acne ACI eB GN
. lanced Interests L
ees Share of Sales Dollar Shrink:
2
The Voice of GE Workers, Local 301, Schenectady, N. Y.
iconomic Policy Conference
Vol. 1) — No. 49
‘First
The Bodas
May 20,1955
a Be , JS — = Be
1955— GE's Report
| — 38-3/10¢
3B ion ° . GE employees have lost 4-7/10c° of
ne LO CENTS a their share of every sales dollar, as dur-
ing the past 6 years “Boulwareism” has
taken ruthless advantage ‘of the split
- among GE workers. Less and less for the
rendered. Av : fii employee is obviously what Boulware
ccna auw means by “Better Balanced Interests”.
peovts AND OE Over 100,000 GE workers now united
ve in IUE-CIO ‘have decided to call a halt
to this gross injustice by labelling 1955
The Year of Decision, by voting to strike
GENERAL Gf ELECTRIC
. TOTES T MEN if necessary to win the concessions from
“ GE which they are entitled. . x.
A proposal acceptable to.GE workerfi
as stated in their 11 point program will®
prevent labor trouble.
icy
At the first Economic Policy Conference, 400 delegates
representing 400,000 members of the IUE-CIO met in Cin-
einnati, Ohio, last week to discuss and recommend to the
union inembers how. to-consolidate our ranks for the 1955-56
wage and contract negotiations.
' During the 3 days’ sessions the delegates representing the
Conference Boards of the large chain organizations, such as
G.E., WestinghouseSylvania and General Motors (Electrical
Division) held sepatate*mectings and acted on reports’ from
their respective natidival negotiations committees. (G.E. report
in separate story). . ‘ :
President James,Carey opened the conference and intro:
duced Rev. Ellsworth Smith, minister of the Unitarian Church,
who gave the invocation, Al Hartnett, Secretary-Treasurer,
made the report for the General Officers, pointing out that the
IUE-CIO had won 53 new bargaining units in NLRB elections
in the past 7 months. The report further pointed out that 95°;
of the G.E. Locals had voted in favor of the “No Contract —
No Work” up. to the present date. The 5°; balance had not
voted as yet... No GE. Local had voted against the recom-
mendation as yet. :
Texas Tommy. °
Out’ customers py 5,907,000
during January, Fe and March in
return fas all of the products we sitade and
sold and all of the serv ‘
you will see. below, we
halfof this in paying
ART COMMUNETY REGATIONS
1. ¢ 7 Texas Tommy and his Huskies
The comedy trampoline act of 2 y
the Bodas wiil be one of the feature
attractions at IUE Local 301’s
Field Day dn Sunday, June 19th.
A veteran of many: theater tours
throughout -the country, this’ aet
has. also appeared on television.
Cincinnati Conference Recommends
Strike Fund to
The Officers’ report continued on to say that there is a
developing trend in American industry today for increased
production and accompanied with it -is increasing unemploy-
ment.
contributing factor to this dilemma. While organized labor
(Continued on Pryre 3)
Automation, the General Officers say, is the major:
are sure to thrill the kiddies at
Local 3801's Field Day Sunday, June
19th. This feature has been on
several TV shows including “Super
Cireus” and has toured many fairs
and theaters in the nation.
G.E. Conference Board Approves
Back Unions Position © Recommendations for Contract Changes
_Among the important actions taken by the delegates at- The G.E. Conference Board approved the recommenda-
tending the Wage and Economic Policy Conference in Cincin- « tions.of the National ‘Negotiations Committee for changes in
nati last week was the recommendation for building an ade- the IUE-GE Contract. . John Callahan, Chairman of the Con-
quate Strike Fund. ;
er,
he Year of Decision; Over
e
Reet fect
Stand __
FANG
The resolution, which wis over-
whehningly passed, calls upon
every TUR-CIO member to .con-
tribute one day’s pay or $15.00 per
month. should. there be a strike
ealled in either the G.E., Westing-
house or General Motors Corpora-
tion before x satisfactory agree-*
‘ment can be reached,
(Yeotutie the discussions on the
solution it was pointed out that,
for example, in’ the GK. Chain,
even though we have. 100,000 mem- ~
bers, we are not in a. satisfactory
negotiations position unless owe.
have adequate finances that will
help us conduct a strike if neces-
sary...General Electric appreciates .
this fact better than’ anyone’ else,
‘They have millions to back up, the
position of the Company cand. de-
pend upon their finan ial-baeking
lo see them through Ve, on the
_ (Continued anp
auetines
REASON Hag RRA Db ctae et
‘
OBL 9 SAT ph pS? 999
FIELD DAY
SUNDAY, JUNE 19th, 1955
At Republican Park, Princetown Road
There will be a full day of activities, such as Vaudeville Acts,
games, the drawing of a girl’s and: -boy’s gate award and. the 21
other valuiblé prizes listed. below: , gee a
Ladies Certified. Diamond... Rotisserie (Black Angus) -
Ring Poe cal wo TR. Twin Brush Waxer |
Aluminum Boat... .0 -. “14. Portable’ Phonograph
Automatic. Clothes’ Dryer (4 speedy eo
5 H.P. Motor: (Johnson Sea . Floor Circulating
. : : Clock Radio| —
Horse), | lio
Box Trailer Portable Radio os). 00.
. Golf: Club: Outfit Martha “Washington, Bed-:
” Reelinine..Chait..and. Stool spread. 2 : oe
“Three Piece Lugrage
Power Lawn. Mower
Swivel Top:Cleaner
Lane Cedar” Chest 4 —— _— 3
Tickets at 3for 50c available Monday, May 9th
SEE YOUR SHOP. STEWARD
. “Man's | Electric Razor
. Bishing Outfit... °
Steam. Tron
ference Board, reported that more than 100,000 G.E, workers
will be represented by 1UE-CIO in
the negotiations this your. The ne-
gotiations will formally open: on
July 19th, and will continue until -
September 15th, if necessary, which
should be ample time to negotiate
and arrive ata satisfactory agree.
ment,
The recommendations laid stress
on the question of ‘employment,
criticizing GE's. present position
that Unemployment Insurance: is
the answer to layoffs while at the
same. time GE. is campaigning in
the various State Legislatures
ugainst adequate Unemployment
Tusurarce, A. substantial wage the
crease-is urgently-neededs “The-re=’
port went on to say that GE: work.
“ors? production has inereased sub-
stantially higher than ineresses
“have in the past 5 years, Produe-
tion Mevensed per employee durin’
(Continued en-Page-2) 6
PEMA ARCANE
DOUBLE” STANDARDS|
‘Underpaid Congressmen
voted to increase their sal-
aries to a yearly $25, 000.!
ALL IN FAVOR OF. ME
GETTING A RAISE. rate
pages continue,
_IN ORDER TO CATCH UP
WITH THE HIGH COST OF
| LIVING!
But are opposed to a $1.25
an hour minimum wage for
The managenient has notified the Union that. they
may consider legal action against the Union if stop-
; The charge by management is bused on contract
violation to the effect that stoppages are not permitted
until all the grievance procedure has been exhautsed.
The Union believes that the contract should be ad-
hered to and we will not condone deliberate violations.
However, the Union is not inthe same position as
management when enforcing the agreement, » The
Union. finds itself demanding the members to be. pa-
tient with an unsatisfactory answer to a grievance ,
until the case can be moved to a higher level. In the
meantime supervision is not satisfied to maintain a
the: answer ‘given, at the New: York
level! is! iné-as. the foreman’s: answer, the con-
tract per nits the group to stop work without violation.
So in. this case the' fight takes place later and all the
for othe. community. goes up. in smoke. The answer to
worker and not to depend-on: time and delays to heal
the issue,
“We cannot help pointing wait the lie we find G.E,
“making publicly in the communities in which they are
located in order to buy hiunity support. “These
ure'the reasons why Gen tlectric believes that the
ines,about ‘is as phony as-a, three dollar,
inouning about stoppages being illegal and not good.
the problem is to resolve’ the: coniplaint made by the:
lea workera!
NOW..WHAT. WOULD YoU DO
wit THAT: Much MoNeY 2) 4
stitlus quo until the grievance procedure is exhausted. \
ut their proposals in effect pending a reversal — tio!
ligher level which generally does not develop:
vorkers jive familiar with this procedure of mane _
agement, asking: for delay knowing the New York
level of grievance procedure will necessitate several
weeks, The management's position on processing
eases through the full grievance procedure before a
est, forthright, non-atfil: approach to .negotia-
f s the best honorahlé method — because we are
nota bunch of thieves haggling over some stolen
trinket in a flea-bitten Eastern bazaar”. Tf this were
true,. grievances would be settled’ in the shop between
the foreman and the workers involved.
not. pass the buck to the New York level of the griev-
procedure,
They would |
“The. Union -men I have dealt
with, 1 have found to be honorable
men.”—Defense ‘Secretary Charles
I. Wilson,
iN ORDER. TO KEEP THE
HIGH COST OF LIVING
| Down!
GE Conference Board Approves
Recommendations for Contract Changes
(Continued from Page 1)
Article IX
Liberalize vacations,
Article X
Shift preference for long service.
this period by 4.50 per hour while
wajres increased 48¢ per hour, Prof-
its for the same period increased
64¢ per hour.
There will be approximately 25
changes proposed in the present — - :
Contract, over. and above the 11. More prot n for shop stew-
basic issues that will be. up for ne- ards. Increase number of local
potiations. union members for leave of ab-
The Contract changes ‘briefly in- sence,
clude. mo Article XII
Article I Company pay all lost time on
Recognition without elections. grievances.
. Article XV | ;
Article I, 7 Stronger arbitration provision.
Company ‘to pay. for check- off.
Atticle. HY
/ Union ‘Security.
Article IV"
No sex discrimination,
The Conference Board recom-'.
mended that job. posting and pay
for jury duty. for employees, on
second and third shifts be also in-
eluded.
Article V : _ A sub-committee of * the Confer-
ence. Board was approved to handle
any. meetings. between the Union
and the Company prior to. July 19.
The sub-committee is made up
of the following:
Dave Fitzmatrice, Loeal 707
Hugh MeManus, Local 201
Leo Jandyeau, Local 301,
Pay continuous process operators
same overtime and holiday prem-
ium pay as production operators.
Report-in time to be 8 hours at
averige earnings.
Artiele VI
Change present step rates to cur-
rent rates, Include automatic
progression in semi-skilled oper-
ation: ~Uprvading - hyes service: Bsns HG.
main factor. _ asking’ a free: ride with anyone.
“We wiht’ some: ‘kind of arrange-
Article VEL
Remove strings un heli members will. not ‘be on bread
Artice VIAL. 4 lines.
Liberalize continuity: Steclworkers’ economist,
ecl, “union):_ are. not.
e ment. so:that on their idle days.ouwr |
—Otis Brubaker, United -
Injured Workers Win Awards for Injuries
‘The law firm of Novak and Diamond which represents
Local'301: in compensation claims reports. that since January jee
1955,.121 injured workers received awards in cash from th...
General’ Electric Company for injuries asa result of accidents
at the plant. The biggest award. during the first part of 1955
was for an injury to an.eye. The total amount paid to this”
worker came to over $5,000. Other workers received awards
ranging as high as $2,186 for an injury to a leg; one worker
was paid $1,996 for an injury to an arm, another $1,848 for a
. leg injury and 18 other injured workers received sums of over
$1,000. each for their injuries. In one case a worker settled
his’ case with. the help of the union lawyers for $3,500 when
he: decided ‘to move to Florida
'’ Many. of the cases in which workers received benefits are
still pending. These workers continue to receive compensation
while .they’are unable to.work due to their injuries.
~ Workers:who are injured can report their injuries to the
union at the Union Hall.
Cincinnati Conference Recommends: :
Strike Fund to Back Unions Position
aa se “(Continued from Page 1)
other head as "members of organ- costs money.
ized labor, dov net: ‘have this rich
‘colter to dip into;, however, if each
one of -us contiibutes. afew dollars
each thonth, if needed, Wwe ‘can or-
feanize- the: recessary. finunees to
ssee-us throughs sn
“The financial posit’ -of the Un-
ion will}play. a very important role
at the nepotiations: tuble:this year.
Mr Boulware must, be’ convinced:
thit the G.E. workers atenot ‘kid-
ding: this year in order for him to
“muke-an ‘offer that will be. accept: -
The present strike
proximately $260,000, which is not
adequate if a chain is in trouble.
. However, if 400,000 members, stand
by. to contribute on a monthly basis
rerularly, our financial reservoir ¢ ”
fore, every member must assume a
moral ‘obligation that iftand when
bers have been.forced’.to: take ‘on
the fight in any one of the 3 chains,
we will: support them until the ight
able.“to. the. G1, LUE members... is. won... Whether, the. fight is con-. ..:
Mr. Boulware knows very well that. ducted
a Union regardless: of it numerical ,
“strength: must’ have; financial :back-
ing’ to: he offectiv He? knows: an
army. of soldiers, cannot! Wwinva war”
without’ ‘equipment to use which
‘in “GR, Westinghouse or
sion), the issues ‘are the same and
mny of these companies will have. a
bearing, con-all of us.
fund of the National Unior is ap-'
‘strength .will be unlimited. There!
one of our brother and sister mem-
Generak: Motors (Electrical, Divi- .
‘the results” of the. negotiations. in’
- After Leave: succeeded by Schaffer
Ox 100 ‘friends: and fellow
forkers attended a testimonial
dinher for Marshall White, Local «
301 Office Manager, held at° the
Town. Tavern’ list »- Wednesday.
night.
Brother White has held the post
of Office Manager for 5 years and
now returns to his former job in
Bldg. 13 Powerhouse. Under the
Contract,,.5 years is the maximum
amount. allowed for leave of ab-
«sence for:locil Union officials.
President. James Cognetta pre-
sented . gifts and a-sum of money
on behalf of ‘the group and com-
mended Bro. White on his long and
faithful service to Local 301 aid
the membership. During his 2¢
years of service with the Company,
he has been active in many Union
activities “and is a former Execu- ;
tive Board Member. and Treisurer
of the Local, :
He will-bé succeeded June 64
Roy Schaffe “a former’ ‘Executive ©
Marshall White
sistant Business Agent.. Schaffer
President and Recording Seeretary,
First Economic Policy Conference
(Continued from Page 1) '
“does not oppose automation, we think it should have some
social and economic controls. Organized labor cannot, and will ©
not, condone the introduction of ‘automation if it means the .
cold-blooded displacement of thousands of workers with no
provision for their transfer or reemployment. The progress
through automation must be distributed for the benefit of the
workers as well as the companies by: |“
L. *Raising wages thus increasing the purchasing power
of workers.
Reducing hours of work without peduding wages.
Cushioning layofis threugh, ‘guaranteed employment,
programs,
‘ Cutting prices of commodities thereby stimulating
greater markets.
The report went on to say that the prospect for the Elec-
trical Industry for 1955 will be record-breaking production and
profits with 108,000 less people employed as compared to last
year. The report claimed that the average hourly rate for the -
Electrical Industry is approximately $1.80 per hour.
The various Conference Board chairmen. made their: re-
_ports to the conference and they were accepted unanimously.
A lengthy report was made on pension plans’ in our in-
dustry, health, insurance and hospitalization programs, legis-
lation, ete..: All reports were discussed at length and motions
were passed adopting these reports.
A recommendation’ was unanimously passed calling for
e building of an adequate Strike Fund that will place the
..espective national negotiations: committees'in’a more favor-
able. bargaining position. (Separate. story on this question).
The conference received a congratulatory message from
President George Meany of the American Federation of Labor’
who pointed out “that the forthcoming merger of the CIO and
the AFL was.certain to strengthen the Trade Union Movement
in many ways -— but particularly i in the collective bargaining
power .of all affiliated. Unions”.
addressed the conference, reviewing the growth of. the. CIO
_and the coming amalgamation of the AFL and the CIO.
The. 3 day conference was held in an atmosphere of unity,
solidarity and determination. The delegates during their de-
liberations expressed themselves repeatedly along the lines
of “This i is the year of decision”. 5
Board Member now serving as As- ~
has held office in the Local as Vice-:
1955 Amendments — New York State
Unemployment Insurance Law
EXTENSION OF COVERAGE
(Amends Subdivision 1 of: Section 560 and Subdivision 1 of.
Section 562, effective J ','1956-and January 1, 1957)
This amentment brings‘ it: he first broad increase in cover-
' age since the law. was enacted in.1985:
At pres law covers (in general) employees of firms that
have four 6 re employees on 16 different days in a year, and
covers housetiold“employees if the employer has four or more house-
hold employees. on 15 different days in the’ year.
INCREASE IN EARNINGS ‘LIMIT FOR PARTIALLY
UNEMPLOYED CLAIMANTS
(Amends Section 523, effective April 25,1955). |
The weekly earnings limit for: partially. unemployed benefit
claimants has been increased from $30 to $36: . Claimants employed
—one, two or three days a week will receive a benefit of three-
rters, one-half or one-quarter of their usual benefit rate. Claim-
who have less than four days work.a week can now qualify
for partial unemployment benefit. if they earn $36 or less.
EXAMPLES: 1. Claimant during. a week works one day for:
which he is paid $12.00.. He is entitled to 3/4 of his regular weekly
benefit plus the $12.00. which he received as wages.
2) Claimant during a week works two days for which he is
paid $24.00. He is entitled to 1/2 of his rezular weekly, benefit. plus
the $24.00 which he received as wages. .
3. Claimant during a week works three days for which he is
paid $36.00. He is entitled to 1/4 of his regular weekly benefit plus
the $36.00 which he received its ‘Wages,
MAXIMUM BENEFIT RATE INCREASE
CAmends Subdivision: 7, Section 590, effective for benefit: years
beginning on or after_July 4, 1955)
The maximum. weekly bengfit has been increased to $36. for
claimants whose average wage:is $70 or more a week. Previously
the maxiinurhn. benefit was $30. The change is made by adding six
new classes (at dollar intervals) to the benefit rate structure.
The new benefit rate. schedule follows:
‘ aan : - “py
Benefit rate
for each ac-
cumulation
: of four effec-
Average weekly wage | tive days
Less’ than $16.00 . : ne wee $10
$16 or more but less than ‘R17.
$17 or more but less than a0.
$19 or more but less than $21...
$21. or more but: less than
$23 or more ‘but less than
Jormore but less than
-or-more but less than
or more but less than
or more but less than |
or-more but less than
or more but less than
Y more but less than
more but less than
rmore but less than
r-more but jess-than.
ye but less than:
ore but less thin
Wdte but less. than
r-more but less than
4 ordre butdess than
or more but less than
or more but less: than
or more but less: than
or more but less t!
or more but less than #10,
ri 00 or more
Correction |
President -Walter Reuther _
blue-white ae perfect 60 ope,
mond. The» yalue) was previously
“TUE-ClO LOCAL 301 NEWS
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF LOCAL 301,
CREPRESENTING SCHENECTADY ~
$550.00. is. the etal value, of the, GE. WORKERS
ond ring. to
2 <i
“Published by the’ Editorial “Comimitteo”~ *
: “Prostdont ‘James, J. Cognatta
Vice’ Prasl Joseph Alols
Treasurer... Josuph Whitbeck
Recording’ ~- Milos .Moon
mn E, Townsand *
Willlam ‘Mastrlant
-leo: Jandreay’
SCHENECTADY, Ne ae
_ dume ‘19th.
Businoss Agent: .
SOU LIBERTY. ST.
stated in error as $200.00,
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0