The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-03-20
Did It Ever Occur
to You Expanded
Universal Chatter Column
Made More Complete
By Local l33


featuring Company of this city, were
greeted last Friday with new mimeo-
graphed, eight page, 5xS, company
pamphlet, which has been very ap-
propriately called the Universal
Chatter" Naturally most industrial
and manufacturing firms endeavor to
obtain friendly feeling between the
employees and the management, and
publications similar to this, are util-
lied to carry on the good feeling.
Briefly the pamphlet included a
short history of the progressive
growth of the firm, of which any en-
ploye would feel proud; an article on
employees called to the army, a short
sentence on Americanism, income tax,
sympathy to deceased members of
employees families, helping business,
some plant statistics, marriages,
births, sickness, safety first and not
to forget very interesting column
headed, "Did 1t Ever Occur To You ?"
All employees will accept heartily
the regular publication of such a
pamphlet for the good that it can do.
However, members Of local 1873 are
very much more concerned with what
the pamphlet did not say, than all the
nice things that were. Therefore, |
wish to add some things to the column,
"Did it Ever Occur to You," that
were unfortunately left out:
Did it ever occur to you?
That all the progress made in sani-
tary shops began after workers or
ganized union to develop some Sc
curity, established their rights, obtain
ed better working conditions and fair
rates of pay?
That before our organization in
the Universal, sanitary casters were
working for $4.00 day and making
two free tanks and washdowns day,
not to mention the low rates of pay
existing in the unskilled departments :?
Why? Because, all sanitary manufac-
turers were cutting the selling price.
That the wages of general ware
casters are about double that earned
by sanitary casters, due to the fact
that they are organized and have an
agreement with the manufacturers
This certainly is the most democratic
procedure and the true essence of
Americanism.
Also, while considerable mention
was made of the Athletic Association,
there was not word to be found re-
garding the part that Local 1873 plays
in the operation of this great
plant, despite the fact that we
represent the majority of it's employees.
We call this to your attention, as the
Athletic Association was organized by
the company after we, the employees,
were guaranteed the right of our own
labor organization. Personally,
question the true purposes of the
Athletic Association, especially bear
ing in mind that over 500 of it's
cost of operation is borne by the COM
pany; whereas, if this money found
it's way into the pay envelopes of the
employees, it could be used to a much
better purpose.
Again, referring back to the thought
provoking column headed, "Did it ever
occur to you," | am listing below
three that l think call for some
special comment:
"Did it ever occur to you-
"rhat your company pays for youl
Workmans Compensation
"That your company pays the same
amount of Social Security that you
do?
"That your company pays for your
Unemployment insurance."
just wonder how many employees
fully realize that every one of these
concessions were secured from the
manufacturers through the joint
action of all labor organizations il
our country, including the Potters
These were not given to US, they were
fought for, hard and long, for goot
number Of years by organized work
ers everywhere. Without organiza
ton, they would never have been OBJ
tanned. And it can be said in advanc,
that further gains will be made whel
additional workers become organized
Another thought in this connection
should be added. The sums paid b!
the company are figured in their over
head, and such charges are either pait
by the employees through reduce'
earnings or passed onto the consume
in increased prices.
Further, in this same "Did it Eve
Occur to You" column, the question
is asked, Did it ever occur to you tha
the Health Benefit Plan carried n
charge to you? 1t should be state
that Local 1873 had a Health Benefi
Plan for over a year prior to oper
alton of the company plan. Furthe,
benefits were paid from the first da
of absence, instead Of having to wal
a week as under the company's plan.
Under the caption "To the Colors
Continued on Page Three)