A systematic revision of the Industrial Union numbers has been needed for a long time. It has been generally recognized that the present system of numbering was long ago outgrown. No matter how perfect the One Big Union plan of organization might be it will always be imperfect if the numbers of the various Industrial Unions are meaningless.

An efficient organization requires efficient order and arrangement in its industrial groupings as well as in its fundamental plan. The last convention decided to rectify the old system and the present General Executive Board, carried out these instructions. The changes will go into effect as soon as the General Office can issue formal instructions to the various Industrial Unions.

Numbers that have been issued to the various Unions run from 8 to 1500. These numbers, while they have served their purpose in the past, are at present arbitrary and meaningless. First of all it is easy to misconstrue the I. W. W. One Big Union Chart unless a scientific system of numbering is used. For instance: No. 620, Boot and Shoe Workers Industrial Union is a misnomer. There should be a Leather Workers Industrial Union charter for a branch organization. The same thing applies to 470, Rubber Workers Industrial Union, which should by right be a branch of the Chemical Workers Industrial Union.

Numbers, in these days, are used to convey the idea of relationship. All big business concerns have their departments keyed with certain numbers to help simplify the intricacies of business management and control. In the I. W. W., however, the number "400" has been spread over three separate and distinct Departments—not to mention industries: 400, Agriculture. 450, Mining and 470 and 480 in Manufacture. This is hopelessly misleading and confusing.

The Decimal system, by Melvil Dewey, is used largely by big corporations in organizing the various units of their business. It is also used in every library in the land. It is so simple that a child can understand it at a glance. This system permits of ten classes, ten sections and ten divisions. But since there are only six logical divisions for the Departments of modern industry we need only six of the decimals for our Industrial Departments. The industrial Unions follow in their natural order—each one being branched off from its Department. The number will show the exact relationship at a glance.

In due time it is possible to number the branches in the same manner. In this way each number MEANS SOMETHING—it shows the Department the Industrial Union, and, if necessary the Branch. The confusion of the old system of numbering is done away with and Delegates are no longer in doubt as to just how to make out cards for new members. We are indebted to Fellow Worker Robert Russel of Minneapolis for this adaptation of the Decimal System to fit the needs of the I. W. W.

Members are urged to study the chart carefully and to be guided by it in the future. A list of the Industrial Unions as they appear in the light of this scientific system of numbering appears below:

List of Industrial Unions to be used for the information of Delegates in lining up new members:

Department of Agriculture—l00

Agricultural Workers Industrial Union No. 110

Lumber Workers Industrial Union No. 120

Fishermen's Industrial Union No. 130

Floricultural and Horticultural Workers' Industrial Union No. 140

Department of Mining—200

Metal Mine Workers Industrial Union No. 210

Coal Miners and Coke Oven Workers Industrial Union No. 220

Oil, Gas, and Petroleum Workers Industrial Union No. 230

Department of Construction—300

Railroad, Road, Canal, Tunnel and Bridge Construction Workers' Industrial Union No. 310

Ship Builders Industrial Union No. 320

House and Building Construction WorkersIndustrial Union No. 330

Department of Manufacture and General Production—400

Textile and Clothing Workers Industrial Union No. 410

Woodworkers Industrial Union No. 420

Chemical Workers Industrial Union No. 430

Metal and Machinery Workers Industrial Union No. 440

Printing and Publishing House Workers Industrial Union No. 450

Foodstuff Workers Industrial Union No. 460

Leather Workers Industrial Union No. 470

Glass and Pottery Workers Industrial Union No. 480

Department of Transportation—500

Marine Transportation Workers Industrial Union No. 510

Railroad Workers Industrial Union No. 520

Telegraph, Telephone and Wireless Workers Industrial Union No. 530

Municipal Transportation Workers Industrial Union No. 540

Aerial Navigation Workers Industrial Union No. 550

Department of Public Service—600

Health and Sanitation Workers Industrial Union No. 610

Park and Highway Maintainance Workers Industrial Union No. 620

Educational Workers Industrial Union No. 630

General Distribution Workers Industrial Union No. 640

Public Utility Workers Indnstrial Union No. 650

Amusement Workers Industrial Union No. 660

Initiating new members be sure and place members in the Industrial Union to which they belong.

Transcribed by J. D. Crutchfield. Misprints in original corrected and punctuation slightly modified.
Last updated 3 December 2003.