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UAW Solidarity
-
1959-05-01
-
Vol. 2 No. 5
-
2
1959—Page
May,
SOLIDARITY,
MICHIGAN
jobless
of
HUNDREDS
AFL-CIO
the Michigan
toward
walk
on
State
of the
in the shadow
Here,
arrived
buses
Capitol,
their
by
for
arranged
representing
a group
Conference.
Unemployment
unions.
local
Local
UAW
ABOUT 700 TOOK PART in the day-long program which began at Lansing’s
away
hammered
Emil Mazey
Secretary-Treasurer
Here, UAW
Civic Center.
7
‘Abolish Michigan Senate;
ane
Doesn't Represent People’ wey
LANSING—Because Michigan’s Senate protects vested,
selfish, propertied interests instead of the rights of the peo-
ple as a whole, it is outmoded and should be abolished, UAW
Emil
Secretary-Treasurer
“Until we change the political structure in Michigan and
get rid of the outmoded, useable
Mazey
legislation,”
decent
get
to
approximately
the
told
case.
be
won’t
we
Senate,
state
be
representatives.
union
camera]
house
legislature,
whose
body
members
is districted
so the
were
Republicans
of
total
a
22
Senate's
com-
which
714628
Democrats,
12
only
told his cheering audi-
elected
Mazey
ence, “The Senate doesn't represent
people;
it
represents
geography.
said, can
is
rule
gan,”
“It
he
by
ills,
legislative
Michigan's
be traced
continued.
means
representative
we
do
Michi-
not
have
government
eur state,” Mazey
A state, he said,
added.
has the
is
workers
damage
as
serving
Motors
General
insisting
in
temporary
pensation
only
with
they
and
will
extension
amendments
their
com-
measure
set
WORKERS
UNEMPLOYED
as a whole,”
he said,
grievances.
Declaring
of
that
he
added.
the
Repub-
unions
should
“start a groundswell”
in the
drive for a unicameral legislature, Mazey added, “When we
a
okay
to
thousands
to
licans
would
be _ depriving
workers
at individual
plants
of the right to strike to correct
Chrysler”
unemployment
on
injustice
re-
Ford,
of
“lackeys
great
in Michigan and great
to the state and the
In effect,
compensation.
Republicans are
unemployment
But Senate
a
people
emergency
and
adequate
to Ford
in
and situations such
problems
as the current “key” problem
of
doing
thousands
urgent
to"deal with
sponsibility
he
in
of
payment
benefits
have
that
solution,
we
(Continued
de-
court
top
GOP Senate Drags
On Aiding Jobless
in
ers of temporary benefits unless the GOP amendments are
in the bill, the State Senate
to this. “It
minority
Court
won't
Grand
Sen.
during
a
of
filled
He
was
Feenstra
be
jails
working
33
years
for
Packard
and
the
firm
that
all
replying
worker
Republican
get work.
the Sen-
employed
in
adequate
fits and
would
would
simple
to-one
a
workers
little
to
who
an
to
a
had
if
we
bit.”
unem-
said
provide
unemployment benewelfare payments
increase
Asked
cans,
1)
by
the
one
rate.
delegate
be willing
if
to vote
extension
compensation
crime
of
he
for “a
temporary
without
any
fishhooks,”
Feenstra
snapped,
“Twenty-six weeks hasn’t been
enough
for
you.
Thirty-nine
weeks isn’t enough. Next thing
you'll ask for is 52 weeks
no work at all.”
When
him
a women
he
“ought
to
delegate
be
with
trying
told
to
pass
Jaws
that
would
help
people,” Feenstra thrust forward. “Don’t try to kid me,”
he said. “You didn’t put me in
office.”
was
statement
The
pounced
of Local
on
7. “You
Mike
Marasco
think
you’re
too big for the little people
Maare unemployed,”
who
rasco
him.
told
recess
legislative
succeeded
by
to
it,
therefore,
them
of
most
But
have
who
un-
Michigan.
senators,
courteously.
are
There
currently
workers
listened,
told
right
failure
insist on speedy action to help those out of work through ng fault of their
if your kids were hungry, you'd have a diffttent attitude,”
own. “Maybe
Alonzo Cook, a laid-off member of UAW 190 tells Sen. Perry Greene (R., Grand
10 months
Cook has been unemployed
Rapids) as other delegates look on.
after
ners can’t
The
Republican
unemployed
the
ployed
the legislators that they ought
to be doing the right thing.”
senators
Rapids’
“might
it
from Page
Charles
group
have to be coming down here
all the time to try to convince
tackled
over
talk
walked
They
state Senate to
310,000
as
were confined to that plant;
the strike had nothing to do
with the state of Michigan,”
“They involved
Mazey said.
speedup and similar issues.”
“By depriving laid-off work-
with
elected
votes
668,986
the
to
pared
Michigan
how
out
same
the
the
to
to their
ate and House can take to lessen the hardship and despair
breadwinwhose
of families
or
workers laid off in Michigan as
the result of a strike at the
company’s Canton, Ohio, plant.
“The Canton strike issues
Rule by Minority
Spelling
permitted
unemployment
laws
whose
Michigan
cision
population.
representing
are
rulings
The
be elected on the basis
would
ef
one-
a
states
that of the Supreme
its Ford decision.
uni-
a
of
establishment
ference.
Out of Step
other
court
he said, would
solution,
The
37
capital for the statewide
legislators about steps
Republican
The proposed
he noted, would
amendments,
put Michigan out of step with
the
attending
delegates
700
Michigan AFL-CIO’s statewide
conference of jobless workers
and
ME POOR -
gan
Ford
the
in
decision
Court’s
unem- sito!
Michigan’s
to
ployed one afternoon this month, then went on doing noth- }*
ing. The jobless men and women were here at the Michi-
Supreme
Michigan
the
aside
unemployed.
the
aid
to
listened
— Republicans
LANSING
declared here.
Mazey
measures
on
Senate
State
the
in
Republicans Hear Jobless;
In One Ear, Out the Other’:
Tells Conference:
Mazey
less
stalling
GOP
at
the
almost
quietly,
Republiand
there
majority
two-
a
so
and
pass
laws
which
control
anydo
didn’t
don’t,
which
thing. more than that.
Mazey
Appears
the
aid
would
of wit-
a large number
to hear
nesses plead that it report out
legislation to provide extension
of
temporary
unemployment
benefits
ers.
for about
28,000 work-
the
testimony
em-
workers,
Smeekens
has
Despite
phasising the dire plight of the
jobless
taken
no action
so far.
Emil
Mazey,
UAW
secretary-treasurer, told the com-
mittee
in dire
that jobless workers,
financial straits, need
“They
should
the
benefit
extension
years
get
it without
any ifs, ands or buts tied
it,” Mazey said, referring
GOP
the
bill
preme
to
Court
ployment
Pauleen
Lansing,
ployment
been
workmen’s
wipe
ruling
benefits
workers.
had
on
insistence
on
for
Su-
a
unem-
642,
because
she
compensation
at
of
lost
benefits
injured
her
and
kind
said
at Chrysler
he would
of a job
hiring.”
family
“My
out
happened
said, referring
pass
to
benefits
bill.
Morris,
Ken
unem-
drawing
had
he
work
was
at any
just
be
shouldn’t
something
state,”
of
that
he
refus-
to GOP
temporary
the
UAW
1
Region
compensation
bills.
me
that
Seri
Edwards
and John Voelker had
bst
jorities
despite
Co-Director,
pointed
Court
Supreme
re-elected
campaign
out
George
Justices
against
ma-
heavy
by
Republican
a
them
on the Ford decision.
based
Wilkins, who lost his
as a Chrysler
year
Wesley
last
job
syt
AE
©
th
ud
ole!
com-
-fxTt!
auto plant worker for 30 years
but cannot find a job because
+i
solder
mittee
grinder,
he
that
ner for his wife
dren.
“Welfare
told
has
He
the
been
is breadwin-
five chil-
and
turned
an
me
down,”
he said, “because they insisted
I
Am
I must sell my home.
supposed to lie down and die?”
gan
REPUBLICAN SENATORS are turning their backs on the people of Michi
ment
by putting a price tag on the proposed bill to extend temporary unemploy
(right) tells
benefits for 28,000 Michigan jobless, Secretary-Treasurer Mazey
In addition to talking to senators, Mazey
Sen. Haskell L, Nichols (R., Jackson).
n on untestified before the Senate Labor Committee, urging emergency actio
employment
i
10
10 months
they’re
“but
for
penalized
al
when
seniority
of his age—48.
Ford
Local
Field
who
to
to
amending
out
ago,
off
at higher
workers.
who
Wright,
Leon
aon
nd
used by
to pro-
Be Penalized”
“Shouldn't
ne
automation’s
Automation,
cars
fewer
more
duce
prices with
)»
| Sfic
oc
group
the
asked
also
been
bill.
|
for temporary
she said, has been
auto manufacturers
not
into
Committee
Labor
Senate
to}
committee
workers who jr i
investigate
to
effect on jobs.
session
the
be eligible
She
laid
called
Smeekens
28,000
the
urged
layoff,
benefits. But she emphasized
that the committee also should
concern itself with the state’s
who
workers
jobless
200,000
have exhausted benefits.
For example, State Sen. John
Coldwater
P. “Joe” Smeekens,
Republican,
her
time of
the
con=>!"6
unemployment
AFL-CIO
IB
2188
t
eee) OE
ne
Historical
Association
Honors UAW
received
union
a labor
time,
the
Mo.—For
LAMAR,
first
ci-
tations from a nationally-recognized historical society when
and
Louis
and its St.
UAW
councils
officers
City
Kansas
with American
were honored
awards
Association
Historical
of merit at ceremonies here.
by
State
Missouri
the
of
tary
secre-
Shoemaker,
mos
deHistorical Society, who
scribed the awards to UAW
revolutionary.”
“almost
as
jo
| BIRTH PLACE |' fF
| HARR
presentd
The citations were
Floyd
Eo]
The presentations came at a
former
honoring
banquet
S. Truman
Harry
President
following UAW’s presentation
to the state of Missouri of his
shrine.
“For
toric
association
“This
well
his-
an
time,
first
the
historic
an_
as
birthplace
national
of
importance has given recognition to labor,” Shoemaker said.
recognition.
proper
in
step
the
mark
may
of
for in
labor unions stand
what
first
this country.
“I am as aware as any of
you of the criticisms of labor,”
equally well aware
am
“I
declared.
Shoemaker
of the bene-
fits of unions.
“The labor unions
of Ameri-
SSS
ca,” he added, “are one of the
treasures of this country.”
Shoemaker
said
Association’s
last
awards,
voted
meeting
at
at
the
the
merit
Historic
annual
City,
Lake
Salt
the InternaUtah, honored
tional Union and the two officers councils for their efforts in preserving Truman’s
He called it “an
birthplace.
outstanding
history
the
this state.”
The awards
for
Vice
accepted
were
Union
International
the
President
Leonard
ob-
was
President
former
white-haired
the
viously moved as UAW Vice President Leonard
Woodcock formally turned over the deed to
the property to Missouri Gov. James T. Blair,
and by tributes paid him by Woodcock, U.S.
Sen. Stuart Symington, Region 5 Director Ted
Hawks and others.
“I know they liked me,” Truman later respond-
of
culture
and
on,
to
contribution
“The economic expansion of the years of your
administration, brought about your policies, is
parallel in the history of America,”
without
Woodcock continued. “Had we continued at that
rate in these latter years we would today have
neither the problem of mass unemployment nor
of inflation.
“The defensive bulwarks of the Free World
were erected in those same years,” the UAW Vice
LAMAR, Mo.—The small white frame cottage
here in which Harry S. Truman was born 75
years ago now belongs to the people. It was given
them-as an historic shrine last month by UAW.
With a huge crowd of about 8,000 looking
by
Wood-
cock, for the Kansas City officers council by Leland Cox, its
president, and for the St. Louis
council by Walter Dahl, presi-
ed,
his
voice
emotion,
with
husky
Louis
Louis
widow
Wyatt
Walking to dedication cereLahumble
monies at the
that
cottage
Mo.
mar,
was his birthplace is former
President Harry S. Truman.
him
is
Leland
of UAW’s
president
City officers council.
Kansas
of a nephew
Earp.
City,
of
it was
famed
owned
western
the
by
marshal
“You yourself have said, Mr. President, that
be
the final verdict on a President cannot
made in less than a generation,’ Woodcock
said. “Yet in seven short years, I think, the
votes are coming in—and the verdict is that in
a
Behind
and
some
of
her
most
critical
years,
1945
to
“They
Kansas
imaginative
officers
to turn
councils
over
to
the
had
purchased
state
“for
the
several
don’t
do
this
sort
of
thing
to
a
former
President until he’s been dead 50 years,” Truman
“That’s why I don’t like to be recommented.
ferred to as a statesman—a statesman is a politician who’s been dead 50 years.
“I’m highly appreciative to the union. It’s a
great tribute to have your birthplace turned
into a shrine before you're dead.”
1953,
America had at the helm a.man of courage
and vision and greatness and a spotless, fearless honesty.”
Cox,
and
bold
“Your record, Mr. President, will go down in
history as that of one of our greatest Presidents,” he said.
“And in addition, it’s just that we love you
very much.”
Truman received long, loud applause when he
rose to speak. He told the crowd that he appreciated the tributes very much “but it sort of takes
all the starch out of me.”
estimated at about 4,500. At the time it was
bought in 1957 by the union’s officers councils in
St.
UAW
birthplace
reasons.”
know they thought this much of me, Thank you
from the bottom of my heart.”
Both Woodcock and Hawks told their listeners
why UAW had purchased the home, about four
blocks from the business district of this quiet,
southwest Missouri town whose population now is
dent.
“Those
policies saved our heritage-and continued the opportunity for progress for the new generations.”
Hawks emphasized the Kansas City and St.
I didn’t
“but
added.
President
Bis
we
8
8
at a banquet honoring President
SPEAKERS
Truman after dedication of his birthplace were
U.S.
and
UAW
Louis
torical
in St.
COUNCILS
ITS OFFICERS
AND
and Kansas City received American His-
Association
awards
of
merit,
the
first
time a union has been so honored, Floyd Shoemaker (left), secretary of the Missouri Histori-
cal Society, presented one of the citations to
Walter Dahl (right), president of the St. Louis
UAW
officers
council,
PRESIDENT
through
purchasing
to
the
TRUMAN
ce President
state
his
thanked
Leonard
birthplace
of Missouri
and
as an
UAW
members
Woodcock
turning
historic
it
for
over
shrine.
Sen.
Stuart
Region
Symington
5 Director
Ted
(Dem., Mo.)
Hawks.
(left)
Mboya
Tom
Africa's
One-Man
going
but
on
which
Americans.
one
The
may
you
a
is
not
“Mission
have
challenge
is Tom
man
to
to America”
the
minds
Mboya
(pronounced
the
political
all
and
you
Mmm-boy-ah), just 28 but already one of
the leading figures in all Africa.
Mboya is now touring the United States,
the guest of the American Committee on
Africa, sponsored in his many stops by community organizations that foresee nothing
but trouble for America in the injustice of
white .supremacy and colonialism enforced
by European nations in Africa.
In Detroit, the UAW joined with 23 other
public-spirited bodies in sponsoring an African Freedom Rally.
GUTUELUULA0ENEU UU UNNeNN AANA
Mboya Was the Whole Show
ONUEUUUAN
ONAN
ASERE UUNGN
AGEN UUAUU
AUUUOSENAS
Hundreds who couldn’t even pronounce
his surname but who felt the imminence of
on the world
Africa
Detroit’s
jammed
scene
Rackham Memorial Auditorium to hear the
from _ faroff
unionist
trade
soft-spoken
Kenya.
More hundreds were turned away because
of the overflow crowd.
He
raise
kind
200
doesn’t
voice
his
warnings
shout
in depicting
even
nor
the
of colonialism, the abuse of more
million of his fellow Africans
amounts to total degradation.
He speaks always in a low key.
the
that
quickly,
feeling,
dispense facts to anyone
are crystal
His words
meaning
takable.
“T’m
he says.
slip
words
here
not
in.
with
would
the
sticks
very
their
their
legislature
in
1956.
first of
run for
arena,
a
African.
any
the native Kenyans perpublic office, was elected
Some
14.
own
candidate
The
and
also
elect
Arabs-also
have
whites
European
thousand
representative.
Asians
150,000
25,000
handpicks
colonial office then
British
elect
additional whites for the legislature, thus
guaranteeing a winning white vote on any
issue.
Mboya, legislator and trade unionist, is
:
always under police surveillance.
Before he can address his people, he must
apply
to
license.
a
for
authorities
the
He
must disclose in advance the agenda, list
of speakers, wording of resolution to be debated, time and place of meetings.
“There
can
nothing
be
inflammatory
in
of their own.
young
trade
union
4
Berlin Bleibt |
people of West Berlin
WEST BERLIN—The
turned their 1959 May Day demonstration into
Representing
for the free world.
a triumph
American Labor, UAW President Walter P. Reuther, added a new dimension to the dramatic
occasion by his speech and his presence.
Berlin’s hard-fighting, hard pressed, free trade
organized
crisis.
group
They represented not only labor, but every
and
Socialists
both
in the community;
ple in this city since 1949—the year of the Soviet
blockade — another year of deep and poignant
More
groups
walked
their
firm
of
CO-DIRECTOR
UAW’s
department,
practices
(left), helped to arrange
fair
William
Mboya’s
what I say, otherwise I can
nationalist agitation . . .”
some
members
of which
60,000
be
employment
Oliver
H.
Detroit visit.
accused
workers
“industrial”
of
in Kenya
workers
are
of the Kenya Federation of Labor,
Mboya is general secretary.
“Despite the laws which are directed at
strangling trade unionism and all it stands
The
for, the labor movement is growing.
people recognize the trade union movement
as an important ally, connecting them with
the world outside, in the common cause for
freedom and their determination to be allowed into the 20th century,’ Mboya explains.
The wretched economic conditions of millions of Africans under colonial rule and the
stubborn, unconcealed denial of democratic
rights to Africans is known to America’s
governmental leaders, Mboya points out.
And at this point Mboya looks you squarely in the eye.
“The people of Africa know the American
Your revolution albackground very well.
most
200
years
ago
was
against
the
very
same colonial crimes now being perpetrated
That is why
against millions of Africans.
from
sympathy
least
at
expects
Africa
Americans
—
and
not
contradictions.”
of peo-
outpouring
this greatest
unions
anti-
firm
a
in
teamed
Democrats
Christian
Communist alliance.
and
With this background, Mboya went on to
win a scholarship at Oxford University.
But before he headed for England, Mboya
firmly entrenched himself in the trade union
and
for
Half a million plantation
Africa see in Mboya exactly what Americans now look back and discover in Lincoln.
Mboya had no schooling until he was in
his teens.
He attended a Catholic mission in Kenya.
There were no blackboards, no chalk, no
notebooks, no pencils.
With other children he sat on the ground
in a wide circle around a missionary and listened to the reading of the Bible.
Words were etched into the sun-baked
The children mouthed the words
ground.
over and over. And copied the missionary’s
Mboya
spot
political
Six million Africans elect 14 of their own.
Sixty
a
the
like to
Lincoln in a log cabin had a silver spoon
in his mouth compared with Mboya — and
linking the two is not illogical. Millions in
movement.
the
into
healthy
Mboya,
mitted to
to
him
anyone,”
AD USU ASIANA AEELA UTA ESN AAA EASE
sharp
too
shot
explained.
or any-
unmis-
NTESUUUO4 000800000010 00000 TANASE
Lincoln and Mboya
with
That
Mboya
of life, in Africa
to
imagineable.
writing
else,’’
where
not
facts
get
know the facts with regard to Africa. And
what Africa’s course will mean to America.
And to peace.”
Mboya’s social and political outlook sounds
highly-polished. But it had the roughest beginning
world.
“Trade unions can’t exist in isolation from
than
that
only
crisp,
Plain,
Americans
“I presume
the
who cares to listen.
doubleNo
clear.
quarrel
to
in
rawest
You
here
he’s
he
does
around
unionists
trade
of
about—
heard
synonymous
became
Africa
in
movement
aE
a one-man
There’s
America
to
‘Mission
in
than 600,000 Berliners marched
from 16 points of the free city, or
with their families. Then they stood,
eyes
glinting
in
the
welcome
sun,
Bleibt Frei.”
their faith that “Berlin
to
af-
This
means not only “Berlin Remains Free” but that
it’s going to stay that way, come what may,
despite Nikita Khrushchev and Soviet threats.
Back in 1949, Berlin was still undergoing the
The Allied airlift—the endless
Soviet blockade.
chain of pilots and planes—was still flying in
every
and
of the day and night food, clothing
moment
population.
fuel to Berlin’s beleagured
UVVVCUTUVUUUROUUUEUONAEVOVAAOUUUOOUEUUUEEORUAUU UU
ENE
Crisis Returns to Berlin
UULDEAOAUUUUDEYAUUCUEN
UP
DESA
SUVUADUNEONAUDUEAA
West
Reuter,
mass
Berlin’s wise and gallant
had assembled the people
assurance
to
the
that
world
mayor, Ernst
of Berlin in a
Berlin
would
neither forget or give in. Twelve days after that
the Soviet suddenly
Day demonstration,
May
called off the blockade.
Now in 1959, crisis returns to Berlin. The Soviets have issued an ultimatum and stepped up
their war of nerves against the free world—and
Berlin.
So, on this May Day, 1959, the men and women of this city kept streaming into the Square
of the Republic. From the lofty platform, with
its huge simple back drop implacably proclaiming in 6 foot letters, “Berlin Bleibt Frei,” you
could see them coming down the streets at
great distances
and avenues, leading like spokes
into the hub.
You see the Brandenburg
left,
the
border
between
Gate,
West
way
Berlin
off on the
and
the
Soviet-controlled East Sector—the cut-off point
You see the
between freedom and democracy.
charred Reichstag building, the slowly healing
relic of Hitler’s
arson
in 1933,
Reuther
recalled
Reuther Tells Berliners:
‘You Do Not
Stand Alone’
Berlin Remains Free
wo
the Berlin trade unionists the first time he
to Berlin, as a very young man, the Reicheawas still smoking.
hy out in right field stands the Soviet War
rial. Placed there by the USSR in the early
/ of Berlin’s occupation through miscalcula‘within the boundaries of West Berlin. Some
id that the huge crowd—or part of it—might
Allied
2ifithis structure an irresistible target.
eters
were
actually
deployed
on
May
1—but
trfout of sight—to prevent, if possible, an angry
There were no such incidents.
(nN 0000000000 NNN NEUE OASNNEU UNAS
Berliners Were Zestful
AA NUE UOUOUOAOEANEOEEE
OOOOONOCE
AQ OUUUNNSN0NNEOUUUOUNN
\tbreaks of that sort would have besmirched
The Berliners were far too sober
yoccasion.
These
ieir defiance to waste their energy.
ale are not stolid, they are solid and zestful,
ga sense of humor which kept bubbling out of
“crowd.
oulhey yelled, “Hullo Willy, Hullo Walter,” in
‘a spirits, roaring their laughter and gestur» good will. Bands and an orchestra made
oceasion festive and satisfied all musical
votes. Banners spelled out a variety of slogans
leealing a wide range of opinions, but “Berlin
‘icomains Free” was the recurring, the unquali> | theme.
istiugh and tested Ernst Scharnowski, Head of
iBerlin Federation of Labor, was master of
Two months of detailed preparation
‘ognonies.
Years before, Scharvq preceded this event.
ski had
rescued
WEST BERLIN — American trade unionists and all the American people stand firmly
with the people of West Berlin in defense of
President
UAW
freedom,’
common
“our
the Berlin
trade
unions from
They hate him
‘control of the Communists.
deadly intensity.
‘ut he scorns them, works hard and crackles
Walter
Rally
with a crusty humor. He told the world: “They’re
again trying to break our nerves. They never
stop. They will never break our nerve or our
spirit. We Berliners are like eggs. The more they
boil us, the harder we get.”
UGUUUUNOQOSEEO
UHUON UTERO
OEDUEEAER
NUHNON
UU OUUOUNN0N000NOOOUOOOOO
A Roar of Welcome
/AOVOELUOUAUNONQVON0R00U LOU UUUAOSOER EOE HNAEUONEE EUAN
He began to introduce Reuther to the ocean of
upturned faces, and as you looked up and out,
far to the limits of the
horizon,
were still feeding into the main
streams
body.
of people
the
Though
loud speaker came Scharnowski’s voice, introducing “our friend Walter Reuther who brings the
greetings of
in Berlin.”
The
roar
16
million
joyful
of
workers
American
thrilled
welcome
to us
Berliners
Here was “people-to-people
and visitors alike.
diplomacy” on the grand scale. The solidarity of
the world’s free peoples had on this occasion an
outward and visible symbol, and the U.S. labor
movement was represented in person.
Reuther spoke in German, a fact which delighted the crowd. This was one of Reuther’s
shorter speeches—about 15 minutes. He told
them that American labor and the American
people as a whole joined in their determination
to keep Berlin free. The world’s free labor
movement,
he said, undrstood
how
role history had cast for Berlin and
The climax of the meeting came
Brandt's
speech.
important
a
its people.
with Willy
The jubilant music of the freedom bells began to peal, pouring like a blessing over BerSlowly and, it seemed, almost
lin’s people.
reluctantly,
to an end.
the great May
Day
meeting
came
on
600,000.
P.
Reuther
Day
May
attended
is once
freedom,”
“Berlin
ground for
a
told
Berlin
by
Freedom
more
than
the testing
again
Keuther told the
crowd which greeted him with a roar of
acclaim as he rose to speak as representative of the World Free Labor Organization.
Around him was a vast audience gathered
- together in a huge area which had been
cleared of rubble at the request of Ernst
Scharnowski, president of the Berlin Federation of Labor.
The Communists in East Berlin had sought
to play down
one
the rally.
Instead,
it turned out
of the largest in Berlin’s history.
“You do not stand alone,” Reuther said,
American
“Your
in German,
speaking
trade union colleagues stand firmly with
you. The people of America and the people
of the free world stand firmly with you
in defense
of our
common
freedom
. . . We
shall stand with you in Berlin no matter
how strong and cold the Soviet winds blow
from the East.”
Reuther told the crowd “the whole world
is again thankful that Willy Brandt carries
on freedom’s fight in the best tradition of
Ernst Reuter.”
Brandt, Berlin’s present mayor who took
office after Reuter’s death, shared the platform with the UAW President
“T can say in truthfulness,” Reuther concluded, “that the only war in which the
American people wish to engage is the war
against poverty, hunger, against ignorance
and disease. In such a war all mankind will
be victors.”
Behrendt
en Ath Set
in
Algemeen
Handelsblad,
peace!”
Amsterdam
T
s
HW
May,
POSTMASTER:
3579
attached
Send
directly
undelivered
under
copies
mailing
labe}
with
Second class postage paid at Indianapolis, Ind., and a
additional mailing offices. EDITORIAL OFFICE—8000 E.
Published
Jefferson Ave., Detroit 14, Mich_—Sc a copy.
monthly at 2457 E. Washington St., Indianapolis 7, Ind.
Form
to 2457
7, Ind
St., Indianapolis
Washington’
GUARANTEED
AGE
POST
RETURN
1959
z&
nnual
Be
To
Local Picnic
foe oS
et
ioe
3 FR
d
e
l
l
a
W
,
6
2
ly
Ju
,
y
a
d
n
u
» S
THE
SECRETARY
FINANCIAL
Held
Lake Park
\A Full Day of Pleasure Planned
REPORTS:
Local 174 Volunteers -
es
li
mi
Fa
r
ei
Th
d
an
s
er
mb
Me
r
Fo
Do Fine Job of Fund Raising
For Washington Rally
in April.
go to the unemployed rally in Washington
In spite of the heavy lay-
offs in our plants, enough
money was collected to finance the 40 Local delegates
to the meeting.
IT IS VERY
NICE
©
ment
to know
jing
rant.
GARLAND
ROLAND
not
sure
feel
that
your
Representatives
in
nding of the probWashington now have a greater understa
d to implement a
lems of unemployed workers and the nee
ir
s who lose the
er
rk
wo
loy
emp
reand
in
tra
reto
m
ra
prog
jobs through automation.
and adopts
If the Government recognizes the problem
the
program
forward
outlined
to a better way
at
we
Conference,
this
can
all
look
of life for all the people of America.
year.
this
featured
free
be
will
park
morn-
restau-
be}
will
events
special
rides
All
from
at
9:00
am. until 2:00 p.m. Tickets for
all rides will be sold at reduced
holders.
ONE
beer
beer
tickets
hours
Cal
of
Fletcher,
174, UAW.
was organized
-
jice
HARRY SOUTHWELL
(Incumbent)
(Detroit Universal)
In
Board
a National
election
Labor
held
Relations|
March 24, |
only.
There
all day.
grounds
\S ACTION
PRESIDENT Ben |
oer
JAMERICA AY WORK
TAA LAESS
4
|
equipped
heater;
with
tioner;
In
with
21-inch
powerglide
tape
Hi-Fi
the
all
awards
be
distributed
Judges
all
units
officers,
will be
of
stwards.
Make
family
the
for
Sunday,
ED
elected)
be
DANSBY
(Massey-Ferguson)
BOLDA
FLOYD
(Incumbent)
and
LEEDON
at
PRES,
VICE
1959,
174,
your
Controls)
(Detroit
of
by plant
26,
TRUSTEE
(Incumbent)
throughout
July
Standard)
to
(2)
(Two
final. Tickets
and
THOMPSON
FOUR-YEAR
recorder,
for you
(Ternstedt)
*-.
TV
committeemen
a date
STANISZEWSKI
LETKOWSKI
SLICKER
(Ternstedt)
JOSEPH
and
decision
Standard)
(Rockwell
(Rockwell
air-condi-
Local
ROLAND GARLAND
(Incumbent)
sedan
portable
room
stand;
the
will
Chevrolet
2-door
(Incumbent-Unopposed)
areas
(Incumbent)
Major awards will be made
at the picnic. Awards will be
a 1959
FLETCHER
CAL
JAMES
the
on
music
be
will
VICE-PRESIDENT
mirecks
SECRETARY
RECORDING
cups
in
served
be
will
«ee
TONY
will be on sale in the two
gardens from 12 noon until
Beer
(Ternstedt)
he | -INANCIAL-SECRETARY
p.m.
5:00
SAHLANEY
NICK
by
of t
.
PRESIDENT
Representative
President
are the offices
the candidates:
*
*
of
BARRELS
HUNDRED
Local
plant
Rede Vier Paes
ice
and
away
will be free to
given
souvenirs
cream and pop
ticket
up
unit of
The
on
thousands
be
will
There
set
4:00
Election
by the Local
of Earl Lee.
The following
|to be filled and
d
Boehm Screw Products locate
w
at 7114 W. Jefferson is a ne
evening.
all
honored
be
until
All
grounds.
these
during
the picnic
purchased
will
booths
special
at
p.m.
p.m.
2:00
from
rates
oe
Boehm Products
Is New Unit of
Local 174 UAW
tourna-
the
of
canopy
Many
the
in
held
be
will
in the
the
pinochle
popular
The
be conducted
chairmanship
cases
towel Pc trae pc
for a suit,
charge
locker.
and
years ea
It is these workers who have over the of the most
one
for Local 174 the reputation for being
reputation of
a
W,
UA
the
in
als
Loc
ble
sta
and
le
ab
depend
which we are justly proud.
nstration, we do
What will result from the mass demo
we
the plants
The election will
the
Committee under a
near
Bathing on the new modern
beach will be free. There will be
a small
174
or
In
Up
set
es
ac
pl
ing
vot
‘at
ed
gcf
dhu
ay
nd
Mo
d
hel
be
will
and at the Local hall.
arcternvon,.
thie
in
Side Local
The biennial election of officers of West
There will be dancing in the)
huge roller rink for two hours
to be done, will
job
a
is
e
er
th
and
down
are
chips
when the
the program.
out
y
rr
ca
to
t
ou
all
go
d
an
roll up their sleeves
rned
but
for
prizes
all winners.
that we in Local 174 have a
large group of members who,
know,
other
and
valuable
with
events
races,
including
:
12 Candidates in Race
For Eight Local Offices
all
for
fun
of
contests
novelty
pass the cannisters at the
We also thank the
plants.
many units who made generous contributions from their
plant funds.
Many of the units collected
enough money to send a good
delegation from their own
plant to the rally.
e
groups,
age
committee members
Many
gave freely of their time to
day
full
a
vide
pro-|
will
year
this
plans
The
er;Pee James
Co
of Local 174.
Secretary
Financial
Garland,
Roland
and
Plant;
Rockwell
Thompson,
Martha Bradley, Fisher
Dansby, Massey-Ferguson;
Office; ; Joe Szabo, ,RRevere
Peterson, , Rockwell
Cabaj, , Ternstedt; ; RayJ
Walter
Edgar
Universal;
Detroit
Bou wman,
Mary
Secretary;
Livonia,
program
the
planning
The Committee selected by the Joint Council who are busy
for the giant affair are: Floyd Bolda, Detroit Controls, Chairman;
By ROLAND GARLAND
.
I would like to take this opportunity in behalf of your
Local Union to thank the many volunteers who worked so
hard to raise money and recruit unemployed members to
July 26, at Walled
outing will be held Sunday,
Lo cal picnic and
The Annual West Side
Lake Amusement Park.
A
the
no
vote
was
union—6.
temporary
sisting
CAL
of
FLETCHER
11
for Local
committee
Leonard
and
con-
Pietrowskli,
Edna
Brady,
| Mildred Moore
mit
com
The
k.
Par
e
are
Lak
Walled
Fletcher
Cal
with
ng
alo
in
management
tee are working hard to make meeting
with
this the best picnic yet.
negotiating a contract for the
boards unit,
bulletin
your
Watch
automotive
plant makes
The
orinf
full
ng
ryi
car
s
for notice
for the auto industry.
ts
par
m,
gra
pro
the
on
mation
(Tommy)
(Ternstedt)
TERRY
*-
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
(Sunshine)
EDWARD
I
KWASNIEWSK
(Incumbent—Unopposed)
Tube)
(Roberts
6
se)
GUIDE
JOE
PALUMBO
(Incumbent—Unopposed)
(Bond
Steel
&
Storage)
Page
UNITED
4
AUTOMOBILE
WORKER
May,
1959
PRESIDENT SOUTHWELL REPORTS
year
of 1957
first
three
we
a serious
suffered
of membership
loss
Union
during
of
result
a
as
1958
of
months
Local
that our
stated
for the
a report
in making
time last year
This
had
the
mass
lay-offs in the Auto Industry.
From an average membership of 20,000 on
December 31, 1957 our membership dropped to
16,000 by March 31, 1958, and on December 31,
1958 av eraged 15,524. However, the total for
the first three months of 1959, ending March
31, was 16,500 or a gain from a year ago of 500.
From December 31, 1957 to December 31, 1958
These
operations.
discontinued
the
on
applied
and
Fund,
of
to
$11,500
this
a
the
the
almost
mortgage
years
on
deficit
since
of
Workers
$21,000
mortgage
actual
four
Auto
of $46,500.
amount
reducing
the
in the
or a total
buildings so that
mately -$25,500.
was
1954
$220,000
was
our
local
approxi-
when
on
we
our
new
local hall, we have been able to pay off $80,000
of this amount in addition to'paving, fencing and
lighting our parking lot and landscaping the property
at
a cost
of $50,000.
In spite of the deficit for 1958, your Local
Union is still in a sound financial position.
Total cash assets of all Local funds and the
Workers Education Fund amount to approximately
Alu-
Every
tures.
$275,000
effort
During
the full time
as of December
is being
the
Local
past
made
to reduce
year
Union
31, 1958.
and
again
Officers and
expendi-
this year
Represen-
and
Side
West
elections are pending.
NLRB
several
plants
small
of
However,
acquired
minum, Diversified Products and Flexonics Corporation. A total of 250 employees were affected.
An organizational drive is being conducted by our
Local representatives in an effort to organize a
number
Education
units
Wisco
were:
Funds
During
our average dues paying membership declined by
4,500. We can only hope that the increase which
has taken place in the first quarter of 1959 will
continue during the remainder of the year.
During 1958 three of our manufacturing
Local
Products Company precipitated a strike
lasted eight (8) weeks and was terminated
Metal
which
members were affected.
Negotiations for renewal of contracts with auto
are
manufacturers
independent
and
parts
financial
and
upon
demands
making
relief,
these
resisting
in
and
by
tary
de-
report
tatives
and
settlement.
waive
Except in a few cases where we were convinced that financial relief must be given to
keep them in business and our members employed, we were successful in negotiating the
“GM pattern” settlement in our units.
We would like to commend the great majority
of our members for the patience and cooperated
they exhibited during the period of contract negotiation and particularly the period without a
plants
in those
contract
agreement.
the
terminated
management
the
where
loss of income
due to lay-offs,
lished in the
cates that we
strikes and
of
Side
Side
Locol
Amalgamoted
Worren
Aye.,
31, 1959 and
pub-
last edition of the Conveyor indisuffered a deficit of $35,000 in the
West
West
December
174
West
Detroit
Local
CONVEYOR
Side
10.
Local
Phone
Edition
174,
TY.
is the
Southwell
Thompson
meeting
the
have
office
any
where
preside
members
taken
of
the
at
the
increases
Recording
the
Local.
salary
and
janitors
for the
secre-
annual
president
voluntary
employees
salary
and
makes
mem-
his
reductions,
next
agreed
year.
to
Your Local Union Officers and Representatives
are doing everything possible to decrease expenditures and increase our income, and while it is not
pleasant to contemplate a deficit at the end of
the year, it is very comforting to know that during the good years we built up a healthy cash
reserve
to meet
such
a contingency.
Our total net assets consisting of cash, buildings, real estate and furnishings as of December
31, 1958 amount to $591,628.39.
ilies
is assuming
greater
SOUTHWELL,
JOSEPH
PALUMBO,
SEORGE
LYONS,
results
importance
every
day
it resulted in a deficit, the Local
pic-
and is the only method by which we can overcome
the serious national problems confronting us.
Local Picnic
Enjoyed By
Capacity Crowd
Although
nic at Walled
The Picnic
Lake Park was very well attended.
and Recreation Committees did a
thousands
job as did the many
of members
only
place
big
enough
and
their
volunteer
families
and
once
to
accommodate
many
the
thousands
Representatives
Local
of unemployed
The
Women’s
Committee
did
a very
will
commen-
dable job and through their activities were
to assist financially on several occasions.
able
Education Committee
Had A Full Program
During
the past year
Committee sponsored eight
courses,
very good job during the past year.
Committee
Services
Community
The
comprises
the
Women’s Committee
Doing A Fine Job
members
did a
which
assisted
regard-
less of local affiliation. This service is continuing
and is being used daily.
29
students;
the Local Education
union training courses
“Industrial
and
Change
Unionism,” 1 course, 32 students; and Time Study,
1 course, 48 students.
A total of 186 students completed
In
addition,
the
Local
these classes.
co-sponsored
a
course
in Pre-Retirement Education at Region 1-A headquarters. A large group from the Local attended
this class.
Three
family
Fun
Nights
held
were
this year,
174
officiel
UAW-AFL-CIO,
publication
6445
West
8-5400,
CAL FLETCHER, Vice-President
ROLAND GARLAND.
Financial Secretary
JAMES THOMPSON,
Recording Secretary
FLOYD BOLDA, Trustees
ZANDER
MAX
—ED DANSBY,
HARRY
the
designed to assist Local Stewards and Plant officers in carrying out union duties.
4
Training,
Steward
courses , were:
These
courses, 77 students; Parliamentary Procedure, 2
All the standing committees of the Local
business fatalities during the year resulted in a
financial deficit for 1958. The auditor’s report
for the year ending
the
to
Harry
Committees Active
During Past Year
Local Is In Sound
Financial Position
The
James
bership
mands it became necessary in many cases to take
strike votes which we are happy to say resulted
in a withdrawal of the demands and a satisfactory
President
for concessions
the union
and
a very
large attendance. Future plans for the event
depend upon available space.
becom-
unemployment
mass
the
of
advantage
committee
witnessed
indicate that such effort was well rewarded.
Political action by our members and their fam-
the
ing more difficult each time a contract expires.
In many instances the management attempts to
take
action
year
The annual Christmas Party for our members’
children had to be cancelled last year because of
the closing of the Hollywood Theatre which was
1200
settlement.
“pattern”
a
by
successfully
election
Christmas Party
Had To Be Cancelled
by the American
action
This
ed a similar course.
an
and friends had a very enjoyable day
again the weather man smiled on us.
adopt-
of our unit managements
many
companies,
political
The
in the big three auto
a contract
active
being
workers.
1958 was the year of contract expiration, and
as a result of the International Union’s decision
without
1958
very commendable
Contracts And Negotiations
to work
Political Action
President
Guide
Editor,
Member
ED
Sergeant-at-Arms
CIO Labor Editors Council
KWASNIEWSKI,
This
hall
class
during
in
time
the
past
study
ye"
was
one
of
many
mnjon
training
courses
conducted
at
the
local
174
rere
|
UNITED
1959
viMay,
Page
WORKER
AUTOMOBILE
5
i
mend
N
IO
UN
L
CA
LO
OF
SS
RE
OG
PR
N
‘O
ltracting
iovies
»/?'The
who
crowds
large
and stage shows.
purchased
Committee
labor
embership
unemSocial
on
informed
changes
the
School
jummer
total
_A
other
and
laws
to keep
subjects
in
our
these
«
elds.
tion and
prise.
training, veterans benefits, civil
teurity, steward
of
paid
‘lasses
fun
and
as
well
nights.
use
the
at
movies
of
Every effort is made by the Committee to keep
yur membership well informed and our leadership
vell qualified to handle their union duties so as
‘o bring justice to our members and pride to our
inion.
.
PP os
,
In making our annual report in April, 1956, we
made the following prediction: “Automation conistitutes progress and we do not oppose progress;
‘ut we must share the benefits, otherwise it is
iaot progress. The Federal government so far has
failed to recognize the mass dislocation that will
inevitably follow such an industrial revolution.
AND
PLANNING
ADVANCE
“ONLY
PREPARATION CAN AVOID THE TRAGIC
PRODUCTION
NEW
THE
OF
EFFECT
ALREADY
HAVE
WHICH
TECHNIQUES
INDUSIN THE- AUTO
DEMONSTRATED
OF
FORM
SOME
WITHOUT
THAT
TRY
WORKERS
OF
THOUSANDS
CONTROL
AND THEIR FAMILIES BECOME VICTIMS
OF PROGRESS.”
three
said this three years ago,
years
we
| pletely ignored
find
that
the problem
is headed
big
and
during
business
and
has
for a major
Administration
is
com-
that the Federal
astounding.
The
price
an
SUB
means
unemployed
In
face
of
the
as
much
worker.
uncertain
as
$30.00
future
of
per
week
many
to
small
1958 Was Rough Year
production, but during the
1958 was a rough
year for workers
auto industry.
The UAW
and its Local
suffered a severe loss of membership.
in the
Unions
Local 174 was similarly affected, but with thé
complete cooperation of the officers, staff and
office employees, we were able to keep the effects
of this loss to a minimum.
We know that as automation increases, manpower and industrial membership will continue
to decrease and we must look to other groups in
order to build our membership. We must explore
the possibility of supplementing our income by
rentals and other activities.
We are entering a new industrial era. It has its
problems and they are serious problems, but if
also presents a challenge to our union leadership,
and we in the UAW have never been reluctant
to accept this kind of challenge and with the
full cooperation of our members, we will overcome
these problems and become a better union as a
result of the struggle.
In adversity
leadership.
we
find
strength
develop
and
Local Beauty Queens
SUB Helped Economy
plight of the unemployed
effects upon
the
community
auto worker and
would
have
been
much more serious except for SUB provisions negotiated into the contracts of the larger compa-
those
catastrophe.
for
plants; we urge our members to give serious consideration to establishing SUB in their contracts
at the first opportunity.
While this deplorable situation is a national
problem and can only be corrected by a forceful
realistic national program predicated upon a reevaluation of our economy, we, as individual citizens, can do our part by flooding Congressmen,
Senators, the Secretary of Labor and the President with letters or post cards demanding action.
the
The
stupidity of big business and its captive Washing-
ton
Enter-
Peak Production
With 200,000 Idle
The
and State governments have recognized it only to
the degree that a temporary extension of unemployment compensation benefits was enacted.
This action of the Federal government should
be of the greatest concern to all Americans
because it demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the present problem. Congress
and the Administration still believe that this is
a temporary recession such as we have known
in the past and that a return to full employment is just a matter of time.
Unless this thinking is changed very quickly,
America
of Free
priva-
Write Your
Congressman!
Look At The Past
We
destruction
and
as of this report every major industrial center in
the United States is seriously affected, and despite Mr. Eisenhower’s profound statements that
we have recovered our national productivity and
that the national economy is healthy, we still have
almost five million unemployed and this number
will increase substantially by the end of the year.
Services
as
suffering
Detroit and the Auto Industry became one of
the first victims of this industrial revolution, but
The Committee made good use of the movie
//quipment and filled many requests for movies at
meetings
ultimate
mass
same period there were more than 200,000 unemployed in the Greater Detroit area. This constitutes 13% of the working force, and unless the
majority of these unemployed workers can find
work in other industries, they will be permanently
unemployed.
Local
the
from
sme for the students sent by the Local was
“arom the Local Education Fund.
lant
be
industry attained peak
‘ttended the training courses offered at the FDR{FL-CIO Labor Center near Port Huron.
Of these, ten were sent by the Local and seven
y the units of the Local. The full cost plus lost
\Other
the
will
During the first three months of 1959, the Auto
students
seventeen
stupidity
such
distributed
and
jany thousands of pieces of literature on
compensation,
workmen’s
and
uvéoyment
“izhts,
free
these
enjoyed
of
nies three years ago.
These supplemental benefits plus unemployment
compensation benefits gave an unemployed worker 65% of his former earnings.
This
important
fringe
benefit
cost
five
cents
(5c) of the 1955 “wage package” but most of the
smaller plants in the Local Union decided to take
the five cents (5c) per hour in wages instead of
SUB.
In most cases this decision was based upon a
history of steady employment which justified the
decision, but the
proves that very
record for the past three years
few small plants were unaffect-
ed by the recession, automation, and changes in
methods and materials that caused their customers, the large corporations, to call in work previously farmed out to small supplier plants.
Five cents (5c) an hour or two dollars ($2.00)
per week seems like a lot of money to an em-~ployed worker, but this five cents when applied
THESE
BEAUTIES
from
Local
174 won
two
of three
titles in the Wayne County AFL-CIO Beauty Contest. Loretta Moore won Miss Labor Day, Florence
Both of these girls are from
Haws won Miss C10.
Fisher Livonia Division. Jeanne Guinn of Superior
Stamp and Seal Division did not win a title but
added grace, beauty and competition to the contest,
ee
OPERATIONS
OF
ASSEMBLY
LINE
are
shown
in
film
on
Auto
Workers’
skills
as
part
of
AFL-
n attaching auto body to frame,
CIO “Americans at Work” television series. Here welders are show
now being telecast over station WWJThe AFL-CIO’s television program, “Americans At Work,” is
TV in Detroit, Michigan, at 12:30 p.m, every Sunday.
~aiS
- Item sets