davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The union times., 1942-02-21
Precedent For Severance Pay Is
 Set By Hollywood Stagehands

HOLLYWOOD.-Hereafter when any member of the Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes is fired after working two years for one studio he will be given either two weeks notice or two weeks pay. That will apply to electricians and laborers on movie sets, grips and property men, photographers and sound men, costumers and makeup artists, laboratory tech nicians and studio projectionists- nearly one-third of Hollywood's 3O,OOO labor force.
 The deal is on the side from the contract with the 10 production crafts worked out in New York by the producers in January, but Daily Variety says it goes into ef- feet immediately. This marks the entrance of the severance pay idea into craft unions. Previously only desk workers enjoyed such arrange ments-and not too many of them.
 JUST THE BEGINNING!
 Notice or" is not honest-to-P Pete severance pay, of course. Hollywood's publicity men argued such clause into their studio contract two years
The union times., 1942-02-21
Pact Is Invoked By Retail Clerks

Local 1907, Retail Salespeoples Un- ion, has requested Gov. Robert A. Hurley through the office of John J. Egan, secretary-treasurer of the Connecticut Federation of Labor, to use his good offices to arrange a con- ference between the union and the management of Fulton Markets, op- orators of more than 40 retail mar kets in Waterbury and the Valley The union claims that a majority of the employees have signed A.F.L. au- thorizations.
 Among the cities and towns with Fulton Markets are Waterbury Ches- hire, Winsted, Meriden, Naugatuck Shelton, Watertown, P1antsville Southington, Bristol, Ansonia, Sey- mour, and Beacon Falls.
 Isidore Mankewitz, international organizer for the Retail Clerks for the past four years, has entered the Army. Fred Ammond, IT,, and Dom inic Giacalone are putting in more time to make up their loss and the Army's gain.
The union times., 1942-02-21
Fine Dinner Dance Held By Local 4O4
400 Attend Annual Affair Many Local Unions
 Send Representatives

Local 4O4, Hotel X Restaurant Employes of New Haven, held its most successful dinner-dance at Seven Gables Monday evening. More than 400 attended, and the dinner, the entertainment, the mu- sic, and prominent guests combined to make the affair outstanding.
 Joseph Jackson acted as master of ceremonies, and announced that Mrs. Jack Cease had won the draw ing, which consisted of $5 in De- fense Stamps.
 Among the guests were James J. Clerkin and John J. Egan, president and secretary-treasurer, respectively, of the Conn. Federation of Labor ; and Joseph M. Tone, consultant in the US. Department of Labor. Among the local unions which sent representatives were Teamsters, No. 453, Hartley Martin and John Pi- sano; State Employees, Mrs. Dorothy K. Hoff and Mrs. Ruth Sherman Electricians, B90, Joseph T. Rourke ; Brewers, No. 37, Fernand Knobloch ; Musicians, No. 234. Carl c. Hoff and Robert Schecter; Carpenters, No. 79, George Rheims; Machinists Union, Clark Harrison Goodrich; Cigar Makers, No. 39, Alexander Driessens and Carl Richards; Granite Cutters, Vincent Piscittelli.
 William Zuckerman is president of Local 4O4, and Harold V. Fein- mark is secretary-treasurer Chair man of the committee for the af- fair was Joseph Jackson. There sUere no speeches!
The union times., 1942-02-21
In mersville
 Is Concluded
Textile Union Had Asked Government To Take
 Closed Factory

SOMERSVILLE, Conn.-Follow- ing a vigorous protest by the Tex tile Workers Union, the Somersville Mfg. Co. this week ended a One- week lockout, conducted in viola ton of statewide labor-industry- government agreement barring strikes and lOckouts in defense plants.
 The firm is member of the Con- necticut Manufacturers Assn, which was signatory to the pact.
 The agreement to resume produc- ton on blankets for the Red Cross was reached at conferences among the union, the company, the N.L.R.B, the National War Labor Board and the Connecticut Department of Labor. The union had asked that the government "either force the company to continue operations, or else take over the plant for the period of the emergency"
 ASK BACK PAY
 Under the agreement, N.L.R.B hearings were postponed for second time from February g to March and hearings before the National War Labor Board were set for this week end. The T.W.U. is demanding recog- milton and reinstatement with $6O,00C back pay of 25 unionists fired in 1888.
 The first pOstponement of N.L.R.B. hearings, from Feb. 9 to Feb. 23, occurred when the Keeney brothers, owners of the plant, and other company officials failed to appear in answer to subpenas. On the same day they locked out the 45O employees, turning Somersville into a ghost town.
The union times., 1942-02-21
NaUy A1Uards "E"
 To A.F.L. Workn1en

WASHINGTON. = More than 5000 A.F.L. members in Cleveland are proudly wearing bronze lapel buttons with the letter ''E," symbol of the Navy Departments highest award for efficiency in production. They are mem- bers of the Machinists and Blacksmiths unions employed at the Warner & Swasey Co. and the Steel Improvement and Forge Co. in Cleveland.
 The first plant between the Mississippi River and the Rocky mountains to receive the ''E" pennant from the Navy is the Beatrice Steel Tank Co.,, Beatrice, Neb., which is under contract to the Machinists Union of the ALL, President Brewer of the Nebraska State Federation of Labor, announced.
The union times., 1942-02-21
Local 532 To
 Meet Monday

The next regular meeting of Shop mems Local 532, Ironworkers of New Haven and Bridgeport, will be held Monday evening, Feb. g, at the New Haven Labor Temple. Business Agent Frank J. Since urges all members to attend as important business will be taken up.
 ''The proper place to take up union matters is at the regular membership meeting and not behind the steel beams in the shops or in some tavern on pay day." Since admonished the mem bership. "You can not expect to get results unless you attend these meet ings in order to see for yourself just how your union is functioning. You are the mion, not just the few mem- bers on whom the burden is usually permitted to fall"
The union times., 1942-02-21
Kendrick And Dillon Are Named
 By State Carpenters Council

Speakers at the annual election meeting of the Carpenters State Council, held this week in the New Haven Labor Temple, included John J. Egan, secretary-treasurer of the Connecticut Federation of Labor; James Cunningham, fra- ternal delegate from the New York State Carpenters Council, and Will liam Sullivan, international organ izer of the union. Joseph Kendrick, of Local Ills, Bridgeport, and John M. Dillon, Local 79, New Haven, were elected president and secre- tary-treasurer, respectively.
 NO-STRIKE PACT
 Egan spoke on the operation of the no-strike pact and the use of the forms worked out by his office. The use of such forms by all locals pre- senting cases to Governor Hurley through Egan's office will save time, he pointed out.
 James Cunningham, New York fraternal delegate, thanked the Council for the help it had rem.
The union times., 1942-02-21
As We See It
 by THE STAFF
IF YOU'RE 4 FACTORY zvoyke,

IF YOU'RE 4 FACTORY zUoykey get normal amount Of oyertime, and make less than 78.7 cents an hour, you're belozU the nationdl aveYage, dc- eoyding to figures by Secretary ot Labor Frdnces Perkins. The aver- age factory embloye aOorks 41.2 hours Q aUeek, and makes $33.6o. In blants aUhere there's nd ~sion, the rate is much losVer, yoM betchd.
 WHEN BAKERS LOCAL, No. 50, New York, met recently, tenn pers flared. The membership wanted to. send a gift to the boys of Local 50 serving in the armed forces. Some wanted to send nothing but baked goods. Oth- CTS argued that Army cooks can also bake. A peaceful compro- mise was finally reached when it was voted to send each member:
 A super-charged fruit cake.
 Two cartons of cigarettes.
 100 razor blades.
 Shaving cream.
 Tooth paste.
 One comb.
 Three bars of unscented soap. If you want to know what a super. charged fruit cake is, ask your wife, or write any local of the Bakery & Confectionery Workers Intl. Union. Or forget it.
 WHY TRUCK DRYERS burn Nb. The Columbus AveaUe fire s1 NezC Haven last zgeek aVds diScovered by Eda0ard SeeIey, Teansters 443, aud shop Stes0Grd ct Adley,s. See ley notified the policeman on the beat, GNd both zVent into the house aud res- cMed zUomen and children. Both did s1OeH job, but tke NeoO Haven papers ignored Seeley, ard gave ALL the credit to the cop. |. :. BMSiness Agent Johnny Pisano re1Uarded Seeley zvith O ticket to the Hartford Truck DYivers ball, sponsored by Local 671.
 DON'T COMPLAIN WHEN your meeting seems too long When the International Typographical Union men struck the Baltimore newspapers for three days recent Iy, the typos held a meeting which lasted for the entire three days of the stoppage. In the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines, our interests are being defended by
 Continued on Page Four)
The union times., 1942-02-21
National Meet
 Called By LAM

The International Association of Machinists is holding a vital confer ence this weekend at the Jefferson Hotel in St. Louis, Mo. The execu- tive council, all international officers and city and district business agents will attend the conference. President Harvey Brown will preside.
 Grand Lodge Representatives from Connecticut who will attend include Clark Goodrich of the New Haven district, Fred Cederholm, Bridgeport Henry DeCantillion, and Howard King of Waterbury.
The union times., 1942-02-21
NLRBGets Facts On Organization
 At Rockbestos
Electricians Union Has More Than 75 Per Cent Signed Up-Seek Early Vote,
 Which I.B.E.W. Will Win

In one of the shortest National Labor Relations Board hearings ever held, Local B-9O, New Haven, of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the ROckbestos Products Corporation this week agreed on the unit eIigi. bIe to vote in the election expected to be ordered by the boards Wash ington office in the near future. The company, which was repre- sented by B. H. Reeves, vice-presi- dent and general manager; John Bailey, superintendent; and Attor- ney Arthur L. Corbin refused, how ever, to consent to an election.
 The eligible unit comprising 538 employees on the company's payroll on Feb. 1S, the date of the hearing, excludes superintendents, foremen, assistant foremen, B preparation men, clerical help in both factory and office, and all uniformed guards. Local B-9O claims 75 per cent of the eligible employees have signed I.B.E.W. authorization cards with "A additional signatures se- cured this week.
 SEEK EARLY VOTE
 International Representatives John ]. McCurry, from Washington, and Francis X. Moore and Business Man ager Joseph T. Rourke, who repre- sented the union at the hearing, asked Trial Examiner William Little of the NL.R.B., who presided, to forward his report to Washington at once where the I.B.E.W. will use its in- fuence to have the order for the cleo tion forthcoming as soon as possible.
 In a brief recess while Little checked the additional "A authoriza- tions against the corporations pay roll, Moore asked Corbin if he would consent to an election. Corbin, how ever, preferred an N.L.R.B. ruling on the matter, the usual attitude of the New Haven Manufacturers Associa- ton, Rourke pointed out.
 The attitude of Rockbestos at the hearing in all other respects was very cooperative, Rourke said.
 s'Their spokesmen said they were only concerned with protecting the right of their employees to make their own choice," the business manager wryly pointed out, ''but they won't hasten the election by consenting. In spite of the delay, B-9O is sure it will register a de- cisive victory.''
 Continued on Page Two)
The union times., 1942-02-21
He Condemns Merit tSystem; Plays Unions
Supt. of Cheshire Reforrna- tory Belongs To Dark
 Ages, Committee Saws

Unions and the Merit System are the worst things that ever han. pened in Connecticut
 These are the words of a Con- necticut official who receives an. proximately $8,OOO a year from the people of this state. He is George C. Erskine, veteran super. intendent of the Cheshire Reforma. tory. He made the statement in inc course of informing a committee representing the New Haven Cen. tral Labor Council that he womb not confer with representatives of Local S87, Conn. State Reforma. tory EmplOyes, which is affiliated with the New Haven Council. The membership of 387 is composed of majority of the guards at the Cheshire institution, who are mem. bers of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employes, which has strong local unions in almost every state insti. tuition.
 The committee representing the New Haven Central Labor Council was composed of President Harold V. Feinmark and Carl C. Hoff. Musicians, No. 2S4.
 CONFERENCE REPORT
 Here is their account of the con- ference with Erskine:
The union times., 1942-02-21
Hillman Raps lnadequacy
 
Workers Displaced By Con version Need Living
 Wage, He Says

WASHINGTON. = Provisions of the bill proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee for compensating workers displaced by conversion of civilian industries are inadequate, Sidney Hillman, di- rector of the labor division of the War Production Board, told the committee here.
 Appearing as the first witness on the measure, Hillman emphasized the need for the legislation and urged that the amount should be set at SPA week for % weeks as originally contemplated.
 SPA NEEDED
 He said the SPA figure was based on the experience of railway manage ments and employees who agreed upon that sum as the proper compensation for workers displaced through consoli- dation of two or more railroads.
 As the bill was drafted by the house ways and committee provision is made for 209o increase in the present state unemployment compensation.
 "In some 30 states" Hillman point ed out, "the unemployment compensa- tion is set at a maximum of SIS a week. If we add 2O9o to this amount, we have only $3 increase, total of a maximum of SIS week."
 'sSuch benefit might discourage worker from remaining in his home community and impel him to search for a job somewhere else" he added.
 "We must recognize" Hillman told the committee, s'that war dis placement benefits are first of all positive step toward more eff cient war production.
 ''It is sound policy to seek to meet the costs of manpower con- versiOn-a process as crucial to the success of our arms program as the conversion of tools and machines.' g
The union times., 1942-02-21

ago. All they've had since is the mo- tice, not any additional pay. Before the contract they mostly got the gate without notice.
 What the screen publicists wanted was the sort of severance their broth CTS of the American Newspaper Guild have-cash compensation upon dis charge at the rate of up to three weeks pay for each year of service.
 we can't do itp cried the pro- ducers. Every union in Hollywood would want it" So the puDlicists took the notice or"
 THEY GOT IT
 But in the past few months one other Hollywood union demanded straight severance pay-and got it. No one around here seems to re- alize it yet, but some 1900 office workers employed by M.C.M., R.K.O., Columbia, Universal, Re- public, and a bunch of smaller pro- ducers, have bona fide severance pay in writing. Under the contracts signed by the Screen Office En- ployes Guild a discharged worker gets an extra weeks pay after six
 (Continued on Page Two)
The union times., 1942-02-21
Plans For Bingo
 Almost Ready

Bingo nights will be held iii the New Haven Labor Temple beginning in several weeks, the Labor Realty Corporation, holding company for the Temple, announced this week. The proceeds are expected to lower con- siderably outstanding liabilities.
 Members of the Corporation are examining prices on the necessary equipment, practically the only over head involved. Only additional tables and chairs are needed. The Temple is in need of these in any case.
The union times., 1942-02-21

We were able to see Erskine only because Frederick M. Adler. chairman of the directors of inc Cheshire Reformatory, had SHE. gested to Erskine that he meet with us. Previously, acting in an arbi. trary and dictatorial manner, Er. skine had rejected the unions re. quest for conference. He is the only responsible state official who has adopted such a policy.
 "Our conference with him was interesting, to say the least. We pointed out that the American Fed. eratiOn of State, County, and Mu- nicipal EmplOyes have a no-strike clause in their constitution: that all the union had asked of him was a conference; that the men were interested not only in hours and wages, but also in devising methods of improving their service to the institution; and that we could see no logical reason why he should not see a committee repre. senting the union.
 DARK ACES''
 "Erskine then complained that we had gone over his head in see.
 (Continued on Page Two)
The union times., 1942-02-21
Ieamsters, 4443, Warn Operators
 On Agreements
Must Live Up To Full Terms Of Agreements -Matty Ruppolo Unanimously Elected
 Full Time Officer By Local

The transportation operators bound by the Four-Year General Transportation Agreement in New Haven and Fairfield Counties this week had the law laid down to them: to the effect that there will be no more deals. The business agents, officers and shop stewards of Local 443, Bridgeport & New Haven Heavy-Hauling Teamsters, met Tuesday with the operators, with field representatives of the Fair Trades Practice Board present i'm Red Mems Hall, Milford.
 Local 443, in its efforts to exact the full measure of the agreement for its membership, has already strengthened out several barns and switched shop stewards. The White Line Motor barn i'm Bridgeport fi- nalIy agreed to stop overlooking and further agreed to put paid up members to work instead of its stooges.
 SEABOARD LINE
 Another advance in the fight to en- force the agreement occurred in Sea- board Freight Lines Bridgeport barn when the men succeeded in making the notoriously anti-union day de- spatcher, Charles Botsford, quit the job. Some of the good union mem- bers went out and celebrated the event. All were happy to get Bots ford off their necks.
 The new shop steward, John Gam non, in Mccarthy Transportation's Park City barn has already gotten results. The over-the-road drivers of National Transportation have been informed that they must abide by the contract The firms shrewd use of favoritism had lowered morale con- siderably in its barns.
 HAIL TO MATTY!
 Matty Ruppolo, newly elected president, was unanimously made a full-time officer by the member ship at Sundays meeting in Mill ford. For the first time in its his- tory, 443 TOW has its president on the payroll. Matty is expected to strengthen the union and to con- tribute to its growth. Veteran mem- bers of the local paid tribute to Matty for his past contributions.
 Vice-President William ssRed'' Sullivan made a strong plea that the men become blood donors for civilian and national defense. Sulli- van gave more than pint of his blood recently at St. Raphael's Hos- pital in New Haven.
 He pointed out that of the 5000 to 4,000 donors needed in New Haven and vicinity, only $50 had so far con-
 Continued on Page Two)
The union times., 1942-02-21
Painters Picket
 Arlington Hotel

Local 186, New Haven Painters and Decorators Union, is picketing the Arlington Hotel, corner Meadow and Whiting Streets, for repainting the hotel inside and out with non-union labor.
 Business Agent William Zuckerman has tried to reach Mr. DeLeone, pro prietor of the hotel, several times without success.
The union times., 1942-02-21
A.F.L. Broadcast
 Sunday At 8 PM.

William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor, and Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr., will deliver addresses over Station WICC on Sunday, Feb. p (Washington's Birthday between 8 and 8:3O PM. (EWT), at which time the A.F.L.'s campaign for the purchase of billion dollars worth of Defense Bonds will be officially started.
The union times., 1942-02-21
Consumer Aid
 By State Council
Daily, Weekly Broadcasts To Aid Consumer And
 War Effort

The Consumer Committee of the Connecticut State Defense Council this week issued its first bulletin, and IS now hard at work formulating a program intended to gear consumers into the countrys war effort, and to g1ve them utmost protection during the emergency. Headed by Prof. Wes- ley Sturges of the Yale Law School the committee, comprising 1o members including Secretary of State Chase Going Woodhouse and Sen. Joseph T. Rourke, will soon institute a series of short-early morning broadcasts over local stations and statewide broadcast of a weekly Consumer Forum"
 PROGRAM
 The body intends to act both as a guide and clearing house. The four main points of it's program follow:
 l. It will seek to inform and instruct consumers in the purchase of goods and cOmmodities-every. thing from groceries to garage ser. vice-in such a way as to help the national war effort.
 2. It seeks to further and pro- tect the interests of the consumer group as a whole.
 5. It will try to afford the in. dividual consumer with infOrma. ton on everything from cabbages to king-size cigarettes.
 Continued on Page Two)
The union times., 1942-02-21

Attempts by THE UNION TIMES to obtain c statement from Mr. ErSkine qVere MnSwccesstnI. His office reported that he gUas out of toaVn for three days"
The union times., 1942-03-28
As We See It
 by THE STAFF

WHAT'S THE ANSWER: Indus try is making its highest profits in years, yet is behind the drive to abolish overtime after forty hours. There isn't one defense strike of any importance i'm the whole coun- try, yet the front pages of the com- mercial newspapers, in their stories of speeches by certain Congress- men, try to give you the impression that labor is driving the country to the dogs. Again we ask, WHAT'S THE ANSWER? Where is the money to finance this drive against labor coming from? Dan Tobin, general president of the Teamsters. in radio address this week, said that if he wasn't convinced of the patriotism of the Congressmen who are proposing to rob labor of its rights and gains, he would believe they were planning to sabotage this country's war program We wonder about their patriotism Dan was too polite, if you ask us, and when Teamster is too polite, watch out.
 HERE'S 4 PREDICTION: Con- necticnt Congressnren q0ho zUiH vote against the bills to abolish overtime pay aOTU include Jim Shanley of NezO HaUen;; LncieN Maciora, Of Neq0 BritGim;; LeRoy D. Do1CmS of Favfeld County; Herman KobbeIIman of HGrtford;; and Billy Fitzgerald Of NorzVich. We don't knozV about Joe Talbot.
 EARLY THIS MONTH, the state's Congressmen voted against the amendment abolishing overtime pay introduced by Rep. Smith of Virginia. An identical bill has been re-introduced by Smith. Here's what Cong. Lucien Maciora thought of the Smith amendments, which have to be beaten all over again. In letter to the New Haven Gen. tral Labor Council he says:
 ''The Smith Amendment did not deal with hours, with production, or with strikes. It dealt solely with wages, seeking to lower the stand ard of American living at a time when taxes are multiplying and living costs soaring.
 Continued on Page Four)