The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1954-08-28

ANNOUNCER:
Ladies and gentlemen, the next IS minutes have been
purchased a. regular commercial rates by the Square
Company 10 explain the comPsnys position The strike
which has been in in lis Detroit plant during hs
pest nine weeks Mr.. James Vaughan Factory Manager will
speak for tho Company. Mr.. Vaughan
MR. VAUGHAN:
Thank you Mr.. and good evening 70 al!
Square employees and members Of the radio audience
During the last few weeks, you've been reading and
hearing o about fhs strike Square Ds Detroit plant
has been written about In the columns and the
editorial OF II has been reported in
magazines As recently last Tuesday night discussed
by Union Official this radio station In spite Of
all that's been written and said about this strike
vineed that neither Square employees the public
in general have TRUE picture Of how WHY il began,
and WHY n continues.
II concerns not only that employees have not
been given straightforward complete story by their Union
leaders but that they have been told many things
absolutely not true. That Is why have taken radio
fonish-o give YOU completely time permits. the
DIRECT and HONEST story Of this strikeWY and
HOW II kEEDLEssLY began, and why IL kEEDLEssLY
continues after nine long weeks.
Let's look a. Of ihe familiar reasons for
strikes and see IL any Of them apply 10 This one
Was this strike called because wages ow7 Emphsi.
ieaIy NOT. As matter Of fact the and who
work in plant $235 hour including shift
overtime premiums That Is about As hour more
than the paid by competitors and substantially
than the rate being paid in the Detroit
area.
Was the strike called in order protect benefits
employees had been enjoying under previous eonrs2
That's what they've been told by their Union leaders but
simply isn't We told the Union repeatedly that we
would be glad TO EXTEND contract with EVERY SINGLE
BENEFIT INCLUDED. while negotiation. continued.
Was the strike brought because the Square Com.
psny sntvnion and snfiempIoyee and refuses meet
them half way? Let's lot the record speak for itself Square
operates eight other plants in the United States Canada
and Mexico IN addition 10 Detroit plant All Of these
plants have fhs and under similar
policies And in oil Of those plants EXCEPT DETROIT
have not he'd single strike in the fyons year history Of
the Company. Does that sound like the Square Company
doesn't know ths value Of reasonable bargaining and fair
psy7 And yet. in Detroit plant, WE HAVE HAD ONE
HUNDRED AND sIxTY-ElcHT WILDCAT STRIKES, WALK
OUTS AND WORK sToPPAcEs SINCE THE BEGINNING
OF 1851 NOT including The strike in progress Think
Of h-ALMosT THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND
HOURS Of work LOST. Lost work which COST OUR EN-
PLoYEEs MORE THAN THREE-oUARTERs OF A MILLION
DOLLARS IN WACESi Why7 You draw your
evsons-bvt don't let anybody tell you that us because
Square Company hasn't been willing and ready play the
game fair and square with us employees hs Union
represents them.
Was this strike called because employees benefits are
nsdsqvsts7 Let hshspot The major benefits and LET you
and vacation plan providing 10 three weeks paid
vacation after IS years Of service Square has EXCEL
LENT group insurance plan for which the Company pays
than e0s Of ihs total cost We also have pension
paid Tor entirely BY the Company This plan includes life
insurance. and also hospital and surgical benefits for retired
employees and their understanding rarely found other
pension plans The total Of these fringe benefits amounts
~ hour for every hour worked by
poysss Add this 70 direct wages Of $23s and you have
total Of $2.77 per hour.
All right thsn-whst IS the for the striker Aet-
vsl The principal easily stated in Just eight
--ihs Union leaders seemed TO WANT . strike. Grave
charges have been made In Congress and reported
papers and magazines throughout s eovntrys Of them
~.
tccnfinvsd Next Week.