Evening star., 1943-04-12
Plant Discord Slows War Production

membership to remove the fine for
earnings over and above an eStab-
lished ceiling and further that we
would personally request each and
every employe to increase their in
| centive earnings an amount equal
at least to our requested raise If
and wherever that is possible, thus
| enabling you to get some returns
on your granting of our request
We feel certain that with the added
incentive of scent increase, cou-
pied with every ones desire to assist
in our great war effort, that this
could be accomplished throughout
the plant"
| This reporter questioned the union
officer whose name was attached to
the letter about the charge that
the local had provision for such a
fine in it's bylaws. He was asked
specifically if there was a fine for
producing more than certain
amount
There has never been a fine
levied for anything like that in our
shop" he replied. I'VE are only
looking for all-out production to
win an Army Navy award. We are
serious. We are not looking for
| trouble"
| He asked that no publicity be
given plant troubles. He added that
it would only interfere with pro-
duction, and that differences be-
| tween labor and management were
nearing solution. Later, he said:
There are no restrictions on pro-
duction and no fines. We have never
/ had anything like that since we were
organized in 1933'
WPB Investigator Reports.
A WPB investigator called into
/ the case reported that more produc-
| ton might be possible if machines
were rearranged in the plant and
other management changes made,
the union man said.
Officials said the plant should be
producing "25 per cent more war
goods easily" Employees, they con-
tinued. ARE putting in eight hours
day and working about six" They
showed report made by WPB after
investigating plant conditions zap
parently another report) which con-
cluded:
Il think it is probable that an i'm
provement in production of from
20 to 30 per cent is possible if there
is complete cooperation between
labor and management"
Management brought forth COM
parative data of factory peHormance
in December, January and February.
l94l and 1912, and for the same
months a year later to indicate the
plant had not been doing so we'll.
While shipments of war goods from
the plant increased only 16 per cent
in the later period, the number of
employees was up 40 per cent and
total wages paid to labor increased
"A per cent. Small adjustments in
work accounted for some of the
dlfferential, they said.
(Since The Stars visit to this
plant the situation there re-
portedly has improved. WPB re-
ported today that the firm presi-
dent called to say the Army Air
Forces ordered the discharge last
week of one of the plants union
officers. The man allegedly was
the author of the letter quoted
above. Morale in the plant has
improved and output increased in
the few days since the discharge,
WPB quoted the official as say
lngD
Mutual Trust Essential.
The case just described will show
that incentive or piece-work plans
90 not always result in more pro-
ductlon. For a plant to operate
) efhclently on any wage plan there
must be cooperation and trust be-
tween management and labor.
The charge probably will be made
that an unfair picture of our wal
effort is presented here; that only
sore spots were picked by The
Star This is not true In ma ajority
OF the plants production was far
lower than it should be, according
to management, Government Off
clals and, in most instances, labor
In not all instances were troubles as
OBVIOUS as in the plant just cited
In those plants the surface, at least
was smooth. There were complaints
from management that output was
: too low, backed up by convincing
evidence that all was not we'll.
In other factories visited condi-
tlons and production obviously were
good. There undoubtedly are thou
sands of plants throughout the coun.
try where current output leaves lit
tie to be desired. The "sore" spots
however. are too numerous if it is
;; necessary for the country to affair
peak production to win the war.
A labor man in Cleveland, who
now is with the Government. de.
clared that proper cooperation be.
tween labor and management woulc
: increase production in that regior
: Is per cent He said the rank anc
: file of labor needed to be educated
: in the Importance of giving all-ou
! effort in the shop. There are quite
a few things about our war prcduc.
' ton the worker finds difficult tt
5 understand. Munitions schedule.
frequently are cut back and ad
r justed. All the worker general,
, knows is that he is exhorted tt
greater effort one day and is out O.
{ a job the next, he said.
: Labor Points to Depressives.
Management, the labor man said
can be taught to arrange his plan
more efficiently. He added that il
/ some plants assembly lines "turr
: corners"
: Labor cites great many depres.
sive influences when asked why pro.