Toledo Union Journal, 1942-12-24

There will be spec ml studies nf industrial health hazards such as dusts, skin diseases due to industry, safety and accident prevention and also reduction in venereal disease. The primary emphasis will be on conservation of union members’ health. No treatments will be given as the union is not practicing medi medicine - cine medicine beyond the diagnostic phase. ^{any UAW locals are enthusi enthusiastically - astically enthusiastically cooperating in the project and are impatient for its full in inauguration, - auguration, inauguration, which they have been obliged to close its UAW Medical Research Institute in 1937 during Urging ever since the union was

In their desire to get into the CIO, the employes of the Toledo Steel Products came in a body to Local 12 and expressed their de desire - sire desire to become a part of the UAW. As a result of their determination to rid themselves of anything that was suggestive of company domin domination^ - ation^ domination^ they are now having an elec elec4k?n- - 4k?n- elec4k?n- 4H The company which never gave anything to their employes in at least eight years, this year is go going - ing going to have a nice Christmas tree for the workers and pass out free eats and maybe presents just a few days before the election.

Actual decision to submit the case to conciliation came last week, when Mr. Swartzbaugh took the position that if he had to make the contract retroactive to Oct. 4th, or which he had previously signed an agreement, that he could offer nothing in the way of wage in increases. - creases. increases. He would, he said, be will willing - ing willing to consider a general increase, together with other adjustments, if the raises were in effect Jan. 1, 1943. In effect, Mr. Swartzbaugh indicated he was tearing up the retroactive agreement which he had already signed. Cancels Previous Agreement

It was explained by Duck that, *we could have organized this plant before the war started, be because - cause because we had on many occasions been approached by AF of mem members - bers members who were anxious to have us organize them into our union. In Instead, - stead, Instead, we always turned down their requests, not because we were unwilling to take them into Local 12, but because we positively will not raid tion”. “After employes affiliate with the CIO, there was nothing left for us to do but aid them in their wish”, said Duck.

President Murphy accused the Swartzbaugh Co. of being hyper hypertechnical. - technical. hypertechnical. He said, “During the weeks of negotiations between the Swartzbaugh management and union, the company has used eight representatives in its meetings with us and has engaged in an orgy of hypothetical questions and far-fetched objections which de delayed - layed delayed settlement. Until the past two weeks,” continued Murphy, “they had agreed definitely to practically nothing, and we got tired of bejjig stalled off”.

Edward Duck, Local 12 organ organizer - izer organizer in charge of organizational among Surface Combusion employ employes - es employes made it clear that the signing up of members of the plant r.o wise constituted “raiding”. Said Duck,” No one can accuse us of raiding, when the men in the em employe - ploye employe of the Surface Combustion were thoroughly displeased with the treatment being given by what they term, the plants “Red Apple Club.**

Representation of the labor press on the committee was urged by the AFL, CIO and countless labor edi editors - tors editors and unions over the country. One WPB spokesman said he was sure the big publishers would not overlook their interests, for didn’t they pass a resolution saying in part: “We will retain our vital func functson - tson functson in a democracy, regardless of the limits of material and the cost thereof.”

And it is in this spirit that we of the Toledo Union Journal, as well as the officers of Local 12, LAW-C1O, extend to our read readers - ers readers and members our sincere wish that, despite the worries and tribulations occasioned by thd war, wre may find something in the deeper signifance of the day which will fortify us for the future and give us confidence to attack the difficult days ahead Mith re renewed - newed renewed vigor.