Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1950-01-27
Negotiations Begin
Continued from Page ID

pension plan, union members will do well
to consider the possibilities of strike action
in the terms of long-term benefits.
Propaganists for the Committee to
Save Toledo's Payrolls now, no doubt,
will cut loose with a few radio speeches
Blade advertisements telling you and the
public that your leadership is irresponsi-
bic - that the glassworkers have settled
for company, not regional pensions, and
that Chrysler workers have offered to for
90 their pension demands for a 10-cent
wage increase.
Informed and intelligent UAW mem
bers vii not fall for such irrevelent tales,
polished up by expert public relations
men to make them attractive to the eye,
misleading in effect. Forward-looking
UAW members will remember that strife
is the price of union progress and the re-
sulting rise in their standards of living.
It makes no difference what Chrysler
workers are bargaining for. They have a
right to demand what they wish, and to
accept whatever they wish. 1t makes no
difference what the glassworkers may
have settled for - and at the moment
Local II leadership is not so sure what
they got
The important thing to Region 2-B
UAW members is that competent actuaries
of the international UAW staff have now
rounded out comprehensive plan to give
them something more in the way Of mini
mum health security needs and retire
ment income.
This plan will give every union MEM
Der immediate security from unreasonable
hospital bills. 1t will assure every UAW
family a living meal ticket in case the
bread-winner is suddenly ia ken away
from his work by an unpredictable illness
or accident. 1t will assure every member
that despite inflationary living costs, he
will not be destitute at retirement after
having spent 25 to 45 years making
luxurious living for plant executives and
stockholders.
This line Of reasoning doesn't mean
the UAW leadership is against private en-
terprise. Private enterprise is essential
TO the American way OF life, and labor
is a vital part of that life. 1t merely adds
up to reasonable desire on the part of
the union leadership to win for the union
membership more equitable share of the
profits from free enterprise.
Interference of The Blade, and others
with selfish motives, in the normal bar
gaining process has put management in
a spot where it may feel it necessary to
put up last-ditch fight. The union cam
not accept responsibility for the unwar-
ranted actions of The Blade but It has
the obligation to stand up for a square
deal - fight to the point of bitter and
long strike, if necessary.
In the end the decision will be yours.
And when it comes time for that decision
you can be sure that your leadership will
properly inform you Of every pertinent
detail on negotiations and if they are not
svailing, what other moves are possible.
Then you will make the decision in a
democratic vote under union regulations.
Don't let anyone m S ca d you by
phoney charges against your union leader
ship Remember those charges conceded
with the announcement of the pension
drive, and are being pursued for a pur-
pose which cannot possibly help your
cause only jeopardize your interests
would be pleased, indeed, If
you fell for all the propaganda and joined
In efforts to divide your union. You have
a choice, pensions or propaganda-remem-
Der THE ISSUE.