The Mississippi enterprise. (Jackson, Miss.) 1938-current, 1945-03-17
THE LABOR SITUATION IN JACKSON AND
MISSISSIPPI
By Willie j. Miller

During the past weeks have contacted many of the
and of the big plants industries here
IN jackson and Mississippi plants and industries that are
largely 100 percent employers of Negro labor and for
the most part engaged 100 percent work At most of
these plants have found that attempts are being made by
who coming from other sections the country
stir up strife and among the EMPLOYEES and
the employers attempts to influence the aborers become
dissatisfied with their present employers present working
conditions and present wages In jobs that
essential to the effort strikes have been encouraged
and large numbers Of workers who should be doing
thing possible to hasten the end Of the idle
We have had long talks with many of these employers
have visited the plants noticed the working conditions
talked with the employees many of whom have worked
in most instances have found first that the
wages being paid these and in accordance
with those prescribed by the War Labor Board second
most instances, working conditions satisfactory to
sanitation etc. third that almost always there exists
spirit of friendship and goodwill between the employers
We have had the employers tell they are always
anxious to discuss with any Individual group WITHIN
THEIR PLANTS any problems or grievances, with an aim
of bringing about proper and satisfactory solutions We
have also had employees express themselves being salts
fled with their present jobs and conditions surrounding them
Now, do not know what these outsiders offering
the not know what advantages they
lsing, but there some things DO KNOW. Things
that believe vitality important to the webeng of the
groups of Negroes who employed in various jobs
where talks of strikes and other descriptions brewing
EMPLOYERS WHO ARE NOW PAYING OUT MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS A YEAR TO NEGRO LABOR HAVE SAID
THAT BEFORE THEY OPERATE UNDER CONTRACTS
LAID DOWN BY THESE OUTSIDERS THEY WILL CLOSE
DOWN THEIR PLANTS.
Again. remond readers that it is not the policy
of this paper to tell Negroes where to work and for whom
work. but do feel that all Negro employees of these
particular plants and others who without doubt feel the
same, should spend thought this particular state
Closing of the plants anywhere in the state would
leave thousands of Negroes out of work and do need
strong imagination to realize what calamity this would
be to economic conditions Of Negroes in the state
If the plants didn't close when higher wages had to be
paid be certain that the Negro workers would be
turned off and the jobs given to members of their
Now we IMPLORE HEROES WORKING OVER THE
STATE TO WAKE UP AND use LITTLE COMMON
SENSE We beg you to be seishy interested in your
to the extent that you will realize that you getting
better wages than you have received before lies
before you golden opportunity to WORK, SAVE and to
before you have opportunity to
cumulate something for ourselves to leave for children
heritage of better and happier ife tell those outside
agitators "get thee behind Satan and if you have
problems you have grievances select your representa-
tives from among your fellow and go your
poyers and calmly and saney and in respectful way at
tempt to solve these problems