The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-01-18
WAS WoRK sHIRKERs

WPB officials declare that alb
senteeism among workers, which
is costing 800 planes monthly, is
one Of the nations most serious
manpowef problems. not only IN the
aircraft industry, but in all war
plants.
In washington officials assert
that the absenteeism issue is acute
ly serious in shipbuilding.
Reasons for absenteeism are num-
erouE, the worst, no doubt being
failure OF workers TO seriously con-
slider the urgent needs for more
war production. Interruptions in
work are also caused by material
shortages, increased earnings which
make the need for full-time work
less necessary, transportation diff
culties, housing problems in over
crowded areas, and wartime comp
locations in shopping.
Some OF the fault rests with
management and much with gov
eminent All responsibility for the
drag in production by no means
rests with labor alone, but labor
can help a lot by concentrating
right now on corrective measures.
Consider, for example, the
high rate OF absenteeism among
war plant workers While this IS
attributed in general discussions
10 such causes as lack OF nurseries
10 care for children, illness among
children and extra time required
10 meet complexities OF rationing.
much OF Il 10 actually due 10 the
mere desire TO take day OF now
and then. A large percentage OF
absentees are unmarried women or
women with no family obligations
Mat require time of.
The aim has been 20 bring the
number Of women aircraft worn ers
up 70 the number OF men. but that
ratio has not been reached even
though some factories report that
seven out OF every ten people en-
ployed have been women.
To meet child care and other
problems which are important,
there should be immediate govern
ment aid for community efforts be
ing planned, but delayed FOR lack OF
sufficient funds. In Ypsilanti W.
have activities started 70 meet
community needs, but there IS no
money In hand 70 guarantee con-
tinuation OF service once Il il well
established.
In all social service work FOR the
Bomber area the common question
IS about money to carry on. Com
mlttees working on such projects
nave hope that money can he Sc
cured, but there is no definite as
surance. In such cases the govern.
ment could help materially by cut
ting through its maze OF red tape
and telling committees exactly
what may be expected in way Of
assistance.
10 relieve necessary sbsenteeisn
such action would produce vaiu-
able results. To relieve the IN
necessary absenteeism there must
ne more general sincerity OF pur.
pose. Loyal workers can helm in
= campaign for patriotic endeavo-
ny expressing 70 deliberate shIrh-
ers their disapproyal
The fact that a good MANY alb.
'entees are deliberate strikers il
quite definitely established by sur
Veys which show the absenteeism
highest on Mondays. particularly
on Mondays following pay days.
Correction OF such attitude To-
ward war production presents a
problem OF knowledge, Judgment
and salesmanship. The Indifferent
must be sold on the importance OF
'neir contribution toward the war
enort and they must be taught
what they would quickly discover
Tor themselves Il they could he
placed in the front lines for a few
days to see what lack OF supplies
means 10 the men there Offering