Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1948-05-14
Regional
Views
By Richard Gosser
Vice-President
International UAW-ClO

There are few things think all bargain
ing committees should keep in mind while
negotiating their agreements this year. don't
want anyone to be confused in what I say or
misconstrue my thinking in what or how say
it here. l think everyone is entitled to a
substantial raise, but do believe the follow
ing things should be accomplished:
First, l think the complete Journeymen'S-
Apprentice Program should be included in all
contracts and put in effect. This would mean
complete protection for the Journeymen and
also the Apprentice who it learning a trade
Next, l think all non-production workers
are entitled to very substantial increase. This
should be brought up accordingly, to check the
great difference between the production and
non production workers and narrow the mar
gin somewhat. In mentioning the non-produc-
tion worker 1 mean all people on an hourly
rate. This includes the non-production worker
who is actually production worker who is on
an hourly rate, and a very low rate too I
might mention. l think these people should
be taken into consideration and advanced ac-
cordingly.
One of the facts l would like to stress is the
fact that we seem to have lost sight of live
and let live" think we should take it even
further by another motto, "live and help live"
The attitude of so many of us today is "dog
eat dog" or that attitude, 81 got mine, you
take care of yourself" There is so much to be
gained in helping others In doing that you
actually nelp yOurSelf a lot more than by TAX
ing selfish attitude Actually it is the re-
sponsibility of all of us to support the cause
of each other For example the worker far
therest away from the high rate of pay should
be adjusted accordingly and all of us should
help make that adjustment.
ADJUSTMENT
Have you ever entered a grocery store,
meat market, clothing store any place to
make purchase and had the salesman ask
you what your earnings were? Then did he
adjust the price of the article you were pur-
chasing to fit the amount of your income?
We can all laugh up our sleeves at that one.
Of course that has never happened-at least
not in everyday occurrences No sir, brother
member, the price of that article remained the
same for all whether you made lot or little.
| bring out this point in order to try and show
you that those who more and can afford
to pay the price often forget the other guy
who doesn't earn much and also has large
family to support It's hard for that man to
make decent living today. Therefore, think
all our efforts should be to raise the minimum
rate as much possible to help those in the
lower brackets.
1t is my personal opinion we should have
solidarity and unity in our ranks and all work
toward this goal as this seems to be one of the
sad points around the country today. There
fore, plead with the bargaining committees to
work untiringly in their efforts to accomplish
the things that are necessary for all workers
including the skilled and non-production
workers. LIVE AND HELP LIVE Keep that
in mind while you negotiating. It's
wonderful feeling to know you are helping
someone better their way of life.