographical Society of Valparaiso--------------------------------------------------30
Union Chilena Ferroviaria. (See Chilean Railroad Union.)
Union de Empleados de Banco. (See Bank Employees' Union.)




INDEX OF U N IO N S

IX
Page

Union de Empleados de Chile. (See Chilean Salaried Employees’ Union.)
Union de Talabarteros. (See Harness Makers’ Union.)
Union Hairdressers’ Society__________________________________ ______
37
Union Industrial del Cuero i Anexes. (See Leather Industrial Union.)
Union of Construction Workers, Santiago____________________________ 22,23
Union of Domestic Workers of Both Sexes____________________________
36
Union of Mechanical Arts of Santiago-----------------------------------------------24
Union of Mutual Aid Societies----------------------------------------------------------14
Union of Needleworkers-------------------------------------------------------------------30
Union of Sanitary Police of Santiago_________________________________
33
Union of Waterworks Operators and Employees----------------------------------36
Union of Weavers------------------------------------ ----------------------- ,---------------30
Union Sindical Ohilena Ferroviaria. (See Chilean Railroad Labor
Union.)
Union Sindical de Confiteros i Pasteleros. (See Confectionery and Pastry
Shop Workers’ Labor Union.)
Union Sindical de Estucadores de Santiago. (See Labor Union of Stucco
. Plasterers of Santiago.)
Union Sindical de Obreros de Melino. (See Labor Union of Mill
Workers.)
Union Sindical de Panificadores de Chile. (See Chilean Bakery Work­
ers’ Labor Union.)
Union Social Mutualista. (See Union of Mutual Aid Societies.)
Union Social Obrera Apostol, Santiago________________________________
17
Union Society of Artisans of Chilian-------------------------------------------------15
Union Society of Day Workers----------------------------------------------------------11
Union Society of Printers of Santiago------------------------------------------------ 9,10
Universal Mutual Aid Society-----------------------------------------------------------12
Workers’ Association of Copiapo--------------------------------------------------------Workers’ Union of Constitucion----------------------------------------------------------Workers’ Union of San Jose-------------------------------------------------------------85670°—28----- 2




23
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BULLETIN OF THE

U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
WASHINGTON

n o . 461

o c t o b e r , 1928

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CHILE
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

In Chile liberty of association was fully guaranteed by the former
political constitution of 1833, as it is now by the new fundamental
charter, the constitution promulgated September 18, 1925.1 In this
regard Chile has led the majority of existing civilized peoples, being
also the first country in America to enact a special law covering
union organization.2 Moreover, the right of association thus sanc­
tioned is freely exercised by the I. W. W., the communists, and other
organizations of a revolutionary character.
Article 10, No. 6, of the constitution of 1833 read: “ The consti­
tution sanctions the right to associate without previous authorization
and without arms ” ; and the constitution of 1925, in article 10, No. 5,
states that the constitution confirms the right to associate without
“ previous authorization and in conformity with the law.”
On the other hand, the Chilean Civil Code, which dates back to
1857 and is based on the Napoleonic Code, provides a special system
for associations which have tor their purpose acts peculiar to human
beings and establishes a legal personality, or body corporate, for
which such associations must apply to the President of the Republic.
According to article 548 of the Civil Code, “ The rules or regulations
formulated by said corporations shall be subject to the approval of
the President of the Republic, who shall give such approval, if there
is nothing therein contrary to public order, the laws, or good morals.”
The law gives the President of the Republic the right to dissolve
such corporations. The public is allowed to intervene for the pur­
pose of denouncing unlawful acts by corporations. Incorporation
being accorded, such associations are able to acquire property, con­
clude contracts, etc.3 The civil-code system, however, has been
modified by special laws of 1924.
THE LEGAL SYSTEM IN GENERAL

Ex-President Arturo Alessandri, in the proposed labor and social
welfare code presented to Congress in June, 1921, defined the Govern­
ment’s attitude in regard to union organization as follows :
As the experience of several centuries has shown, repressive measures have
always proved impotent and ineffective. We shall even go a step further and
state that such measures have invariably had an unfortunate effect; that is
to say, they have converted public associations, existing in the full light of day,
directly or indirectly under the surveillance of the State, into secret associations
1 Roldan, Alcibiades: Derecho Constitucional.
* Law No. 4057 of Sept. 8, 1924.
•S61ar, Luis Claro: Recopilaciones de Derecho Civil.




1

2

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

dwelling in shadow and mystery on the borderland of law and which sooner
or later become habitual conspirators against public and social order.
It is, however, a fact established by evidence that, despite repressive meas­
ures which were often Draconian by certain countries in various epochs against
labor organizations, this movement has continually gained ground, grown
larger and larger, become more coherent and more disciplined, and finally
become an irresistible force, and at the same time one of the most active and
useful factors in the economic and social progress of contemporary peoples.
There is also another fact which appears to be definitely established if one
holds fundamentally to the ideas of many of the great thinkers and sociologists
of our day, namely, that the trade-union movement, far from becoming weaker,
must inevitably become more swift and strong and attain its full development
by the strengthening of true democracies.
These associations do not constitute a menace to social peace, nor do any of
their basic principles. On the contrary, they exercise a beneficent influence in
economic relations, and they should be considered as necessary when they assist
in regulating these relations.
Trade-unions have afforded great service to their members and to the work­
ing classes in general, and, far from devoting themselves to fomenting industrial
war, they have directed their efforts toward collective action and provision for
social welfare.

In the proposed labor code heretofore mentioned a chapter was
devoted to the legal recognition of trade-unions, being based on the
French trade-union act of Waldeck Rousseau, of 1884, with modifi­
cations introduced by the Millerand Act of 1920. This proposed law
was studied by a joint commission of the National Congress (repre­
senting the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate) and modified in
several particulars. While the commission considered that it was
proper to recognize freedom of union association, it also believed it
to be necessary to establish in all industries a distinct type of union
known as the “ works union”—composed of the employees of the
individual establishment. The object of creating these local works
or plant unions was to establish stable and responsible workers’
organizations for the constitution of conciliation and arbitration
machinery in each establishment and to provide an agency by which
the workers might be given participation in the profits of the estab­
lishment—an ideal difficult to attain with unions organized in accord­
ance with the common principle of freedom of union association.
(Law No. 4057 of September 8, 1924.)
It is indisputable that this new works union established by law,
which appears a little paradoxical with the principle which sanc­
tions union liberty, has for its objective the halting of the semi­
revolutionary trend of the free unions.
A synopsis of the principles established by the Chilean law of
September 8, 1924, is fcere presented:
SUMMARY OF CHILEAN LAW OF 1924 (NO. 4057) ON UNION ORGANIZATION
WORKS UNIONS

Chapter I of the law of 1924 is devoted to works unions.
Privileges and obligations.—hi order to enjoy the rights and privileges granted by the law, all wTorkers “ over 18 years of age in any
mine, quarry, nitrate establishment, factory, or workshop employing
more than 25 persons * * * shall constitute an association, which
shall bear the name 6works union,5 coupled writh the name of the
establishment concerned.”




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CH ILE

3

Legal recognition*—Such an association shall be deemed “ a body
corporate.”
Advantages.—The law grants to the works union the following
rights:
(1) To conclude collective contracts with the establishment;
(2) To represent the workers in individual contracts when so re­
quested ;
(3) To represent the workers in collective disputes and in concilia­
tion and arbitration proceedings;
(4) To undertake such mutual benefit and cooperative activities as
may be chosen by the members; especially (a) life insurance, (b)
industrial accident insurance, and (<?) funeral benefits;
(5) To register trade-marks, or labels, for the free use of the
members;
(6) To participate in the profits of the industry, the workers con­
stituting the works union sharing in such benefits. This participation
may be fixed beforehand— (a) in the individual or collective labor
contract; (b) in case there is no contract, at 6 per cent of the salaries
or wages paid during the year, up to 10 per cent of the profits; (c)
or in the form of labor shares, which may be issued by enterprises
organized as joint-stock companies. Half of the workers’ share of
the profits shall be paid to the union, to be used for mutual benefits,
and the other half is to be distributed among the union members in
proportion to their wages and the days they have worked.
Revenues of works unions.—Under the law the unions may pos­
sess unlimited funds; if such are in money they must be deposited in
the institutions of credit of the State and be subject to State control.
The law forbids the federation of works unions.
TRADE-UNIONS

Though creating a special form of compulsory works unions the
law (Chapter II) has also recognized the free trade-union, basing
such recognition, as already noted, on the principle of the French lav/.
Nature of trade-unions.—In effect the law recognizes as tradeunions associations formed by salaried and wage-earning employees
in the same trade, industry, or employment, or in similar or related
trades, industries, or employments, to deal exclusively with the study,
promotion, and legitimate defense of the general economic interests
of their members.
Associations of employers may benefit equally under the system
established by the act.
Legal power to organize trade-unions.—The law prohibits the
organization of unions of public employees.
Married women engaged in any occupation or trade may, without
the consent of their husbands, organize or join unions and take part
in their administration.
Legal formalities.—Trade-unions desiring to be incorporated
should present to the executive through the General Labor Office an
application, to which should be appended two copies of the rules
of the union and a list of its members and their addresses and
respective nationalities.




4

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

Rights accorded trade-unions.— (a) Trade-unions may acquire
property of all kinds, but to hold real estate must obtain the special
authorization of Congress, which must be renewed every 10 years.
(6) They may organize elementary or vocational classes, social
museums, cooperative societies of all kinds, stores and warehouses,
employment agencies, and in general all social welfare services com­
patible with the purposes of the union.
(<?) Trade-unions which have been incorporated may conclude
collective labor contracts.
(d) They may represent their members in collective disputes.
(e) They may represent the common interests of their members
before third parties and the public authorities.
Legal obligation of trade-unions.—Trade-unions must keep a
special register of their members and send a copy of such register
at least once a year to the General Labor Office.
Special legal prohibitions.— (a) Under the law a trade-union may
not sue nor be sued except in cases affecting the common or general
economic interests of the organization.
(6)
Trade-unions are forbidden to commit acts tending to restrict
individual liberty, the right to work, or the right to engage in
industry.
Amalgamations or federations of trade-unions.—The law recog­
nizes the right of unions to federate. Two or more trade-unions in
the same trade or occupation may combine or federate for the study,
development, or legitimate defense of their common economic
interests.
Amalgamations and federations may be incorporated in the same
manner as trade-unions.
Dissolution of trade-unions.—The Chilean law on trade-unions,
adopting the principle established by the French law, confers the
right to decree the dissolution of trade-unions on the President of
the Republic. Such dissolution may be decreed: (a) When tradeunions transgress the law; in general, when they attack constituted
power and the public order; (6) when their membership is reduced
to less than 20; (c) when the union, in case of industrial conflicts
such as strikes or lockouts, does not respect the decisions rendered
by conciliation or arbitration tribunals.
Penalties.—The law provides for fines and special penalties
against union members in specified cases. It is the duty of the
General Labor Office, departmental governors, and the regional in­
spectorates to see that the law is strictly observed.
LEGAL CONDITIONS GOVERNING LABOR UNIONS

The preceding summary of the legislation governing labor unions
indicates that to have a legal status such associations must comply
with the following conditions:
Works unions.—In order to enjoy the rights and advantages ac­
corded by this law to workers over 18 years of age in any mine,
quarry, or nitrate establishment, factory, or workshop employing
more than 25 persons, such workers shall form an association bear­
ing the name “ works union,” coupled with the name of the establish­
ment concerned. This association shall be deemed a body corporate
and shall be constituted for the purposes indicated. The law seems




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

5

to require no other formality for the legal existence of these works
unions, but as they have the right to acquire real property it is
believed that a Federal decree of incorporation is indispensable.
Trade-unions.—Trade-unions desiring to be incorporated—that is,
to be fully recognized by the Government—must make application
to the President of the Kepublic through the General Labor Office.
After consultation with the General Labor Office the President shall
grant or refuse the application for incorporation. A refusal can
be based only on the reason that the rules of the union are contrary to
(he constitution or to the laws, morality, or decency, or that the union
has violated or failed to comply with any of the provisions of the
act; but this shall not prejudice the right of the Government to
require the union submitting the application to make any amend­
ments to the rules or any material alterations and declarations
considered necessary.
The organization and activities of trade-unions are governed by
the rules of such unions in all matters not regulated by law. It is
further understood that the legal provisions in effect relative to
private corporations are applicable to trade-unions, if such pro­
visions are compatible with the purposes of such unions and the
provisions of this law.
A trade-union may not sue nor be sued except in cases affecting fctw
common or general economic interests of the association.
Unions of salaried employees are subject in their organization to
the same conditions as private associations and must make applica­
tion for incorporation to the Minister of Justice, who upon the
advice of the Ministry of Labor may grant or refuse the same.
The law of October 17, 1925, relative to private employees did not
establish special rules for the organization of unions of salaried
employees, but that part of the law of 1924 referring to trade-unions
includes both salaried employees and wage earners, and therefore the
organization and the conditions for the legal recognition of such
unions are the same as those of trade-unions of workers, which have
been analyzed.
LAWFUL ACTIVITIES OF LABOR UNIONS

The fields of action of both the works unions and the trade-unions
are definitely determined by law.
Works unions.—In the case of works unions these activities, as
already noted, include the right: (1) To conclude collective agree­
ments with the establishment; (2) to represent the workers in making
individual contracts when so requested; (3) to represent the workers
in collective disputes; and (4) to carry on mutual aid and cooperative
measures.
The mutual aid and cooperative plans contemplated by the law
include life insurance, accident insurance not otherwise provided for
by law, insurance against sickness, unemployment, and old age, and
death benefits.
The benefits or pensions must be in proportion to the funds accumu­
lated and the wages of each member, and the establishment shall be
given notice thereof. The union may reinsure its liability in com­
panies doing a life or other insurance business.




6

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

According to the law, the assets of the union shall comprise:
(1) Contributions by its members, fixed by the general meeting in conformity
with the rules, to supply the needs of the wage earners of the establishment
in case of unexpected or arbitrary stoppage of work, or sickness, or old age, or
for other purposes of general interest.
(2) Voluntary contributions made to it by the establishment or the wage
earners or other persons, and bequests.
(3) Income from the property of the union.
(4) The sum which is apportioned to the works union on the distribution
of the moneys accumulated in the National Savings Bank, or any branch thereof,
from the fines imposed by the act relating to labor contracts upon employers
and wage earners for violations of its provisions.
(5) Fines imposed by the executive board of the union upon the wage earn­
ers by virtue of its right to exercise disciplinary powers under section 554 of
the Civil Code, said fines not to exceed 10 pesos for each violation.
(6) The moneys accruing to the union [from labor shares issued by jointstock companies].
The moneys of the union, as they are received, shall be deposited in the branch
of the National Savings Bank nearest to the main plant of the establishment,
and the members of the executive board shall be responsible for compliance
with this requirement.
The executive board of the union shall be responsible for the management of
the moneys mentioned in the preceding section.
The president and the treasurer, acting jointly, may draw upon the moneys
deposited, but only for the purposes specified in the act.
The moneys of the union shall not belong to the wage earners belonging to
the union nor to the establishment in which they work. They shall be under
the control of the union even if its composition changes, and shall be utilized
exclusively for the purposes mentioned in the act.
If the establishment is closed, or if, as a result of changes of a permanent
nature (e. g., change in work or restriction of output), employment is given
for only three months to less than 20 wage earners, the union in question shall
be wound up in the manner prescribed in its rules, and in default of the direc­
tion therein of any other method the moneys shall be divided among the per­
sons who are members of the union at the time, in proportion to the contribu­
tions paid by them in conformity with [the provisions of the act], and the sum
due to each shall be deposited in his name in the National Savings Bank.
In the event of the winding up of the union, and without prejudice to the
provisions laid down in the preceding paragraph, the moneys set apart for
mutual benefit purposes shall be transferred to an institution specified in the
regulations, which shall carry on the services connected therewith.
Works unions may register trade-marks, or labels, for the individual use of
their members free of charge, and may use the said marks or labels to dis­
tinguish the goods manufactured by the establishment, provided they obtain
the written consent of the employer.

Trade-unions.—The important rights granted to trade-unions have
already been noted. It has also been noted that while such unions
may not hold real estate except with the consent of the Government,
they may freely acquire other forms of property and may establish
schools, social museums, cooperative societies, stores and warehouses,
employment offices, and other social welfare services.
Mutual benefit, pension, and insurance funds established by trade*
unions, as regards their organization and operation, are under the
supervision of the General Labor Office. In particular, the General
Labor Office shall ascertain whether the contributions, assessments,
or premiums set aside for this purpose are sufficient for the discharge
of their obligations toward the members participating therein. If
such obligations do not appear to be duly covered, the Government,
after consultation with the General Labor Office, shall prohibit the
operation of the service in question.




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

7

In case of irregularity in the use of moneys of the union, the
Government, after observing the same formalities, shall revoke the
incorporation of the association and refer the case to the common
courts for the enforcement of the obligations in question.
Trade-unions which are legally organized have, as already pointed
out, the right to conclude collective agreements, may represent their
members in general disputes and in conciliation and arbitration pro­
ceedings, and may represent the common economic interests of the
association before the public authorities. They are specifically for­
bidden to indulge in other activities than those mentioned in their
constitutions and by-laws or to perform acts tending to restrict
individual liberty.
It should be understood that in Chile union organizations with a
trend toward revolutionary philosophy, such as the Federation of
Labor of Chile and the I. W. W., exist without persecution. Thei**
journals and their publications attacking the constituted Government
are, as a rule, issued without causing repressive measures on the part
of the State.
HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE LABOR-UNION MOVEMENT
The first stage of the union movement in Chile was that of mutual
benefit societies. This has been the case in the majority of American
countries, thus confirming what the eminent sociologist, E. Rostand,
said at the congress of the Mutual Insurance Society of Milan: “ The
mutual aid societies are the embryonal cellule, the nucleus around
which are grouped all the other institutions of welfare and social
assistance.”
In Chile the workers have organized in mutual aid societies from
the middle of the last century. In the year 1853 the typographical
union of Santiago organized the first mutual aid society, with the
name “ Typographical Society 55; it is now known as the “ Printers’
Union.” Two years later the same union organized another society
with the same name, in Valparaiso. In 1858 the “Artisans’ Society
of Valparaiso,” a true mutual aid society, appeared, and in 1862
two more were formed, one in Santiago and the other in La Serena,
both called “Artisans’ Union.”
During most of the nineteenth century the labor-union movement
concentrated on mutual aid societies. In 1870 there were in the
country 13 mutual aid societies which were incorporated; in 1880
there were 39; in 1890, 76 were registered; in 1900 they had increased
to 240; and in 1925 they numbered 600, with 90,000 members. These
numbers do not include the numerous mutual aid institutions which
were not incorporated.
Thus, in Chile, as elsewhere, the mutual aid society was the first
step in labor organization. These mutual aid societies constituted
the natural meeting place for labor and the home of its social life.
They furnished valuable material advantages, because by means of
a little monetary sacrifice they gave the workers insurance against
the most common risks which threatened their existence; and they
also furnished valuable moral advantages, since from the beginning
they exercised an important influence on the economic customs of
the workers.
85070°—28------§




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CH ILE

8

It was not until the twentieth century that labor organization in
Chile developed along other lines. The cause of this slow evolution
of trade-unionism proper, as contrasted with its rapid development
in Europe during the nineteenth century and, on a smaller scale, in
the other American countries, lies principally in the fact that Chilean
industrial development did not become active until the beginning of
this century, but also in considerable degree in the distance of Chile
from the large centers of European social movements and the almost
total lack of immigration.
In the first 15 years of this century (i. e., 1900 to 1915) the workers
began to group themselves in organizations to protect their trade and
guild interests. The first manifestations of union organization were
in Santiago, Valparaiso, and Antofagasta. These organizations, com­
prising one or more unions of workers in the same industry, were
called by the workers “ defense organizations,” because of their open
opposition to capital. They were formed sometimes on the occasion
of friendly strikes in factories, but more generally in an industrial
branch, as, for instance, in the saltpeter industry. A large number
of these associations disappeared upon the termination of the strikes
which had called them into existence.
MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES
SOCIAL LABOR CONGRESS IN CHILE

The Social Labor Congress, with headquarters in Santiago, is com­
posed of representatives of almost all of the labor mutual benefit
organizations in Chile. It was organized in 1916. Each mutual aid
organization is entitled to a delegate. At present there are affiliated
with this congress about 350 mutual benefit societies.
Objects.—Coordinates the efforts of the mutual aid societies,
studies the various labor problems and other problems of interest to
national life, and presents to the Government and to the public
authorities the needs of the associated institutions. The Social Labor
Congress holds, periodically, large meetings or special conventions in
which national problems are debated. The latest convention of this
character took place in April, 1927.
Govermnent.—A board of directors, composed of a president, two
vice presidents, and seven directors, who are nominated at the meet­
ing of the representatives of the affiliated societies. Various com­
mittees are appointed by the board; the committee on the application
and reform of social laws deserves mention.
Headquarters.—1226 Santo Domingo Street, Santiago.
Official organ.—La Mutualidad Chilena, founded in March, 1926.
Number of affiliated societies.—Over 350, with a total of 50,000
members.
SOCIETY OF ARTISANS OF “ THE UNION ” OF SANTIAGO

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in 1862, and one of the oldest institutions of its kind in
Chile. During its existence it has been active in social and educa*
tional work. It owns a large building, in which is carried on a night




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

9

school for children of the workers, which has a daily attendance of
over 100. The organization also has a good library, and a theater
in which are held weekly educational entertainments, which are well
attended. The members have founded an art school which gives
entertainments for the workers’ cultural development. There is a
good orchestra, formed by the members and their families, and the
society maintains a troop of Boy Scouts.
Objects.—To give aid to the members in case of sickness, and in
addition to work for their cultural and moral betterment.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Santiago.
Trade jurisdiction.—Wage earners in different occupations, sala
ried employees, and young artisans.
Government.—An executive board, composed of a president, two
vice presidents, a secretary, a recording secretary, a treasurer, and
seven directors, who are elected at the annual meeting of the mem­
bers. There are the following committees: Health, audit and
finance, education, and recreation and excursion.
Qualifications for membership.—Must pass an examination by the
society’s doctor, be introduced by a member and approved by the
executive board, and pay an initiation fee of 5 pesos and monthly
dues of 3 pesos.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medical and surgical assistance, if
sickness is not caused by alcoholism or venereal disease, and 2 pesos
daily for three months, which the executive board may extend to six
months; if hospital care is needed, up to 3 pesos daily; if totally dis­
abled or if illness has been declared chronic and incurable by three
doctors, 20 pesos a month in addition to medicines and medical care.
Death benefit: Funeral expenses and about 1,000 pesos to the family.
After 15 years a member is entitled to be pensioned, provided he
has paid his dues for 15 years, and is thereupon exempt from further
payments. After 25 years, if the member is unable to work he is
entitled to a life annuity, the amount to be fixed by the general
assembly.
The society owns a large town, a veritable garden city, in which
120 members have become home owners. The Chilean Government
has loaned for this work a million and a half pesos. The society
owns real estate having a value of over 521,000 pesos and has a
mausoleum worth 80,000 pesos in a cemetery in Santiago.
Headquarters.—851 Riquelme Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One thousand three hundred and fifty.
UNION SOCIETY OF PRINTERS OF SANTIAGO

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in Santiago in 1853; it is the oldest mutual benefit insti­
tution in Chile. During the whole period of its existence it has
carried on extensive educational work, including the maintenance of
a night school for the members and their children.
Objects.—To give aid to its members in case of sickness and to
work for their material and moral betterment.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Trade jurisdiction.—Printers.
Governrtvent.—An executive board, composed of a president, two
vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and five directors, who ar8




10

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

elected at the annual assembly. There are committees on relief, enter­
tainment, admission, etc.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be a printer, present an
application signed by two members, pay an initial fee of 5 pesos
toward the construction of a new building, 5 pesos toward construct­
ing a mausoleum, monthly dues of 3 pesos, and an assessment of 2
pesos for each member who dies.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medical, surgical, and pharmaceutical
care; during disability, 2 pesos a day, up to a maximum of 50 pesos.
Death benefit: 80 pesos for funeral expenses, and 300 pesos to the
family.
The Union Society of Printers is one of the few in Chile which has
succeeded in obtaining a collective labor contract with relatively high
wages.
At intervals entertainments of an instructive nature, conferences
on social subjects, meetings for the families of the members, etc., are
heid.
The institution owns its headquarters building, valued at 76,000
pesos.
Organisation.—The society has sections in Valparaiso, Concepcion,
Temuco, Chilian, and Valdivia.
Headquarters.—1357 Eleuterio Ramirez Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Two thousand two hundred and twenty-five print­
ers, linotypers, and workers in similar trades.
FERMI3ST VIVACETA MUTUAL AID SOCIETY

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in Santiago in 1883; it is affiliated with the two socie­
ties mentioned above and is one of the most important. It has car­
ried on a great work for education and moral improvement. It has
a night school for members and their families, and has organized a
library. It owns two buildings.
Objects.—To give aid to its members in case of sickness and to
contribute to their material and moral betterment.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Santiago.
Trade jurisdiction.—Carpenters, cabinetmakers, and workers in
similar trades.
Government.—An executive board, composed of a president, a vice
president, a secretary, a treasurer, and five directors. There is an
entertainment committee, a relief committee, etc.
Qualifications for 'membership.—Must be a carpenter or cabinet­
maker, be indorsed by one member, be accepted by the executive
board, and pay an initiation fee of 3 pesos, a mausoleum fee of 3
pesos, a monthly burial fee of 1 peso, and monthly dues of 3 pesos.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medicines and medical care if sick­
ness is not the result of a social disease or alcoholism, and 2 pesos a
day if incapacitated for work. In case of hospitalization, 1 peso 50
centavos a day; if incapacitated for work by occupational disease
or industrial accident, 20 pesos a month; and if disease is declared
by a doctor to be chronic, 20 pesos a month. Death benefit: Funeral
expenses and 200 pesos to the family, if member has belonged to
society from 1 to 5 years; 300 pesos if he has belonged from 5 to 10




Lab o r o r g a n iz a t io n s

in

c h il e

11

years; 400 pesos if he has belonged from 10 to 15 years; and 500
pesos if he has belonged for a longer period.
The society owns property worth more than 103,400 pesos, and is
now constructing a labor center for the.use of its members.
Headquarters.—851 Biquelme Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One thousand one hundred and forty.
UNION SOCIETY OF DAY WORKERS

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in Santiago in 1923.
Objects.—To lend material and moral aid to its members in cases
of sickness, and to work for their educational improvement.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Santiago.
Trade jurisdiction.—Printers and linotypers in the printing offices
of Santiago.
Government.—An executive board composed of a president, a
vice president, two secretaries, and seven directors. The executive
board is changed annually, being elected by the general assembly
of the members. There are the following committees: Member­
ship, conciliation and assistance, auditing, entertainment and sociaJ,
study and library, rules and regulations.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be a day worker in Santi­
ago and pay an initiation fee of 5 pesos and weekly dues of 50
centavos.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medicines and medical care; for
partial disability, 10 pesos a day; and for total disability, 20 pesos
a day. Death benefit: Funeral expenses and 1,000 pesos to the family.
Unemployment benefit: 20 pesos a week.
Headquarters.—1318 San Pablo Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Two hundred and thirty.
MANUEL RODRIGUEZ SOCIETY

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in 1909. This society, affiliated with the Society of
Artisans of “ the Union ” of Santiago, has done a most interesting
educational and social work in Santiago. The society owns prop­
erty and maintains a night school for members, their children, and
persons living near by, and also an industrial school for occupa­
tional training, with the necessary material and equipment. It
has organized a Scout troop, which has more than 100 members, and
a fine band. It holds weekly entertainments of a cultural nature,
social gatherings, etc.
Objects.—To give help to its members in case of sickness and to
contribute to the material betterment and moral and intellectual pro­
gress of the members and their families.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Santiago.
Trade jurisdiction.—Wage earners and salaried employees in dif­
ferent occupations.
Government.—An executive board composed of a president, a vice
president, two secretaries, a treasurer, and seven directors, elected
by the annual assembly. The board meets once a week. There are




12

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

different committees for the promotion of the social services—a sani­
tary committee, a school committee, an entertainment committee,
etc.
Qualifications for membership.—Must present an application to
the executive board and pay an initiation fee of 2 pesos and monthly
dues of 2 pesos.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medicines and medical care and 2
pesos a day; in case of invalidity, 30 pesos a month if member has
belonged to the society for at' least 10 years and 40 pesos a month if
he has belonged for a longer period. Death benefit: Funeral ex­
penses up to 80 pesos and to the family a sum proportioned to the
years deceased has been a member, as follows: From 1 to 2 years,
150 pesos; from 2 to 4 years, 200 pesos; from 4 to 15 years, 400
pesos; and for more than 15 years, 500 pesos.
Headquarters.—748 San Francisco Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Two thousand two hundred.
UNIVERSAL MUTUAL AID SOCIETY

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in 1903.
Objects.—To give help to its members in case of illness and to
work for their material and moral betterment.
Government.—A general assembly and an executive board, com­
posed of a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer.
The executive board is elected at the annual convention of the mem­
bers. In addition an assistant treasurer and five directors are
elected.
Qualifications for membership.—Must pay an admission fee of 5
pesos, an assessment of 2 pesos for each member who dies, and
monthly dues of 2 pesos.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medicines and medical assistance and
2 pesos a day. Death benefit: Funeral expenses and between 200
and 400 pesos to the family, according to the number of members.
The society owns property worth 28,000 pesos.
Headquarters.—1226 Santo Domingo Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Two hundred and eight.
AURORA MUTUAL AID SOCIETY

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in 1901.
Objects.—To help the members in case of sickness and to con­
tribute to their material and moral improvement.
Government.—An executive board composed of a president, a vice
president, a secretary, a treasurer, and five directors. The general
assembly elects the executive board and meets annually.
Qualifications for membership.—Must belong to the working class
and be accepted by the executive board, pay an initiation fee of
2 pesos, an assessment of 2 pesos for each member who dies, and
monthly dues of 2 pesos.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medicines and medical assistance if
member has belonged to society for more than a year and 2 pesos a
day; also larger benefits for families if additional payment has been




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CH ILE

13

made by member. Death benefit: 100 pesos for funeral expenses
and 400 pesos to the family. After 18 years in the society a member
is entitled to be pensioned and receive all the benefits without further
payments.
Headquarters.—535 Diez de Julio Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Two hundred and ten.
SOCIETY EOR MUTUAL AID, EQUALITY, AND LABOB

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in 1894. This institution has for 30 years promoted
educational work for the working classes. It owns a good theater,
where conferences of an educational nature and social entertainments
are held periodically, being attended not only by the members and
their families but by the public as well. It celebrated its thirtythird anniversary with elaborate entertainments.
Objects.—To give aid to its members in case of sickness and to
work for their material and moral betterment.
Government.—An executive board composed of a president, two
vice presidents, two secretaries, a treasurer, and seven directors,
elected at the annual congress of the members. There are numerous
committees, the most important being those on sanitation, entertain­
ment, and schools.
Trade jurisdiction.—Salaried employees and wage earners.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be a worker and have appli­
cation for admission approved by the executive board; pay an initia­
tion fee of 2 pesos 50 centavos, a mausoleum fee of 5 pesos, and
monthly dues of 3 pesos.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medicines and medical assistance ii
member has belonged to society for more than a year and 1 peso a
day, if incapacitated for work; in case of hospitalization, 3 pesos a
day. Medical attention for family of member at reduced rates. In
case of invalidity, after having belonged to the society for five years,
15 pesos a month. Death benefit: Funeral expenses up to 150 pesos
and 1 peso to each member of the family.
The society owns a building in which is conducted a night school for
the workers, and possesses property worth 88,000 pesos.
Headquarters.—Andes Street, between Herrera and Maipu Streets,
Santiago.
Membership.—One thousand three hundred and one.
JUAN MIGUEL DAVILA BAEZA MUTUAL AID SOCIETY

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in 1877. The society has built, with the help of the
State, a beautiful little town so that its members may become home
owners. It carries on an extensive educational work, gives periodi­
cal entertainments for the members, holds conferences, etc.
Objects.—To aid its members in their moral and material progress.
Government.—An executive board composed of a president, a vice
president, a secretary, a treasurer, and five directors, who are elected
by the general assembly of the members, which meets annually and
on the call of the executive board. There is a sanitary committee,
an entertainment committee, etc.



14

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IK C H ILE

Qualifications for membership.—Must be employed in some bank­
ing or credit institution and be approved by the executive board and
pay monthly dues of 10 pesos.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medicines and medical aid and money
benefit fixed by executive board. Death benefit: Funeral expenses.
The society has a mausoleum.
Headquarters.—668 San Francisco Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Sixty hundred and fifty-two.
UNION OF MUTUAL AID SOCIETIES

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in 1926, being formed by the union of the Manuel
Rodriguez, Dieciocho de Setiembre, Universal, Pedro Lagos, Ber­
nardo O’Higgins, Miguel Angel Painters, Union of Harness Makers,
and Lautaro Mutual societies.
Objects.—To give aid to the members in case of illness and to
work for their material and moral improvement.
Government.—An executive board, composed of a president, two
vice presidents, and seven directors, elected by the general assembly
of the members.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Pharmaceutical and medical assistance
for members and their families and money benefit.
The organization possesses three night schools and an industrial
art school.
Headquarters.—748 San Francisco Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One thousand and twenty-seven.
ARTISANS' SOCIETY OF CURICO

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Government.—An executive body composed of a president, a vice
president, and five directors, who are elected annually by the assembly
of the members.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be a worker or artisan and
pay an initiation fee of 2 pesos and monthly dues of 1 peso 50
centavos.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medicines and medical assistance.
Death benefit: Funeral expenses.
It owns its headquarters, in which a night school is conducted and
important educational meetings are held.
Headquarters.—Curico.
Membership.—Three hundred and fifty.
ARTISANS’ SOCIETY OF COPIAPO

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in 1886. This society has the same organization as
th A J*
‘ J
*
1
1 1 above.




16

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

ARTISANS’ SOCIETY OF LA SERENA

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in 1902. This society has the same organization, aims,
and benefits as the Artisans’ Society of Curico, described above.
Headquarters.—La Serena.
Membe'rsM'p.—Two hundred.
UNION SOCIETY OF ARTISANS OF CHILLAN

Affiliated with the Social Labor Congress.
Organized in 1892. Of the workers’ mutual aid organizations of
the Province, this society has done the most effective social work.
It has a large headquarters where a night school is conducted, and
there is a library. Meetings and functions of an educational nature
are held here periodically.
Headquarters.—Chilian.
Membership.—Seven hundred and thirty-eight.
OTHER SOCIETIES AFFILIATED WITH THE SOCIAL LABOR CONGRESS

Other societies of secondary importance which deserve mention
and which (except where otherwise mentioned) are affiliated with the
Social Labor Congress are listed below.
OTHER SOCIETIES AFFILIATED WITH THE SOCIAL LABOR CONGRESS

Name of society
Socieda<J de Socorros Mutuos “ El Condor"......................
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos la Estrella Chilena...............

Headquarters

686 Baquedano Street, Santiago...
1523 General Mackenna Street,
Santiago.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Bernardo O’Higgins........... . 748 San Francisco Street, Santiago.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Chaufferes de Chile. Organ­ ----- do..............................................
ized in 1918.
Sociedad Mutual la Cistema............................................... La Cistema, Santiago....................
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Jose Manuel Balmaceda___ 0217 Santa Victoria Street, Santiago
Sociedad Mutual de Ambos Sexos, Vina del Mar............. . Vina del Mar.............................
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos la Fratemidad.................... . Valdivia.............. ......................
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos “ Club Sargento Aldea” ___ Taicahuano................................
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Circulo Catolico Corazon Temuco......................................
de Maria.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Artes. Circulo Obrero...... . Antofagasta..
Sociedad Obrera de Socorros Mutuos Circulo Santa Filo- Iquique....... .
mena.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Rafael Murillo. Formed Rancagua.......................................
for painters.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Figueroa Alcorta, Santiago.. 748 San Francisco Street, Santiago.
Sociedad Obrera de Socorros Mutuos Manuel Blanco Valparaiso......................................
Encalada.
Sociedad Union de Artesanos de Curico. Organized in
1886.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Bernardo O'Higgins......... . Rancagua.......
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Dieciocho de Setiembre___ Santiago.........
Sociedad Union Mutual Caupolican__.............................. . Vina dei Mar.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos de Zapateros, Chilian. Chillan__.......
Organized by the workers in the shoe factories in the city
of Chilian.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos “ Operarios de Escoba. ” 950 Manuel Rodriguez Street,
Independent. Organized by workers in broom factories
Santiago.
in Santiago.
Sociedad Obrera Cosmopolita de Socorros Mutuos. .......... Vina del Mar................................ .
Sociedad Obrera de Socorros Mutuos la Fratemidad......... Imperial........................................ .
Sociedad Socorros Mutuos **Iquique. ” Independent....... Iquique......................................... .
Centro Obrero Blanco Encalada. Independent............... . Valparaiso..................................... .
Sociedad de Artesanos Juan Cornejo. Independent.......... Quillota......................................... .
Centro Obrero Playa Ancha de la Union Nacional.......... . Valparaiso..................................... .
Sociedad de Artesanos de Antofagasta................................. Antofagasta....................................
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos la Fratemidad.................... . 748 San Francisco Street, Santiago
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Cooperativa de Edificacion 667 Monjitas Street, Santiago___
la Fratemidad.

m 7 0 °—28----- 4




Member­
ship
118
98
300
500
118

300
350
220
110

260
74
55

200
190

300
100

300
127
161
900
140
165
77
250
168
320
850
150

16

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

FEDERATION OE SOCIETIES OE THE NATIONAL UNION

This central institution—the Federation of Societies of the Na­
tional Union—unites all the Catholic workers’ mutual aid societies.
It was organized in 1908 and has carried on an important work among
the associated societies.
Objects.—To perpetuate organizations having Catholic tendencies
and which give material and moral help to their members in case
of sickness and work for their cultural improvement.
Territorial jurisdiction—Chile.
Govermnent.—An executive board composed of a president, two
vice presidents, two secretaries, and a treasurer, elected by the annual
assembly of the member societies. The assembly elects in addition
numerous committees, of which the following deserve mention: Sani­
tation, revenue, entertainment, lodging, and mutual aid.
Qualifications for membership.—Must present an application in­
dorsed by a member of the executive board, accept the rules and regu­
lations of the society, and pay a monthly assessment of 1 peso and an
assessment of 1 peso for each member who dies.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: For members in Santiago, medical and
pharmaceutical attention for one month, and, in case the member is
incapacitated for work, 1 peso a day; if totally disabled, an annuity
fixed by executive board. Death benefit: Funeral expenses, and up
to 1,000 pesos to family. After 25 years members are pensioned and
are entitled to all the benefits.
The federation owns a large theater, where cultural entertainments
are given for the members and their families; it also owns a valuable
headquarters building, where a day school and a night school are
carried on, and has a good library.
The federation owns a town in which the members may buy homes
on easy payments.
Headquarters.—1779 Moneda Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Three thousand and fifty.
LA SAGRADA FAM ILIA MUTUAL AID SOCIETY

Affiliated with the Federation of Societies of the National Union.
Organized in 1906.
Objects.—To lend material and moral aid to its members in case
of illness.
Government.—A president, a vice president, and five directors,
elected by the annual general assembly of members.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be a worker, pay an initia­
tion fee of 1 peso, an assessment of 1 peso on each death, and monthly
dues of 1 peso.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: After 3 months’ membership, medi
cines and medical assistance, and 5 pesos per week for three months.
After 15 years the members are pensioned. Death benefit: Funeral
expenses and a sum of money to the family proportioned to amount
member has paid in.
Headquarters.—1779 Moneda Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Three hundred and twenty.




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

17

OTHER SOCIETIES AFFILIATED WITH THE FEDERATION OF SOCIETIES OF
THE NATIONAL UNION

There are in Chile a large number of workers’ mutual aid socie­
ties affiliated with the Federation of Societies of the National Union
which pursue identical principles, 66giving help to the workers in
case of sickness and working for their material and moral better­
ment,” and which give identical help and benefits to the members and
have the same conditions as to admission to membership. For this
reason it is believed to be unnecessary to repeat the details, which
are practically the same. Except where otherwise stated, the follow­
ing societies are affiliated with the Federation of Societies of the
National Union.
OTHER MUTUAL AID SOCIETIES
Member­
ship

Name of society

Headquarters

Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Centro Lurdes..................
Sociedad Socorros Mutuos Obreros de la Sagrada Familia.
Circulo Obrero Corazon de Maria de Socorros Mutuos
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos “ Centro Ejercito Libertador.”
Sociedad Obrera de Socorros Mutuos Liga del Trabajo
Sociedad Obrera de Socorros Mutuos San Jose.............. ....

Lurdes, Santiago....................... .....
.657 Bandera Street, Santiago_____
____ do____ ______ ______________
....... do..............................................

780
300
218
800

____ do............................................
Maeztranea and Marcolita Sts.,
Santiago.
Circulo Social Obrero de Socorros Mutuos Sacramento___ 657 Bandera Street, Santiago_____
Union Social Obrera Apostol Santiago......... ...................... ....... do..............................................
Centro Social Socorros Mutuos Patronato Sagrado ____do_________________________
Coraeon.
Centro Social Socorros Mutuos “ Patrono San Antonio”
....... do..............................................
Centro Union Nacional de Vina del Mar.......... ................. Vina del Mar..................................
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos la Union Nacional Centro Temuco________________________
Reyes.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Obreros dela Sagrada Familia San Bernardo__________________
San Bernardo.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos San Jose__________________ Curico_________________________
Centro Social Obrero Concepcion, Independent_________ Concepcion____________________
Centro Obrero Cordillera de la Union Nacional_________ Valparaiso_____________________
Centro Obrero Carahue de la Union Nacional______ ___ Carahue_______________________
Centro Obrero Victoria de la Union Nacional______ _____ Valparaiso_____________________
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Union Nacional de Ambos Vina del Mar__________________
Sexos.
Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos Centro Diego Portales de la 657 Bandera Street, Santiago_____
Union Nacional.
_ _ _do ________________________
Centro de Socorros Mutuos Chacabuco
Sociedad Centro Mutual Andacollo____________________ ____ do_________________________
Sociedad Centro San Miguel la Union Nacional_________ Parroquia San Miguel, Santiago..
Circulo Obreros San Jose.................. .................................... Valparaiso....... ..............................
Centro Obrero Moises Castillo de la Union Nacional_____ 657 Bandera Street, Santiago_____
Circulo Leo XIII de Socorros Mutuos_____ _ __ _ ___ Valparaiso_____________________

110
140
130
233
120
85
240
130
90
960
172
60
78
80
300
84
178
175
450
85
88
84

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS HAVING REFORM TENDENCIES
FEDERATION OF LABOR OF CHILE

In Chile, occupational association as a medium of the straggling
poor did not exist until 1909, when on September 18 there was
organized the first association of unions in a central institution,
called the “ Federation of Labor of Chile.” It was organized on a
mutual aid basis with the following aims: Social assistance, economic
betterment, and moral and intellectual improvement.
At the time of its organization and for some years thereafter it
was a federation of various labor unions, without advanced ideas, and
cooperating in the social measures of the State. Its objectives
changed in the course of years, and each change accentuated its then
openly avowed communistic tendencies,




18

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CH ILE

The Federation of Labor of Chile awakened in the working masses
from one end of the Republic to the other the spirit of association,
organizing its labor unions in federal, provincial, and departmental
councils. It has had an enormous influence in the large strikes which
have occurred in Chile, especially those in the saltpeter region be­
tween 1907 and 1917 and those which have taken place in the coal
region. As this federation has been the most important among the
labor organizations of Chile, with the largest membership, and sin'ce
it has oriented the labor movement in Chile, its historical develop­
ment will be discussed somewhat at length.
The Federation of Labor of Chile has acted in a role ver}^ similar
to that of the French Federation of Labor. To it have belonged
those elements with the most advanced social ideas, who have been
active in Congress, such as Deputies Recabarren, Cruz, and others
who have been leaders in the communist labor movement.
EARLY ORGANIZATION AND AIMS

When it was organized, in 1909, the federation had the following
program of social action:
Social welfare.—Health insurance, life insurance, establishment of
a fund for the widows and orphans of deceased members, unemploy­
ment insurance, establishment of production and consumers’ coopera­
tive societies, encouragement of savings, fight against alcoholism,
money credits to members.
Education.—Conducting schools, maintaining a publicity organ,
theaters, and conferences, and establishing libraries.
Labor.—As regards its external relations the federation empha­
sized the following program, stated in its constitution :
1. To intervene in a friendly manner in disputes which arise between workers
and employers, provided the causes are just. To work for the adoption of the
eight-hour day and a minimum wage that is sufficient to provide for the needs
of the worker’s family.
2. As a practical demonstration that the federation desires to avoid conflicts
between workers and employers, it declares that arbitration shall be accepted
as a means of conciliation and that it will endeavor to obtain from the national
authorities the constitution of arbitral tribunals, on which there shall be rep­
resentatives of the interested workers, to adjust differences between capital and
labor, provided there shall be an equal number of representatives for each
side and a neutral section which shall decide the controversy.
3. To create an organization to be called a “ labor office,” whose work shall
be to facilitate the making of uniform employment contracts and which shall
have headquarters in Santiago and branches in all the Federal councils {unionsl
and under their immediate authority.

As regards its relations with the public authorities, the consti­
tution (art. 40, sec. 11) makes the following declaration:
To cultivate friendly relations with the public powers and administrative
authorities, reconciling them to the spirit of the constitution to such a degree
that the idea of the welfare of the working classes may be given consideration
and recognition, and may be converted into a law of the Republic.

The organization of the mutual aid activities of the federation is
very primitive. The relief fund, for example, is obtained by equal
assessments on the members; the fund for widows and orphans is
based on death assessments.
The Federation of Labor of Chile was formed by combining all
the unions, called “ federal councils,” throughout the country, which




Lab o r

o r g a n iz a t io n s

in

c h il e

i9

were directed by local administrative boards appointed annually by
a majority of votes at the assemblies of the councils.
The general management and the judicial and extrajudicial repre­
sentation of the federation was in charge of the federal executive
board, composed of delegates appointed by the federal councils of
the country. The delegates were required faithfully to support,
before the executive board, resolutions passed by their respective
councils. In this way a majority vote on a resolution of the execu­
tive board really signified a majority vote of all the unions in the
federation.
The organization of the federation, its program of social action,
and its constitution, were approved at the nrst convention, held,
with the concurrence of all the federal councils, in the city of
Santiago in 1911, and resolutions dealing with propaganda and
extension of the services of the federation were also adopted.
The second convention of the federation was held at Valparaiso
in the year 1917, and among the most important resolutions adopted
was that to group in the federation all the working classes of the
country, without distinction as to sex, nationality, color, politics, or
religion. From the year 1909 to 1919 the federation carried on a
great work of organization, creating numerous federal councils, and
supporting numerous movements for the improvement of the living
and working conditions of the workers.
On December 25, 1919, a convention was held in the city of Con­
cepcion, at which the federation was reorganized and its program of
social and collective action completely changed. Abandoning abso­
lutely its basic principles of evolution and cooperation with the
social measures of the Government, it turned to frankly communistic
aims. From a peaceful organization for mutual aid it was con­
verted into a revolutionary labor organization.
It should be stated that the Chilean Federation of Labor obtained
legal recognition, its organic act being approved by the Centr al Gov­
ernment by decree No. 2622 of September 11,1912.
PRESENT OBJECTIVES

The declaration of principles of the Federation of Labor of Chile
states the following as the program which it hopes to realize: To
defend the life, the health, and the moral and economic interests of
the working classes, including both sexes; to protect the workers
of both sexes from exploitation by employers, from commercial-ex­
ploitation in general, from the abuses of those in authority, and
from every form of exploitation and oppression; to protect its
members in all acts done under its rules and regulations; to encourage
the progress of education and culture among the working classes by
conferences, schools, libraries, the press, and all other cultural activi­
ties, and to acquire economic, moral, political, and social freedom
for the working classes (wage earners and salaried employees of
both sexes); to abolish the capitalistic system with its unacceptable
scheme of industrial and commercial organization, which reduces the
majority of the people to slavery. It claims that once the capitalistic
system is abolished it will be replaced by the labor federation, which
will have charge of the administration of industrial production and
of its results,




20

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

These aspirations, it is affirmed, will be held by the federation
until it gains sufficient power to realize them. It is agreed that in
order to free the workers and employees of both sexes from exploita­
tion and oppression it will fight, in so far as the power of the federa­
tion will permit, for improvement in wages so as to make them cor­
respond to the necessities of life, and then continuously to increase
them until the system of people working for wages is transformed
into a superior system which will end enslavement by the wage;
for reducing the working hours as a means of decreasing unemploy­
ment and fatigue, in order to leave time for social life; for the regu­
lation of working conditions until all vestiges of despotism and en­
slavement have disappeared; for the lowering of the cost of living
by means of propaganda to influence legislation on taxes, or the crea­
tion or protection of cooperative societies which have for their object
the reduction of living costs; for the definite eradication of the
vices of the working class, especially those of alcohol and games of
chance: for better and cheaper housing.
The Federation of Labor of Chile declares it shall be a school for
the forming of those ideas which are to lead the working class of
both sexes in the perfecting of its social and industrial organization
until it obtains its complete freedom.
Therefore, the Federation of Labor of Chile raises its banner, being inspired
by the following two significant international slogans: “ In union there is
strength” and “ The emancipation of the working class must be the work of
the workers themselves.,,

The new policy adopted by the Federation of Labor of Chile
at the convention in Concepcion, of which an account has been
given, culminated two years later in the resolutions approved at
the convention at Rancagua on December 25, 1921.
Of the decisions made at that convention, two are of particular
importance: (1) To join the Communist Internationale of Moscow,
and (2) to organize the Federation of Labor of Chile on the basis
of industrial councils.
As regards joining the Third Internationale, the resolution was
as follows:
The Federation of Labor of Chile assembled in congress in the city of
Rancagua, for the discussion of the policy to be adopted by the labor organiza­
tions throughout the world in the face of the crisis of capitalism—
Whereas any working-class movement which is inspired by a desire for
revolutionary action must inevitably join the internationally organized work­
ing .class ;
Whereas in the face of the problems exposed by Soviet Russia, emphasizing
even more the antagonism between the classes, the chief task of the previously
mentioned organizations should consist in inculcating the principles which guide
this extensive movement;
Whereas in the process of the struggle of the classes there becomes more
clearly apparent the chaos of the capitalist system because of which it is
necessary to prepare the forces of the working class in such a way as to
make the task of reconstruction in the communist system more easy and
simple;
Whereas in our country the progress of the class struggle is in proportion to
the degree of opinion and action manifested with constantly increasing intensity
by the employers who oppress the working masses;
Whereas because this process of corruption of the capitalist system is taking
place in our country and in all others, it is necessary to bring about the closest
union of the workers in our country and throughout the world;




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CH ILE

21

Whereas in order to achieve this result it is necessary to pursue a frankly
“ class ” policy, which is in harmony with the present historically important
movement which the world is witnessing;
Whereas in the world order the Red Trade-Union Internationale constitutes
the center of the revolutionary trade-unionists who have broken off with the
old opportunist leaders and launched an open fight against capitalism;
Whereas within these currents and policies the Federation of Labor of
Chile is to establish its activities as a class organization: Therefore be it
Resolved, That the Chilean Federation of Labor join the Red Trade-Union
Internationale at Moscow, indorsing and ratifying its revolutionary policy.
PRESENT ORGANIZATION

By virtue of the new policy, the federal councils, which in a large
number of the cities of the country were organized by trades, were
reorganized on the basis of industries, classified as follows: Food,
manufactures, transportation, construction, public service, and mines.
All the skilled and professional workers and also the unskilled
workers and the salaried employees are included in the six divisions
mentioned.
This reorganization of the councils of the Federation of Labor of
Chile into industrial assemblies was for the purpose of studying and
deciding all matters relating to the better organization and the im­
provement of the various occupations of a definite industry. In
addition there were established departmental councils subordinate
to the provincial councils and with analogous functions.
The provincial council has charge of the industrial organization
of its respective Province and is the medium between the depart­
mental councils and other organizations in the respective localities.
There are 7 provincial councils, composed of 109 federal councils,
and there are also 9 labor unions affiliated with the federation.
The federation has jurisdiction over all the labor unions affiliated
with it and may order their dissolution or reorganization whenever
they violate the constitution. It may also call a partial or general
strike.
The conventions held in 1923 and 1925 in the cities of Chilian and
Santiago, respectively, were occupied especially with the study of
the internal organization of the federation and with intensifying
the propaganda of its ideals, and no resolutions were adopted which
deserve particular mention.
The organization of the Federation of Labor of Chile under these
new policies establishes the convention as the supreme assembly of
the federation; its deliberations and agreements are binding on all
the councils of which it is composed. In order to do business at
least 70 per cent of the councils of which the federation is formed
must be represented at the convention. There are regular and extra
conventions, the former being held every two years and the others
when requested by a third of the provincial boards or by the federal
executive board.
The regular conventions have the following objects: (a) To delib­
erate on the program, which should contain proposals of the councils
presented at least 30 days in advance to the federal executive board,
and any amendments to the organic charter of the organization
deemed advisable; (&) to discuss and decide, above all other nutters,
the annual report and budget submitted by the federal executive




22

LABOB ORGANIZATIONS IN CMlLJS

board to the congress; (<?) to elect (by a majority vote) the members
of the federal executive board; (d) in general, to decide all matters
submitted to it for deliberation.
In each provincial or departmental board of the federation there
is a statistical division, which has for its object the compiling of data
on working conditions of the laborers, the working-day, wages, in­
dustrial accidents, seasonal work, retired workers, contractors, strikes
and their results, and in general all matters which relate to the
situation of the proletariat of the country.
As may be deduced from the program outlined, the Federation
of Labor of Chile has from its beginning dedicated itself to obtain­
ing better working and living conditions for its members. A large
part of these aspirations have been realized in the laws passed dur­
ing the period 1924r-1926. The labor code approved on September
8, 1924, establishes the eight-hour day, recognizes trade-unions,
creates conciliation tribunals, etc. The federation has entered into
an agreement with the Communist Party to cooperate in working
for the ideals contained in its program.
OFEICIAL ORGANS

The Federation of Labor of Chile owns or controls numerous
printing offices in the principal cities of the country, some of them
printing handbills, circulars, and pamphlets, which are distributed
ireely.
The principal periodicals and dailies which are published are: El
Despertar, in Iquique, a daily owned by the Communist Party and
in the service of the Federation of Labor of Chile; La Defensa
Obrera, of Tocopilla, owned by the labor federation and the Com­
munist Party; El Comunista, of Antofagasta, a daily owned by
the Communist Party and in the service of the labor federation;
Justicia, of Santiago, a daily owned by the labor federation and the
central organ of the Communist Party; La Bandera Roja, Santiago
review (24 pages), organ of the central executive committee of the
Communist Party; La Region Minera de Coronel (semidaily), prop­
erty of the Federation of Labor of Chile.
HEADQUARTERS AND MEMBERSHIP

Headquarters.—1612 Galvez Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One hundred and thirty-six thousand.
INDUSTRIAL LABOR UNIONS
CONSTRUCTION
UNION OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, SANTIAGO

Subordinate to the Federation of Labor of Chile.
Organized in Santiago in January, 1920, as a division of the
Federation of Labor of Chile and with branches distributed through­
out Chile—in Santiago, Valparaiso, Concepcion, Talca, Chilian,
Linares, Maule, Antofagasta, Iquique, Coquimbo, Valdivia, Temuco,
Osorno, and Puerto Montt.




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

23

Objects.—To defend the life, health, and material and moral
interests of its members; to protect them from exploitation byemployers, from the abuses of their superiors and the authorities,
and from all forms of oppression and exploitation; to protect them
in all their acts done under the union’s rules and regulations and to
acquire economic and moral freedom by abolishing the capitalistic
system.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Trade jurisdiction.—All branches of building workers—brick­
layers, carpenters, stucco plasterers, plasterers or whitewashes,
painters, paper hangers, etc.
Govetmment.—General executive board, composed of a general
secretary, a recording secretary, and a treasurer.
Qualifications for membership.—Must assume obligation to respect
the rules and regulations, the orders of the Federation of Labor
of Chile, and the resolutions of the assembly, and to accept the
fundamental principles of the federation; pay weekly dues of 80
centavos.
Agreements.—Endeavors to procure collective contracts. In some
branches, especially stucco plasterers, it has succeeded in imposing
a standard wage.
Benefits.—No benefits of an immediate material order, except
those resulting from union action, which is used frequently m
strikes, thus obtaining more wage increases than any other industry.
The construction workers were the first to obtain the eight-hour
day and the highest wages. Frequently they hold educational meet­
ings, conferences, etc., which are attended by the members and
their families.
Headquarters.—1612 Galvez Street, Santiago.
Organization.—Territorial districts of Tacna, Arica, Iquique,
Pisagua, Antofagasta, Calama, Chuquicamata, Coquimbo, La Serena,
Taltal, Valparaiso, Liigua, Santiago, Rancagua, Curico, San Fer­
nando, Talca, Linares, Maule, Chilian, Concepcion, Talcahuano, Los
Angeles, Collipulli, Angol, Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno, Puerto Montt.
Membership.—Thirty-six thousand.
OTHER CONSTRUCTION UNIONS

The following construction unions also belong to the Federation
of Labor of Chile:
Labor Union of Stucco Plasterers of Santiago, with 2,361 members.
Labor Union of Carpenters and Cabinetmakers of Concepcion,
with 280 members.
Miguel Angel Union of Painters, of Santiago, with 215 members.
Beside the unions of construction workers above mentioned which
belong to the Federation of Labor of Chile, there are unions of con­
struction workers which have Catholic leanings or are Christian
Democrats. The principal ones are the following:
National Union of Carpenters, 657 Bandera Street, Santiago, with
400 members.
Workers’ Union of San Jose, Curico, with 960 members.
Workers’ Union of Constitucion, with 320 members.
Workers’ Association of Copiapo, with 312 members,




24

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

Caupolican Union Workers’ Society, Rengo, with 125 members.
National Union of Stucco Plasterers, 657 Bandera Street, Santiago? with 700 members.
Painters’ Trade-Union (affiliated with the Confederation of White
Trade-Unions), 657 Bandera Street, Santiago, with 165 members.
Electricians’ Union Federation (affiliated with the Federation of
Labor of Chile).
METALS AND MACHINERY

The majority of the labor unions in the metallurgical industry are
divisions of the Federation of Labor of Chile and are divided into
two groups—metal workers’ unions and metallurgical industrial
unions. These unions are in Chuquicamata, Antofagasta, Coquimbo,
Potrerillos, Valparaiso, Santiago, Rancagua, Concepcion, and
Valdivia.
In addition the following labor organizations are affiliated with
the Federation of Chile but are not divisions thereof:
Association of Mechanical Arts, Concepcion, with 240 members.
Union of Mechanical Arts of Santiago, with 575 members.
National Metallurgical Union (affiliated with the Federation of
White Trade-Unions), 657 Bandera Street, Santiago, with 600
members.
TRANSPORTATION

In the transportation industry there are various classes of labor
unions, as follows:
Confederation of Railroad Workers, composed of workers on the
State railroads, independent of the Federation of Labor of Chile.
Santiago Watt Federation of Machinists, Santiago.
Chilean Railroad Union, composed of workers on the State rail­
roads who are not in accord with the principles of the Confederation
of Railroad Workers.
Maritime unions subordinate to the I. W. W.
Maritime unions subordinate to the Federation of Labor of Chile.
Street Railway Council, subordinate to the Federation of Labor
of Chile.
Seamen’s Confederation.
Santa Rosa de Colmo Ship Stewards’ Federation.
Chauffeurs’ unions.
CONFEDERATION OF RAILROAD WORKERS

Organized in 1914; brings together all the workers on the State
railroad enterprises, there being more than 12,000 such workers. Its
policy and program are almost the same as those of the Federation
of Labor of Chile and it is affiliated with the Internationale of
Moscow. It is composed of all the State and private railroad labor
organizations which accept its constitution.
Objects.—The following are the principles which the confedera­
tion supports, being approved in the special congress o f San Ber­
nardo on February 21, 1925:
The Confederation of Railroad Workers of Chile has for its aim the absolute
suppression of the exploitation of man by abolishing the fundamental cause
which produces i t ; that is to say, private property.




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

25

In Its struggle its aim shall always be to obtain socialization of the means of
production and transportation in order to impose a social scheme of universal
obligation to work.
Founded on these principles, it endeavors to maintain and to improve the
economic, moral, technical, and social conditions of the railroad workers and
to instruct these workers so that they may assume the direct administration of
the industry, in accordance with the conviction that the instruments of labor
and their product ought to belong to the workers in order to benefit society.
That it may realize these principles, the railroad confederation will employ
the method of class war, adhering to the aspirations of the national and inter­
national proletariat set forth in their many declarations.
In order to realize the aspirations specified in this declaration of principles,
the confederation will employ all those means indicated in the present consti­
tution and the resolutions of the congresses or of a majority of the councils.

On the 14th of April, 1926, the railroad confederation held its latest
convention, at which the above-mentioned policy was not modified.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Trade jurisdiction.—Railroad workers, mechanics, founders, car­
penters, road workers, etc.
Government.—Executive council, which is elected at the annual
congress of the members. It is directed by a general secretary, and
has also a recording secretary and a treasurer. There is also, for
each of five zones, a zone council, and in each city a local union coun­
cil elected by the members who live in that city and who work on
some State or private railroad enterprise.
Qualifications for membership.—Must belong to one of the councils
of the confederation and be an employee or worker on the State or
some private railroad enterprise.
Agreements.—Collective labor contracts.
Benefits.—Strike and lockout benefits. It owns a large theater
where cultural gatherings and social entertainments are held. It has
a good library for the members.
Official organ.—El Obrero Ferroviario.
Headquarters.—542 Bascunan Guerrero Street, Santiago.
Organization.—The unions which belong to the railroad labor con­
federation are divided into five zones, located as follows: Coquimbo,
Valpariso, Santiago, Conception, and Valdivia. In addition there
are the unions of the workers on the railroad from Arica to La Paz,
which has its seat in Arica; the unions formed by the workers on
private railroads in Chile; and the Union of Railroad Workers of
Tarapaca, located at Iquique.
Affiliated unions.—Sixteen.
Membership.—Twenty-two thousand.
ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED W ITH CONFEDERATION OF RAILROAD WORKERS

Other organizations of railroad workers and employees which are
affiliated with the Confederation of Railroad Workers are the fol­
lowing :
Federation of Road and Building Workers.
Federation of Transportation Employees and Day Workers.
Federation of Contract Employees on the State Railroad, the
general district of which is Santiago. Headquarters, 3349 Delieias
Street, Santiago.




26

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

CHILEAN RAILROAD UNION

Organized in 1925; formed by various unions of workers on the
State railroads which do not belong to the Confederation of Rail­
road Workers because they believe the principles of the latter are
too advanced and do not accept its aims nor its methods of action.
Its organization is almost exactly like that of the Confederation of
Railroad Workers.
Headquarters.—560 Bandera Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Two thousand.
CHILEAN RAILROAD LABOR UNION

Organized in 1926; formed by workers on railroad enterprises
who belong to the Christian Democratic Party and who do not wish
to belong to the Confederation of Railroad Workers because of its
communistic tendencies nor to the Chilean Railroad Union because
of its lay character. It has affiliated unions in Valparaiso, Con­
cepcion, and Valdivia.
Objects.—To work for the material and moral betterment of its
affiliated members in the spirit of social service and Christian
Democratic principles.
Benefits.—Strike and lockout benefits; sickness benefits.
Headquarters.—567 Bandera Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One thousand five hundred.
SANTIAGO WATT FEDERATION OF MACHINISTS

Organized in 1887; unites all the machinists, firemen, and their
helpers connected with the Chilean State Railroads.
Objects.—To work for the material and moral betterment of its
affiliated members and to defend their interests before the State
railroad management, to help educate its affiliated members, and
to assist them in case of material necessity.
This organization has never declared a strike and has worked in
accord with the railroad management, its modest petitions having
always obtained results.
Trade jurisdiction.—Machinists, firemen, and helpers on all the
railroad enterprises.
Government.—An executive board composed of a president, a
vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer elected at the annual meet­
ing of the members.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be a machinist or a fire­
man on a railroad enterprise.
Benefits.—Strike and lockout benefits.
Official organ.—El Maquinista.
Headquarters.-—542 Bascunan Guerrero Street, Santiago.
Organization.—Divisions in Valparaiso, Concepcion, and Val­
divia.
Membership.—One thousand and seven.




LABOR ORGAHIJZATIONS IK C H ILE

27

FEDERATION OE CONTRACT EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE
RAILROADS

This organization belongs to the Confederation of Railroad
Workers. It is formed of those employees of the .railroads engaged
for a definite contract time.
Its program, object, and benefits are the same as those of the
Confederation of Kailroad Workers.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Headquarters.—3349 Delicias Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Eight hundred.
CENTRAL

COUNCIL

OE STREET-CAR WORKERS,
TEAMSTERS AND DRIVERS

CHAUFFEURS,

AND

The Central Council of Street-Car Workers, Chauffeurs, and Team­
sters and Drivers is a federation of all the unions and organizations
of workers on electric street cars, chauffeurs, and drivers of animal drawn vehicles. It was organized in 1925 and has communistic
tendencies.
Objects.—To work for the material and moral betterment of the
affiliated members and to defend their trade interests.
Benefits.—Strike and lockout benefits.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Trade jurisdiction.—Chauffeurs, street-railway workers, and team­
sters and drivers.
Government.—An executive board composed of delegates of the
various affiliated unions. This board elects a president, a secretary,
and a treasurer.
Agreements.—Negotiations, together with the local and national
unions, in the common defense of the interests of the organizations.
Headquarters.—Bulnes and Martinez de Rozas Streets, Santiago.
Organization.—Central Union of Workers on Commutation
Coaches and Fords; Association of Street-Railway Workers; Chilean
Union of Chauffeurs; Manuel Montt Chauffeurs’ Society; Union of
Teamsters and Drivers.
Membership.—Seven thousand five hundred.
ASSOCIATION OF TEAMSTERS AND DRIVERS

Affiliated with the Central Council of Street-Car Workers, Chauf­
feurs, and Teamsters and Drivers.
Headquarters.—150 Herrera Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Four thousand three hundred.
ASSOCIATION OF STREET R A ILW A Y WORKERS

Affiliated with the Central Council of Street-Car Workers, Chauf­
feurs, and Teamsters and Drivers.
Composed of machinists, conductors, mechanics, and workers in the
shops of the Electric Street Railway Co. of Santiago.
Object.—To defend their trade interests.




28

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CH ILE

Benefits.—The association carries on a broad educational work; it
has a theater where entertainments, conferences, etc., are frequently
held.
Headquarters.—Bulnes and Martinez de Rozas Streets, Santiago.
Membership.—One thousand one hundred.
CHILEAN FEDERATION OF CHAUFFEURS

Affiliated with the Central Council of Street-Car Workers, Chauf­
feurs, and Teamsters and Drivers.
Headquarters.—839 Bandera Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Four hundred and fifty.
MANUEL MONTT CHAUFFEURS’ SOCIETY

Affiliated with the Central Council of Street-Car Workers, Chauf­
feurs, and Teamsters and Drivers.
This organization* aside from its labor purposes, has a policy of
mutual aid.
Headquarters.—1643 Olivares Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One thousand five hundred.
SEAMEN’S CONFEDERATION

Organized in 1907. Unites machinery workers and deck hands
on the Chilean passenger and freight boats.
Objects.—To work for the material and moral betterment of its
associated members and to defend their union interests.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Trade jurisdiction.—Machinists, firemen, deck employees, loaders,
etc.
Government.—An executive board elected by the full meeting of its
members and composed of a president, a vice president, a secretary,
and a treasurer.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be one of the crew of a
passenger or merchant ship and pay dues of 10 pesos a month.
Benefits.—Strike and lockout benefits.
Official organ.—El Tripulante.
Headquarters.—V alparaiso.
Organization.—Great Maritime Union, Antofagasta; Fleet and
Life Saving Society, Antofagasta; Maritime Union Society, Talcahuano; Santa Roza de Colmo Fleet Society, Valparaiso.
Membership.—Three thousand.
MINES

The mine workers are grouped in three large organizations, all
subordinate to the Federation of Labor of Chile:
The saltpeter industrial unions, of which there are about 80, the
principal centers being in Pisagua, Iquique, Pampa Union, Antoiagasta, Mejillones, Taltal, Tocopilla, and Agua Santa. In addition
the workers in each of the saltpeter-refining plants have organized.
The number of workers reaches almost 30,000.
The coal industrial unions, which include a majority of the work­
ers in the coal mines and are subordinate unions of the Federation




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CH ILE

29

of Labor of Chile. The principal centers are in Lota, Coronel, and
Retiro. There are 15 unions altogether and they include 8,000
workers.
The mining unions, which include the workers in copper and iron
mines and are subordinate unions of the Federation of Labor of
Chile. The principal centers are Rancagua, Sewell, Caletones,
Teniente, and Chuquicamata. There are 12 unions and they include
20,000 workers.
PRINTING

Printing-office workers in Chile are grouped into three large
organizations: Federation of Printing Office Workers, Union of
Newspaper Workers, and Typographical Union Society.
FEDERATION OF PRINTING-OFFICE WORKERS

Organized in 1902; formed of various printing-office workers’
unions. It has semirevolutionary tendencies. It has held various con­
gresses; the latest, which was the third, met in the city of Temuco,
December 29, 1923, and approved the following declaration of
principles.
Objects.—Its objects are stated therein as follows :
The Federation of Printing Office Workers declares that the present miser­
able situation which exists among the workers is due to the existence of the
capitalistic system and that this situation will exist as long as the cause thereof
is maintained.
That in order to put an end to this state of things it is necessary for the
workers to unite in industrial unions, to study methods of production, trans­
portation, and exchange, and to prepare to organize on the basis that all
workers have a right to live; that the only means of checking the injury to
the working classes caused by the perfection of machinery is to decrease the
hours of work. That the federation shall work for the hygienic improvement
of the workshops and the abolition of contract work, equal wages for men and
women, and the abolition of Sunday work in newspaper offices; that as long as
people work for wages the profits of industry should be divided proportion­
ately between the capitalists and their workers; that the value of the wages
should be in relation to the cost of living; that therefore we should establish
fraternal relations with all the labor organizations of the world, etc.

Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Trade jurisdiction.—Printing-office workers.
Government.—A central council, which functions in Santiago one
year and in Valparaiso the next, elected by the congress of all the
local divisions held every two years. The central council is com­
posed of a general secretary, a recording secretary, a treasurer, four
members, and a representative from each territorial division. It is
the duty of the central council to keep records of the union move­
ment in the country. When a strike is to be called by a union which
belongs to any of the local federations the central council must give
its consent before the strike is declared and help the strike finan­
cially, requesting the support of all the local federations affiliated
with the central federation. It may decree a boycott against the
printing office or industrial establishment in which the strike has
been declared and may even order a general strike throughout the
Republic, if it considers that necessary.
The central council must call an annual meeting of all the printingoffice workers in the country.




30

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CH ILE

The local federations which compose the Federation of Printing
Office Workers are directed by an executive council, composed of a
general secretary, a recording secretary, and a treasurer, all elected
the second Sunday in April of each year.
Qualifications for membership.—Wage earners and salaried em­
ployees of both sexes who do any kind of manual or mental work in
printing offices, who have been previously accepted, and who pay the
dues fixed by the general assembly.
Agreements.—Negotiated by the local unions. The federation
draws up collective contracts of labor, being the first labor organiza­
tion in Chile to draw up collective contracts.
Benefits.—Strike and lockout benefits. Sickness benefits: Material
aid to its members, the amount to be determined by the circumstances
in each case.
It has organized social study centers for its members.
Organization.—Divisions at Santiago, Valparaiso, Concepcion,
Talca, Valdivia, and Antofagasta.
Official organ.—El Tipografo.
Headquarters.—1378 San Pablo Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Six thousand.
TYPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF VALPARAISO

Composed of printing-office workers of Valparaiso, who are also
affiliated with the Federation of Printing Office Workers, although
not a division thereof.
Membei'ship.—Two hundred.
CLOTHING
UNION OF NEEDLEWORKERS

Subordinate to the Federation of Labor of Chile.
Headquarters.—Santi ago.
Membership.—Two thousand.
FEDERATION OF TAILORS AND TAILORESSES

Affiliated with the Federation of Labor of Chile.
Headquarters.—224 San Diego Street, Santiago.
TEXTILES
UNION OF WEAVERS

Subordinate to the Federation of Labor of Chile.
Headquarters.—Santiago.
Membership.—One thousand.
FOOD, BEVERAGES, AND CIGARS
COUNCIL OR UNION OF FOOD WORKERS

Subordinate to the Federation of Labor; composed of workers in
canneries.
Headquarters.—1867 Delicias Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Eight hundred.




31

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CH ILE

CHILEAN BAKERY WORKERS’ LABOR UNION

Organized in December, 1924, soon after the promulgation of the
law prohibiting night work in bakeries. It is composed of various
bakery workers’ unions in Chile. This organization has openly com­
munistic leanings and is affiliated with the Third Internationale of
Moscow.
Objects.—To defend their trade interests before the bakery em­
ployers ; to work for the abolition of night work in bakeries and for
the enforcement of the law which prohibits such night work (Decreelaw No. 24 of October, 1924), and for the material and moral im­
provement of the members; to work for the suppression of the capi­
talistic system.
Territorial jurisdiction,—Chile.
Trade jurisdiction.—Workers in bakeries, pastry shops, and con­
fectionery stores.
Government.—A central council elected by the various representa­
tives of the unions and composed of an executive board formed of a
general secretary, a recording secretary, a treasurer, and five
members.
Benefits.—Strike and lockout benefits.
Headquarters.—136 Castro Street, Santiago.
O-fficidl organ.—El Obrero Panadero.
Organization.—Unions of Bakery Workers Nos. 1, 2, and 3, of
Santiago, and unions in the cities of Iquique, Antofagasta, Tacna,
Coquimbo, La Serena, Valparaiso, Los Andes, Rancagua, San Ber­
nardo, Curico, San Fernando, Talca, Linares, Chilian, Concepcion,
Valdivia, and Osorno.
Membership.—Three thousand four hundred.
LABOR UNION OF MILL WORKERS

Organized on the same basis and policy as the Bakery Workers’
Labor Union. Composed of three unions.
Headquarters—1421 Coquimbo Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Eight hundred.
GONEECTIONERY AND PASTRY SHOP WORKERS’ LABOR UNION

Organized like the Bakery Workers’ Labor Union.
two unions.
Headquarters.—1071 San Pablo Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Five hundred and thirty.

Composed of

GLASS
GLASS WORKERS’ UNION

Belongs to the Federation of Labor of Chile. Composed of
workers in glass factories, of which there are only four in Chile.
LEATHER

Workers in tanneries and shoe factories have organized about
seven unions, which have grouped themselves as follows:




32

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

LEATHER INDUSTRIAL UNION

Affiliated with the Federation of Labor of Chile.
Objects.—Has the same program as the Federation of Labor of
Chile—an open struggle against the capitalistic system.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Government.—A central council formed by the delegates of the
affiliated unions. The council elects its executive board.
Headquarters.—105T Nataniel Street, Santiago.
Organization.—Provincial unions in Valparaiso, Talca, Valdivia,
and throe in Santiago.
Membership.—Four thousand five hundred.
HARNESS MAKERS’ UNION

Affiliated with the Leather Industrial Union.
Composed of workers on ready-made leather articles, except shoes,
valises, saddles, etc.
Objects.—To work for the economic and moral improvement of
its members; to give aid in case of sickness.
Government.—An executive board composed of a president, a
secretary, a treasurer, and five directors.
Benefits.—Strike and lockout benefits; sickness benefits.
Headquarters.—1447 Pedro Montt Avenue, Santiago.
Membership.—Three hundred and fifty.
SOCIETY OE SHOEMAKERS, LAST MAKERS, AND TANNERS

Not affiliated with the Federation of Labor of Chile, but is the
most important part of the Leather Industrial Union.
Objects.—Improvement in the material, moral, and cultural con­
dition of its members; aid in case of sickness.
Government.—An executive board composed of a president, a vice
president, a secretary, a treasurer, and three directors, elected at
the annual meeting of the members.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be a worker in a shoe fac­
tory or tannery and pay annual dues, the amount of which is fixed
annually by the executive board.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medicines and medical care and pe­
cuniary aid. Death benefit: Funeral costs, and to the family a
sum proportioned to the number of members.
The society holds frequent educational entertainments and social
gatherings for its members and their families.
Headquarters.—1636 San Pablo Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One hundred and thirty.
TAPESTRY WORKERS’ CENTER

Formed by workers on leather and cloth tapestry.
Objects.—Mutual aid in case of sickness, and defense of their
trade interests.
Govermnent.—A president, a vice president, a secretary, a treas­
urer, and three directors, elected by the general meeting of the
members.




I.ABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN' CH ILE

33

Benefits.—Aid in case of sickness and defense of the interests of its
members.
Headquarters.—1071 San Pablo Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One hundred and twenty.
LUMBER
SHIP AND LUMBER UNION

Subordinate to the Federation of Labor of Chile.
Composed of workers in sawmills and wood-products factories,
furniture factories, etc. The program, aims, and methods of action
are the same as the Federation of Labor of Chile.
Headquarters.—3038 Antofagasta Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Seven hundred and sixty.
PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS

Public service workers have in some instances formed, as already
noted, special organizations; for example, railroad workers in the
Confederation of Railroad Workers. Other unions of public service
employees are the following:
MUNICIPAL WORKERS’ BRANCH OF THE FEDERATION OF LABOR
OF CHILE

Headquarters.—Martinez de Rozas and Bulnes Streets, Santiago.
Membership.—Eight hundred.
UNION OF SANITARY POLICE OF SANTIAGO

Organized by workers who do not belong to the Federation of
Labor of Chile.
Headquarters.—Municipality of Santiago.
Membership.—Four hundred.
SALARIED EMPLOYEES

The union movement among salaried employees in Chile, which
began a few years ago, is of interest. By law No. 720 of October
17, 1925, labor contracts of private employees were regulated, estab­
lishing the eight-hour day, profit sharing, annual vacation of two
weeks, a minimum age of 14 for employment in commercial estab­
lishments, a retirement fund, and recognition of the right of asso­
ciation. On the passage of the law the salaried employees incorpo­
rated the large labor union called the “ Chilean Salaried Employees’
Union.”
CHILEAN SALARIED EMPLOYEES* UNION

The salaried employees throughout the Republic, at a meeting held
November 1,1924, agreed to hold a general convention in Valparaiso
to discuss the federation of all salaried employees’ organizations.
This first salaried employees’ congress took place the 7th of Decem­
ber, 1924, and it was then officially agreed to organize the Chilean
Salaried Employees’ Union.




34

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IK C H ILE

Among the social agencies which the salaried employees’ union has
developed are: Employees5 Credit Fund, started in Valparaiso with
a capital of 500,000 pesos; the Chilean Consumers’ Cooperative,
organized in Valparaiso with a capital of 100,000 pesos; and a build­
ing cooperative called the “ Mutual Home Building Association of
the Chilean Salaried Employees’ Union.”
This union has not limited its field of action to the social and
economic improvement of salaried employees, but has initiated a
program of political action.
It has held two large congresses, one in September, 1925, and the
other in March, 1926, in both of which it has reaffirmed the principles
originally adopted and which have guided its social action.
The Chilean Salaried Employees’ Union is officially recognized by
the Government, having been incorporated October 17, 1925, by a
Federal decree.
Objects.—The principles of the union are as follows:
Labor is the basis of capital; the emancipation of employees ought to be the
work of the employees themselves; physical and mental work ought not to be a
simple commodity; exploiting men by men is a crime; there ought to be a living
wage, an eight-hour day, equality of wages of men and women, and nationaliza­
tion of industries.

A large part of the aspirations of these employees have been real­
ized in the labor contract law for private employees (Law No. 720
of October 17, 1925), heretofore noted. The employees are working
toward the full realization of their aspirations and on many occasions
they have openly attacked the Government; they have united with
the manual workers, the teachers, and the intellectuals in order to
change entirely the capitalistic system. Of late, however, they have
moderated their attitude.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Trade juHsdiction.—Public and private employees; employees in
offices, industrial establishments, commercial houses, banks, and jour­
nalistic enterprise; police, city, customhouse, and postal employees;
employees in telegraph and cable offices, on board ships, in mines, and
in saltpeter works; as well as judicial, agricultural, naval, ecclesias­
tical, educational, and maritime employees, etc.
Government.—General council, formed by the delegates of the divi­
sions of the Chilean Salaried Employees’ Union which are located
throughout the Republic. The general administrative council thus
elected is composed of nine councilors who serve for one year and
who elect among themselves their executive board, composed of the
following: A legal representative, a general secretary, a recording
secretary, a treasurer, and five councilors. In addition, there is an
executive council appointed by the general council which is composed
of seven members.
In each community of the Republic, a local administrative council,
formed by the representatives of the employees of each industrial,
commercial, etc., enterprise.
In each department of the Republic a departmental council, which
has the following executive board: A general secretary, a recording
secretary, a corresponding secretary, and three members.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be a salaried employee and
be approved by the executive body.




LABOH ORGANIZATIONS IN CH ILE

35

Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medical attention. Strike and lock­
out benefits.
Mutual aid; money loans; educational protection; utilization of
institutions of improvement; consumers’ cooperatives; library.
Official organ.—El Empleado.
Headquarters.—542 Bandera Street, Santiago.
Organization.—Besides the general administrative council, which
functions in Santiago, there are the following local councils in va­
rious places in the Republic: Antofagasta, Iquique, Coquimbo, Val­
paraiso, San Fernando, Talca, Chilian, Linares, Concepcion, Valdivia,
Osorno, Temuco, Caletones, Coya, Sewell, Rancagua, Puente Alto,
Melipilla, San Antonio’
Membership.—Seven thousand.
SOCIETY OF COMMERCIAL EMPLOYEES

Organized in 1887.
Objects.—Mutual aid and social welfare. It has promoted during
its existence a splendid program of social measures.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medical care, medicines, etc.; invalid­
ity pensions to members not able to work. Death benefits: Funeral
expenses and death benefit to family of deceased member. Life in­
surance ; purchase of property.
By December 31, 1924, the society had accumulated 523,885 pesos
and had paid out more than 12,000,000 pesos in pensions. It pos­
sesses real estate worth more than a million pesos.
Government.—A president, a vice president, a secretary, a treas­
urer, and five directors, elected at the annual meeting of the members.
Headquarters.—56 Estado Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Two thousand.
BANK EMPLOYEES’ UNION

Composed of the personnel in various banks in Chile.
Object.—Social welfare.
Government.—A president, a vice president, a secretary, a treas­
urer, and five directors.
Headquarters.—574 San Antonio Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Seven hundred.
CHILEAN COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS’ ASSOCIATION

Objects.—Aid in case of sickness, protection of their trade inter­
ests, and improvement of the material and moral conditions of the
members.
Headquarters.—1128 Catedral Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One thousand two hundred.
FEDERATION OF HOTEL AND SIMILAR EMPLOYEES

Organized in 1924; composed of employees of hotels, restau­
rants, and canteens.
Objects.—To establish better working conditions; to strive for the
adoption of the eight-hour day, for increases in wages, and for the




36

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

enforcement of the labor law for private employees; to improve the
conditions of its members, morally and intellectually; and to give
mutual aid in case of sickness.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Trade jurisdiction.—Hotels, restaurants, canteens, and similar
branches.
Government.—A central executive board composed of a president,
a vice president, a recording secretary, a corresponding secretary,
and five directors, elected by the assembly of the Santiago division
and the delegates of the regional divisions. The term of office is
one year.
The local federations elect a local executive board composed of a
president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and three
directors.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be an employee in a hotel,
restaurant, or canteen, have good references as to conduct, and be
accepted by the executive board.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits; strike and lockout benefits.
Organization.—Divisions in Concepcion, Valparaiso, Antofagasta,
Talca, Chilian, Temuco, and Valdivia.
Headquarters.—134-2 Santo Domingo Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One thousand one hundred.
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL EMPLOYEES’ TRADE-UNION OE
SANTIAGO

Affiliated with the Confederation of White Trade-Unions.
Organized in 1925; this organization is Catholic.
Object.—Defense of their trade interests.
Government.—Executive board composed of a president, a vice
president, a secretary, a treasurer, and five directors, elected at the
annual assembly of the members.
Qualifications for membership.—Must be an industrial or commer­
cial employee, accept the program of the union, have a high moral
standard, and be accepted by the membership committee of the union.
Benefits.—Mutual aid, Better wages, instructive entertainments,
and employment through the labor exchange conducted by the Con­
federation of White Trade-Unions.
Headquarters.—657 Bandera Street, Santiago.
Membership.—One hundred and ninety-eight.
UNION OF DOMESTIC WORKERS OP ROTH SEXES

Affiliated with the Confederation of White Trade-Unions
Organized in 1925, and has an organization identical with that of
the Confederation of White Trade-Unions.
Headquarters.—657 Bandera Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Two hundred and seventy-eight.
UNION OP WATERWORKS OPERATORS AND EMPLOYEES

Affiliated with the Confederation of White Trade-Unions.
Organized in 1925; organization and program identical with that
of the Confederation of White Trade-Unions.
Headquarters.—V alparaiso.
Membership.—Three hundred and fifty.




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

37

ASSOCIATION OE EMPLOYEES OF THE CHILEAN ELECTRIC
CO. (LTD.)

Objects.—Defense of trade interests; mutual aid.
Government.—A president, a vice president, a secretary, a treas­
urer, and four directors.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medical assistance and medicines, and
benefit equal to half the salary; in case of total invalidity, a retire­
ment annuity.
Headquarters.—670 San Antonio Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Six hundred.
AUTONOMOUS UNION OE DOMESTIC WORKERS

Organized in 1926; composed of domestic servants of both sexes.
Object.—To defend their trade interests and for mutual aid.
The union favors the passage of a special law regulating the work­
ing conditions of domestic workers.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Santiago.
Government.—An executive board composed of a president, a vice
president, a secretary, a treasurer, and five directors, elected at the
first meeting in each year.
Benefits.—Mutual aid.
Headquarters.—Santiago.
Membership.—Two hundred and ten.
UNION HAIRDRESSERS’ SOCIETY

Organized in 1925.
Objects.—Defense of their trade interests; low-priced, sanitary
houses; creation of cooperative societies; establishment of a socialwelfare fund; life insurance; development of physical culture among
their members, etc.
Territorial jurisdiction.^Santiago.
Government.—A president, a vice president, a secretary, a treas­
urer, and three directors. Committees on sanitation, entertainments,
and legislation.
Headquarters.—1678 Tarapaca Street, Santiago.
Membership.—Three hundred and fifty.
CONFEDERATION OF W HITE TRADE-UNIONS

Catholic workers of Chile, not wanting to enter other labor or­
ganizations because of the revolutionary spirit of some or the
diversity of doctrines of others, have organized a number of unions
inspired by the Christian Democratic doctrine. These unions, which
have been previously enumerated, organized the Confederation of
White Trade-Unions at a general convention of Catholic unions held
June 30, 1925.
Objects.—The establishment of bonds of solidarity between the
Catholic unions of the country for mutual protection in the develop­
ment of their work and aid in case of conflict; to carry out the aims
of the various unions by the organization of labor exchanges, legal
and medical advisers, unemployment funds, professional study




38

Labor

o r g a n iz a t io n s

in

c h il e

courses, libraries, etc.; to organize union propaganda throughout the
country; to secure the passage of adequate social legislation to protect
the rights of the workers and to obtain a progressive betterment of
city, rural, and mine workers; to create a common or central fund to
carry on work of a general character and propaganda, and in special
cases to aid the funds of the affiliated organizations.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Trade jurisdiction.—All industries.
Government.—An executive council, directed by a general secretary
and composed also of a recording secretary, a treasurer, and a mem­
ber for each affiliated union.
In each of the 24 Provinces in Chile a provincial federation formed
by all the white unions of the respective Province.
Each union is directed by a general secretary, a recording secre­
tary, a treasurer, and a body of directors.
Qualifications for membership.—To become a member of a union
belonging to the confederation one must be an individual having good
habits, must be moral and sober, and must agree to accept the de­
cisions of the union and to comply with its orders.
Agreements.—The members are free to make contracts, but labor
contracts must be collective. They must not draw up agreements
with labor federations having different leanings.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits: Medicines and medical care.
The white trade-unions own a large theater where educational
entertainments and conferences are frequently given. The confed­
eration has organized a law office for the use of the unions in labor
matters as well as in their private affairs. It has a central con­
sulting office; a labor exchange for affiliated workers, and another for
workers belonging to the women’s unions, and owns a good library,
which is at the service of the members.
Headquarters.—657 Bandera Street, Santiago..
Organization.—The confederation has under its supervision 24 pro­
vincial federations. Each provincial federation has various unions
under its orders.
The provincial federation of Santiago is composed of the following
unions: Federation of Electrical Unions; National Carpenters’
Union; Stucco Plasterers’ White Union; National Flower-Makers'
Union; White Union of Industrial and Commercial Employees;
White Union of Tailoresses; White Union of Masons. Of the pro­
vincial unions the following deserve mention: Father of the Houses
of Temuco White Union; White Union of Temuco; Loncoyano White
Union of Carahue of Cantin; White Union of Various Trades of
Melipilla; White Unions of Various Trades of Quillota; White
Unions of Various Crafts of San Javier.
Membership.—Seven thousand.
ANARCHISTIC UNIONS
INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD (I. V7. W .)

Besides the Federation of Labor of Chile, a labor association
having ideologic communistic tendencies, there is a labor association
with a program of revolutionary organization and action—the In­
dustrial Workers of the World, or I. W. W., having a similar pro­




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

39

gram to that of the I. W. W. in North America. This organization
in Chile has spread principally among the maritime workers. There
are seven organizations, which have a total of 9,000 members. There
are groups of the I. W. W. in the cities of Iquique, Antofagasta,
Talcahuano, Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, Santiago, and Corral.
Many workers’ organizations have affiliated with the I. W. W.,
among them the following: Union of Bargemen in all the ports,
Union of Day Laborers, Pilots’ Union, part of the crews of steam­
ships, Bakers’ Union, Union of Masons and Stucco Plasterers, Union
of Navy-Yard Workers, Federation of Shoemakers, Union of Work­
ers of 6oth Sexes, part of the stevedores and maritime day laborers,
etc., of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.
The I. W. W. held its first convention at Santiago, on Decem­
ber 24, 1919, at which it was expressly declared that the I. W. W. is
a revolutionary organization which aims at the elimination of the
salaried worker by means of the union of all the organized workers,
which must take possession of the means of production and organize
future society.
Object.—Open warfare against capital, the Government, and the
clergy. Its constitution says: “ We must declare continuously that
the enemies of the industrial workers of the world are capital, Gov­
ernment, and the clergy. Our propaganda is directed principally
against them, in the street, in the workshop, and in our own families.”
It advocates sabotage, the general strike, the individual strike, and
the label.
Territorial jurisdiction.—Chile.
Trade jurisdiction.—All industries.
Government.— (1) A general administrative council formed by
two delegates from each provincial or departmental council. From
these representatives is elected a secretary-general, a recording sec­
retary, a corresponding secretary, a treasurer, two accountants, and a
librarian.
(2) A division, with the name of the local union, in each city
where more than 100 workers desire it, directed by a general secre­
tary and an administrative council.
(3) Departmental unions composed of all the local unions of each
department.
All the administrative councils hold office for one year.
Qualifications for membership.—Must accept the declaration of
principles of the I. W. W., pay an initiation fee of 1 peso and monthly
dues of 1 peso.
Benefits.—Sickness benefits; unemployment benefits; strike and
lockout benefits.
Official organ.—La I. W. W.
Organization.—Departments of agriculture; mines; marine trans­
portation, land transportation, and communication; manufacturing
and general production; construction; and public services.
Membership— Seven thousand.
UNIONS OF PROFESSIONAL WORKERS

It is interesting to note the movement in Chile as to association of
professional workers who have organized in groups which may be




40

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

divided into two classes—those whose aims are purely scientific and
those whose aims are to defend the professional interests of the union.
CHILEAN MEDICAL UNION

On the passage of the sickness insurance law of September 8, 1924,
the Chilean Medical Union was organized.
Object.—To defend the professional interests of its members.
Organization.—Divisions in various cities throughout the Repub­
lic, the principal ones being at Santiago, Antofagasta, Iquique,
Talca, San Fernando, Curico, Chilian, Temuco, Concepcion, and
Valdivia.
Government.—An executive board composed of a president, a vice
president, a secretary, a treasurer, and five directors, elected by an
assembly.
Headquarters.—V alparaiso.
Membership.—Three thousand.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

The Medical Union of Santiago and the Midwives’ Union should
also be cited as unions of professional workers.
Among the professional associations with purely educational aims
the Medical Society of Santiago, the Architects’ Union of Chile, and
the Engineers’ Union of Chile should be mentioned.
The teachers have associated in two organizations with diverse
tendencies: The National Society of Teachers, with aims of intellec­
tual improvement only, and the Association of Chilean Teachers,
which unites a majority of the primary teachers in the Republic and
has advanced tendencies.
ASSOCIATION OF CHILEAN TEACHERS

Objects.—The constitution approved at the convention at Val­
paraiso in 1923 states:
The purpose of the organization is to advance the individual and collective
prosperity of its members, endeavoring always to maintain dignity and human
right. To succeed in this aim it shall work to obtain the satisfaction of all
the needs and aspirations of its associates or of the masses by means of
evolution and reform.

The Association of Chilean Teachers ignores all questions of a
religious and political character.
Headquarters.—Santiago.
Membership.—Three thousand.
EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS
ASSOCIATION OF LABOR

The most important of the employers’ organizations in Chile is
the Association of Labor organized in 1921 and incorporated by
decree of December 20, 1921. It is composed of the large proprie­
tors of industry, of agriculture, and of commercial enterprises in the
country.




LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN C H ILE

41

Objects.—The solidarity and coordination of the action of its
associates in all questions relating to labor and which affect the
natural and legitimate development of industry, of agriculture, and
of commerce, for which purpose it shall work for the realization of
every movement tending to promote the general welfare and the
harmony of the legitimate interests of capital and of labor.
Government.—An executive board, under the orders of a president
and a secretary general.
Headquarters.—Catedral and St. Martin Streets, Santiago.
Membership.—Eight hundred.







LIST OF BULLETINS OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
The following is a list of all bulletins of the Bureau of Labor Statistics published since
July, 1912, except that in the case of bulletins giving the results of periodic surveys of the
bureau only the latest bulletin on any one subject is here listed.
A complete list of the reports and bulletins issued prior to July, 1912, as well as the bulletins
published since that date, wUl be furnished on application. Bulletins marked thus (*) are
out of print.
Conciliation and Arbitration (including strikes and lockouts).
•No. 124. Conciliation and arbitration in the building trades of Greater New York.
[1913.]
•No. 133. Report of the industrial council of the British Board of Trade on its inquiry
into industrial agreements. [1913.]
No. 139. Michigan copper district strike. [1914.]
No. 144. Industrial court of the cloak, suit, and skirt industry of New York City.
[1914.]
No. 145. Conciliation, arbitration, and sanitation in the dress and waist industry of
New York City. [1914.]
No. 191. Collective bargaining in the anthracite coal industry. [1916.]
•No. 198. Collective agreements in the men’s clothing industry. [1916.]
No. 233. Operation of the industrial disputes investigation act of Canada. [1918.]
No. 255. Joint industrial councils in Great Britain. [1919.]
No. 283. History of the Shipbuilding Labor Adjustment Board, 1917 to 1919.
No. 287. National War Labor Board : History of its formation, activities, etc. [1921.]
No. 303. Use of Federal power in settlement of railway labor disputes. [1922.]
No. 341. Trade agreement in the silk-ribbon industry of New York City. [1923.]
No. 402. Collective bargaining by actors. [1926.]
No. 448. Trade agreements, 1926.
Cooperation.
No. 313. Consumers* cooperative societies in the United States in 1920.
No. 314. Cooperative credit societies in America and in foreign countries. [1922.]
No. 437. Cooperative movement in the United States in 1925 (other than agricultural).
Employment and Unemployment.
•No. 109. Statistics of unemployment and the work of employment offices in the
United States. [1913.]
No. 172. Unemployment in New York City, N. Y. [1915.]
•No. 183. Regularity of employment in the women’s ready-to-wear garment industries.
[1915.]
•No. 195. Unemployment in the United States. [1916.]
No. 196. Proceedings of the Employment Managers’ Conference held at Minneapolis,
Minn., January 19 and 20, 1916.
•No. 202. Proceedings of the conference of Employment Managers* Association of
Boston, Mass., held May 10, 1916.
No. 206. The British system of labor exchanges. [1916.]
•No. 227. Proceedings of the Employment Managers’ Conference, Philadelphia, Pa.,
April 2 and 3, 1917.
No. 235. Employment system of the Lake Carriers’ Association. [1918.]
•No. 241. Public employment offices in the United States. [1918.]
No. 247. Proceedings of Employment Managers* Conference, Rochester, N. Y„ May
9 -11, 1918.
No. 310. Industrial unemployment: A statistical study of its extent and causes.
[1922.]
No. 409. Unemployment in Columbus, Ohio, 1921 to 1925.
Foreign Labor Laws.
•No. 142. Administration of labor laws and factory inspection in certain European
countries. [1914.]




(I)

Housing.
♦No. 158. Government aid to home owning and housing of working people in foreign
countries. [1914.]
No. 263. Housing by employees in the United States. [1920.]
No. 295. Building operations in representative cities in 1920.
No. 368. Building permits in the principal cities of the United States in [1921 to]
1923.
No. 424. Building permits in the principal cities of the United States in [1924 and]
1925.
No. 449. Building permits in the principal cities of the United States in [1925 and]
1926.
Industrial Accidents and Hygiene.
•No. 104. Lead poisoning in potteries, tile works, and porcelain enameled sanitary ware
factories. [1912.]
No. 120. Hygiene of the painter’s trade. [1913.]
♦No. 127. Dangers to workers from dusts and fumes, and methods of protection.
[1913.]
♦No. 141. Lead poisoning in the smelting and refining of lead. [1914.]
♦No. 157. Industrial accident statistics. [1915.]
♦No. 165. Lead poisoning in the manufacture of storage batteries. [1914.]
♦No. 179. Industrial poisons used in the rubber industry. [1915.]
No. 188. Report of British departmental committee on the danger in the use of lead
in the painting of buildings. [1916.]
♦No. 201. Report of committee on statistics and compensation insurance cost of the
International Association o f Industrial Accident Boards and Commis­
sions. [1916.]
♦No. 207. Causes of death by occupation. [1917.]
♦No. 209. Hygiene of the printing trades. [1917.]
♦No. 219. Industrial poisons used or produced in the manufacture of explosives.
[1917.]
No. 221. Hours, fatigue, and health in British munition factories. [1917.]
No. 230. Industrial efficiency and fatigue in British munition factories. [1917.]
♦No. 231. Mortality from respiratory diseases in dusty trades (inorganic dusts).
[1918.]
♦No. 234. Safety movement in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1917.
No. 236. Effects of the air hammer on the hands of stonecutters. [1918.]
No. 249. Industrial health and efilciency. Final report of British Health of Munition
Workers’ Committee. [1919.]
♦No. 251. Preventable death in the cotton-manufacturing industry. [1919.]
No. 256. Accidents and accident prevention in machine building. [1919.]
No. 267. Anthrax as an occupational disease. [1920.]
No. 276. Standardization of industrial accident statistics. [1920.]
No. 280. Industrial poisoning in making coal-tar dyes and dye intermediates. [1921.]
No. 291. Carbon-monoxide poisoning. [1921.]
No. 293. The problem of dust phthisis in the granite-stone industry. [1922.]
No. 298. Causes and prevention of accidents in the iron and steel industry, 1910-1919.
No. 306. Occupational hazards and diagnostic signs: A guide to impairments to be
lookod for in hazardous occupations. [1922.]
No. 339. Statistics of industrial accidents in the United States. [1923.]
No. 392. Survey of hygienic conditions in the printing trades. [1925.]
No. 405. Phosphorus necrosis In the manufacture of fireworks and in the preparation
of phosphorus. [1926.]
No. 425. Record of industrial accidents in the United States to 1925.
No. 426. Deaths from lead poisoning. [1927.]
No. 427. Health survey of the printing trades, 1922 to 1925.
No. 428. Proceedings of the Industrial Accident Prevention Conference, held at
Washington, D. C., July 14-16. 1926.
No. 460. A new test for industrial lead poisoninsr. The presence of basophilic red
cells in lead poisoning and lead absorption.
Industrial Relations and Labor Conditions.
No. 237. Industrial unrest in Great Britain. [1917.]
No. 340. Chinese migrations, with special reference to labor conditions. [1923.]
No. 349. Industrial relations in the West Coast lumber industry. [ 1923..
No. 361. Labor relations in the Fairmont (W. Va.) bituminous-coal field. [1924.]
No. 380. Postwar labor conditions In Germany. [1925.]




(n >

Industrial Relations and Labor Conditions— Continued.
No. 383. Works council movement in Germany. [1925.]
No. 384. Labor conditions in the shoe industry in Massachusetts, 1920-1924.
No. 399. Labor relations in the lace and lace-curtain industries in the United States.
[1925.]
Labor Laws of the United States (including decisions of courts relating to labor).
No. 211. Labor laws and their administration in the Pacific States. [1917.]
No. 229. Wage-payment legislation in the United States. [1917.]
No. 285. Minimum-wage laws of the United States: Const ruction and operation.
[1921.]
No. 321. Labor laws that have been declared unconstitutional. [1922.]
No. 322. Kansas Court of Industrial Relations. [1923.]
No. 343. Laws providing for bureaus of la1
* >r statistics, etc. r192H. ]
No. 370. Labor laws of the United States, with decisions of courts relating thereto
[1925.]
No. 408. Laws relating to payment of wages. [1926.1
No. 434. Labor legislation of 1926.
No. 444. Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1926.
Proceedings of Annual Conventions of the Association of Governmental Labor Officials of the
United States and Canada.
♦No. 266. Seventh, Seattle, Wash., July 12-15, 1920.
No. 307. Eighth, New Orleans, La., May 2-6, 1921.
No. 323. Ninth, Harrisburg, Pa., May 22-26, 1922.
No. 352. Tenth, Richmond, Va., May 1-4, 1923.
♦No. 389. Eleventh, Chicago, 111., May 19-23, 1924.
♦No. 411, Twelfth, Salt Lake City, Utah, August 13-15, 1925.
No. 429, Thirteenth, Columbus, Ohio, June 7-10, 1926.
No. 455. Fourteenth, Paterson, N. J., May 31 to June 3, 1927.
Proceedings of Annua! Meetings of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards
and Commissions.
No. 210. Third, Columbus, Ohio, April 25-28, 1916.
No. 248. Fourth, Boston, Mass., August 21-25, 1917.
No. 264. Fifth, Madison, Wis., September 24-27, 1918.
♦No. 273. Sixth, Toronto, Canada, September 23-26, 1919.
No. 281. Seventh, San Francisco, Calif., September 20-24, 1920.
No. 304. Eighth, Chicago, III., September 19-23, 1921.
No. 333. Ninth, Baltimore, Md., October 9-13, 1922.
No. 359. Tenth, St. Paul, Minn., September 24-26, 1923.
No. 385. Eleventh, Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 26-28, 1924.
No. 395. Index to proceedings, 1914-1924.
No. 406. Twelfth, Salt Lake City, Utah, August 17-20, 1925.
No. 432. Thirteenth, Hartford, Conn., September 14-17, 1926.
No. 456. Fourteenth, Atlanta, Ga., September 27-29, 1927.
Proceedings of Annual Meetings of International Association of Public Employment Services.
No. 192. First, Chicago, December 19 and 20, 1913; Second, Indianapolis, September
24 and 25, 1914 ; Third, Detroit, July 1 and 2, 1915.
No. 220. Fourth, Buffalo, N. Y., July 20 and 21, 1916.
No. 311. Ninth, Buffalo, N. Y., September 7-9, 1921.
No. 337. Tenth, Washington, D. C., September 11-13, 1922.
No. 355. Eleventh, Toronto, Canada, September 4 -7 , 1923.
No. 400. Twelfth, Chicago, IU., May 19-23, 1924.
No. 414. Thirteenth, Rochester, N. Y., September 15-17, 1925.
Productivity of Labor.
No. 356. Productivity costs in the common-brick industry. [1924.]
No. 360. Time and labor costs in manufacturing 100 pairs of shoes, 1923.
No. 407. Labor cost of production and wages and hours of labor in the paper boxboard industry. [1925.1
No. 412. Wages, hours, and productivity in the pottery industry, 1925.
No. 441. Productivity of labor in the glass industry. [1927.]
Retail Prices
♦No. 121.
♦No. 130.
No. 164.

and Cost of Living.
Sugar prices, from refiner to consumer. [1913.]
Wheat and flour prices, from farmer to consumer. 11913.]
Butter prices, from producer to consumer. [1914.J




(in)

Retail Prices of Cost of Living— Continued.
No. 170. Foreign food prices as affected by the War. [1915.3
No. 357. Cost of living in the United States. [1924.]
No. 369. The use of cost-of-living figures in wage adjustments. [1925.]
No. 445. Retail prices, 1890 to 1926.
Safety Codes.
No. 331. Code of lighting: Factories, mills, and other work places.
No. 336. Safety code for the protection of industrial workers in foundries.
No. 350. Specifications of laboratory tests for approval of electric lieadlighting devices
for motor vehicles.
No. 351. Safety code for the construction, care, and use of ladders.
No. 364. Safety code for mechanical-power transmission apparatus.
No. 375. Safety code for laundry machinery and operation.
No. 378. Safety code for woodworking plants.
No. 382. Code of lighting school buildings.
No. 410. Safety code for paper and pulp mills.
No. 430. Safety code for power presses and foot and hand presses.
No. 433. Safety codes for the prevention of dust explosions.
No. 436. Safety code for the use, care, and protection of abrasive wheels.
No. 447. Safety code for rubber mills and calenders.
No. 451. Safety code for forging and hot-metal stamping.
Vocational and Workers* Education.
♦No. 159. Short-unit courses for wage earners, and a factory school experiment.
[1915.]
♦No. 162. Vocational education survey of Richmond, Va. [1915.]
No. 199. Vocational education survey of Minneapolis, Minn. [1916.]
No. 271. Adult working-class education in Great Britain and the United States.
[1920.]
No. 459. Apprenticeship in building construction.
Wages and Hours of Labor.
♦No. 146. Wages and regularity of employment and standardization of piece rates in
the dress and waist industry of New York City. [1914.]
♦No. 147. Wages and regularity of employment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry
[1914.]
No. 161. Wages and hours of labor in the clothing and cigar industries, 1911 to 1918.
No. 163. Wages and hours of labor in the building and repairing of steam railroad
cars, 1907 to 1913.
^No. 190. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1907
to 1914.
No. 204. Street-railway employment in tlie United States. [1917.]
No. 225. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture industries,
1915.
♦No. 265. Industrial survey in selected industries in the United States, 1919.
No. 297. Wages and hours of labor in the petroleum industry, 1920.
No. 356. Productivity costs in the common-brick industry. [1921.]
No. 358. Wages and hours of labor in the automobile-tire industry, 1923.
No. 360. Time and labor costs in manufacturing 100 pairs of shoes, 1923.
No. 365. Wages and hours of labor in the paper and pulp industry, 1923.
No. 394. Wages and hours of labor in metalliferous mines, 1924.
No. 407. Labor costs of production and wages and hours of labor in the paper boxboard industry. [1925.]
No. 412. Wages, hours, and productivity in the pottery industry, 1925.
No. 413. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber industry In the United States, 1925.
No. 416. Hours and earnings in anthracite and bituminous coal mining, 1923 and
1924.
No. 421. Wages and hours of labor in the slaughtering and meat-packing industry,
1925.
No. 422. Wages and hours of labor in foundries and machine shops, 1925.
No. 435. Wages and hours of labor in the men’s clothing industry, 1911 to 1926.
No. 438. Wages and hours of labor in the motor-vehicle industry, 1925.
No. 442. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1925.
No. 443. Wages and hours of labor in woolen and worsted goods manufacturing, 1910
to 1926.
No. 446. Wages and hours of labor in cotton-goods manufacturing, 1910 to 1926.
No. 450. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1926.




CIV)

Wages and Hours of Labor— Continued.
No. 452. Wages and hours of labor in the hosiery and underwear industries, 1907
to 1926.
No. 454. Hours and earnings in bituminous-coal mining, 1922, 1924, and 1926.
No. 457. Union scales of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1927.
Welfare
♦No.
No.
♦No.

Work.
123. Employers’ welfare work. [1913.]
222. Welfare work in British munitions factories. [1917.]
250. Welfare work for employees in industrial establishments in the United
States. [1919.]
No. 458. Health and recreation activities in industrial establishments, 1926.
Wholesa'e Prices.
No. 284. Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States and foreign coun­
tries. [1921.]
No. 440. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1926.
No. 453. Revised index numbers of wholesale prices, 1923 to July, 1927.
Women and Children in Industry.
No. 116. Hours, earnings, and duration of employment of wage-earning women in
selected industries in the District of Columbia. [1913.]
♦No. 117. Prohibition of night work of young persons. [1913.]
No. 118. Ten-hour maximum working-day for women and young persons. [1913.]
No. 119. Working hours of women in the pea canneries of Wisconsin. [1913.]
♦No. 122. Employment of women in power laundries in Milwaukee. [1913.]
No. 160. Hours, earnings, and conditions of labor of women in Indiana mercantile
establishments and garment factories. [1914.]
♦No. 167. Minimum-wage legislation in the United States and foreign countries.
[1915.]
♦No. 175. Summary of the report on conditions of woman and child wage earners in
the United States. [1915.]
♦No. 176. Effect of minimum-wage determinations in Oregon. [1915.]
♦No. 180. The boot and shoe industry in Massachusetts as a vocation for women.
[1915.]
♦No. 182. Unemployment among women in department and other retail stores of
Boston, Mass. [1916.]
No. 1^3. Dressmaking as a trade for women in Massachusetts. [1916.]
No. 215. Industrial experience of trade-school girls in Massachusetts. [1917.]
♦No. 217. Effect of workmen’s compensation laws in diminishing the necessity of
industrial employment of women and children. [1918.]
No. 223. Employment of women and juveniles in Great Britain during the war.
[1917.]
No. 253. Women in the lead industries. [1919.]
Workmen’s Insurance and Compensation (including laws relating thereto).
No. 101. Care of tuberculous wage earners in Germany. [1912,]
♦No. 102. British national insurance act, 1911.
No. 103. Sickness and accident insurance law of Switzerland. [1912.]
No. 107. Law relating to insurance of salaried employees in Germany. [1913.]
♦No. 155. Compensation for accidents to employees of the United States. [1914.]
No. 212. Proceedings of the conference on social insurance called by the Interna­
tional Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, Wash­
ington, D. C., December 5 -9 , 1916.
No. 243. Workmen’s compensation legislation in the United States and foreign coun­
tries, 1917 and 1918.
No. 301. Comparison of workmen’s compensation insurance and administration.
[1922.]
No. 312. National health insurance in Great Britain, 1911 to 1921.
No. 379. Comparison of workmen’s compensation laws of the United States as of
January 1, 1925.
No. 423. Workmen’s compensation legislation of the United States and Canada as of
July 1, 1926.
Miscellaneous Series.
♦No. 174. Subject index of the publications of the United States Bureau
Statistics up to .May 1, 1915.
No. 208. Profit sharing in the United States. [1916.]
No. 242. Food situation in central Europe, 1917.




(V)

of

Labor

Miscellaneous
No. 254.
No. 268.
No. 282.
♦No. 299.

No. 319.
No. 326.
No. 342.
No. 346.
No. 372.
No. 386.
No. 398.
No. 401.
No. 420.
No. 439.




Series— Continued.
International labor legislation and the society of nations. [1919.]
Historical survey of international action affecting labor. [1920.]
Mutual relief associations among Government employees in Washington,
D. C. [1921.]
Personnel research agencies: A guide to organized research in employment
management, industrial relations, training, and working conditions.
[1921.]
The Bureau of Lahor Statistics: Its history, activities, and organization.
[1922.]
Methods of procuring and computing statistical information of the Bureau
of Labor Statistics. [1923.]
International Seamen’s Union of America: A study of its history and
problems. [1923.]
Humanity in government. [1923.]
Convict labor in 1923.
Cost of American almshouses. [1925.]
Growth of legal-aid work in the United States. [1926.]
Family allowances in foreign countries. [1926.]
Handbook of American trade-unions. [1926.]
Handbook of labor statistics, 1924 to 1926.

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