The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-06-15

Secretary Treasurer John D. Nc
Gillivray of the Brotherhood stated
that in his opinion piece work would
never be used throughout the plant
because the firms were satisfied to
have less speed near the end of the
production line and less breakage.
After a considerable amount Of piece
work money is in the ware, the firm
would rather slow the process little
by having it pass through day wage
hands.
President Duffy's speech follows:
christian principles as the basis of
employer-employe relationships would
assure to labor it's just share of the
fruits of industry and would in no
sense hamper management in any
practical operation. Such humane prac-
tices would be in the interests of ef-
ficiency in maximum production, quail
ity Of goods and the greatest economy
in the cost of production. Above all
it would bring to labor a fair days
wage for fair days work and shop
conditions would be indisputably con-
ducive to safety and health of the
employees Unquestionably this plan
would bring fair return to the en-
ployer on his investment.
"To accomplish these purposes the
two interested parties must be imbued
with genuine cooperative spirit. The
employees must conscientiously perform
their daily tasks so that competition
can be met on an equitable basis. The
employer must always remember that
those under his jurisdiction are hu-
man beings and will react according
to the extent that nationality is exer-
cised in directing their work.
"There is no substitute for intelli-
gence in adjusting any grievance. The
exercising of tolerance of each per-
sons views on any question at issue
will tend towards quick solution of the
problem. Patient and painstaking ef-
forts at all times will prove a stop
gap against fastening cessation of
plant operations and prevent de-
structive strikes.
"In the pottery industry, represent
ing ninety-five per cent (95Te) Of the
total, restaurant and domestic china
ware, we have successfully carried on
collective bargaining on as high a
plane as can be found in any other
American industry.
"Ours is national wage contract,
providing wages for the many differ
ent operations, a division Of work
after six months employment, stand
ing committee, discharge committee
and biennial conferences. The mini
nun rates are 561ac an hour for males
and 42&c an hour for females.
"The standing committee consists
of three representatives each from the
employers and employees as court to
settle any question of price or work
regulation for the new items which
are constantly coming into the indus
try. These changes involve simplified
or more difficult work operations, but
the employees shall maintain their
wage standards. This court functions
in an almost ideal manner in settling
such questions. From one hundred
fifty Q60) to one hundred seventy
five (176) questions of price and work
regulations are annually disposed Of
without any cessation Of work.
1--WE have discharge committee,
consisting Of two, employer and two
employe representatives, to which any
discharged employe can appeal his
case if he thinks he has been unjustly
discharged. Here again are not only
noteworthy accomplishments in. keep
ing heads of families in employment
but also the restoration Of employees
to their jobs with entirely different
concepts Of their obligations in per-
forming their work we'll and the COM
plete eradication from their minds of
imaginary notions Of being oppressed
because the department heads find it
necessary to deal firmly with ineffici-
ent and disinterested workmen; not
infrequently foreman or superinten-
dent Is found at fault because of his
inability to inspire respect and conf
dence from the men under his super
vision. This results In state of near
rebellion which is detrimental to the
we'll being Of both parties. There are
practically no discharges in the pot
terry industry and many are the cases
of improved workers with renewed
spirits for better workmanship and
brighter outlook for the fuller life.
A workman may be discharged for
the following reasons:
"Intemperance to the extent Of
interfering with steady and COM
petent workmanship;
Dishonesty to his employer;
Gross carelessness;
Willful destruction Of property;
Persistent use Of profane or
abusive language in the work
shop, after fair warning;
Refusal to obey reasonable rules
for the preservation of health and
cleanliness;
Incompetence established to the
satisfaction of Committee of fel-
low workmen in the same shop: