Lietuvos darbo federacija: istorijos bruožai ir veikla

ENThe book published for the 90th anniversary of the Lithuanian Labour Federation (Lietuvos Darbo Federacija - LDF) is the first and more consolidated attempt to collect and research the historic material about the activities of the Lithuanian Labour Federation through many decades. Principles of the Lithuanian Labour Federation are based on the Christian social doctrine, declaring social justice and responding to the needs of people facing sensitive social problems. Lithuanian Labour Federation followed the ideas of encyclical Rerum Novarum announced on 15 May 1891 by Pope Leo XIII. By then, at the end of the XIX century Lithuania was still occupied by the Tsarist Russia, the workers' situation in Lithuania was very difficult. They have fostered the idea of liberation from national oppression, and slowly matured in the struggle for better life. Workers were uniting on the ideological or ethnical background. At the beginning of the XX century, few Christian workers' organizations were founded: Šv. Zitos (St. Zita) Society of Maids, Šv. Juozapo (St. Joseph) Workers' Society, Lithuanian Christian Workers Union. But the implementation of these aspirations was impossible without the bigger, united organization having its Statute, strategy and tactics. Congress of the representatives of Christian workers was held on September 27-28,1919 in Kaunas where a group of Catholic organizations founded Lithuanian Labour Federation. The first LDF Centre Board consisted of chairman Pranas Raulinaitis, secretary Zabelė Mažeikaitė, and members: Pranas Povilaitis, Viktoras Beržinskas, Petras Radzevičius and others.The first Statute of the Lithuanian Labor Federation stated: "Lithuanian Labor Federation brings together all the Christian workers' organizations and trade unions to fight against common effort of exploitation, to improve economic conditions of life and to raise the level of culture." Already then the resolutions requested 8-hour working day for urban workers, minimum subsistence rate, social security, medical care insurance, creation of labour inspections, etc. The congress decides to publish a weekly newspaper "Darbininkas" ("Worker") initiated V. Endziulaitis. E. Draugelis was appointed as the first editor. Representatives of Lithuanian Labour Federation have exercised considerable efforts in the Lithuanian Parliament: in the Constituent Parliament (Seimas) 14 LDF members were elected, in the First Parliament -1 1; in the Second Parliament 12 members, the Third Seimas consisted of 5 members of Federation. In 1920, LDF had 150 branches uniting around 15000 members. The biggest local organization was established in Kelme with 1810 members who were blacksmiths, masons, drivers, tailors, painters, and shoemakers. In 1922, 20 sections were established in Kaunas and its region. In 1923, there were already 40 sections. In 1923, Lithuanian Labour Federation united around 20000 members. In 1926 the number of LDF sections registered was over 400. Taking into account new political conditions the Lithuanian Labor Federation Congress met on 13 March 1932 and decided to abandon the direction of trade unionism and to confine to cultural activity.XI Congress of the Lithuanian Labor Federation (1934 04 15) replaced the Charter of the LDF, renamed itself into Lithuanian Christian Workers' Union (LKDS) and approved its statute. P. Dovydaitis led the Christian Workers' Union until 15 June 1940, when the Soviet occupation started. On 28 June 1940, the decree issued by the Minister of the Interior of the Soviet Lithuania banned the activity of LKDS. Young members of LDF - LKDS got involved into resistance movement and took part in the up rising of June 1941. In 1942, the organization returned to the old LDF name. Next year it joined the Supreme Lithuanian Liberation Committee (VLIK'as). During the occupation LDF continued its activities in the conditions of exile. LDF Congress in exile was held in 1948 in Germany (Fellbach). The committee of three members - P. Jočys, J. Kairys and dr.V.Šimaitis - was elected. Later LDF activity was concentrated in the United States. LDF belonged to Christian Trade Union Federation of Central Europe. The Federation was led in exile by P.Jočys, A.Škėrys, KPovilaitis and I.Petrauskas. Following the establishment of Lithuania's independence, a restorative Congress of Lithuanian Labor Federation was held on December 28, 1991 in Vilnius which approved the Charter of the LDF. Lionginas Radzevičius was elected as President, Aldona Vasiliauskiene - as Secretary General. 14 Congresses were organized since the reestablishment of the organization in 1991 until May 2009. LDF made an important step in its life on May 30, 1992, when Supreme Lithuanian Liberation Committee organized a formal meeting in the Lithuanian Parliament.