Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-01-15
LOCAL IS7 PAcKINoHoUSE WORKERS OFFER THEII
SlpE OF SToRY ON PACKING PAM BIAS


Editor: officer Is7 PaeInghouSe
Amsrca-co obligated address myself
sPoKEsAN concerning the question discrimination
So b. Paul packing plants In general and Swift Plant particular
We expect him to attempt to dret the So st. Paul local unions
every opportunity.
stem from the fact that these local unions have been at
officers concerning quss
ton Of Communist influence In the UPwA.
The 80 ST. Paul local unions contend that Communist In
exists the UPWA
contend that ~ does not That In tho disagreement
might point Rsuher.
National Go Ralph HelStsin
UPwACIO dated October 80
organization
officers steps
cite this only to show Laey opinion
discrsdt the So st. Paul Paeinghouse local
There disagreement between local
national Union concerning the TO eliminate racial dScminA
minority groups support
this dispute Communist influence in the uPwA that racial
issues not involved.
LAssys reported statement That local unions don't
up situation (of racial the
Union would made opinion with his audience
the implication that the may
not work to eliminate racial discrimination Such implication with
out foundation.
has Anti Discrimination Committee which
working with UPwA-CIO Anti
Httee questions
wards Of the Armour LEGAL No Chairman of this Area
mtteO.
regularly. many meetings
attended A.
regard promotion upgrAding minority group
problem minority groups
exception.
problem lily departments have talked to
Mr. Andrew COMBS member of local committee
sxpedsnt way dispose problem possibility
cuSsed would be to have Negro workers
these lily white departments.
expressed opinion 10 be difficult
20 get union member TO request such transfer
mean a loss Of pay to the member
seniority system promotions
berS department seniority When member requests transfer to
new department he into the department employee
and naturally would be bottom
seniority list He would have to accept all probability job at
lower than the job he held his
The member protected to the point
days to decide whether the
returns to his original department within 90 days he has the right
his former job without loss seniority job rights
The problem therefore willing this
sacrifice to break this barrier.
We recognize that the company guilty
hiring and assigning to departments members minority
groups
union presented grievance
this matter and has company
that this practice win discontinue
lives up to these commitments
company guilty hiring Negro local
plant As result grievance initiated by Grievance Committee
the stated they do not discriminate
do not apply for work
To eliminate their argument worked NAAcP
and the 81 Paul Urban League willing apply
for work In the So st. Paul Swift
We successful In getting five Negro apply
work To insure that the would
refuse take their applications personally accompanied
to the employment office they completed
their application forms
TSls pushed pressu, tlupr a. 10 b.
fact that the hiring employees
have several with seniority Ay-off
Under the union contract
called back 20 before the
discussed question getting Negro women hired
tho plant with Mr. C. Dot
member OF the NAACP. DOty
apply for applications
accepted and that up
the matter when being
also asked Mr. DOty Anti Dis
elimination committee, experience
eliminating racial discrimination
committee.
We have believe company attempt to find
all probability contend that qualified
not the physical examination
To this Phoney Negro women
apply u q number Of
Negro applying company hire
thereby foe
all
spithsts have worked for this
local July I0ts concerning
practice
instance Of cur Local Union
tAlkSd the involved published
weekly bulletin eondemnnE this practice
further complaints
We have PrShlen eating
facilities In this plant
In closing you that is7
pressure
realize
e any kind has place country.
requests this
letter printed your paper the UniOns
cAArges Of racial scrtnatiOnTSurs truly Leonard LAsAsA