Evening star., 1947-08-21
Charges Of 0verwork
In New York by Union
Denied After VAProbe

The Veterans Administration to-
day blasted as groundless charges
by the United Public Workers of
America that New York agency
heads are overworking employees in
a frenzy of production.
The New York local has dis
tributed circulars to all the en-
ployes accusing supervisors of pro-
ductionitis." They are asked to join
the union and demand decent
working conditions and a pleasant
atmosphere"
While officials Indignantly view
the union moves as a deliberate
attempt to slow down progress in
the New York area, they interpret
them primarily as bid to increase
union membership
Bradley Ordered Probe.
Veterans Administrator Bradley
ordered an investigation of the
charges last month when the cir
culars were brought to his attention.
The result, an official said, is that
the Veterans Administration con-
siders the matter closed 80 long
as we continue to get decent days
work for decent days pay"
IF any of our workers begin to
lay down on the job, then we'll be-
gin to take some action" he de-
clared. Il imagine employees up
there are subject to loyalty investi-
cations just as they are here"
One top Official said he under
stood not more than 100 Veterans
Administration employees in New
York hold membership cards in the
CIO local.
1868 Employees in Area.
In New York, however. he pointed
out the union has one of it's highest
potential Veterans Administration
memberships, with 1868 employees
in and near the city. The New
York central Office has 3571 work
ers, while there are 1855 in the
branch office, 1855 in the regional
office, 1928 at the Bronx Hospital,
1850 in the Brooklyn regional office
and 444 in the Bronx regional office.
About 1000 employees will be
moved from the city central and
branch offices to Washington as
soon as space can be found, it was
learned
Another official said the New
York offices have good production
records, but are no higher than
the average in other Offices through
out the country
Speedups Admitted.
There have been work speedurs
during the last year, the official
admitted, partially due to economy
layoffs to meet new personnel CELL
lngs. The agency has to cut an
other 5000 workers from it's rolls
by September l.
But the main reason for speed
ups" an officials said, lis that most
Of these workers were unframed
year ago. We naturally expect more
work from them as they become
more familiar with their work
He said there have been no ex-
tensive complaints about working
conditions from employees themselves
and that New York chiefs have re-
ported no let-down since the circu-
lars were distributed.
Leaflets Distributed in Chicago.
Another spokesman recalled that
the union distributed similar leaflets
to agency employees in Chicago sev-
eral months ago. 1T died down
and nothing else was heard from
it," he said
Under heading, Does the Whip
Crack Over You?" the circular
asks:
Are you haunted by the word
'production?' Hounded by con-
slant questions, how many cases
have you disposed of, how many
units have you posted? Bothered
by so-called honor rolls for clerks
who made the highest production
one clerk pitted against the
other y the fear that your neigh
Dor is doing more than you are.
Result: Nervous tension, dissatis-
faction, and inevitable decrease ir
efficiency"
"ProductiOnitis" Defined.
The circular defines 'produc-
tionitis' as "a disease caused by
placing such emphasis on the word
production that other things are
forgotten, all other values tend to be
ignored in an effort to achieve a
high production report; character
lied by tension, nervousness. in
tense rivalry, distrust and often
ill-feeling."
rs being treated like human
being rather than a robot expect
ing too much?" the circular goes
on to ask. I'VE spend eight hours
n day here 1t should not be a
place of dread"
RenI Fstnfe