The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-02-06
By Metal Worker Correspondent


NEW YORK; am an auto me-
chanic working in this industry for
over Is years. Now I'm working in
one Of many repair shops, a branch
Of the General Motor Car Company.
All their works now are based on
piece work. Before this piece work
system, in 1e24-25, we used to work
on an hourly basis. Mechanics used
70 get from rs to 80 cents per hour
for 8 and hours day. For example,
on a jcb of eight cylinder V type
~ = rsr.c-1 c@.10n, refcce I'D
grind in valves, those who could make
th,s jco in tgo days were considered
as a good mechanic.
After introduction of the piece
work system, $3.50 fiat was paid
for the very same job. If the me-
chanic would work on the job one
deg or three days he would get
sSl2.80, and that is all Then the
bosses installed the piece work sys-
lem to get workers TO compete
against each other. One man made
That JOB in IL hours, another one
In 10 hours, some one else in 9, and
%. on. Men forgot about lunch
hour, and used to swallow their
sandwiches right on the job. while
draining water out Of the radiator
No one would think about or men
lion organization. The bosses abol-
jsned the gang foremen (slave driv-
ersl because the slaves drove them
selves
,z Prices Cut
81 Furthermore, the bosses found ex-
q cuseS to reduce the p!ecework prices,
(which rolled down full speed until
they reached the bottom Of $414
from $3.50, the previous price for
the very same kind Of work, plus
cleaning and adjusting carburetor,
spark plugs, etc.
Before the boss used to supply the
necessary tools for certain Jobs, such
as on the carbon and valve Job.
Now men buy their own.
And now we haven't got enough
work to do for the boss. II there
"a was something to do or not, you have
to come to the shop every day at
a. m, punch your time card, reg
lister yourself on the board by the
bosses office and sit down so he
can see you all the time. Sometimes
re sit all day long without minutes
productive work. The boss doesn't
permit us to go home before quitting
time, 5;30 D. m, but he doesn't pay
Us
Many days, especially in winter
stine, we have TO come to the shop.
spend our earfare. and go home
without a cent made that day, be-
cause the boss pays us only for
actual productive work "piece worl, y
II We get no job that day it is our
hard luck. If for some reason we
come later than the regular time to
work, we have to go to the boss
and explain why so late, If we
don't come to the shop for one day
and don't notify the boss that day
he lays you off for good as not
steady man. Some OF the bosses
are very mean, especially those who
don't permit US men to talk to each
ether or read the papers nor books
while we are waiting for jobs. ex-
cept their monthly so-called "serY-
ice Man"
Daily Worker Popular
The Daily Worker became popular
among the workers in the shops. In
spite of repression from the bosses.
workers are reading it. The very
same workers which used to call the
Daily" a "backhouse gazette" and
used to spit on it when given to
them, are now asking for the Daily
Worker and reading it. They like
lt because the Daily Worker talks
their own language
Workers are discussing organiza-
zion. But how to organizer Most
Of us don't like the A. F, of L. The
Steel and Metal Workers Industrial
Union made an attempt to organize
the auto workers, but for no reason
gave 1t up. suppose for lack for
FUNDS and experienced forces.
Then all Of sudden Mr.. Roose
TeltS n. R. A. was introduced with
brilliant promises OF better condi
FienS. The bosses were Compelled"
10 reduce the working hours from
Is to 40 hours per week and increase
wages from 63 to SO cents per hour
as you see in these two productive
time tickets OF mine. But the p.ece
work system remained to better con-
ditions for the bosses.
BY increasing the wages. bosses
decreased the time allowance on
piece work. For example, adjusting
Jour wheel brakes. Before that USED
TO be z Of an hour, now only 6. or or
Jobs where these were ~ (76 cents
now only (69 cents. But. the
enthusiasm and hope among the
workers was great.
90 Bosses OF "Salas and Service" shop~
which ordinarily used to employ AZ
mechanics now put to work 10 mer
But, by increasing the amount G.
mechanics, they could not increas~
The work for them, only divided the
same jobs OF 40 men among 10 men
On the same old piece work basis
Before, 40 men used to make ar
average Of about $40 per week of 40
hours, now 70 men get only abou-
sle-si2. inexperienced men get onlv
about s6-s7 per 20 hour working
week.
Many men lost their "iobs" when
the Auto Code was signed in Wash