Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1948-07-02

TNOLEDOS LaborManagement-C Citizens Committee has
become well-establshed factor in ToledoS labor
management field Those of who have contributed many
hours in its work sometimes asked if we think our
efforts have been worth while The best answer in the
language of of members who sometime ago was
asked by magazine writer whether the LMC had proved
success He was very simple and to the point "Sure it's
successful 1t works"
Those two simple words "It works. convey great
depth of meaning porrays vivdly the whole thread of
thought that has through LMC from its inception to
date That thought is the need for something that would
be practical benefit that not only would rest upon sound
mutually arrived at principles but would provide unc-
onal mechanism to carry these principles into action
The leaders of labor and of management and of the
public who threshed out the way LC was to operate
realized that idea be OF actual practical benefit
less it be translated into action That LMC has
achieved this is shown by the manyscore settled
by the committee before any work soppage occurred to
bring loss of wages to workers. profits to management
and much needed articles to the consuming public.
The LMC seeks to bring about dispute settlements
before work stoppages Our committee antcpa
tory We keep in close touch with the leadership of labor
and management in the community We try anticipate
trouble and effect settlements before work soppage
That this has been done successfully shown by
the man-day loss figures in Toledo since LMC esab
shed These statistics show that in 1946 when the
mttee had only functoned full strength for six months
maday losses Toledo dropped SIS per cent below 1945
During 1947 the production losses from local disputes
dropped lower than the 1916 figure and large per-
centage of the 1947 production loss caused by dis
pute which LMC tried vainy for months to enter but
unable to mediate because of the refusal of of the
parties in the to LC might add in passing
that when after nine long months the parties in this dis
pue finally LMC for mediation the work stoppage
settle in exactly 80 days.
LMC also has developed educational program to
try to bring about better understanding between labor
and management of the problems which both of them
must solve This program is very simple We have
developed system of forums by which speakers from
labor and discuss important subject much
in the of town meeting Each speaker gives his
views and then subject to question by the other speak
ers or members of the audience.
We held such forum grievance procedure"
before audience consisting largely of shop stewards,
committeeman, and foremen. They were unanimous in
saying it had proved of considerable value them Dur
ing fall and winter plan to hold such forums
on other pertinent subjects at regular intervals
But, in closing, must point to more intangible
but nevertheless quite important factor That is that
LMC has brought about better understanding the
part of both labor and management of the problems the
other fellow faces There is magic formula in our
operation 1t has hard work. common-sense approach II
and willingness to give and take, well overall
desire to submerge sefshneSs in the interest of the
common good We have realized that labor and manage
ment do succeed together that the other must
fall and that the destruction of the destruction
of both and transformation in form of government
which would endanger the freedoms Americans have Il
cherished from the beginning of this nation.