Newspaper Page Text
i 4 4 4 xv Ji- 1 .£ ’r! John C. Thorne, chairman of the committee on Officers’ Report, read his group’s report to the delegates jpf the 1948 convention with W. E. £fc'iUawges of Local Union 175 in the «Wtiair. L*«'\ i‘ 111 MEMBER" INTERNATIONAL LABOR NEWSSERVICE n VOL. XU, NO: 12 ______ __________ _____ V.<p></p>Trade _________________________________________________ The report which follows, receiv ed the approval of the convention. We, the committee on officers’ report beg leave to submit to the 54th convention of the National Brotherhood of Operative Potters, the following report: OFFICERS REPORT New Locals We are happy to welcome Local Union No. 218, Torrpnce, California and Local Union No. 219, Zanes ville, Ohio into the National Bro therhood of Operative Potters. It is pleasing to note that the mem bership now totals 28,688, the larg ^est in our history. Tuberculosis 'Wr yje are pieaged to note the at tention the Board is giving our unfortunate brothers and sisters who are victims of Tuberculosis. We wish to recommend that the Board continue their fine service to our worthy brothers and sisters. Geaer*lware We commend the Board mem bers for their ajertnesp for taking advantage of every, opportunity to further the interest in securing wage increases, better working conditions, and new and better health rules. y. ,• Discharge Cosunittre .Jtfrk y 4 7 r?. 'k. 1 Who Will Be The Next Target Of Insurgents Asks Scribe From 184 Trenton, N. J.—Although it has been some time since any news from Local Union 184 has appeared in the Herald, we wish to inform the trade that we continue to move along in a progressive fashion. Our present officers are Arthur Devlin, president Rus sell Sage, vice president Walter Smith, recording secretary Bertha Hobson, financial secretary William Rolley, treas urer. members in this respect. The work of opr shop committee must not be overlooked as one of the key fac tors of our success. This group is on its toes and when shop con troversies arise, they immediately swing into action to meet the is sue. Many an hour of their own time is spent in our behalf. The writer has been affiliated with sev eral locals throughout my career in the pottery industry and I can truthfully say without word of doubt, the shop committee of Lo cal 184 leaves little to be desired. Our delegate to the recent con vention made his report at our last meeting. Tracing each day’s proceedings as the various resolu tions were introduced upon conven tion floor, the action of the dele gates pro and con was very ably described. Of special interest to the members of Local 184 was the action taken by the delegates in supporting our national officials to the limit. We wish here new to go on record as supporting this move 100 per eent. Many took the floor and In no uncertain terms expressed their thoughts of certain Individuals in our organisation who, when they joined the organization, took an oath to abide by the will of the majority and then in turn-about face fashion pall what is familiar ly known in boxing circles, as the ‘sneak-punch.’ Especially did tem pers flare when we were informed the attorney for the plaintiffs at tempted to find the Brotherhood guilty under the Taft-Hartley law. One of the co-authors of that vicious anti-labor measure, we are sorry to say, comes from our midst, here in Trenton, namely, Mr. Fred Hartley. We have gone on record as denouncing this gentleman, and we use the word loosely, as being one of the top-notch anti-union leg islators in Washington. We also want it to be a matter of public record that we also denounce the action of the so-called five unionists who seek to maintain membership in the brotherhood, under the, dis- L»u f» Our tnelting*§ ai*e held on the second and fourth Mon days of each month in the Polish Falcons Hall on Brunswick and Indiana Ave. The attendance at every meeting leaves little to be desired and much of our success is due to the 4.---------------------------------------- guise of trade unionists, while at the same time taking advantage of an anti-labor measure on the statute books and bringing disgrace upon the organization to gain their I objective. As one exampie to the trade of how far some individuals will go and to what depths they will stoop to gain their objective, Local Union 184 recently received a copy of the ‘East Liverpool Review’ in which was printed in bold head lines, “restrainer asked to prevent the union from paying excessive and illegal salaries to our offi cials.” The word ‘illegal’ strikes us rath er funny here in Trenton. Are we to take such coinage of phraseology as denouncing the action of the delegates to the 1944 convention in raising the salaries of our nation al officials as illegal. Does not section 3 of our consti tution give delegates seated in con vention power and authority to make or repeal, any laws deemed necessary? It also gives the conven tion power to tax the members for the maintenance of the organiza tion. Our delegate upon his return from the 1944 convention made his report of what transpired. We were duly informed of the action taken by the delegates and I again reiter ate, we were heartily in accord with such action. The party or parties responsible for sending such misleading litera ture into our midst we do not know. But if I may'through the columns of the ‘Herald’ be permitted to an nounce, the memlfership as a whole of Local Union 184 does not wish to receive such propaganda. We are content to have our delegates at convention vote their mind on is sues at hand. We do not send them with their hands tied and afraid to voice their opinion on issues at hand, whether by voice or ballot. And by the same token we do not intend to sit by and have them branded as seeking to undermine (Turn to Page Two) Committee Adopts Report Of Committee On Officers’ Report and sincerely hope they continue in the same manner. Decorators Standing Committee We commend this committee for their fine record, and hope they continue in the same manner. Chinaware The Board is to be commended for maintaining wages and better ing working conditions in the Chi naware Branch of our industry. Sanitary We note with pride the gain^ that have been made by this in dustry. We commend the Board and the men of this industry for their cooperative effort and recommend they continue their efforts to attain industry-wide bargaining. Artware, Novelties and Specialties We note some gains in this in dustry over last year under a dif ficult period of changeover. We commend the Board for having gained wage increases for this in dustry, and recommend that they continue to aid these brothers and sisters to find employment. Porcelain and Refractories We note the wage pattern has been attained for the members of this industry. We wish to commend the Board members for their help in gains made by these groups. California We commend the Board for the fine progress made in this terri tory and commend the members for their fine efforts by continuing to send delegates to their convention. Strikes It is recommended that the Dis charge Committee be commended for the way they handled past eases efforts in bringing these strikes We commend the Board for their I* s Clarksburg. W. Va.—The atten dance at the last meeting of Loeall 99 was better than fair, but farl from satisfactory. I The delegates to the convention! gave their reports which were very I ^yell received. Emphasis was stress-1 ed on the disgusting court action I taken by a minority group in ourl organization, instead of using the I machinery already set up for hand-1 ling such matters. I The McNicol soft ball team is I leading the city league and the I odds ai^p all in their favor to fin-1 ish on top when the season ends. I They are interested in playing an I East Liverpool team. Anyone in-1 terested should contact Pat Scotti in care of McNicol Pottery, Clarks--1 burg, W. Va. I Bros. Joe Messt* and Leon Hood! wege .marxiad-^urin^ the, vgcatical period. I while skinning one. We are happy to say he is back at work without any serious injury to his eye. 1 ■.r 6l? v Fazzio President HZ Of LU. No. 9) Fur Next Six Months I A resolution to impose a fine fori non-attendance at local meetings I was up for its first reading. The I resolution will be read at two more I meetings and then voted upon. The I local feels the members have a I duty to perform and unless they I attend the meetings regularly, it I will be necessary to impose the I fine. I Mr. Francis P. White of the N.I B. O. P. Group Insurance agency! informs us a representative from I his office will visit Clarksburg in I the near future to canvass the shop I on the so much discussed family I coverage insurance. I Another plan for financial .aid I in case of death was discussed and I will be acted upon at a future! meeting. I Ted Shingleton is so proud of I his new twin babies that he placed I a sign on the cigars4 .and chtwingl gum—“Take Two.” I MARSHALL PLAN TEAM—Proof that the Marshall Bro. John Steele, Jr., who hunts I Wall St. plot will be presented to the workers of Europe groundhogs in order to keep meat Labor advisors of the Economic Cooperation Administration, (1. to r.) on the table during these days ofK^n^on Golden of the CIO and Bert Jewell of the AFL. They are high prices, found it rather expen- sh,'w" ship^'ardcn route to Oslo, Norway, for the first of a ser sive as he stuck a knife in his eyelles of »“h European umon.ats on EC A plans, Sister Pauline Brock is a patient in a local hospital. Sisters Gay Lipps and Eleanor Shingleton were placed on the sick! Grafton, W. Va.—The court case list |was covered in its entirety by the Officers for the new term are 4leteK».te« of this local union as we as follows: John Fazzio, president Ikelieved is to e e mos im Richard Frye, vice president Ren f’orta’,t business of the convention. Flannery, financial secretary We were unable to write our David Bevan, recording secretary Inews letter for last week s Her Rose Payne, treasurer Charles laid because of the’ time element, Smith, defense collector Carl Ibut find it just as well though, for Shriver, guard Ray Davis, inspec- Inow we can comment on the views tor Richard Flannery, trustee.— las expressed in the Herald, as well O. C. 99. |as report ourselves. 1 The officers report which was written by our neighbor John I’nion Labor Life Insurance Co.' pions of the Taft-Hartley law were We recommend this company to |far afield of the purpose for which our members when they or their [the injunction was sought, employers an- seeking this kind of The entire N. B. O. P. was put on protection. We note this company is |triai here, and little did this at one of the leaders in its field. |torney care if it were destroyed Silicosis |or not. Shame to those five individ- We commend the Board for their [uals who have dragged our fine ability and efforts in securing pro- [organization and its leaders into per claims for our members with- [court and have allowed an attorney out' the aid of lawyers. We recom- Lo gloat over our misfortune. I have mend that the Potters Herald noti- [failed to hear one person state fy our members from time to timeJthat our leaders are paid too much that they should contact the Board [for their efficient services, or that Members before seeking legal ad- |the results obtained by their ef vice. We urge the delegates to, make [forts have been unsatisfactory. The a full report to the members. [motive then is revenge, spite, jeal- Group Insurance [ousy and-#rustration of their selfish We are happy to note that 612 [ambitions to replace this leader of our members who have left the [ship, by which a vote’ of the trade industry were conscious of the need [proved them unwanted. And it is a of this protection, and recommend [vote of the trade that will dissolve to the delegates that they urge our [this injunction, clear the blot from members who are working to se- [the splendid record of the N. B. cure this protection for their fam- [O. P. and bring unity and tran ilies. A [quity again to our minds andi ((Turn lo Page Two) [hearts. a. ®lje mero era EAST LIVERPOOL, OHIO, THURSDAY, July 22, 1948 Ballots Not Bullets Order Of The Day To Vindicate Officials of Brotherhood Thorne and his committee, was a masterpiece. I wonder how many noticed the absence of any animos ity, rancor or hate. It contains criticism,' but in a Inature constructive and is a calm to- a quick and successful conclu- land (lignified plea for unity. The sion. (last resolve to which some did not (ization lapprove, asks only the right which We commend the Board members levery one should have in all fa r‘ and organizers for gaining two new Iness, the right to appeal a judg local?. We note the efforts of the l™ent which the overwhelming ma Board and members of Local Union Ijority of delegates held to be un No. 133 in securing 1000 signatures Ifair. from the employees of the Shenan-I In the course of the trial, when go Pottery Company. We note the Ithe questioning by the plaintiffs Board’s efforts in the Scio Pottery [attorney turned to the matter of district and commend them and [whether the N. B. O. P. was incor Brother Duffy’s efforts in exposing [porated and if so, had we paid to the public the true person who [taxes these past 54 years and if calls himself Mr. Reese. |we were licensed under the provi- .................<p></p>Referendum To Vote On August'r•!"•■*l'T—7. -i sFTW -W'"" i plan isn’t by the top It will be my duty, and the duty of every delegate of this past con vention, to prevail upon our own local membership to vindicate the good name of the N. B. O. P. and to prove to the public that the delegates to the 1944 convention and each of the 3 succeeding con ventions, that our intentions and purposes were honest and sincere and that we are, and have been, able to progress in spite of tem porary interferences. The trade in general can be well reminded that in every instance where we passed new laws or amended and strength ened old ones, the vote was unani mous. There was unity of purpose among these delegates and offi cers. The greatest lattitude was given each delegate in discussing these propositions and the time limit specified by the rules committee of 5 minutes was completely ig nored. The purpose and intent of these propositions were quickly agreed upon, the remarks were pri marily to change a word here and there to clarify their meaning. Upon my return from Atlantic City I stopped over in East Liver pool and made it a point to make myself available for any questions concerning the business of the con vention. I ran into no criticism, but I found out some things that oc curred in our building that I will not hesitate to criticise. A mob had broken into the building, took over the auditorium, littered it up until it looked like a hog pen and these people mind you, are the op position. Ask your self what kind of people are they? I have heard the executive board criticized on account of organizing the art ware people. This remark was made relative to the substan tial increases in membership through the past dozen years. They call them flower pot potters. I note these flower pot potters in Cambridge, Mass., have a minimum weekly wage of $79.00 per week and all these shops have followed the general ware wage pattern of increases. It seems as though we have been very helpful to them. But what I am getting at is their pos sible or potential help to us. I can remember when we would have '(Turn to Page Two) ....... .._.... ^,r,- r. ..........<p></p>In Muriy Visitors On Hand At Meeting Of Local Onion 44 Sebring, Ohio—As a reward for faithful and efficient service dur ing their reign in office, the fol lowing officers have been retain ed by members of Local Union 44 for another term: John Hamilton, president Bruce Miskelly, vice president Chester Brunt, record ing secretary Phil Schroeder, fi nancial secretary J. I. Sullivan, defense secretary Mike Conny, treasurer Cecil McDaniels, inspec tor Bro. Lee, Guard Chester Brunt, statistician. Our delegates to the convention made their report and covered each day’s proceedings in detail. The report was well received and the delegates were extended a vote of thanks for their fine work. We had quite a few visitors at the meeting with representatives from Locals 69, 121, 178 and 192. Secretary-Treasurer Chas. Jordan was also present as was Bro. Ed. Jones. While the latter is a mem ber of this local he seemed like a visitor as it is very seldom he at tends meetings. Both brothers gave us some information long needed, as there have been quite a few fairy tales told without any proof to back them up. Since our last issue of the ‘Her ald’ no one needs to guess what is going on and what has taken place. It is the duty of every member of the National Brotherhood of Op erative Potters to read carefully and study the transactions and be in a position to vote intelligently on this matter when it is present ed to the members of the trade in On June 30 there was a meet ing held at the McKinley High School uniter the auspices of the Potters Club. The meeting was an open affair with the discussion be ing centered on the present dis pute within the organization. There was a fair attendance, or to be more exact, between 70 and 80 present, and many of them were not members of the organization, Those in charge of the meeting were Larry Finlay, Norman Whip pier, Ed Jones and others. They gave us some long needed informa tion.—O. C. 44. a New Benefits Won By Local No. 143 In New Contract A ten-cent hourly wage increase, check-off system, six paid holidays and a union shop election mark ed the labor picture affecting em ployees of the Universal Clay Pro ducts Company of Sandusky, Ohio, organized under the banner of Lo cal Union 143, National Brother hood of Operative Potters. Eighth Vice President Joshua Chadwick, aided by a committee from Local Union 143 represented Brotherhood interests in negotia tions with the firm. The wage in crease, plus other additional fea tures of the new contract will be effective as of July 18, 1948 and will cover a period of one year. A union shop election set up by the National Labor Relations Board resulted in a union victory by a large majority. A maintenance of membership election has also been set up ac cording to provisions of the Taft Hartley law and terms of the new contract between the company the union. and Glass Workers Win 12 l-2c for 16,000 wel- Cincinnati (LPA)— It’s a come 10c an hour more in the pay envelope, retroactive to May 1, that was won for 16,000 employes of Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Co., and Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co., in ne gotiations that ended this week. In addition to the pay boost, an ad ditional 2*£c an hour in increased insurance benefits was negotiated by the Glass, Ceramic & Silica Sand Workers. NOTICE LOCAL UNION 172 Important meeting Friday, July 23. Election of officers and dele gate’s report of convention proceed ings. All members are urged to be present. By order of president. ii .. Local Union 192 Votes To Uphold Duffy And Jordan Sebring, Ohio—Local Union 192 met in special session on Monday, July 12 in Legion hall. The special meeting was called so that dele gates could make first hand reports of the proceedings of the recent convention. Secretary-Treasurer Chas. F. Jordan was present at the meet ing and gave a good explanation of the current dispute within the organization and answered many questions relating to the dispute. Following his remarks a motion was made that the Local uphold our national officials and all those present supported the motion with the exception of one member. Our delegates to the convention Bros. James Conny, Earl Hardy and Hugh Dailey gave their reports and were given a vote of thanks for their services. A fine’turnout was on hand for the meeting and the officers of Lo cal 192 would like to see the same enthusiasm shown at future meet- OFFICIAL ORGAN NATIONAL BROTHERHOOD -OF OPERATIVE POTTERS #?v VOTE WILL DETERMINF/ SALARIES OF PRESIDE^ AND SEC’Y-TRElSliWR All local unions affiliated with the National Br ^1^ hood of Operative Potters will vote on the questioj «r ary for national president and secretary-treasurer in II erendum vote of the trade to be held during the nonwi of August. Ballots were mailed out from headquarters thig/wr- t!: and should reach secretaries of the various local unioi s in ample time to insure voting at any meeting during the month. Any local union not receiving the proper amount should contact headquarters immediately. “When a vote of the trade is to be taken, the ballot shall be open in Local’s meeting room for one month, and the members shall have the priv ilege of debating on the question and recording their votes at any meeting during the month. Every member shall vote from the roll, and the tuies shall remain seal and not counted until all votes have been recorded on the last meeting night.” It is not only the privilege of every member of the organization to vote in a referendum vote of the trade, but also a strict duty. Mem bers should always take a keen interest in the affairs of their or ganization and display it by being concerned with the issue at hand, salaries for our national president and secretary-treasurer, respective ly- Salaries for the two officials were set at the recent convention when the delegates by a unanimous vote, concurred in a recommenda tion of the finance committee that the stipulated figure carried on the printed ballot 13 jusVTSftfP pensation for^the .^responsibilities Every local union secretary will receive tally sheets on which to rec ord the total vote of their respec tive union. One of these will be returned to the national secretary by registered mail and one to be retained on file in the local union. Special envelopes are provided for making the returns to headquarters which must be in the national of (Turn to Page Two) 12.00 PER YEAR Local Union 124 Names Delegates To State Meeting The members of Local No. 124 evidently do not enjoy the hot weather we have been having, at least not to the extent of braving the heat to attend their local meet-. _J-1 ings. Only a fair turnout was on hand Tuesday evening which re minds us to warn all members that when the attendance drops, that is the time disputes generally arise. Sister Margaret Curley, chair man of the auditing committee made a report of finding the funds of the local solvent and recom mended a vote of thanks be ex tended the officers for the exf cellent manner in which they found/ Several communications were read by the secretary and the pro-* per action ordered taken. Third vice president James Sla ven attended the meeting and was called upon for advice on several issues discussed on the floor. As usual, Jim came through in fashion with die matters laws and agreement. The meeting adjourned following the seating of officers for the new term.—O. C. 124. All Unions Urged To Aid Fight For T-H Repeal Rochester, N. Y. (ILNS)—A call to every local union and every state council to wage its share of the battle for repeal of the Taft-Hart ley labor law whs sounded here by Edward F. Dillon at New York City, president of the State Allied Printing Trades Council. STEEL TRUST ACCEPTS BITUMINOUS CONTRACT Washington (LPA)—With Judge T. Alan Goldsborough abandoning his role of injunction merchant for that of arbitrator, the steel trust yielded this week and accepted the national bituminous contract with the United Mine Workers that com mercial coal producers signed last month. The UMW victory brings all soft coal diggers in the country under one set of provisions—with a $1 a day wage increase and a sound pension and welfare fund. Workers in the “captive mines” of US Steel Co. and the other big “integrated” steel firms are returning to work. Only modification that Golds borough insisted upon was one of fered by the UMW to the steel companies during last month’s ne gotiations—the insertion into the Addressing the state gathering of the council, he said: zW “Neither the American Federa tion of Labor nor the New Yrk State Federation of Labor can alone defeat labor’s enemies. Every local union and every state council must be mobilized to wage its share of the battle. The fight for labor free dom will be decided street by street, city by city, and state by state.” voiding its union shop provisions if the NLRB eventually finds them illegal. The UMW has not filed non Communist affidavits with the NL RB as prescribed by the Taft-Hart ley law as a condition for the ne gotiation of a union shop contract. When Goldsborough announced the settlement which he had help ed work out with UMW President John L. Lewis and steel companies’ representatives, he said that he ex pected NLRB General Counsel Rob ert N. Denham’s request for an anti-strike injunction against the “captive miners” would be dismiss ed without trial. Denham was noncommital, but there is no doubt that he’ll press be fore NLRB, if not in the courts, the steel companies’ objections to contract fit a clause providing for the union shop contract clause. •.'t'-JU.tJU'Bjj"? *4 K ■J T" ■t jr », 1 :L a j- -7 3 fine han with, the helpful hints to in accordance regulations of .» I1 Nor Bros. Clair Armstrong and man Whippier were named dele gates to the West Virginia State Federation of Labor with Harold West being chosen as alternate. The state body has been doing a fine job and we hope they will continue to do so. Especially do we feel they have made great strides in promoting laws to offer relief for those suffering from silicosis. 1' 3 i- 7 J* 4 5.^ ?"3 lo $ 1 ’i .k. v