The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-12-25

(Continred from Page ~

danger role OF political demagogy.
was attended by UAW-ClO repre-
sentatives from Illinois. Indiana.
Ohio and outlying districts Of.
Michigan.
Seek New Approach
Apparently realizing that new
approach must be made 10 solutions
OF minority group problems within
organized labor. the conference en-
dorsed a recommendation 10 treat
all grievances as violations of the
UAW-CIO constitution and labor
management contracts and not as
race or minority group problems.
This recommendation followed long
discussion on failures 10 iron out
problems affecting the Negro work.
err
A committee representatives OF
the four states which sent delegates
TO the conference was appointed TO
personally present the findings of
the confab TO UAW-CIO presi-
dent, r J. Thomas. and the Inter-
national Executive Board of the Or
ganization. A similar conference
will be called at the end Of three
months 10 determine the extent to
which the recommendations have
been carried out.
Teeth In Constitution
Obviously suggested as a means
OF putting teeth" In the constitu-
ton, the investigating committee
would constitute the equivalent Of
a grand jury investigation within
the union and would hold top union
officials and international repre-
gentatives responsible for infrac-
tiohs Of the UAW-CIO constitution
In recommending such o commit
tee. Paul Silvers, +of the American
Newspaper Guild Local ISL, said
that only by holding union officials
responsible for hate strikes and
other violations Of the union code
and labor-management contracts
can the union constitution be en-
forced.
I'm nearly every plant where
hate strikes have occurred and, in
cidentally, where the Khan is still
active, union officials and inter-
national representatives have failed
to force hate strikers to adhere to
the constitution" Silvers declared
Instead OF reasoning with the
strikers, representatives went out
and talked with Negroes who were
willing TO work but who were pre-
vented from working by striking
white workers.
Every provision for combating
discrimination is contained in the
UAW-CIO constitution. But what
we need is a body with authority
TO which union officials would be
responsible when they fail to live
up to their obligations as union
representatives This body should
have the power TO investigate and
recommend the dismissal of such
union leaders" Silvers added.
Gibson, Weaver Speakers
Speakers at the general meeting
which branched off into panel dis
cussion were: John Gibson, state
president of the UAW-CIO, and
George Weaver. CLIO Committee TO
Abolish Discrimination and mem
Der Of the National Staff OF the
CIO.
Gibson pointed out that the prob
lem OF the Negro worker is becom-
ing more serious and said that now
Is the time TO make provisions for
the returning Negro workers who
will obviously be the first to suffer
from a lack OF employment in the
postwar period. He also stressed
the point that colored workers must
become active participants in union
activity.
Weavers talk dealt with national
issues vitality affecting workers. He
referred TO the fight by organized
labor TO defeat the effort to kill
subsidies and. by contrast. deplored
the lack Of interest in the fight for
a 500 million appropriation for
better housing.
We should all be aware OF the
fact that there is an organized eff
fort on the part OF real estate in
terests TO defeat the governments
housing program" Weaver de-
clared Last week Congress APP
propriated $50 million for housing
instead OF 500 million. Had there
been more pressure from organized
labor and other organized groups
there is every reason 10 believe that
Congress would have appropriated
the 500 million. ~
Other Recommendation
Other recommendation made by
the panels were: % Full utiliza-
ton Of all available woman power:
t2) a broader educational program
among white and colored workers
with some possible changes in the
phrsseology OF educational pro-
psgands. 80 widespread activity in
all local unions 10 abolish the Little
Steel Formula. and ca persistent
demand for better housing, for all
workers by organized labor
Participants on the panel discus
sions represented local unions from
Columbus and Akron. Ohio. Evans
vile and Anderson. Indiana: Chi
cago. Ill; Pontiac and Ypsilanti.
Mich The conference was led by
Walter Hardin and was attended by
Shelton Tapes, recording secre-
tary. local 600: Horace Sheffield,
and Oscar Noble, international rep
UAW-CIO. as we'll as
delegates from the majority OF local
unions in Detroit and outlying dis
tricts.