a
Page Foiit
ELECTRICAL UNION NEWS
My
October 11, 1943
ON LEADERSHIP
_ By Sydney Freidlander
Constructive criticism is the life of any
organization. An honorable opposition ought
to be welcomed by any leader who is sin-
.cerely interested in the welfare of his
people. Criticism, based: not on petty self
interests, but in behalf of the group as a
whole is helpful to any leader and, in most
cases, he is eager to receive it.
There is always the other type. Envy of
leadership is a common human trait. and
oore~- When_..comnaratively_
“ choose to air their jealousies they serve on-
ly to aggravate bickering and dissension.
It might be interesting to investigate
-both= sides; leadurship and opposition. “~~
oa oa The~leader—in=a democratic group’ has
. been chosen, usually, because a majority of
his people feel he is the man best equipped
to do their collective work for them, to re-
present their combined interests. He must
be an intelligent man, able to understand
their problems arid to be able to find the
best available solutions. He should not be .
prone to play.favorites ov to discriminate
against genuine ability. In fact the truly:
great leader is one who is ready to concede
his position to any man who proves him-
self still more capable. The leader is always
on the spot. because he must often make
decisions which ‘will hurt the interests of .
a few in behalf of the many. Such decisions
make enemies and he must be ready to abide
by them.
The opposition is usually composed of in-
. ,dividuals or small groups who feel that their
interests are insufficiently represented in
- the leadership.When such groups are honest
and well-intentioned, their object should be
to-present their problems in good form and
to co-operate heartily with leadership in an
effort to solve them. Then, if the incumbent
leaders prove incompetent or unwilling to
deal fairly with them, it is time for the op-
position to seek new leadership. On both .
sides honesty of intention should be the rule
~ +. vather-than-the-exceptions-— ~~~
So the leader is a constant .center of at-
tack and rebuttal. To support his position
‘ and to be able to do his work well, he must
wk for lelp: to” the mater
is always looking tor capable men to take
some of the burden and to such men he is
ready to distribute part of the honors of
leadership. To find such men is a large part
of his job. He must have a free hand to pick
and choose, to seek ability in unlikely places
and to discard those who prove unable to
carry their part of the load. In electing’a
leader, the people imply that they are will-
ing that he should do this and they should
THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
By Sam Riggi—CAP- ;
Occasionally a small minority of our
union members carry a certain amount of
activities that has a nuisance yalue to our
union work. os
These‘incorrigibles are constantly spread-
ing rumors concerning the general.officers,
. board members or the shop leaaers. :
One day we see .an emissary of ill-will
sneak from shop to: shop. visiting some of *
_ from union meetings and a total disregard...
ineamnetent---man.. :
sies they serve ‘shop representative. to develop. a “slap
~__can..vote. the. straight-Renubl
any 2, /The-labor-movement-h
the political machine because Mayor Mills
Ten Eyck proclaimed a special
celebration.
3. We know a click is running the union
because the Executive Board makes recom-
mendations.
_ 4. fa descendant ofan. Italian is elect-
ed to some office a deep fascist’ plot is on
hand to capture the organization. If an
iinglishman is elected to office then it-is the
English who are using their political cun-
ning to capture the union. And so it gces,
now against. a national group, now against
a political, colored, or religious group, and
so ony “Divide! Divide!” is their slogan.
If some members join up with the
American Labor party they do so in order
to capture and take it away from the pres-
ent leaders, Or else emissaries from Moscow
are taking over. If peoplé keep away from
the American Labor party then they sold
out the union to the Republican machine,
The union fights for a check off. It
takes the union 4 years to win the check off
after the membership went on record time
and time again instructing the union offi-
cials to negotiate a check off. We get the
check-off and the union has sold out to the
——--—Gampany. We new-have-a-Co: E
—hot. tip off the griddle.
If the officers talk at a membership
meeting and make recommendations they
lable: Te ave trying--to~influence—the-members;-and—
it’s a dastardly crime to influence people.
These people on the “Lunatic Fringe” are
so weak in their own convictions that they
fear to have the officers speak on a given
question. Oh! Freedom of speech—where
art thou!
An election takes place for delegates
to a convention or for officers and they get
a hot tip through the secret grape-wine that
sold-out. to-
Labor Day
ve-lizes that he must be organized to pro-
THE WEAK LINK
By Fred Matern—Building 60
The saying that a chain isn’t any strong- +,-
er than its weakest link, aptly applies to rd)
labor unions. The weak link in a labor union
is “indifference”.. This indiflerence mani-
fests itself in the absence of many members
as to whether even their chosen shop re-
presentatives attend or do not attend meet-
ings. This attiude is very discouraging to
the shop representatives and to the general
eadershin_of the.unionltis- natural fora
happy” attitude towards his union work be-
cause of this indifference. Indifference on
¥ at Ya epee ney ei ar
part_of.some-membors-is-denionstrated
by them never asking their-committeeman_.. .
of what takes place at their meetings. To
develop this interest on the part of a shop
representative, rank ‘and file members
should get together with their committee-
man, get groups together and discuss gen-..
eral union problems and ways and means
of bettering the shop conditions.
Indifference breeds indifference. Indiffer-
ence on the part of the membership en-
courages indifference in the leadership.
There is nothing an employer likes better’
than a weak link to snap. It makes saying
‘no” very easy. ‘So with your indifference
you become a prey to your boss and he can
use you to further his own interests, And
what is your boss’s interest?—Union. He
tect himself—so he joins up with the Manu-
facturers Association. Now this: Manufac-
turers Association is a real union and when
a meeting is called, your boss is there and
it doesn’t matter whether this meeting is
in California, Maine, Texas or New York,
he is there. And what does he do at this
meeting? He sees to it that laws are passed
by Congress to further his own interests,
Bills are presented to your Congressman Q :
and he passes on them. Why, because he
knows the power of united interest in a
union and indifference in a union. So’ you
see; due-to-the weak link-in-our union, your”
indifference, you lose your political right
for whoever you chose as your lawmaker,
He does not fcrr you because you are in-
different in using the only_weapon you have,
“Al that harms labor is treason to America. No line can
be drawn between these two. If any man tells you he loves
America, yet hates labor, he is a liar. If any man tells you he
trusts America yet he fears labor, he is a fool, There is no _ ° ‘
to rob the Loe ‘ THE VOICE OF.THE UNITED ELECTRICAL, RADIO &
America without labor, and to fleece the one is
other.” — ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
MACHINE WORKERS OF AMERICA—LOCAL 301 clo
SCHENECTADY, N. Y. — OCTOBER 25, 1943
Vol. I
Weaknesses? “Yes, We Have ’Em”
‘By R. &. Ellis, Toolmaker—Bldg. 60
Well wishing: members, including those
-who wish well and do their part also, often
prod at Union meetings with the sole idea
of continual improvement of our. policies,
procedures and practices.
This is as it should be, for we must im-
prove, ‘we must change to meet changing
conditions. ‘
Union and Company Agreement
Inasmuch as we operate under a basic Con-
tract with the Company, negotiating each
year with a view to improvement, it should
be borne in mind by all of us that although
many changes are proposed each year by the
many (now: 40) locals under the Contract,
not all of these changes are ratified. by the
G. EE. Loeal Conference Board, and even those
that are accepted and are ratified by the
locals, not all of them are successfully negoti-
ated with the Company.
....-Therefore,ve—should_all_-appreciate_that
our Union and Company Agreement -is as
good as could be- negotiated, but that the
present Agreement is better than last year’s
was better than. the previous year, etc.
weapon of interest and unity in your
union. " ‘ “Te
BLACKOUT IN THE C. I. 0.
CONFERENCE ROOM
Brains were working fast and furious.
Ideas were pouring. in. The reporters of
our paper, “The Electrical Union News,”
were in session discussing the many sug-
gestions that were being made_to_ improve
"Another polit worthy of emphasisis that “Tt is tragic but true that the less a person —
contractual procedures like social legislation
enacted in City State and Federal Assemblies
are passed, usually after much consideration
and discussion of cause, need and effect, It
might be called a natural evolution of Labor
Relations.
Local Procedure
Although our Union and Company Agree
ment is basic, there is considerable flexibility
So far as training of. Committeemen is con-
cerned, efforts have been made to instruct
them. That we could do a better job, no one
will deny. We will start the comitteemen’s
instruction classes again, but if some com-
mitteemen are not prepared to attend and
learn, their lack..of understanding will mar
their effectiveness as representatives of their
fellow-employees, — a remedial weakness,
you'll agree, ;
Changes and New Interpretations Confusing
Assuming that a good job was done in in-
struction, Labor Rélations of today is an in-
volved and technical business, requiring a
deal of study and practice, in order that one |
be proficient.
Because of these facts, Committeemen are
obliged. to ask questions of procedure and
guidance, in order to advise and answer ques-
tions of the membership. It is due to an un-
derstanding, by Leadership, of what can be
done or what cannot be done, according to _
procedure and Executive Orders, that an
overzealous member may conclude that the
~cause is due to poor representation.
Membership Must Demand Facis”
knows about this complicated. business of to-
day’s Labor Relations, the more he is inclin-
ed to make a contentious “no answer” a per-
sonal matter with the Committeeman or an
Officer. That is a weakness which we can
overcome, if we try to make our Democratic
machinery work.
There will however be no real cure to this
weakness unless. all our members learn to
the-election-committee-was-bribed.
“he ready to stand by his recommendations.
When they object to them, the objections
should be fairly given and an opportunity to
answer: them openly afforded. The leader
must always be ready to give his reasons 1
for every recommendation and the people boys” are told: to:carry the ball—and then
its the business agent who wants to put
them on the spot? You try one now. - - -
We could go on-for hours like this to tell
about the absurd and ridiculotis rumors that
this small minority on the “Lunatic Frin
spread through the shops.
Fortunately for the union, the member-
ship has recognized this “Lunatic Fringe”
for what it is and we thank them for giving
us something to laugh at to break the war
time strain.
must be ready to give them fair considera-
tion,
In this manner, organizations gain con-
fidence and strength. In any other way, they
fall apart from the dead weight of dissen-
sion and petty funds.
ARE YOU A UNION MEMBER?
(Continued from Page Two)
OR—And this is very important to us all
—YOU might have been told by Test Pore-
men or by somebody else that belonging to
the Union was not good for a member of
Test. Did you know that any Foreman found
guilty of such an act was SUBJECT ito DIS-
MISSAL? The United States Government
and the General Electric Co. both prohibit
such stuff. And just take a good look at
tha men and women who are group. leaders.
Ave they Union? Tb, Mo, Shielded Room,
Incoming Parts, Rax, in all these the lead-.
ers ave Union members. Does that look like
its.a Bad Thing to be a Union Member?
OR—You .might say, “I’d join if more
were members.”.,This is like the old story
‘of. the sheep following the shephard., Have-
nt you a mind of YOUR OWN? Must you
do things just because somebody else does?
OR—You might say, “Gosh, that’s a lot
of money.” It’s only 24c¢ per week, Jess than
4c per day, Is that a lot of money to’ pay
9. The business agent carries the ball
during negotiations with management the
“hush-hush boys’ say the business agent
is seeking all the glory. The “hush-hush
~~ chairman, called a halt to the joint meeting ©
for the great service that the Union offers
you? And at this time there is a new Low
Initiation Fee of Only $2.00, instead of the
old $5.00 and $3.00 fees. ;
OR—You might say, “Well I've -heard
that the Union charged a girl $38.00 one
- month.” These cases are the exceptions to
the rule, And errors’ in payroll. deductions
must be divided 50/50 between Payroll
Dept. and Union. Overcharges are adjusted
promptly by your committeeman. :
Atter reading all this stuff do you still
say, “No, I don’t want to join the Union?”
OK, but if you wish to join the ONE AND
ORGANIZATION
please see your ‘Union Committeeman Bill
Schfartz (night shift) ov Jake Nelson (day
shift), They will be-very glad to take care
of you.
EMPLOYEES’
the paper. The reporters were out to out do
the most brilliant journalistic minds when
all at once the city sirens began blasting
full force. At first everyone was still then
Erlene McGann, secretary of the group, in-
nocently asked, “Could that be a. blackout
alarm?” Immediately everyone around the
conference table jumped up. Reporters
grabbed their coats and hats, babies at
home..were thought. of..Lights-were being
‘turned out all over. Jayne Starko, our fine
of the Executive Board and the Legislative
Committee that was in session in the main
hall by calling, “Air raid alarm, lights out!”
All of our reporters scurried out of the
meeting. In about a minutes time the con-
ference room was quite -deserted.
Were our faces red when we found out it
was only a fire-alarm that was responsible
for breaking up of our fruitful session.Well,
at least no one can say that the reporters
of our paper are not alert to the war time
conditions.
Another meeting was called for Tuesday,
October 12th to continue the broken’ up ses-
sion, Come to the union headquarters at
7:30 P. M. Everyone is ‘welcome.
FIVE DOLLAR PRIZE
A prize will be awarded to the best fea-
ture story submitted by shop reporters. No
member of the publicity committee is’ eligi-
ble for'this prize. All the feature stories
must contain some element that will help
build the union. Let’s go reporters! The con-
test is on.
The judges of the contest will be the
publicity committee and the reporters them-
selves, .
eu eran! nine eravoa emia et
for negotiable adjustment ‘within a local
plant. From these negotiations, mutually
agreed upon procedures become practices and
are mutually honored as such, but (we should
yemember) no local adjustment or agreement
can override: the basic Union and Company
Agreement,
An Outstanding Wealness
_..The fact that. every employee is. not famil-
jar with all of the rules and technical pro-
cedures and Presidential Executive Orders is
a weakness, but a naturally unavoidable one,
ina practical sense. ;
Foremen and Union Committeemen
It is important that, Foremen and Commit-
teemen learn these ‘rules and procedure and
Executive Orders and Interpretations.
“WHERE TO GO
Searchlight and Ordinance -— Hallo-
we’en Party and Dance, Tuesday, Octo-_
‘ll ber 26th, at the CIO Hall. Everyone is
welcome. 0 ;
Building 73 —- Hallowe’en Patty and
Dance, Thursday, October 28th, at the
~ CIO Hall. Come one come all.
Building 11 — Hallowe’en Party and
Dance, Friday, October 29th, at the CIO
Hall. Bring your friends and relatives.
USO —- CIO Hallowe'en Party and
Dance, Friday, October 29th, at the USO
Center on Clinton Street, - :
Section C Night — Saturday, October
30th, at the CIO Hall, at 8 P.M. ~
the echoes from the'disruptive and destruc-
tive whispering. gallery.
Let’s Get This Straight
The country is at war, and normal collec-
tive bargaining must be considered in rela-
tion to Presidential Executive Orders, and
Congressional labor legislation, such as the
Smith-Connally Bill, and the Little Steel
-Formula. Many of these‘Orders and interpre-
tations have nullified many of the favorable
provisions of our Union and Company Agree-
ment. Naturally, none of us personally “like
it,” including every Union Official. ;
No Union Official, regardless of his per-
sonal likes and dislikes, can honorably do
other than abide by the legal procedure af-
fecting all phases of Labor Relations.
Bitter Medicine :
The medicine tastes bitter at times, and it
isn’t for the want of trying to convince the
“Doctor” that “Doc” Roosevelt has so pres-
cribed this War time medicine of Executive
Orders, -Tntil.they_are_changed, .it’s every-
body's duty to be a good soldier and fall in
line. ;
Tf we fail to do so, either individually or _
collectively, we destroy the very basis of re-
presentative Government,
Tt will avail none of us anything but chaos
if a few of us, by inference or innuendo, sug-
gest “selling down the River,” or suggestions
of lack of Democracy in our set-up, for noth-
ing is farther from the truth, The truth is
that we are completely enveloped in Demo-
cratic procedure. Within our democratic set-
up is the strength of free speech, but isn’t it |
a weakness to misuse free speech?
(Continued on Page Two)
Have You Accepted the'
Any. weakening. of out-home. front at.this..
-time can only have the most serious effects
on the growing offensive of our armed forces.
. Yet Congress is seriously considering tax
_proposals that would have the most devastat-
ing impact_on the welfare, morale and pro-
ductive efficiency of the men and women
upon whom our fighting men depend for
their weapons and supplies. .
There is money aplenty available for all
our increased war needs, if war profits are
adequately taxed, if special privileges are
abolished, and if income taxes are increased:
on incomes over $3,000 a year.
Yet all the present concentration in Con-
gress and the press is.on raising most of the
extra tax revenue from the lower-income
“groups, through such vicious measures as
the sales tax, and through.lowering exemp-
tions to tax people who do not even make
enough to live on as it is,
Philip Murray, President of the CIO, and
other’CIO witnesses showed statistically and
through the actual experence of working
people that further taxes cannot be imposed
on incomes of less than $38,000 without dis-
astrous effects on the health, morale and
productive efficiency of our. war workers.
It is the folks back home*who sent them
to Congress that have the greatest influence
on the members of Congress. And that means
you. Have you written to Kearney?
——— 0:
Enroll Your Children Now
Schools will be closed in Schenectady’ on
the afternoons from October 25th to October __
demand-facts-which-are-facts-and not simply 29th because the rationing board is using the
school facilities for the issuing of new ration
books. i
If you enroll your children. now at the
Schenectady child care centers they will be
taken care of during. that period ‘of time to
enable the mothers to continue their work in
the plants. .
The nurseries are open from 6:30 A. M. to
6:30 P. M. They will be served a hot break-
fast, hot lunch, ‘afternoon snack and mid- ~
morning juices. se ;
Children of school age—6 to 14 years may
be enrolled at Nott Terrace Center, 218 Nott
Terrace; Pleasant Valley School, Forest Rd.;
Woodlawn School, Albany St. and Kings Rd.
MEN! — WOMEN!
For U. E. Women Relatives
“OPEN HOUSE EVENING” ;
CIO HALL: - 301 LIBERTY st. ~
Nevember 19, 1943 .
Speaker: LEO JANDREAU
*
Entertainment - - Refreshments
Music ..
. te . .
Sponsored by LADIES’ AUXILIARY |
Local 801 — U. E.R. M. W. A.
FREE — ADMISSION — FREE
ELECTRICAL UNION NEWS
* Page Two
= v2 SBUILDING 16—Sydney Freidlander
_ Winner...
7 and Geo. Fagel went to
The editorial committee and the
reporters committee unanimously
‘agreed to award Jack Nelson the
2° $5.00 prize for the best story in
the. Qetober--11th issue: of - our
paper.
Many good comments were re-
. ceived from the shops on the effect
the. story had on non-members and
‘some weak sisters and brothers.
% a . . :
- Question Box
Send Your Union Questions —
c/o 8. M. VOTTIS, EDITING COMMITTEE
301 Liberty Street’ ~~ - Schenectady, N: |
ee :
; po hoc, 7
THE NEGRO AND.THE UNION '
The Question—By Troy Snipes, Building 46
a
“gamination, Walt-Osterhout has becn,
“Acailed. for his. preliminary exam.
Three more men who are going ‘Lo
Aibany Saturaay for their final ex-
tnd out the, right answers.:-~---
ad, Clark and Cookie Van-Buren-
want to say that they have some in-
teresting plans* ahead for the next
Fun Club affair. Geo. Fagel financial .
secretary is collecting 50 cents. weel-
ly ‘from, all members to build up 2
fun looks li beer a
a
A few facts about Jack, who has
been an ace committeeman at CAP -
-----Sinee:1942, He started-working-at—,
the Campbell Ave. Plant in Dee,
1941 as a testmax‘cn-TAJ-TBAMO
work, Nelson is a Staff Sergeant ‘in
Civil Air Patrol, Radio Ham —
WS8FU, works at Station WSNY at
times and hitchikes to work from.
Amsterdam every day. And girls
he is single... .°. Jack has also spent sometime in Panama with the
U. §. Signal Corps. His ambition is to make the Test Dept. 100%
union before he ships out with the U.S. Marines as a radio operator
in'a month or so. It’s up to you members at CAP to help Jack ac-
‘ hieve his ambition. before he goes.
oe: 9 cee
NO SUNDAY--MEMBERSHP. MEETINGS
The general membership at a specially called meeting on Oct.
- 17th voted not to hold membership meetings or committeemen’s
meetings on Sunday afternoons and decided that membership meet-
ings-hereafter. be held as formerly ‘on the Third Tuesday of each
month. ; :
The. general officers“of the union issued the following state-
ment on the results of the vote: “We regret the fact that the mem-
bership decided against Sunday, afternoon meetings. The officers
had recommended ‘to the membership to hold Sunday meetings in
order to give our members on the 2nd shift the opportunity to par-
. Jaek Nelson
ticipate in the decisions and deliberations of our union. It is the’
desire of the officers of the union to make sure that all of our
4... memhers:have_equal-opportunity-te-exercise their democratic-rights—-
in accordance with the democratic principles upon which our union
is built. ss
“However the membership meeting of October 17th was widely
advertised.and_regardless_ofthe-feeline-of the general-officers-the
‘members present made the decision and so we abide by it.”
Signed: : : .
EDWARD WALLINGFORD, President ~
FRANK EMSPAK, Vice-President
WM. COOKE, Recording Secretary
WM. HODGES, Assistant Recording Secretary
S. SCHREITER, Treasurer
ROY LASH, Chief Shop Steward .
8..M.VOTTIS,-Financial_Seeretary--——-—-—
WEAKNESSES? “YES, WE HAVE ‘'EM”
(Continued from Page One)
Union’s Democratic Procedure
_. .No Officer,-Committeeman, President, Vice-President, Busi-
ness Agent, or what not can make a decision. Decisions can only be
made by the Executive Board, Committeemen and Membership (at
meetings). The Membership Meeting is supreme over the Executive :
Board and Committeemen’s Assembly, womeepinsemsnitl
Our weaknesses then, are human ones. So are the mistakes we
collectively make from the facts and knowledge at our disposal and,
: our ability to use them.
Our Union Representatives are as good, bad or indifferent as
the people who elect them, but they do not make the decisions. The
members accept or reject.
Whether our “ship” goes up the river or down the river, we
must have trained hands on the tiller, and if Democracy means that
every “Tom, Dick and Harry” in the crew is allowed to grab the
tiller at any time he thinks the ship is not functioning right, then
we have not Democracy, but anarchy, and the ship ‘will go down all
right, leaving everybody all wet .
Asn’t it far better to improve our known avoidable weaknesses?
There is ample opportunity for all of our members to give of their
ideas and suggestions for improvement, but once a decision is made,
let’s back those in charge o f the tiller. —
ELECTRICAL UNION NEWS
Published by
UNITED ELECTRICAL, RADIO & MACHINE WORKERS OF AMERICA
' “ LOCAL 301 :
301 Liberty Street ate
°
Schenectady, New York -
Editing Committee:
ED, WALLINGFORD EDWARD BAZAN
WM. HODGES 8. M. VOTTIS
era Negro
x to correct somé grievances, -he
He is only asking for
g g and he is helping
to pay for, and the mcraent this is understood half ‘of the Negro’s
problems:.will. be solveu.-I-have-been-told-.that-if -the-Negro-would-
attend the:meetings it would help him in many ways. \
. ‘Lknow-that is true, but“we can’t ignore the fact that.there are
hundreds of others receiving the rights and privileges that the
Negro is. asking for and never climbed the stairs at 301. Anyone
Wishing to write on or criticise this article is invited to do so. For
good critcism is food for thought and bad criticism reflects only
on the one who writes it. « oe
, ‘The Answer—By Editors :
» We have considered the above as this week’s question because
we feel a definite clarification is needed on the point raised by |
Brother Snipes. «
The union officials and the definite policies of the organzation,
are in full accord wth Brother Snipes’ statement that when a Negro
member of our union requests the correction of a grievance or aid
in upgrading, he is within his right and privilege as a union member.
_ It certainly is a misconception on the part of some of our
members that a negro is.asking a favor when requesting the correc-
tion of a justified grievance. 7
It is true that some of our Negro brothers have been told that
by attending union meetings and participating in the various ac-
tivities of the organization would help the negro in many ways.
Ths point has no bearing whatsoever on the settlement of a griev-
enee, This is a general point. What we mean by.this is the old
‘uaxim, that the squeaky wheel receives the grease. In other words,
he who more. actively participates will receive the greater benéfits,
The objects of the CIO as those of Local 301 are — “To bring
about the effective organization of the working men and women
of, America regardless of race, creed, color or nationality, and to
-unite.them.for.common.action. into labor unions for their mutual aid
and: protection.” “a ag : :
Local 301 is an organization of all American workers, united
as its constitution and its leaders declare, “regardless of race,
creed, color or nationality” for_the_purpose_of.improving—the living—
and working standards. of all Americans and for the purpose of
maintaining and expanding democracy and freedom.
. . Today the CIO, as Local $01, stands with every other American.
and with liberty-loving people everywhere against the murderous
attack of Hitler, Japar and theis Axis puppets; determined. to de~..
fénd the right of all people to live and to work out their own destiny
in freedom. sO ;
The CIO has always recognized that all people — “regardless
- of race, creed, color or nationality” must stand together to defeat
common enemies and achieve common aims. Hatred and disunity
are
fair for and girl friends,
ur suggestions,
yal
Is
TN
BUILDING 89—Jayne M. ‘Starko
and Ruth Barringer —
Harry Case, Exeeutive Board iiem-
ber, has been tesurherted ta ths iact-
ory. Harry —.¢ls—u
Working in’ ce Test Dept., but, likes
his new job imtuensely
stison, Section O board:
member announces that they expect
to’ have a section meeting and dance
at CIO Hall soon. Further details
later. ,
The ‘question is often raised about:
union dues and where they go. A de-
‘tailed analysis of union receipts and
expenaitures will be furnished in the
next issue.
ON CO-OPERATIVES
The co-operative method of work-
ing is common.in General Electric,
This method is somewhat. complex.
It is based on the same principle as
_individual piecework, that is, the
group is paid as a whole for the
amount of work done. Hach individ-
ual of the group has a sharing rate
in the money earned by the group.
The same rules apply to pricing co-
operative piece work as to individuas
piece work and the leader is vespon-
sible for maintaining fair’ prices for
the work aone by the group.
The leader is appointed by the
company and receives the highest
sharing rate. He accounts for time
and money and usually receives the
co-operative statements issued week-
ly. The statement should be available
for inspection by any individual in
the group. °
Inasmuch as methods vary ‘in dif-
ferent co-operative groups, members
who have questions or possiblé griev-
- anees, should bring their problems to
the committeeman who will try to
find’ satisfactory, adjustments.
“““¥6UR UNION
Your union is as good as you make
it. If you want 2 anion worth $12.00
a year to you, you can have that kind
of a union and.get good value for
“your money. But to have a really
valuable union, every member in it
ought to be interested and participate
in one of the many activities con-
ducted by the union. You can spend
a few-hours every month or every
between_people_is-the-_greatest-weapon-Hitler-has-found-in-his-bloody:
march to conquest, just as it has always been the greatest weapon
of the exploiter and the anti-labor politician. ~~ a
The resistance of the nations fighting Hitler and the Axis de-
pends on how well they stand together, fighting as one. The re-
,Sistance of oux own people to Hitler and his Japanese allies depends
on how well we stand together in our own country — Negro and
White, Jew and Gentile, Native and Foreign Born.
“. CAP—Tom Riggi ~
you will get out of your $1.00 month-
ly dues, . .
If you can attend membership
meetings, do so and speak your mind
there. That’s what the meetings are
for. You oan go in for social, athletic,
literary, political, or educational
work, If you are interested in any
phase of union work, speak to your
committeeman. and he will try to find
a spot for you.
——0
Third Class Gunner's Mate, Her-
man H. Kramm, recently won a. cita-
tion for bravery. He was a volunteer
from the crew of a Coast Guard Cut-
ter which picked up survivors from
the sunken gunboat, Plymouth.. The
proud girl friend is Rose Lombard, a
U. E, member working on Wind-
hovels in GAP, Kramm’s fine record
became public through «a report
issued by the Navy Dept., recently.
... Don Hancock, U. EB. committee-
man of Inspectors, was formerly one
of the banjoleers*heard over the radio
for years, As a banjoleer Don took
his musig very seriously aid as a
committeeman he: is tackling the
various problems that arise just as.
assiduously. . . . Nancy Maurillo, U.
E. worker here is engaged. The lucky
man is Al Soceo. The knot is to be
tied Dec. Good luck kid. .... A word
of praise for Margaret Van Buren,
new committee woman in the steck-
room. Her departmet was only 50%
organized and‘ is now 100% organ-
ized. Marge is a real hustling go-
getter who gots results, That is what
we are after. Keop up the good work
Margaret.
a
wie
U.S.0.—Friday, S Get
ready for a lively evening. of fun!
Dancing from 9-12 to the sweet and
hot music of Duke Mirate, and his
boys. " ‘ .
Ruth Cieszynski has arrived in Las
Vegas, New Mexico. The journey was
made:to enable’ her. to see her hus-
bana, Zigmunt, before going?
’ “How many times have you heard
about the big ones that got away.?
Tom Burk seems to have that cer-
tain something—the fish all got away
from him on his last fishing trip at
Saratoga Lake. All he actually caught
‘was—a, cold. Better luck “next: trip,
Burk! :
Welcome to the first shift, Amelia
Salerno! Hope you like it as much as
the third shift, and more.
«Who is looking sal these days?
Luella Wojtoweez. Your husband
may: be. leaving for the service. in a
few days—but—better days are com-
ing. So, cheer up, Lul
Emma _ Ruszkowski’s son, Gino
Bachiocchi, has just been commis-
sioned Chief Petty Officer in the
Navy. He is having a $200.00 Bond
sent to his Mother every. 8 months.
That's ‘what wa call a gcod son—
and—sailor! 7
——o.
‘BUILDING 11—Elayne Vrooman
The~-Production Dept. is keeping
Ed. Walker hopping here and there
_and everywhere, Evie, Pa., Utica. We__.
don’t know how he escaped Marcy.
+++. + Mrs, Harzel May was-very
pleasantly surprised to have her son
Earle home for a two week vacation
from ‘Michigan State, She plans. to
visit California very soon to see her’
two boys, Glenn and Bruce before
they leave for distant shores. Believe
it or not — Richard Wilbert of the
Maintenance gang, with a straight
face, says he bought some fly paper,
Hung it from the ceiling and awaited
door, disconnected the paper from
the ceiling and presto — the flies
that were stuck to the fly paper flew
into the great outdoors, Yes, folks
this is the best one this week from
our provacateurs’ club.
0
BUILDING 285—J, Lobal
Stella (Blondie) Walek is well on
her way to recovery after her opera-
ti tt’s two day visit. helped a
nny Vellano ) inducted
into the Army October 13, A sendoff
party for John, held at Sleasman’s
Hoffbrau, October 20, was attended
by move than 100 of his friends, with
such well known big shots\ as Al
Schatzle, Steve Miller, Jack. Lomas-
ney, L. Anderson, F, Hurst, (Goosey)
Wildman and (Blackeye) Van Pat-
ten. ... The two instructors in R-9
are growing at each other, What's
wrong boys? ... Bertha Stowell and
Dot Fischer, what is this I hear-about
the fancy door knobs at your apart-
ment. .. . Congratulations to Moe
Holstein. His wifs had a baby girl,
I didn’t think you could do it Moe.
... One of the boys asked Johnny
Janco how to get.a release. That’s
easy said Johnny, “Punch one of the
bosses in the nose.” Allright Johnny,
which boss? ... After a long trek
through miles of undergrowth, Trap-
. per Beilhardt wearily laid down his
traps--in Fritz’s office where three
mice were seen. ... Harry Sahr lost
45,00 betting on St. Louis. He could
have bought the. Brooklyn (Bums)
for $8.00. . . . The leading morale
builders of 285—Al Schatzle, Steve
Miller. and Jack Lomasney. With
these three we can’t lose... . Spill
the gossip to—Jack Lobel.
BUILDING 46—Florence Conaway
and Rudy Ellis :
On October 26th, the Searchlight
and Ordinance Department is going
of having all reguler mec ing.
one is invited to bring their familiea
and friends. A prize will be given
-the
begin at 8 and close at 1 A.
uu
Coumo’a__Orcheatra-.is—providing._the_.
music for both round and square
dancing. All out to the CIO Hall,
October 26th. Tickets: can be bought
from your board member, Jack Mele,
or your committeeman, . . . There
were thirty new people who donatd
blood. W hope to have the same
showing every week, So all of you
who have not donated, how about it?
Your blood may save a life......
Building 46 is on the job. A commit-
tee of four members distributed a
registration folder issued hy the Leg-
islative Committee of Loca! 801 urg-
ing everyone to vote. The committee
consisted of Rose Iovinella, Eric
Puff, Harry Winkler and Rudy Elis.
... Doing assembly on the 4th floor
the Julia Fritz and Joseph Lirosi.
Also, we welcome Lewis Morris to
the dispatch cage on the 3rd floor.
. «+ We have heard from two of our
former companions who are in the
armed forces, They are Art Cropsey.
and’ Neilson. ..... Best of luck. to all
our boys who are leaving us to join
forces. with Uncle. Sam. A few of
them are: James Hallenbeck, ‘Prank
Wallace, William Dabinett, Bruce
Baird, Robert Zott, Clyde DeRoches,
Stanley Butryn and Norman Wens-
“ley... . Weleome to Douglas Galla-
gher, a new man and Agnes Sand-
ford, transferred from Building 60.
... Alvin Beiganski a former em-
ployee who'is'on a furlough came.
into see us Octdéber 14th,
Peter Attanasio has been walking
around with a emile on his face. We -
all wondered why. Now we know. His”
son Elmer, who is in the armed forces ~
ill be home ‘soon. “Pete also--hes’ a:
-"son-who-ieea-musielan: at the” West
Point Military’ Academy. He certain-
_ ly__has “Something “to ‘emile .about--
Keep smiling Pete. It becomes you.
... The CAP has a UE member, Mrs,
Chauncey (ma) Murphy, whom ‘we.
are all very proud to recognize as a
“death several y
left with 5. children to bring up. In-
spite or this she hag a wonderful
course, been an airplane spotter, and
raised. a. vietory.garden this. sammer,
Her: children put their“ nickels ‘and
dinies toward . war stamps. every
week, She offered to donate her
blood but was turned’ down due to
poor physical condition, “Ma” is 48
years-old. She certainly is an example
for the rest of us to follow.
Here’s a final word to all good
union members. You can help
shorten this war. How? Here's
how. By sending in real- con-
structive criticisms and ideas to
the Ail Out War Production
Committee. An idea, however
small and. insignificant it may
seem to you, might help shorten
this war and SAVE many human
lives and untold misery to mil-
lions of people. So come on
brothers and sisters, support
your committee!.Give your sug-
gestions to your committeeman.
It is with regret that we inform
our union members of the departure
of Dewey’ Brashear, the hustling,
conscientious Board member from
CAP, for the army. We know he will
be as good a soldier as he was a
union member, Brashear has always
handled grievances in an efficient
BUILDING 73A—Chas. Campbell
and Tony Caputo .
We of 738A proudly present to
Uncle Sam, brother Joseph Hovel, of
the Ist assembly“ gang andi formerly
of station 401, Joe was inducted into
the army as of October 7, 1948. He
was presented with a sum of money
by his co-workers who were sorry to
see him go..Good luck and straight
shooting to you, Joel .., Bachelor's
luck, Dewey! —
——
FORT EDWARD—Red Boynton
Standard prices are being’ applied
throughout the plant now. as fast as
possible, but if there are jobs of long
stending that are not changed con-
tact your committeeman, . . +. A
week and_metfar_more_from.it than —results;-Soon-the paper was vlustered-— of 73A, ‘Beware! November 6, 1943 is
, With flies. He then opened the back
Sadie Hawkins’ Day. A celebrated
day annually carried out by Al Clapp
starring Abner Yokum in a daily
comic strip. In the strip all women
of dog patch have an opportunity to
catch a man for themselves on this
day... . . We welcome back to our
department Oscar Hershkowitz, who
was out ona leave of absence for the
past '6 months. Where was! you Oscar?
.. . Attention all girls of 738A for
humanity’s sake! Please, Please! Lay’
off of Lou Giandre, the grandpa of
wears a swallow tail coat when he
works, and the other day. Lou was
talking to a couple of girls when all
of a sudden he was seen mingling
about a mess of enclosing gate caught
by his swallow tail coat, A plain case
of excitement, Was it the girls grand-
pa? ... A vote if thanks was ex-
tended recently to the: following
members of shop 783A for their un-
tiring efforts in forming a welfare
group for the benefit of the 1st
shift, Commnitteernan Chas, Campbell,
Foreman. Palmer Burnett, Vian. Van
Hoesen, Andy Lockrow, Leonard
Montorio, Joe Morry, and Joe Le-
Guire. This will eliminate many petty
collections, Nice going, gang. ....
A wonderful job is being done in re-
gards tothe safety conditions of our’
shop thanks to our’ committee con-
sisting of Carl Fuchs, Adam Camp-
riello, Alex Pribis and Chas. Camp-
bell. Brothers and sisters lets all be
more alert to help this respective
“committee whenever any wnsafe
conditions exist... Report them im-.
mediately for everyone’s sake... .
Three cheers to Mrs. Billie Booth who
travelled all the way from Amster-
dam early in the morning to distri-
bute this paper at the gate at 6:30
A. M. How about ‘the local boys tak-
ing notice,
“party was held for Foreman Hank
Howard, who went back'to Schenec-
tady recently. So long to one: fair
foreman. ... We,weleome Anita Gil-
bert to the A.O.W.P.C. to serve as
vepresentative of the girls section. If
you girls have any ideas to increase
or improve production get in touch
with her... . Several of the boys and
girls have received their permits to
obtain doe licenses, Look out deer!
The wolves are coming. . . .. Com-
plaints or grievances cannot be set-
tled. unless your committeeman
our--shop;~Lou;-- you-~-know,--always—~knows.. about it, Get_in..touch with _
him or her and give the union a
chance to straighten them out... .
I wish to take this opportunity to
welcome “all ‘the new. comers to
Local 301's ranks and urge all non-
union members to join. United we
are strong both in war and labor.
~« ++ There will be a union meeting
October 27th for the Fort Edward
plant at Masonic Hall, Hudson Foils,
at 7:30 P. M. It is your obligation te
attend, .... Union stamps have been
received and passed out by the com-
mitteemen, Anyone who has not re-
ceived their stamps kindly notify
“Red” Boynton: - :
0
BUILDING 81—Joe Rossi
Congratulations are extended to
Joe Mangino on his marriage to
Betty ‘Carey of dispatch cake. Joe is
our new committeeman of drill press
section. Lots of Luck Joe! . .. Sam
Gallo will soon be leaving for tho
armed. forces, ..... . Our. bowling.
league of the second shift got off
“with a bang last week, Mike Negro
was elected president of our league
while Chuck Ricktmyer was elected
secretary-treasurer. Anyone interest-
ed please see Mr, Negro. if you have
any news pass it on to your trly,
