“On the Role and Tasks of Trade Unions in the Context of the New Economic Policy”*

1. The New Economic Policy, marking a new phase—and a decisive turn—in the development of Soviet power as it undertakes the transition from capitalism to socialism, likewise demands a fresh examination of the role and tasks of trade unions, one that takes into account a number of new circumstances arising in this regard.

(1) The Emergence and Acceptance of Capitalism (2) State Enterprises on New Foundations (3) The Entire Transition, Carried Out at a Different Pace, via Different Paths, Through a “New Detour.”

2. 2. Private and Capitalist Enterprises: The Defense of the Working Class’s Interests.

5. 3. The primary means of defense is not through strikes—though we by no means reject strikes altogether—but rather through appeals to the organs of the workers’ state.

3. 4. “Profitability” and “Efficiency” in State Enterprises: This too is a defense of the working class’s interests.

4. 5. A fundamental distinction in class struggle—which will persist so long as classes exist—in a state where political power rests with the bourgeoisie, and in a state where political power is wielded by the working class (strikes and their role).

|L The Relationship to Enterprise Management. {(The Full Scope of T|
Sole Ownership and Non-Interference. [[Power JJ ad IL. Success Requires the Full Exercise of Power.
Through factory management—handling both labor relations and all forms of supply, financial resources, and the establishment of wage scales.
The model: Sole ownership, non-interference.
2i Learn to Manage. This is the crux:
+ Production-related pro-(a) Participation in Organizational Bodies.
propaganda (?) A Consultative Voice.
(?) Comprehensive Information and Discussion + Planned Operations. (?) Nomination of Candidates, Record‑Keeping, + From Raw Material Procurement to
Evaluation, Movement of Personnel. Sales
+ (?) Learning Through Observation and Evaluation
Ln ? Work with Private Entrepreneurs— and their enterprises. + Discussions.

* – To Point 6. Ed.

ad 7 Distribution of Supplies and Output (Participation in + Not Just a Declaration
Output Planning) Norms + Not “High‑Level”
Discussion of Leasing Policies. “Politics” ad 7: The Role of Trade Unions in the Economic and State Organs of the Proletarian State.
(1) Participation in the Formation of Economic and State Organs
/Discussion of Candidate Lists;L
I \Consultative Voice J
/Members of Collegial Bodies, D (2) And within these organs, serving as assistants to
\Specialists and ?. ?. * J

2. (3) Training Administrators from Among the Workers
Tens of good administrators and hundreds of passable ones ? I Hundreds of outstanding administrators and thousands of passable ones. J
(4) Systematic Recording and Maintenance of Candidate Lists.

3. (5) In particular, participation in planning bodies.
(6) Participation in the discussion, by state organs, of all questions pertaining to industry and the management of industrial affairs.

4. (7) Production–Propaganda.

5. (8) Systematic Familiarization with the Entire Industrial Cycle, from raw material procurement to product realization.

6. (9) In particular:
the formulation of tariffs and supply norms, discussed under the condition of genuinely demarcating the sphere of economic management from the realm of Party leadership and Soviet power...

* – Vice versa – on the contrary. Ed.

PLANS FOR THESIS OUTLINES “On the Role and Tasks of Trade Unions…”
ad 6(10) Discussions should not degenerate into mere general courts.

7. (a) The proletariat—the class foundation of a state transitioning from capitalism to socialism.
(R) Trade unions—the agents of state power, guided by the Communist Party, engaged in all aspects of economic activity.
(u) The School of Communism, and specifically the School of Administration.
Learn to Administer. The central focus is not broad or high‑level politics—there is the Communist Party and Soviet power for that—but rather practical, hands‑on work that teaches the masses how to govern.

8. The inevitable conjunction of two seemingly contradictory functions: ad Persuasion and Coercion 14? ^Protection and Pressure
(
And in a military manner ~| And not in a military manner]
The contradiction inherent in living reality: therein lies the crux.

8. 9. Connection with the Masses. Live among them. Know their moods. Know everything. Understand the masses. Be able to approach them.
Win their absolute trust. Leaders must never be severed from the masses they lead; the vanguard must never be separated from the entire army of labor, ad Yu 10. Master the art of combining persuasion with coercion.

* – Summa summaram – the ultimate sum. Ed.

ad 14?
5 bis? 11. Moving toward voluntary participation in trade unions. Rights and Responsibilities. The School of Communism: a transitional stage between complete underdevelopment and the Party.

12. The Relationship with Specialists. Avoid the two extremes: murder and suicide (like Oldenburger?). Take heed: shame, ad 14? 13. Do not flatter the masses, nor become estranged from them.

14. Unity—resolving conflicts—overcoming contradiction:
[Communist Party 1 [ + Comintern J

15. Renewal of the Leading Cadre, transferring those who are unsuitable to other branches.
?l (1) Persuasion and Coercion...
(2) Protection and Pressure...
(3) Accounting for Prejudices and Backwardness—not indulging or flattering, but lifting up…
(4) Both in a military manner—and not in a military manner…
aa) The Contradictions of Every School (the School of Communism)
RR) – » – the transitional epoch.
Two Practical Conclusions: (1) Tactics (2) The Comintern.
10: Trade Unions and Specialists.
(1) The Murder of Engineers in the Urals and Donbas.
(2) Oldenburger’s Suicide.
(3) The blame lies more with the Communist Party and Soviet power than with the trade unions.

PLANS FOR THESIS OUTLINES “On the Role and Tasks of Trade Unions…”
(4) It is not a matter of guilt.
The heaviest, most daily burden falls upon the trade unions.
(5) Treat them as the apple of your eye—or else, zero.
11: The exceptional role of petty‑bourgeois democracy (Socialist‑Revolutionaries, Mensheviks, and Anarchists)—the last ideological defenders of capitalism within the trade union movement.
The primary arena of struggle against them, of overcoming their influence.
2

1. The New Economic Policy and the Unions.

2. State Capitalism and Trade Unions.

3. The Economic Calculation of State Enterprises and Trade Unions.
(4. A Fundamental Distinction in Class Struggle: in a state governed by capitalist forces, and in}
4+?< a state governed by proletarian state power. And.
[_5. The Means of Defending the Class Interests of the Proletariat. J

5. The Transition to Voluntary Participation in Trade Unions.

6. The Relationship Between Trade Unions and Enterprise Management.

7. The Role of Trade Unions in the Economic Activities of the Proletarian State.
I. Connecting with the Proletarian Masses—as the primary task and foundational principle of trade unions, the “School of Communism.”

9. The Contradictory Aspects of the Trade Unions’ Task in the Transitional Epoch from Capitalism to Socialism.
(8+10+13)
SL The Contradictions Embedded in the Very Position of Trade Unions Under the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.
ad 9. 10. Ways to Resolve These Contradictions.

10. 11. Trade Unions and “Specialists.”

11. 12. The Task of Rejuvenating the Leadership of Trade Unions.
Written December 28–30, 1921.
First published in 1958 in Communist magazine, No. 6.

Printed from the manuscript.