Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1948-04-09

Each week when write this column Try
to cover the subject of most Importance at the
particular time am writing. One of the things
that has been bothering me most is the non
attendance of the members at their unit meet 4
ing.
l wonder how many of you realize that
YOU are Shirking one of your responsibilities.
To those who are regular in their attendance
1 say 'T thank YOU" To those who stay at
home or seek enjoyment elsewhere l would
like to say, II think you are very wrong IN
your attitude"
When look back and think of the number
of times we had to hold meetings in some ones
basement or sneak around to find meeting
place 1 wonder what is wrong with the MEM
bers of today 1t seems to me that things have
been made too easy for them and therefore
they cannot appreciate what the old timers
went through to give them this opportunity TO
enjoy their meetings in comfort.
It seems that the older members have to
still carry on in order not to lose the struggle
they started years ago. / cannot understand
why the young blood doesn't get more inter-
ested. After all, this is their battle. 1t was
started for them years ago and it is up to them
to keep fighting and plugging for a better
world for their children to live in.
THE OLD SPIRIT
Whenever it is possible l attend the unit
meeting of my own shop and can't help but
you walk through the shop you can hear
plenty of 'beefs' about this not being done or
that not being done, but, for these same beef
ers' to devote two -and-a-half hours of their
time one night month is something unheard
Of For the life of me l cannot understand
why they cannot bring their problems before
the body and have them ironed out properly.
We are continually hearing of people los
ing their seniority, getting suspended, ETC.,
and in nine cases out of ten it is simply be-
cause they don't know anything about the
rules. There is an old saying that Ignorance
of the law is no excuse" The same holds trusH'
with people in the shops If they would take
the time out to attend their meetings they
would not be ignorant of their rules. How
ever, it seems they would rather sit at home
or do other things for their enjoyment and
assume an "Oh, let Joe do it, attitude. Ihls is
entirely wrong and l think you are all intel
ligent enough to know that second hand IN
formation is always distorted and is never re-
peated the way it is told in a meeting. IL is
reallv surprising to hear how a mere state
ment of fact can be twisted | think you Will
agree that first hand information is always
best and if you disagree with it the proper
time to argue the issue is right then and there.
In this way you will always know the correct
answer to all the problems and there can pe
no misunderstanding.
have attended numerous meetings where
some particular department in plant had
problem and practically the whole department.
turned out to argue their case. This is the kirf@
of spirit we all admire, but feel it should be
this way at all times and not only when they
have problem that concerns some particular
group.
We should take an interest in what is 60
ing on in the entire plant and not in just one
particular department. How else can we know
the true story if we don't make an attempt to
be at the one place where these subjects are
brought up your unit meeting.
YOUNGER MEMBERS
In looking over the crowd at these various
meetings cannot help but wonder where all
the young blood is that should be at these
meetings. l feel in my heart it is their respon-
sibility to educate themselves in union pro-
cedure in order to carry on the great battle
that was started by those who worked so hard
to make our union what it Is today. The lead
ers of today will be unable to keep up tle
struggle forever, so, it is up to the youthv&tr
step in and carry on and continue the fight
that was started many years ago.
In closing l would like to ask each of you
to make resolution to attend all your unit
meetings. Once you get started l know it will
not be long before you will be setting every
thing aside for this night month. You
owe it to yourself and family to attend We
have made tremendous gains but there is
still lot to be accomplished. There are many
ways you help if you will try. Your
greatest contribution is regular attendance at
your meeting. Let's all get together and ''jam"
the hall at your next unit meeting.