, 1942-09-02
WHATS WRONG AT
FRIGIDAIRE



Conditions at Plant 2 Are Deplorable
More than a year ago, on July Is, 1941, to be exact
F~rigdaire management received a notice from the Office OF
Price Administration and Civilian Supply (OPACS) stating
that civilian production would have to be wound up. Plant
facilities and manpower were needed to save our nation
from the onrush of brutal Fascism. On December 7, 1941,
japanese murderers killed several thousand innocent, peace
loving Americans at Pearl Harbor. Our nation became in
volved in a life and death struggle for its existence.
The UE-CIO, together with the rest of the organized
labor movement of America pledged its about effort to
save democracy, and the American way-of-Gfe. We pledged
not to strike. We urged the setting up of joint labor-manage-
ment production committees. We sponsored civilian defense,
bond sales, save scrap and other war emergency campaigns.
UE members called special war production conferences,
where Army, Navy, and war production officials spoke
Special posters and buttons were prepared, to Beat the
Schedule" The UEs effort was an about effort because,
as workers, we know that world Fascism is our No. l Enemy!
In the face of our grave national danger, it would be
fair to assume that Frigidaire management would make
every possible effort to do an all-out job of war production.
BUT THIS rs NOT THE CASE Other companies, formerly
producing refrigerators, have done a much better job of
conversion, and now have all of their former employees
back at work. Their machines are hunmning, pouring out
war work of all kinds.
Why is it that at Frigidaire, Plant 2, machine depart
ments are running little more than one shift? On some of
the war work which has been running three shifts, one or
two shifts were recently Shut down.
Why is it that tool and die makers are not given maxi
mum work hours? Their work is not planned out in advance
SO that machines and equipment can be kept busy all the
time. Maximum use is not being made of machine repair
men, or of the force of skilled maintenance workers.
Why was it that more than 80 automatic screw machines
were idle for months on the second and third shift, while
war contracts were available?
Why is raw material shipped from one Dayton ware
house to another, and then back again, while machines are
idle for lack of such material? Who pays the bill for such
needless transfer of material?
Why are brand new machines for the gun plant laying
idle in a Frigidaire warehouse?
Why are huge piles of scrap steel roting in the gun
plant, when it is needed by the steel mills?
Why are time study men permitted to cut rates and
create dissension, when employees are inspired to do more
war work, and are urged to do SO by their Union?
Why aren't the most efficient production methods and
planning applied to war work?
The time for words is over. There is immediate need for
Frigidaire Management to go over its entire war production
efforts, which to Frigidaire employees look weak and half
hearted
Frigidare management cannot expect to enjoy the full
confidence of its employees unless some real improvements
are made, and without delay. Whoever is responsible for the
present situation must be called to task. IF changes in super
vision are needed, then let's have them now.
Frigidaire has an opportunity to do the job of its
volition. Unless it does, this Union will insist that govern
ment officials step into the picture, SO that the thousands of
patriotic Frigidaire employees, including all of those laid
Of, or working part time, might be given their desired
opportunity to do an about job of smashing Hitler. Hirohito
and Benito |