Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1950-12-08

UOeS
is either a very naive person hardened hypo-
crite.
WHAT PUZZLES me, and perhaps others well,
w is how anyone pretending to be good union
member join in this fight against Gosser. Not
that Gosser is saint Far from it. He is the last
person in the world to claim sainthood, anything
akin to it. Gosser knows better than anyone else
of his own shortcomings. He knows well that much
remains to be done to bring the full benefits of
organized labor to the thousands of workers who
are members of the UAW-CIO.
But let's what basis anyone can attack
GOsser. Can it be said that Dick GOsser failed"
the members of his union by agreeing to sub
standard wage rates in the Toledo area? Admittedly
not since the Blade admits-even hOwls about
that wage rates in Toledo are among the highest
i'm the country.
Well, can it be said that working conditions,
seniority union representation are 'substandard
as against similar conditions in other areas? OF
course not. All these conditions, negotiated under
Gosser's leadership, again admittedly among
the best found anywhere. ~
What about organizing the unorganized - GER
tainly banner slogan of the CIO and every. other
union? Toledo is practically 100% organized and
that was achieved since Gosser became dominant
personality in the UAW -CIO. 9.4s;at, y5f
Can it be said that Dick Gosser, heading the
greatest single labor group in city, failed TO-
assist other and less powerful unions i'm their at
tempts to gain benefits for their members? Again
the is resounding Gosser and his
people have spent almost as much time on "Other
peoples picket lines" their Eloquent
testimony to this the unsolicited testimonials
that are presently forthcoming from various labor
unions outside the UAW-CIO recognizing the assist
ance that Dick GOsser has been rendering Organ
lied Labor generally for 10 so many years.
Can it be said that there is democracy in the
UAW CIO? Hardly. After all if there was dictator
ship" in the UAW-CIO, the Blade and their
stooges would have believe, good many OF
those people who have been opposing Gosser Tor
SO many years could not possibly remain in the
union But they do. And nothing happens to them.
Thp fr0rY
constitution of the UAW-CIO in their zeal to help
Paul Block in his attempts to wreck the Union.
HOW ABOUT irresponsible strikes? Certainly not
n During the years Toledo had one of the
finest records of any community in keeping pro
duction rolling" We don't even have 'jurisdctioal"
strikes that usually such plague to other COM
munities. Under the leadership of Gosser the CIO
and AFL unions learned to work together
So what's wrong. with Dick Gosser? Is it that
he tries to maintain himself in his opposition
leader of his union? What's wrong with that? What
leader in whatever organization willingly steps
aside to make way for political opponents? None
that we know Of Not even Paul Block. Imagine
what a fight Little Junior would put up if, let us
say Mike Bradshaw set out to cut his throat and
replace him the High Mufti of the Blade? Worse
yet think how long Little Junior would put up
with the editor of his Times were that gentleman
bold enough-Or crazy enough to try to supersede
1.-THE Boss?"
WE KNOW and we agree that Gosser is not the
w handsomest labor leader in the country. But
surely that's not his fault. Even Paul Block would
admit to that. We also know that Dick Gosser is
a blunt man, sometimes too blunt Too bad he never
attended Finishing school" to acquire the finesse
of State Department dandy. you know Gosser
you'll just have to learn to put up with it, For
that's the way he is and afraid he is too old
to change.
Anyway, il you want to become famous, or
rather notorious just let blast against Gosser
and Paul Block will hail you unsung hero
even if you become nothing but a bum far
your fellow uniOnists concerned.
Fortunately, ii isn't enough just to attack Cos
ser. You have to have a good and sound reason
You would have to prove that you better and
more able champion of the memberships basic
welfaEe than Gosser is. And that, ! believe, is
pretty difficult task to accomplish.