Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1948-12-31
Regional
Views
BY Richard Gosser
Vice-President
international UAW-C1O

"There is some curious twist in the busl-
ness mind which makes it suspicious OF the
right answer. Consider what happens to most
problems that are tossed into conference
The sound solution is most always simple and
obvious. But the regular practice is to struggle
all afternoon to find some compromise with
the right way. 1t seems to be accepted as evil
dence of shreWd business mind to be able
so to confuse and muddy proposition that
no one ever will think straight about it again."
Truer words were never spoken. Execu-
tives of management, labor and government
should reflect on this little motto, for sus-
picion of the right answer and the desire to
do things the complicated way have resulted in
a lot of needless trouble for all of us, not to
mention the untold amount of time and money
unnecessarily wasted
Some people say 'no'' to most everything.
Others kick a proposition so completely out
of shape that even its author cannot recognize
it in its final form. Why can't we do things
the easy, logical way? Must we hash, rehash,
and debate every problem until it reaches the
proportions of federal case?
We are living in fast moving world, one
that requires people to specialize, to know the
answers quickly and surely in his particular
field The doctor cannot attempt to tell MIR.
Mooney how to build or sell his Jeepster, nor
can the barber tell the doctor how to diagnose
a case of diphtheria; any more than either the
doctor or Mr.. Mooney could tell the barber
how to cut hair
In his very interesting book on labor
management relations and the functions of
American business "Or Forfeit Freedom"
Doubleday, Garden City, NY) Robert Wood
Johnson explains the simple, direct, and
obvious method by which good public rela-
tions can be obtained by American industry.
He says:
"Any plan that relies on employee CO.
operation must be voluntary. Nothing can be
gained by drill, propaganda or pep meetings;
what the worker does must and should be
willing. unregimented service. 1t will rest
first of all on his own god relations his
feeling of satisfaction, his confidence in man
agement, his pride in himself as worker and
as worker with his company He must feel
that he works for one of the best companies
in the country, with top management that is
fair and decent, with likeable and reasonable
foremen, with top-notch working force, and
and with reputable products. No company
whose employees fail to hold these opinions
and boast about them has even started to first
base in good public relations"
Robert Wood Johnson is specialist in
human relations, and he knows more than a
little about public relations If anyone doubts
that he knows the answers, that person has
only to read his book to find how well he
does know them.
In an enlightened economic world ir1telli-
gent management Will replace prOpag agand1StS
with human relations experts Good labor
relations ARE good public relations Manage
ment must be willing to accept the right
without suspicion. Good labor rela-
tions come as the by-product of good human
relations. Year-end bonuses to employees as
we'll as to executives 60 a long way toward
creating genuine everyday employee interest
in corporate welfare. Good will can be had
quite easily by the promotion of nice recrea-
tional programs and a few extra concessions
mere and there One might suggest that man.
agement give the workers the things they
once gave them in an attempt to keep them
out of the union.
Employee good will goes hand in hand
with good labor relations. Management will
10 we'll to cultivate good working relation
ship with the union, from top to bottom
Quilt on a foundation of mutual trust and
respect Grievances should be settled at the
grass roots level, not allowed to tester and
spread Ill feeling
In short, give the workers the things they
want and need. Accept the union; don't try
o fight it and it won't fight you Above all,
xtend real security to your employees; that
way you'll attract the best available workers
md keep them with you. Do this by in
worthwhile pension plan and a
eal insurance program
If management cannot accept these sugges-
ions without lot of ifs, butts and strings
ttached, the only other suggestion can offer
S that the opening paragraph of this column
,e re-read.
Happy New Year,