Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11
Detroit Job-Freezing
Termed Voluntary Act
0flabor '-IManageinenf
VINO Describes Operation
As Method Of HoItine
WorWorker 'Pirotinq'
BY JESSE O. IRWIN

Detroit employment stabiliza-
ton plan, which affects approx
mately 1000 workers, lis not
IN any sense a job freeze" but a
measure developed in accord
ance with a policy approved by
the WINGS Management-Labor
Policy Committee last July.
Officials said the management la =
Dor agreement: called on industry
and workers to work out co-opera-
tive methods Of matching available
and potential workers with criticaI
jobs.
The programs principal aim Is to
prevent pirating of skilled war work
ers away from war industries. which
cause Wasteful and needless labor
turnover and impedes war produc-
ton, Manpower Deputy Chairman
Fowler Harper said.
Will Prohibit "Raiding."
In war industry areas where labor,
management and Government do
not agree on means to stop pirating
Mr.. Harper said the commission
Would take steps to stop "raiding"
q workers in certain skilled occu-
uRtions.
tDetroit has been designated, it was
efplaineds as a critical labor area
aid local management and labor
4hcials are trying to work out a
voluntary program.
lit Is not a compulsory order by
the Government" Mr.. Harper said
IT involves the voluntary co-opera-
ton of labor. management and the
eeneral public, just as does the plan
Instituted in Baltimore last spring
and in Louisville few days ago"
In this respect, Mr.. Harper ex-
planned that the Detroit action diff
feTs: from a real freezing order
sought by maritime employers and
unions to keep experienced seamen
on, ships. The maritime order has
been discussed by VINO and War
Shipping Administration officials
and-is under consideration today by
the-sWMC Labor Management Ad.-
visory Committee.
:: To Freeze Seamens Jobs.
1T will be reported back to the
next commission meeting Wednes-
day, after which an order freezing
some 10000 merchant seamen with
irrthe shipping industry may be ex-
pected ANY time" it was indicated
1The Detroit Management-Labo
Committee has worked out a plan
which 1t hopes will prevent solicita-
tbn and hiring of certain skilled
workers away from war plants.
tThe plan contains prohibitions
against the blackhsting of individ-
uals, the violation of union agree
ments and the retention of workers
st-substandard wages or work con-
ditions, Mr.. Harper said.
The commission made public the
plan: now in effect at Detroit which
asserts that unnecessary labor
turnover hinders war production"
The following circumstances may
be considered illustrative Of &C
ceptable reasons for changing en-
pleyment:
A. When the worker is competent
to:perform higher skilled work than
his current employer is able or will
ing to provide.
B. When the worker is employed
for substantial period at less than
full time.
! 40-Hour Week Observed.
TFull-time employment at this
TINE, is understood to be 40 hours
pr week, or the working hours and
pAriods of time as specified in ex-
l4ing union agreements.
&C. When the difference between
the workers residence and place of
employment is unreasonably great
considering the restrictions on the
use of gasoline and tires and the
load of transportation facilities.
D. When the worker has COM
pe1hng personal reasons for wish
Ing to change.
E. When the worker is employed
ct wages under conditions substan-
tally less favorable than those pre-
vaiiing in the community for the
kind of work.
In accordance with instructions
sent out by the commission, the
plan was drafted in Detroit by rep
resentatlves of the CLOS United
Automobile Workers and the Amer
lean Federation of Labor's city,
county and State organization and
officials of the Manufacturers Com
nrttee of the Automotive Council
for War Production, the Michigan
Manufacturers Association and the
Automotive Parts and Equipment
Manufacturers Association.
Must Show Release.
These unions and industrial lead
ers agreed that employers would re-
fuse to hire or solicit workers from
other essential industries within the
area. unless the applicant presents
certificate of release from his en-
ployer or from the United States
Employment Service"
The phrase solicit" is defined to
Include ANY activity including any
written or oral communication or
publication designed or intended to
induce any individual to accept en-
rlovnent in a given plant, factory or
other esta blishments.
The agreement stipulates that any
person or groups of workers who are
dissatisfied with any action taken
or not taken, under this policy will
be provided an opportunity to ap-
peal to the commissions area repre-
sentative.
The plan applies in some form to
virtually every worker in the Detroit
region. covering not only the metro
politan area but outlying sections
I'M adjoining counties in which are
located such installations as the big
Willow Run plant. the Detroit
tChrysler) tank arsenal and the
United States CHudson) naval ar
senaL
Seaective service headquarters
meanwhile announced that Sc types
of Jobs in production of materials fol-
packing and shipping products hao
been. designated as essential.
Notice to that effect was sent draft
boards for guidance in deciding &C.