Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1948-05-28
Regional
Views
By Richard Gosser
Vice>President
international UAW-ClO

have had many questions asked me here OF
late regarding the various contracts. 1t is my
ersonal opinion that there is no reason whatso-
ever why the contracts should not be brought
to final conclusion even on wage issues; there
fore, am going to take this opportunity to
suggest to all the committees, where their con-
tracts are open and not completed, that they
attempt to complete them just as soon as pos
sible. If they run into any problems they should
follow the nodmal procedure by calling an In
ternational Representative and then, if neces-
sary, the Regional Director to bring the con-
tract to close Remember, every day you de-
lay it means the loss of money for the peoplei
I will be glad, where can be of help to the
Shop Committee or Director to lend hand
think the trying times of today should prove
beyond shadow of a doubt to our membership
that our Union is strong and we can weather
the storm. With all the reactionary forces and
the Congress of America pitted against us we
should prove we are strong; that we are here
to stay! AS we go through life our gains will
be of the best for the masses of people, not
justa small group.
recognize, too, the only reason we can do
this and have done it is because of the wonder
full way our membership supports u.s. Without
the support of you people (the membership
our goal this year would not have materialized.
To the entire membership of our Union I would
like to say keep up the good work. Continue
to be an active part of your union" You must
remember that everything you do, actively, in
our union will some day bring benefits to your
self, your family and the workers of America.
believe in the union making it's settlement
this year. 1t certainly has accepted less than the
increase in living cost from one year ago today
to now. 1t seems to me, and l am sure the en-
tire membership feels the same way about it,
that it is the responsibility of big business and
the Congress of America to roll back prices 4
and to continue rolling prices back as the sane
and sensible approach to the problem which
will confront us one year from today. It does
not become the responsibility of our union alone
but becomes the responsibility of Congress and
big business too.
If prices are rolled back to the extent they
should be there will not have to be a demand
on the Unions part for an increase in wages to
offset the raise in the cost of living am sure
speak the sentiments of our union when I
say if we fail to roll back prices in the ensuing
year then they (big business and Congress)
must accept that our union will have to demand
a wage increase to offset the rise in living cost
We, all of us, don't like this game of "tug-
of-war" anymore than the public or other out
siders do. AS I said it is not just ours the
unions responsibility, to try and end this vi.
cious circle and we have done our part by ac-
ceptng less than the increase in living costs
Now, it is up to the Others and We the men,
bership of UAW demand the Corporations re-
duce the prices of cars (and also other commo-
dities). Let's see if they can be as enient and
fair and also, are they as sincere in their state
ments regarding combating initiation and put
ting this country of ours back on a sound econ
omical basis? Now we shall see!