BEC
he
Geess.
ARE YOU A LOYAL AMERICAN OR ARE YOU GOING
To Mk ME FOR A WAGE INCREASE?
International Oil Worker (CIO
ESS ee CE
and Bonafide Unions
“Communism — Communism — Communism —
a oe So
.
B
“The word is being repeated over and over again by the
practitioners of the big lie techni
the enrs of nearly all Ainericans,
Anybody and everybody, everyone
is being accused of being a Com-~
munist or an ex-Communist or “a
communist © sympathizer? -or oa
member of a “Communist front”
organization, The suggestion is
mude that Red Spies are all uround
us and amongst us, under the hed
and in the broom closet... sug-
gestion which insults the Ameri-
can people...
“The hysteria is being coldly,
carefully, deliberately cultivated
by a group of men in powerful po-
sitions. They are creating this
hysteria as a smokescreen behind
which they hope to remold Amer-
ica in w pattern completely differ=
ent from that we have known in
the past....
“The big lie boys are not out to
destroy communism. They are out
to destroy democracy. To destroy
sn ae alcenvm schsicnn siS wan Sa
Bldg, 278: H. Hovey as a Floar
Assembler is: requesting an‘ up-
mrade from Class “C” ta Chiuss “B",
Bldg. 68s. Malinowski employ-
edoas ia Lathe Hund under Fore.
min Druzba is requesting that he
be reassigned back ta his former
operntion, claiming he accepted his
present: assignment on a tempors
ary basis. :
Bldg. 107: The group working
for Foreman Pearson is protest.
ing that common Jaborers are be-
ing used on building trade oper-
ations,
Bldg. 29: A. De Braccio employ-
ed ona slitting machine is asking
for aw retime study in order to ob-
tuin a proper price.
Bldg. 11: The group working un-
der Foreman Maxon are complain-
ing about a safety hazard in op-
erating portable test equipment.
Bldg. 40: P. Gaezkowski employ.
ed aus a Press Operator is com.
pluining that the prices established:
on his job were not wurived at by
the beater timing rate. He re-
quests the proper job rate be es-
tablished.
Bldg. 10€: Dorothy Memiman
employed as a Test Operator is
requesting that her job be reelussi-
hed to e higher rate.
Bldg. 28: The group working un-
der Foreman Jeffes are complain
ing about an inadequate price on
oatutor assembly. "hey are request=
Inge a new tine study. ‘
Bldg, 273: The proup working
ander Foreman slacob are request.
iugoa clarification of theit elassifi-
4 * Friday, January 8, 1954
Thousands of grievances are handled by UE Local 301
each year at all levels from the steward up to final appeal
in New York City,
To keep members posted, we shall
each week list some of the grievances that have not been
settled at the steward--foreman level and have been re-
ferred to the executive board-managemnt level. :
‘ation with regards to the ma-
chines on which they are employed.
Bldg, 273: Francis FPunaro em-
ployed as oa Floor sembler is
requesting toa be paid’ the full job
fie based on his expeience on the
ob.
; Bldy. 29: The group working Cor
Foreman Krawiecki are complain-
ing beewuse the foreman has been
operating a slitter when the regzu-
lav operator was availahle.
Bldg. 76: The group working un-
der Foreman Roosa ure requesting
a reduction in forces beenuse of
last time.
CART: Gerald Maney and Carl
Witko are requesting an increase
to the job- rate, claiming that they
ive doing the job in a satisfactory
manner.
Bldg. 269: The group. working
under Foreman Wyatt are protest-
ing the practice of engineers work.
ing on test equipment doing pro-
duction wark, .
Bldg. 273: The group working
under Foreman Sugalski are pro-
testing the use of apprentices as
helpers while rerular helpers ave
sent home for lack of work,
Bldg. 269: Edna Wojnus employ-
ed on a spot weld machine is ask~*
ing for the proper incentive job
rete,
Bldg. 22: The group employed
under Foverhan Garry are cam-
plaining’ because of the altitude of
noloader who is assuming . fore-
man’s responsibilities,
Bldg. 270: ‘The group working
under Foreman Kekert are asking
‘plaining. about the
for a revaluation of their job rate
inasmuch as new duties have been
ndded.
CART: Julius Pirro employed as
i Machinist under Foreman Setzer
is asking for a reclussifieation bas-
ed on the work that he is doing.
Bldg. 278: Grant Laruwiay chiss-
ified as a Marker claims that he is
performing the duties of a Checker
Cliss “A”? and, therefore, requests
an inerease in rate.
Bldg, 273: W. Brownell employed
as a Floor Assembler Class “B” is
requesting an increase in line with
the work that he is obliged to do,
Bidy. 273: Robert Hutton” em-
ployed as a Drill) Press Operator
under Foreman Ross is requesting
average earnings for extra work
on set-up.
“ART: Kenneth Reynolds em-
ployed as a Jig Bore Operator is
complaining about the rate paid
him which is low in Hne with the
work that-he does.
Bldg. 109: Carrie Posillica em-
loyed under Foreman Ciehy is com-
plaining because she was removed
from her job contrary to the sen-
iority agreement.
Bldg. 273: The group working
for Foreman Penfield as Floor As.
semblers are protesting the up-
grading of shorter serviee men in
preference ta longer service em-
ployces, .
Bldg. 269: Joseph Grubar work-
ing under Foreman Roche is com-
mite paid him
on a job that was assigned hy the
foreman, He requests nveraye
earning
democracy
frade unions, ve
“An example of their real inten-
tions, behind this phony facade of
“anti-communisny” is found in Sen-
ate Bill 1606, known as the Bugler
Bill, whieh is now pending before
Congress.
“Here’s how the Butler Bill
would destroy bonafide trade un-
ions, under the pretext of fighting
communism...
“The Butler Bill, introduced by
Senator John M. Butler (R., Md.),
provides simply that a labor union
shall be stripped of its hargaining
vights at any time anyone charyes
that union with being to the slight.
est degree influenced by any in-
dividual who. hus to the slightest
degree supported any so-called
. communist. group... ..
“Under that definition, (Butler
Bill definition of communist-domi-
“nated uniony the union would be
“Communist” in its support rt
higher wages, for the Commun Si
Party also claims to believe in
higher wages,
“Tn fact, the definition is so loose
that almost any person in the na-
tion could be found guilty,
“Specifically, the United States
Chamber of Commerce has listed
CIO as pro-communist ... f the
U. 8. Chamber of Commerce now
defines all of ClO. as communistic,
there is little doubt that any “sub.
versive cuctivities control board?
appointed hy the present adminis.
tration in Washington would se so.
Ts there any doubt who is running |
the show in Washington now?
“Ts there any likelihood that a
bill so extreme us the Butler Bill
will be passed by Congress? There
are indications that a definite ef-
fort will be made to pass the bill.
. .. Tt seems almost unbelievable
that Congress in thei right mind
would vote for the Butler Bill... .
But then some mighty unbelievable
things are happening in Washing-
ton these duys,”?
ELECTRICAL UNION NEWS ‘et
UNITED ELECTRICAL, RADIO @& MACHING.
WORKERS OF AMERICA (UE}
Local 301
“ pcm 2 oy
Published by the Edlterial Committes-
Prosidant—.... Jame 4, Cognotta
Vico Prosidant—.-no0—-—-—Josaph Alols
Troasurer-.
AQ1 LIBERTY: ST
SCHENECTADY 5,.N, Y.
® —
Boe NCE
__friday, January 22,
ae
“ON MY MOST SACRED WORD OF HONOR . +. Twill bear true and faithful allegiance to the UB and its
membership and will defend it against all who seck to do it harm.
Local 301 (above) were indueted inte office for the coming year.
ge Loyalty te UE
Officers Installed: Pled
The officers that will lead UE
Local 801 for the coming year were
installed with appropriate
monies Monday night at the fiest
Membership meeting of 1yfd. ‘The
election of officers was held in ae-
cordinee with the Loca! $01 Con-
stitution December 8 and 4, "The
polls were open. 80 consecutive
hours. The following were lected:
Jumes J. Copnetta, president;
Joseph Alois, vice-president; Miles
G. Moon, recording secretary; R,
Ceres
Rudolph Risslind, asst. recording
sverelary; Joseph Whitheck, trens-
drery William) Mastriant, chief
stewards; Leo dandrenu, business
wgent, William Garvisun, trustees
Vincent, Pakizeke, trustee: Joseph
Nacoceiv, sergeant-at-urms: Mario
Bagneto, wulde,
The report of the election com-
infttee, which was approved by the
Inembership, showed the following
had been elected to the Local 801
Mxecutive Board:
McCarthy Fingers Four’
‘euin-
With that solemn pledge, leaders of Ch
Neil Dube, Willian Templeton,
Vincent Di Lorenzo, Prank dl,
D'Amico, James De Masseo: Wil
lian Christman, Sidney Friedland.
er, Douglas Gray, Joseph Droz-
dowski, Henry Kaminski, alse.
Edward La Bumbard, Paul Lan-
dolfo, Sunday Dupi, Elroy J. Mar-
ine, Andrew J. Mitch, Howard Me-
Lean, Vincent Palazeke, Paul Rose,
Chales Seutt, Harry M. Willing,
also
Allen ‘Townsend, Anthony Vil-
luna, Joseph Whitbeek, |
Stewart, Donald Ro Hart, William
McColl, di, Ralph Vitallo, Julius
La Veyra, Larry Gebo, Helen Quit
ind and Fred Paeelli,
The annual cleetion of shop
stewards. was held Deeember
aad Toy by aecomdanee willy Ee loeal ”
Constitu¢ion, ‘Phe election eonmit-
teo reported that FOL stewards had
bee elected, .
The election committee repart
Wass dgned by John Saceacio, chair
Jain ered. Pacelli fseeretury,
Williarn’
Membership proposals for
union demands, to be submit-
ted to G in national negotia-
tions were a main order of
business. at the January mem-
bership meeting of Local 301. -
The proposals from the floor
on desired contract and wage
improvements will be submit-
ted by the delegates of UE
Local 301 to the GE Confer-
.€nce Board of UE which will
meet. Within the
weeks in New York
next few
The locals contract
“Rip included: j
Ac udditional paid holiday; mak-
eight in all, It was pointed
eut that in this aren Lineoln's
Birthday is observed, but not paid
and the surgestion was made that
this be the additional holiday. “The
atembership vated to demand the
removal of all strings on holidays,
such ous holidays. an Saturday or
Sunday ind the day before and lay
after work requirement,
Vatcation
thelude a
improvements sought
sliding. senle improves
ruent in ovacditions: for those with
hetveen five and 15 years service,
and an extra week after 20 years?
service, making veentions four
weeks after 20 years,
Pension Improvements
Many sugvestions were made far
pension — improvements, Among
them were raising the minimum
pension, now $125 a month, and
lowering the optional retirement
(Continucd on page 2)
Meeting Chooses Delegates
To Conference Board |
CE. Local 801s delerates ta: the
GE Conference Board, whieh will
meet in’ New York early next
month to draw ‘up demands far
hilo) “negotiations with | the
company, were cleeted at’ Monday
night’s membership meetings They.
are Locul d01 Pros. dames Coenet-
ta, Fred Pacelli, Second Shitt Baard
Member, and tus. Agent Lea dan-
Heres + : woth pao
propasals
“hrought forward by the menber
ESRD ARES OSIEAIE FTN On een
deeess:
se
nae.
Elect Trial Committee
‘B. Gouthey,
Vacation Unempioyment Benefits
wa After Appeal 2, Union
shut-down, are entitled to un-
employment benefits.
The lawyer for the Division
of Employment argued that
the workers should not get
paid for loss of pay during the
vacation shut-down because
the union: had “consented” to
the closing of seme parts of the
plant for vacation purposes. Our
union lawyer, on the other hand,
pointed out thet the union had
hever consented to the shutting ‘of
the buildings and that in fact. the
union had always protested against
this high-handed action of local
Management and had filed individ-
ual grievances.
Referring to the Stut@ lawyer's
turegument to the Appeals Bonrd
that the union had consented to
GH’s action, the Bourd said:
oe We are. unable to find any
! Nguage in the agreement,
AT rial Commiittee consisting of
Bldg. 69; D. Palme,
Bldg, 40; P. Donato, Bldg. 66; S.
De Petro, Bldy. 49;-L. De Angeles,
Bldg. 52; A. Esposito, Bldg. R:
Christinsen; Bldw. 275: John Sac-
cocio, Bldg. 66 and Ly Stanton,
‘Bldg. 40, Second Shift, was elected
y he sae en Mice wy night.
membership éneh fine aera aye
preferred against any member of
the loenl,
Membership Meeting Proposes:
(Continued from puge 1)
age. Proposals were also made
that a full pension be granted after
25 yours’ service, regardless of are
and that other changes be made to
insure un adequate pension for re-
tired GE employees.
The membership voted for im-
proved health, hospitalization and
insurance benefits, to be paid for
by the company. In this connection
“it was suggested that the Union
demand 10 days sick leave with
pay for production workers. This
has niever been allowed by the com-
“pany to its production and main-
tenance employees, although it is
the rule with office workers,
To Protect Joby
There was much interest in pro-
posals to protect the level of em-
® Friday, Jenuary 22, 1954
which, even by imitans « ean
Support such argument. The
shut down period” does not ap-
pear to have any application, to
provision in the contract that the-situation before us.”
“those Works shutting down an-
naally for vacation purposes
shall considér the vacation sea-
son to run concurrently with the
Claims’ for benefits will now be
paid to those workers who had
filed for such benefits.
Company Announces Schedule
For Vacation Shutdowns
The company has. notified the Union of scheduled dates
for departmental shutdowns for vacations in 1954. The Local
has urged Board Members to get in touch with the stewards-in
the affected departments and have
them poll the members, If there
is dissatisfaction’ with the dates
scheduled a case cin be initi-
ated for the entire’. department
or each shop steward can file ca
grievanee, * The company has indi-
cated that the following schedule
of dates is tentative and subject to
change:
Steam Turbine, weeks of duly 12
and duly 19.
Gas Turbine weeks. af July be
and July 19,
Kquipment: Deve Ones Track)
weeks of July 5 and duly 12.
Carbon Products, weeks of July
10 and July 26.
ployment, in view of the threaten.
ing layoff situation throughout the
company. Proposed demands deal-
ing with this point included:
Elimination of geographical dif-
ferentials, which encourage the re-
moval of work to low-pay areas.
A shorter work week, with no re-
duction in-earnings.
Contract safeguards’ protecting
aguinst arbitrary removal of work
where the move leaves tnemploy-
ment behind.
Women's Rates
Other proposed demands included
the elimination of diseriminatory
rates. on jobs. performed-by Awom- -
en. While progress has been made
in. this direction, much remains to
be done,
Welded Products, weeks of July
19 and July 26.
Insulated Products (#29 and
#64) weeks of July 19 and July 26;
Tube (#269) weeks of July 12
and July 19.
~ Foundries, weeks of July 19 and
July 26,
Chemical, weeks of July 19 and
July 26, .
Sm. und Med. Motor, weeks of
July 19 and July 26,
Wire (#109) weeks of August 2
and August 9,
Control, weeks of July 26 and
August 2.
Industrial Heating,
2hcand August 2.
weeks of
Special’ inereases for skilled and
day workers,
Improvements in incentive safe+
guards, .
Better protection of earnings in
miiking transfers.
Improvement in grievance pro-
cedure to give more authority to
plant management to settle griev-
ances, .
Liberatization of call in pay and
report time.
Improvement of continuity of
service policy, GE workers should
be entitled. to all their serviee— not
be deprived of it upon so many ex-
cuses,
Continuous proces
be given the same overtime bene-
fits as other production workers,
More adequate information on
8s operators: to
Profits, Taxes
And Layoffs
Although 1958 saw short time
and layoffs slashing the earnings
of people who work for a living
for the big corporations 1953. 4
au bonanza year, corporations ri
ports indicate,
In 1958 corporation net profits
after taxes were more than -$20
billion. For dividends, 1953 is ex-
pected. to be the highest year in
history, us corporations held off
paying dividends in 1952 to permit
their stockholders to obtain the
benefit of low er tax rates in 1953.
As: every. sign points to contin-
ued falling employment for work-
ing people. in 1954, the repeal of
the excess profits tax insures even
higher profits for the corporations,
amounting in many cases 30. per-
cent and more. This tax relief for
_ the corporations further endangers
jobs, by making it possible for the
companies to maintain or surpass
previous profit records with lower
production and fewer employces.
Rank and File Markers
For Annual 301 Audit:
Under the UE Loeal 301 Con-
stitution, in addition to the quart-
erly audits: conducted by the Local
trustees, an annual audit is or
ducted by a special group consis:
ing of the trustees, a certified puh-
lic accountant and three rank and
file members who may not be either
officers or stewards of the local,
Monday night's-membership mect-
ing elected John Saccocio of Bldg,
66, Kenneth Broady of Bldg. 52
and William Nightengale of Bldg.
46, Second Shift, as the rank and
file auditing committec. :
vage, Contract Demands
Job classifications, with immediate
information to the union on any
change in job classifiention:;
Second Shift Demands
Demands voted by the Second
Shife meeting included:
That second shift workers be
paid on Thursday night: instead of
Friday night.
That all commitments on wage
increases be given in writing.
That lost, time on union activity
he paid for by the company,
Three days off with pay in ei
of death in the immediate family:
Upgrading to higher rated jobs
he hy seniority,
Strengthening. the-no-diserimin-
ation clause to include sex,
A day’s holiday with pay on the
individual’s birthday,
ELECTRICAL UNION NEWS |
Tr maeraneen a ean tac RUHR a ANAM A MAA NY
r
a)
. protested ..the.
‘our More GE Workers at Lynn
DONHT WORRY, IT'S ONLY AN ORTHODOX RECESS ION
WE'VE. WEATHERED WESE STERMS BEFORE...’
fficers Urge Army Keep
Big Generator Job in U.S.
UE Local 301 Pres. James
Cognetta and Bus. Agent Leo
Jandreau have written to the Secretary of the Army urging
that a contract for two large power generators for NeNary
Dam, which was awarded to the
low bidder, a British firm, be re-
scinded and awarded to the Gen-
eral Electric Co., the lowest do-
nestie bidder,
In their letter of January 13
Cognetta and Jandreau. wrote,
“This contract would provide a
million man hours of work for GE
workers which. we sorely need in
face of the ever-growing unem-
ployment in our aren and the lay-
_offs taking place daily in our plant.
Moreover, our, government would
arney Replies to.
Jfficers’ Letter
Rep. BL W. Kearney has replica
to the letter of the Local 801 of-
ficers, saying that he has: already
awarding. .of con.
tracts for: electrical generators to -
a British firm, “as not being in the °
best interests of American indus-
try and American working men.”
~ ELECTRICAL..UNION .NEWS
RO Ul aa aie a AINEYPIDUNOA SER Ae yee perme
~ imately
benefit. tremendously throws keep
ing a large group of American tax-
payers provided with full employ-
ment-for at least one year, It has
been estimated that the equipment
and installation represents APpLox-
$2,000,000 in wages” to
American working men,
“We ure tooled here in Schenec-
tady and have experienced person-
nel that ean assure the production
of the MeNary Dam generators and
equipment to’ be delivered on sched-
ule and with the quality that will
give dependable service. General
Electric demonstrated its ability to
build and install the first generator
at MeNary Dam and-had it in oper-
ation ahead of schedule.”
“We urge you to use every effort
have the..contraet. awarded. to-
patie Electric in order that
American GE workers will have
the benefits of the’ employment
that the job affords.”
‘Moves In Like Vulture To Help
Company Put Over Its Layoff Program
(Continued from page 1)
Piasedl to co-operate with McCarthy at hearings held in Boston
in November. The company has announced that it has given
the record of McCarthy’s most recent hearings in Boston to
Supreme Court
Disagrees With GE
‘According to the General Elec-
tric Co. and Sen, McCarthy, part-
ners in GE’s new political blacklist
policy, any person who uses the
protection the Bill of Rights gives
him is guilty of wrongdoing.
At least two members of the U.
S. Supreme Court disagree sharp-
ly with the ideas of the Senator
and the corporation, During the
recent Supreme Court review of
the conviction of UE Sec.-Treas.
Julius Emspak, a member of UE
Local 301, on: a conviction of con-
tempt of Congress, members of the
Supreme Court sharply challenged
the Dept. of Justice’s view of the
Fifth Amendment. Fmspak had
used the First and Fifth Amend-
ments in refusing to ‘answer ques-
tions. The Dept. of Justice’ held
that this showed he must be guilty
of something.
Justice Frankfurter snapped up
the government lawyer.
“That is the kind of interpreta-
tion that is too common | today,
among people who should know
better and too many people who do
know better’, he said. “You go
back to the Justice Dept. and tell
them that the Fifth Amendment is
a protection to the innocent.”
Justice Jackson, who was chief
prosecutor of the Nazi war crim.
inals in Europe, chimed in with
Justice Frankfurter.
“Acearding to you”, he told the
government lawyer, “a person who
invokes the Fifth Amendment is
either 2 criminal or a liar, and you
know that is not so.”
Providence Journal _
Hits GE Policy “
The influential Providence “Sun-
day Journal”, biggest newspaper
in Rhode Island, in a recent editor-
ial took a slam at Gi’s new politi-
eal blacklist policy. Speaking of
the “McCarthy Court” which has ,
been set up. “outside the courts es.
tablished by the Constitution”, the
paper warned:
“There is a warning for the
Ameniean- people in-Aesops: frogs,
who ealled in King Stork to free
them from the. rwe of King Log
und were promptly gabbled up by
their eynical saviour,”
company lawyers to study to see
whether or not to apply its new
blacklist policy to the four GE pro-
duction workers who refused to act
as stoolpigeons for McCarthy at
public’ televised hearings in Boston
January 14, At the same hearing
one of the five Lynn GE workers
who had previously been suspend-
ed by the company ‘vose from the
audience and accused the. Senator
of working with the General Elec-
trie Co, to get rid of workers will-
ing to fight for their jobs and
rights as union members. Mce-
Carthy had five U. 8S. marshals
throw him out of the hearing room
to silence him.
MeCarthy Helps GE on Layoffs
lt is natleeable that in the oper-
ation of GE’s blacklist plan it is
being first applied where there are
serious problems of unemployment.
In Lynn some 2,000 have been nid
off since August. In Lynn, a plant
where IUE-CIO is bargaining
agent, five production workers are
suspended and four more threat-
ened. In Gl’s Evie plant, where
two UMN members are under sus-
pension, ineluding John - Nelson,
president of UE Leenl 506, there is
nise oun unemployment problem
enused by the company’s moving
its refrigerator work to a new low~
pay plant in the South,
While layolls have not hit Sche-
neetady as hard as Lynn and Erie,
there have been layoffs here and
the transfers and bumping going
on in the plant, together with the
running out of overtime, indicates
that unemployment will grow,
Moves Like Vulture
McCarthy has already said that
he is coming back here to finger
some union people for GE. Tt ap-
pears that wherever GE plans lay-
offs and wants to have a free hand
in downgrading on transfers and
wants to throw union seniority pro-
teetions out the window, McCarthy
moves in like'a vulture feeding on
the people’s hardships te do a job
of union busting for the company,
In layoff times, when the people
need thelr union and its protections
the most, for a fight to save jobs
and a fight to- help: those laid-off,
McCarthy and GE operate as a
te:nm to divide the people and make
it eusy for the company ‘to have its
way, :
Friday, January. 22,.1954...8
Tot nr tence aeicn emernennt
