The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-05-01
UAW MEMBERS
CHARGE LOCAL.
IS STALL|NG G.
Accuse Union Heads Of
Failing To Carry
Out Duties

oShoio WOihclS anu ItlcfIlOeIS Oh
UAW-CIO Local 100 who took
serious exception to the racial views
expressed by the recording secre-
tary OF Local 100. James Lindahl,
have written a letter OF protest to
their local officers and TO the inter-
national union. The workers SUBJ
mitted copy OF the protest letter
to the Michigan Chronicle which is
printed below:
Dear Sir:
We employees OF the Packard
Motor company. members of Local
100. UAW-CIO. send the following
protest to the officers and board
members Of Local 100 and to the
International UAW-CIO. against
the undemocratic accusations made
against colored workers at the
FEPC conference on manpower on
Sunday. April 10, by James Lindahl.
recording secretary OF Packard
Local 100. Clio. Mr.. Lindahl made
disparaging remarks as to colored
workers using undemocratic meth
DDS TO improve their Industrial
status. Viewing the Negroes status
at Packard's, discrimination is an
open policy. We challenge Mr.,
Lindahl 10 prove any acts OF dis
loyalty on the part OF Negro work
ers in spite OF the failure OF Local
100 to gran. Negroes their share OF
Jobs and their refusal 10 upgrade
those who became members accord
Ing to their seniority rights.
We assume since Mr.. Lindahl
spoke with such authority. he
voiced the sentiments OF Local 100
and with their consent Therefore,
we insist that Local 100 and the
international live UP 10 the cons;i-
tuition which includes the clause
of no discrimination due TO race.
creed. color or religion We also re-
mind those concerned that through
out the Packard Motor company
there is not one Negro whose
identity Is known that works a.
a production machine excepting the
foundry. However. white workers
are being constantly hired in de-
partments and given instructions in
the shop yet colored workers remain
at their jobs as janitors and clean
ers, some who have served many
Year, with the company and are
union members.
1t has become common knowl-
edge that Negro seniority only
applies over another Negro. We
have tried every legal and peaceful
method through union procedure to
gain a square deal and have been
given the run-around from every
angle imaginable We have seen
colored workers threatened, intimi-
dated and accused OF being dis
credited and appear 10 be dis
qualified for performance that re-
quire ability beyond mental jobs
such as swecperS ard cleaners.
Race batters. enemy agents and
some OF our paid officials are more
interested in keeping the Negro
down than 70 directing their forces
20 the defeat OF our enemies. They
arc TO be found among the workers,
in the local as representatives and
In management. Union officials
usually are ready with prepared
RllbiS and evaSions when con-
fronted with their failures to give
Justice TO their colored members.
They hide behind such false claims
Is. The southern whites don't want
20 work beside Negroes" or II, is
the managemc but when really
pushed. they use the old Sailing
line. We are working on it, and
we colorcd workers are forever
waiting. Mr. Lindahl must. by this
time. realize the failure Of his bold
attempt 10 deceive the workers. We
arc beginning to take inventory OF
the Local 100 stock and well do we
remember their strategy OF trying
90 deceive our group We are much
concerned about Our future. Local
100 can do much service 10 the war
effort by coming out OF their
lethargy thus creating in the minds
OF the colored workers confidence
and faith that is now missing.
Submitted by: The Unity Com
mittee for Victory. William NJ.
Light. chairman: Thomas Lynch.
Jesse Henry. Harold Drasden. j. c.
Powell, William NJ. Toles. Charles
Moorehcad. Charles Harris. Nelson
Davis. Roy Jackson. c. Dean.