4
ELECTRICAL UNION NEWS
October 24, 1947
Been Tapped Yet |
For Company Poll? —
Mr. Gallup will have to look to his
laurels. The company is taking a-poll of
its own in the shops.
A. C. Stevens, assistant to the general
superintendent, notified the union office
about the poll Tuesday. He said the
workers to be questioned would be
picked impartially, probably every 20th
person,
' In answer to union inquiries about the
nature of the questions, Stevens said he
didn’t know, except that some of them
would concern the Works News. Prob-
ably the company wotld ask people how
they l.ked the Works News and how
they thought it could be improved,
Stevens said.
Sure enough, the first. reports from
workers summoned to plant offices show-
ed ‘that the company is very curious
about their reaction to the Works News.
And also about their reaction to BU
News.
One worker said he was asked whether
he’d be willing to pay 2 cents for a copy
of the Works News. He said he’d be
willing to pay 2 cents for the union
paper but not for Works News!
Another worker was asked whether. he
got his information about GE from the
newspapers, Works News, ‘union meet-
ings or the union paper.
Maybe the survey is being made to
produce some new ideas for those little
pictures which illustrate the new ad-
vertisements signed by L. R. Boulware,
GE vice-president in charge of labor
relations.
The union is locking into the possibil-
ity that the questioning may take the
form of pressuring or intimidating
workers,
It's Not Hard to Figure Out
’ Add this item showing GE supervis-
ion’s current interest in the internal af-
fairs of Local 301:
Last week certain members in Bldg.
73-A, who have been supporting the so-
called ‘Democratic Action” group,
spread word around the shop that-there
would be a meeting to tell about the stor-
ies retailed by Sal Vottis before the un-
American committee, smearing officers
of the local. There was no objection from
any foreman. . '
But when a group in Bldg. 60 recently
talked about their carboloy speed-up dif-
ficulties during their lunch hour, the
foreman called it a “meeting” and threat-
ened the shop steward with “drastic ac-
tion.” : “h
Union Is Helping Them Fight High Food Prices
z
Busy day at the 301 Food Center. Cashiers from the union office hardly have time
to take a deep breath, there’s such a demand for the food bargains.
Drive Continues
For PAC $$$$
Local 301’s drive to collect vol-
untary dollar donations for PAC
will continue in full force through
Oct. 81.
The Executive Board voted Mon-
day to extend the period because
in some shops the campaign is just
getting underway. Stewards who
have completed one PAC. collection
_book_and:.started second ones re-
port that with a little more time
they can “up” their collections con-
siderably,
Vote for Veterans’ Bonus
The 301 Executive Board recommends
that union members vote for Amend-
ment I, for a state veterans’ bonus,. in
the Nov. 4 elections.
The Board pointed out that the bonus
should be financed by taxes on people ©
with upper bracket incomes and on large
corporation incomes. Labor must put
pressure on the state legislature next
winter to see that such taxes are im-
posed, instead of letting Governor Dewey
use an increase the cigarette tax to
‘foot the bill.
Veterans’ Program
Approved by UE
Four main points, housing, jobs, GI
Bills of Rights and the bonus, are cov-
ered in the veterans’ program endorsed
by the national UE convention,
The convention urged that the federal
government immediately start construct-
ing 3,000,000 low cost homes. It favored
immediate passage of the Wagner-Ellen-
der-Taft and Taylor-Douglas bills, and
similar state legislation,
Tt demanded that a national public
works program be started at once to ab-
sorb the unemployed veterans.
The program calls for higher subsist-
ence allowances under the GI Bill of
Rights for on-the-job and apprentice
truinees and for students; for allowing
unemployed veterans to dvaw readjust-
ment allowances’ at least until July 1,.
1951, and for repealing the section of the
GI Bill which disqualified veterans from
receiving readjustment allowances while
on strike, ;
The convention favored a federal bon-
us of $8 a day for service in this country
and $4 a day for overseas service to a
maximum of $8500 and $4500, in addi-
Uon to a $500 bonus for each war in-
jury, It also ‘asked for adequate state
bonus plans.
VLECTRICAL
THE VOICE OF LOCAL 301 - - - UR &MW-A.
NION
eee CLO.
Vol. 5 — No. 41
SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
October 31, 1947
301 Endorses
UE Members Running for Rotterdam Offices
These three members of Local 301 are r
unning for office in Rotterdam with the
union’s endorsement. Left to right, Shop Steward William Templeton, ALP candi-
date for Town Council; Sliop Steward Roy Hamilton, Democratic and ALP candidate
for Town Council, and William Alheim, Republican and ALP candidate for supervisor.
Alheim’s opponent is a GE foreman, James Riley, one of the few foremen who
worked in the plant during the’ strike.
Shop Surveys Asked
On 1948 Contract
Final action on the proposed wage
structure negotiations will be taken by
Local 301 shop stewards at their meet-
ing Nov. 11l,at the union hall. The other
main point of business will be discus-
sion of 1948 Gt contract proposals.
Second shift stewards will meet at 1
p.m. and first and third shift stewards
at 7:30 p.m. Because Tuesday, Nov. 4,
is Election Day, the stewards’ session
was postponed ‘to: Nov. 11.
Leo Jandreau, business agent, sent a
letter to all stewards urging them, in
preparation for the meeting, to discuss
1948 contract proposals with the mem-
bers. in their shops.
A questionnaire was sent to each stew-
ard asking ‘him to write down his own
~ ideas. and the ideas of the workers he
represents about strengthening, clarify-
ing and improving the contract. The
forms should be returned to the union
office not later than next Wednesday.
KEEP SIGNING UP UNION
MEMBERS
Appeals Increase
For Blood Donors
GE workers in need of blood trans-
fusions for themselves and families are
coming more and more to rely upon
their Local 801 stewards to find the
donors from among their fellow-mem-
bers,
“Steward J. W. Brown of the Patrol ”
department is asking for donors to help
the family of Edward P. Ryan, shop
steward in the same department, who
died Aug. 22 at Ellis Hospital. Before
his death he was given 10 pints of blood.
If they are not replaced by volunteers,
it will impose a severe financial hard-
ship on Mrs. Ryan. Donors should see
Brother Brown or go to Ellis Hospital
and give to the blood bank, to be credit-
ed to Mis. Ryan’s account. :
In 78-A, Charles Bradt, la
is back after being ill since J nary. He
needs donors to cover the transfusions
he was given at Ellis Hospital. Volun-
teers may go to the hospital or see Chief
Steward William Mastriani in 73-4.
Antonio Tommasone, truck operator in
46, recently appealed to Steward Joseph
Krone for donors: for his wife. He need-
ed three ‘don Four volunteered.
ion-Partisan Slate
Members Urged
To Volunteer
For PAC Work
The 801 membership meeting Tuesday
night unanimously endorsed a non-
partisan list of candidates for city, coun-
ty and town officers as recommended
by the 801-PAG committee, the Execu-
“tive Board and the Stewards’ Council.
The list is made up of Republican,
Demoeratic and American Labor Party —
candidates, who have pledged their sup-
. port to the 801-PACG
program, All the
candidates except
one are running on
the ALP ticket, Row
C. Those on the list
who are Democratic
or Republican nomi-
nees are running on
two lines, ‘
The 801-PAC pyro- -
gram which all en-
dorsed candidates
support calls for re-
Leo H. Vosburg peal of the Taft-
. os Hartley law and’ a
return to the Roosevelt program of
peace, jobs and security. Applied on a
local basis, the program advocates re-
ducing the outrageously high assess-
ments on small home-owners and plac-
ing the proper tax load on GE and
ALCO. It ealls for better pay for city
and county employes, for a municipal
housing program and other improve-
ments.
Heading the slate endorsed by 801 is
Leo H, Vosburg, running for reelection
for public welfare commissioner. He is
the Republican and ALP candidate.
The city 801 ticket is headed by Allen
Townsend, ALP candidate for mayor, a
member of the local.
Other endorsed candidates are:
City Council, Tour year's. Milo Lathrop,
legislative director of District 3, UE;
(Continued on Page 8)
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~ ELECTRICAL UNION NEWS
October 31, 1947
Business Increases
At 301 Food Center
All signs point to a record-breaking
business teday and tomorrow at the 301
Food Center, 106 Church St.
Union members will be able to buy
eggs, apples, oranges, potatoes, carrots,
celery, cider, grapefruit, spinach, toma-
toes, iceberg lettuce, cauliflower, onions
and cold slaw. There may be honey dew
melons: and lemons if the Food Price
Committee was able to buy them at rea-
sonable enough prices.
When EU News went to press, James
Cognetta, committee chairman, was un-
able to cite the prices for this weekend.
Can't Predict Prices .
“The market shifts from day to day,”
he_said._
stantial saving on a certain item, we
change our plans at the last minute and
don’t buy it.” .
Union members and their families
bought over $2500 worth of food last
weekend at the store. The center will be “
open from 9 am. to 8 p.m, today and
from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow. Food
will be sold to people showing 301 cards.
The center ran short of eggs and
spinach last week and was unable to
replenish its supply for the late Satur-
day purchasers. It. had to get repeat
orders on other food items in stock, ex-
cept onions and Long Island potatoes,
to meet the heavy demand.
1000 Bags of Onions
There wasn’t any onion shortage, be-
cause the committee had purchased 1000
‘bags (10 pounds per bag) shortly before
the store opened last Friday. There also
were some 60 pound bags which were
quickly snapped up. ;
. The committee has ordered 3,000 dozen
eggs for this weel,
“He” Pood Price ~ Gommittee--reports
that several large Schenectady markets
are now apparently trying.to undersell
Local 801 on certain foods, particularly
potatoes and apples. According to re-
ports, they are selling these foods con-
siderably below the price they paid dis-
tributors for them.
ELECTRICAL UNION NEWS
Unrrep Evecrricat, Rapio & Macuine
Worners or Amzrica, C1 O
Scurnratapy GE Loca. 301
SE
Published by the Editorial Committee
William Templeton, Chairman
Mary McCartin, Secretary
Willard Kuschel Victor Pasche
Leland Sisto
On City Slate
A member of Local 301, Allen Town-
. send, is. ALP candidate for mayor of
Schenectady, with
backing of the union.
The local has also
endorsed three can-
_didates. for four-
years terms on the
City Council, Milo
Lathrop, UE legisla-
tive director of Dis-
trict 8; Marie Swee-
ney, 301, and Leon-
ard Colasuono of the
Laundry Workers, CIO, all ALP.
Allen Townsend
can’t guarantee a sub- 5
Oh
Marie Sweeney Milo Lathrop
301 Protests to GE
About Interference
Local 301 has protested to GH manage-
ment against recent instances of super-
visory employes interfering in the in-
ternal affairs of the union and has asked
for an immediate investigation,
R. D. Van Nordstrand, industrial heat-
ing and welding engineer in Bldg. 96,
spoke on four difference occasions be- -
tween Sept, 19 and Oct, 6 to Smeralda De .
Cesare, laborer in that building, about
De Cesare’s chances for advancement.
His remarks were to the general effect
that De Cesare had ability to get ahead
if he would show his “loyalty” to the
company, but that. his “loyalty” was in
doubt’ because of the time he gave to
union activity. Van Nordstrand sug-
gested that a good way to prove “loyal-
ty” would be by becoming active in sup-
port of the “Democratic Action” group
in the union. On one occasion General
Foreman Palmatier, whose office is in
Bldg. 105, was present and supported
Van Nordstrand’s statement.
The union also protested anti-union re-
marks made by George L. Sholtes, piece
rate man, to. Joseph Rotundo, shop stew-
Nominating Meeting -
November 18 and 19
The annual nomination of officers, will
take place next month at a 301 mem-
bership meeting which will be conducted
in two parts. First and third © shift
workers will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday,
Nov. 18, at the union hall and second’
shift workers at-1 p:m. Wednesday, Nov.
19, also at the hall. The votes taken at
the two sessions will be totaled.
The 301 Constitution and By-Laws
provide that nominations for office shall
be made from the floor at the regular
November meeting of the local. Elec-~
tions must take place in December and
officers must be installed in January.
The order of nominations, as set forth
by the constitution, is president, vice-
“Presideiit; "recording “secretary, assistant
record.ng secretary, treasurer, chief shop
steward, business agent, trustees, ser-
geant-at-arms and guide.
Grinder Raises Too ‘Srnall, .
Union Informs Management
A, CG. Stevens, assistant to the general
superintendent, told a union grievance
session Oct. 28 that cutter grinder rates
throughout the plant will be raised as
follows: :
The “A” classification would be in-
creased from $1.40 per hour to $1.45;
‘the “Intermediate B” from $1.30 to
$1.36 and the “B” from $1.26 to $1.80.
Stevens said the company would review |
the cases of workers now getting $1.35,
who don’t come in for any increase under
this set-up, and might move some of
them to the “A” group.
Grinder rates are still much too low
in spite of this adjustment, the union
has informed management, and- the
«union -will. continue. to press for larger
increases. The union also contends there
should be only two classifications, “A”
and “B”, ;
Union Field Day
Clears $1,623.45
The annual 801 Field Day this year
netted $1,623.45, after all expenses were
paid, including an automobile and other
prizes, music, entertainment, refresh-
ments and lost time. The audited report
of the Activities Committee showed a to-
tal of $7,896.73 cash received from tick-
ets and concessions, a total of $65,773.28
expenses and a balance of $1,628.45.
George Judway is chairman of the .
Activities Committee and Edward La
October 31, 1947
ELECTRICAL UNION NEWS
ne ony Se ee
a
PRETEEN WAVES OR ATLAS
Local 301 Supports
Non-Partisan Slate
(Continued from Page 1)
Leonard Colasuono and Marie Sweeney,
Local 301, all ALP. City Council, two
years, Robert Jacobsen, Local 301, ALP.
Supervisors.
First Ward. Jacob Slaight, ALP.
Second Ward. Albert Male, Democta- ©
tice and ALP.
Third Ward. Belle Baxter, Local 301,
ALP,
Fourth Ward, Edgar A. Smith, Demo-
cratic and ALP: . .
Fifth Ward. Fred Cameron, Local 301,
Democratic candidate and Mrs. Bthel
Etkin, Republican and ALP.
“Sixth Ward. Raiph Tull
ALP.
Seventh Ward. George Judway, Local
301, ALP.
Eighth Ward«Chester Trombly, Demo-
-eratie..andALP,
Ninth Ward. Bernard J. Franken
Democratic and ALP. ;
Tenth Ward. Alfred Pelrah, Local 801,
ALP. ;
Eleventh Ward. No candidate endors-
ed.
Twelfth Ward. Dr. Henry V. D. Allen,
ALP... ‘ .
Thirteenth Ward. John Dalton, Demo-
cratie and. ALP.
Fourteenth Ward. George Watson, re-
tired 801 member, ALP.
Rotterdam. William Alheim, Loeal 801,
Republican and ALP. .
Glenville. William -Hodges, Local 801
vice-president, ALP.
Rotterdam Town Council, two seats.
Roy. Hamilton, Local 301, Democratic
and ALP, and William Templeton, Local
301, ALP.
Rotterdam superintendent of highways
Raymond Gordon, Republican, Democra-
tie and ALP. :
.Glenvillé superintendent of highways.
Frank Parker, Democratic and ALP.
The meeting urged that 801 ¢ Y
volunteer to campaign for the mi nd
women endorsed by the union and to
bring out a good vote Election Day, next
Tuesday.
By decision” of -the membership, 801-
PAC will rely chiefly on. such volunteers.
Where it is absolutely necessary for key
workers’ to be called from their regular
work Election Day, the meeting decided,
actual lost time will be paid,
Backed by 301 for Board of Supervisors
Candidates ‘for supervisor supported by Local 301. Top row, left to right, Bernard J.
Franken, Alfred J. Pelrah, E. A. Smith and Fred Cameron. Below, left to right,
George Judway, Albert Male, John Dalton and Chester Trombly. Pictures of other
endorsed candidates were not received in time to be included.
ClO Emphasizes Need
For Political Action
The National CIO Convention in Bos-
ton this month called on every CIO un-
ion to swing immediately into a vigorous
campaign of political action against the
enemies responsible for the Taft-Hartley
law, profiteering and other threats to
the civil rights and the living standards
of the people.
The convention renewed the pledge of
the CIO “to speak and act through free,
independent, unbossed political action for
the building of a strong, well-fed, well-
housed, free and secure’ nation:‘in «a
world at peace.” ‘
Un-American Committee Denounced
Other resolutions condemned the cur-
rent drive against civil liberties and de-
nounced the Dies-Thomas-Rankin Un.
‘American Committee as “a menace to the
freedom of oux people.”
The delegates, in a separate resolu-
tion pledging a fight-to-the-finish against
the Taft-Hartley law, declared the CIO
would not let “the blackmail, the threats
‘and the smears of legislative hatchet-
men operating through the House Labor
and Un-American Committees divide ox
deter us.”
The resolution on “protection of de-
mocracy” pointed to alarming violations
the freedom of another is :threatened,”
the convention declared. :
Relief Without Strings
The foreign policy resolution support-
ed the sending of food and other econ-
omic aid by the United States to war-
devastated countries, but declared that
“ander no circumstances should food or
any other aid given by any country be
used as a.means of coercing free but
needy people in tlfe exercise of their
rights of independence and self-govern-
ment, or to fan the flames of civil war-
fare.” . ;
All the resolutions were adopted un-
animously. ;
Election of Stewards
Leo Jandrean, 801 business agent, has
reminded Executive Board members by
letter that under the constitution the
anntial election of shop stewards in all
departments of the plant must be held
in October,
PAC Workers to Meet
A meeting has been called at 8 p.m.
tonight at 301 hall for all members of
the union who will work for PAC at the
polls Election Day. The 801-PAC Com-
mittee scheduled the meeting.
National UE Broadcast
Editorial Office - Electrical Union News
301 Liberty St. - Schenectady, N. Y.
Telephone 3-1386
SCHENRETADY PRINTING CO,, INC,
ard in Bldg. 78A, during a time study
Oct. 18. ‘Sholtes said, “The trouble with
your union is that it’s run by Reds.”
Bombard, - secretary. They submitted
the committee’s report to the Executive
Board recently. . “nS
The 301 membership also recommend. ef’ the rights of religious, racial and Tune in on the National UR-broadeast=-—
ed that union members vote “Yes” on Political minorities, featusing Arthur Gaeth, ‘ace radio re-
Amendment 1, the soldiers’ bonus. “No man’s freedom is safe as long as_ porter, at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday
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