A Labor Activist's Impact on the Garment Industry and Social Justice

David  Dobnievski, known as David Dubinsky, was a labor activists in the mid 1900s.  Born in Russia, he moved to Poland when he was young and became a baker at his father's bakery.  There, he was part of a baker's union organized by the General Jewish Bakers Union, and was arrested after a strike.  His fathers payment got him out of prison, but he was soon to be exiled to a Siberian village for attending an illegal baker's union meeting.  He escaped the village and journeyed to New York where he became a member of the cutter's union, Local 10.  He rose to the top from there, being elected to the executive board, vice president, chairmen, and then president of Local 10. 

In 1922, Dubinsky was elected as the vice president of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), then as the General Secretary-Treasurer, then as acting president in 1932.  While Dubinsky was president of the ILGWU, the union grew a great deal with 450,000 members in 1957.  Dubinsky played a big part in making the ILGWU one of the largest and most influential unions in the country.  The power this union had translated into benefits for the union workers. 
   
                                        

The garment industry benefited from the work of David Dubinsky in the formation of programs and funds to protect the union's members.  The Death Benefit Fund, the union's first contract with a retirement plan, and a staff retirement plan were all established during Dubinsky's presidency at the ILGWU.  The union's office created many departments that were successful such as the Management-Engineering Department, Legal Department, Political Department, and Investment Department.  All of these programs and departments advanced the garment industry because they paved the way for better work environments and lead to more opportunities for members.  It is precisely these programs that led other unions to create similar benefits for their own members.  This domino effect then spiraled into the advancement of benefits and treatment of all workers in the garment industry. 

Working conditions everywhere were not up to regulations however.  Sweatshops were an unfortunate reality for many people trying to earn an honest living.  The conditions in sweatshops were horrid.  Workers were exposed to chemicals and dust and were given no protection from these harsh elements.  Spaces were cramped, wages were low, and work was hard. 

The programs instated under Dubinsky's leadership of the ILGWU were attempts to find a balance of social justice.  While the conditions of some jobs in the garment industry were poor, Dubinsky tried to better his union, and in turn, that ideally improved social justice throughout the garment industry and beyond.
                                   
                                                              Typical sweat shop.


                                        

The ILGWU label in patriotic colors, promoting "Make in U.S.S." and fair working conditions and opportunities for members to contrast the sweat shop image.

Sources
http://ilgwu.ilr.cornell.edu/presidents/DavidDubinsky.html
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/EAD/htmldocs/KCL057http://www.bls.gov/mlr/1994/10/art5full.pdf
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/David_Dubinsky.aspx
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19570710&id=819QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LhAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3549,3912000&hl=en