The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-04-18
Employment

AAbAA AAAAfA ~ bllA aeN NANJ
these sub-contracting firms are in
this area
The large question in many of
the workers minds was, what
about the women. who make up 80
per cent Of the bomber personnel?
Edward T. Raiuey, assistant dlrec-
tor OF the Detroit area Of the War
Manpower Commission promised
that the VINO. would try to aid
them, but pointed out that there
was already a Is TO II thousand
surplus of female labor In this
portion of the state; on the other
hand, he stated there are jobs
available for $4,000 men, and 1000
Of these jobs are critical.
The order TO cut back the pro.
duction Of the B-24's was issued
by the Production Executiv Com
mittee at Washington, d. c., a
group made up Of representatives
OF all branches of the armed ser
vices, and all agencies connected
with the production of war mater
ial.
An unrevealed number of bomb
ers remain to be built and the
schedule for production will be
decided by the Ford Motor Com
pany, with the agreement Of the
Army Air Forces. II was indi-
Gated that the shut down would
be gradual, with no immediate
lay off. Production is TO be stop
ped by August, l945.
Employees are still governed by
the same release procedure as be-
fore, and services Of the VINO will
be available for those laid off. All
Of the workers were asked to keep
on the Job until the company re.
leases them.
Officials present at the meeting
at which the cutback was announc-
ed were It. Colonel John a. Thomp-
son, resident representative OF the
Army Air Forces. Major r. Harvey
Humphrey. publicity officer OF the
Central Procurement District, Wal
ter Wagner, Assistant Superinten-
dent of the Willow Run Plant Ed
ward T. Rainey, OF the War Man
power Commission, John +. Ad-
ans, chairman of the examinations
committee of the War Production
Board and Anthony Luchek, re-
gional labor representative OF the
WPB.
Union officials were called In
and the cut back explained TO
them. The announcement were
posted on the bulletin boards near
the time clocks throughout the
plant at three o'clock. The mo-
tice was read over the public ad-
dress system, also The reaction
OF the workers was varied, but
more received the word cheerfully
than otherwise.
One person was overheard say
ing. IT'S the best news I've heard.
it means we are that much closer
to the end OF the war"
One said, I'm packing my suit.
case and heading home" This was
a general reaction in the plant, as
time and again workers remarked,
I'm glad, now ] can go home. "
One woman on a cleanup squad
said. I'm glad for myself, but |
feel sorry for the men with fam
lilies. have two daughters. and
1 will be glad to get home"
A woman said, I'm just worried
sick. ! just bought some brick
siding and it isn't even on the
house yet, | don't know what III
do"
Several workers remarked that
if this meant the plant would 90
on a 40 hour week they couldn't
afford 10 drive out Others stated
that their old Jobs were still open.
Many Of the workers were stun
ned, despite the rumors that had
been circulating through the plant
all day. Many looked worried.
many seemed confused, but the
majority looked upon the news as
meaning the war was nearly won.
A Wayne woman said she would
stay on the jub' until I'm kicked
out. then draw my compensation.
Mrs. lola Turner, Ann Arbor,
whose husband IS recovering from
wounds In an English hospital. said
she would stay on until laid of,
then seek employment elsewhere,
until my husband comes home
and takes over" She has one
child.
ITS the best news I've heard. ."
1T means with the cutback pro-
duction we are that much closer
to the end; 81 wish It were this
month or next month instead OF
August, every minute counts; 1T
speaks pretty well for the job We
did here at the bomber plant:
1T was nice OF them TO give us ad.
vance notice and time enough so
we can get out and get another
Job instead OF waiting for the lay