United Automobile Worker

The Chrysler-Jefferson plant as seen by the members of Local 7 from the windows of the Local Union Hall and a group of members electing a chief steward.
Life of the Locals

Chrysler Local, No. 7 Has 10,500 Members Determined to Secure 100% Organization; Education Flourishes

Over five hundred local unions make up the International Union, United Automobile Workers of America. Four hundred thousand men and women are banded together in a common cause, to bring greater security and happiness to those who toil in the automobile and aviation industry.

Who are these four hundred thousand men and women? What do they think about the questions of the day, about their union, about the plant in which they work? What goes on in the five hundred units of the UAW? What is the life of the locals? We will visit each one, in turn, take part in the activities, talk to the members, and try to get a little of what goes on in each local union. This week the story concerns Chrysler Local Number 7.

GREAT GROWTH

Chrysler Local 7 officially dates its birthday as July 1, 1936 when a small UAW membership and members of the AIWA amalgamated and became affiliated with the UAWA. Today, two years later, the local boasts a membership of over 10,500 workers in the Chrysler Jefferson and Kercheval plants. All members have one idea, to make these two plants 100% union. Steve Kolarsky, shop steward in Department 108, proudly claims that only three people in the department do not belong to the union. While he was talking, another shop steward, Joe Hattley of Department 882 steps up and announces that his department is 100% organized.

"We were having a race with the machine shop," said Joe, "and we lost. They got their last man to join in the morning and we brought our application in during the afternoon. It won't be long until every department is completely organized and Chrysler will be a union-made car."

Lorris Robertson, Department 19, was enthusiastic about the organizational activities of his local.

"Recent progress in organization has been amazing," said Lorris. "In every department the union workers far outnumber those who have not yet joined."

400 SHOP STEWARDS

The organization of the Chrysler Local is divided into districts, two or three departments comprising each district. 400 shop stewards are necessary to carry on the work of the union in the shop.

One of the duties which the shop stewards have taken upon themselves is to collect the dues and turn them over to the local. All day long three girls are kept busy at three windows receiving the dues brought in by the stewards.

Tom Doherty, one of the oldest members of the local told us "the morale of the men has never been as high. Dues collections are coming in greater than ever before. The local has real solidarity without even a trace of factionalism."

PROTECTING SENIORITY

One of the busiest men around the local headquarters is John Adams, chairman of the Shop Committee. Adams said that the big job right now is to get all the men back into the plant before the seniority expires. "We are devoting all our time to getting men back to work. Next week we hope to recall 600 which will leave only 1400 employees yet to place. One of the best achievements up to date is the fact that men who were laid off in 1935, '36, and '37 in the paint department due to improved machinery are now all back working in the metal department. The fact that these men are working today and are not among the permanently unemployed is due entirely to the efforts of the union. And maybe you don't think they appreciate it. Why, since the battle for the 32 hour week, the men realize as never before the value of the union in just keeping them working."

Adams said that the attitude of the management had changed in the last year. "They are easier to deal with now, more willing to cooperate on things they would not even discuss a year ago."

MEMBERSHIP ACTIVE

One of the healthiest signs is the active part the membership takes in the life of the local. The day we visited, an election was being held for chief stewards. We were assured that over 70% of the members take part in elections.

Elections are held under the auspices of the executive board of the local. Elections for stewards on the day shift are held after working hours. For men on the night shift, nominations are made at a meeting after the shift comes off, but the ballot boxes are kept open for twenty-four hours so that members can drop in any time during the day to cast a ballot.

LOCAL OWNS BUILDING

The local bought and paid for the three story building which houses its headquarters. The investment proved to be a good one as the building has been put to many uses. There is a huge kitchen and refreshment bar in the basement, a large assembly hall on the first floor, offices on the second

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floor, and another hall on the third floor.

During the last winter when many members were unemployed the local supported a soup kitchen and took care of all its members. Recreational activities are under the direction of Roberterville and include baseball in the summer, bowling and other sports in the winter.

In cooperation with the International Educational Department a complete program has been worked out for Chrysler employees. The instructor is Jack Zeller and educational features take place almost daily. On Monday evenings, a lecture course; Tuesday, unemployment meeting; Wednesday, labor economics; Thursday, English mastery; Saturday, public speaking and parliamentary law.

William Marshall is President of Chrysler Local 7. Other officers are: Vice-President, Matt Clave; Financial Secretary, Frank Blake; Recording Secretary, William B. Taylor; Treasurer, Vincent Kline; Sergeant-at-Arms, M. Church; Guide, Thomas Doherty.

The executive board members are: Thelma Smith, Sam Fanroy, Newhouse, William Tucker, Ray Van Steelant, George Wilcox, and Edward Hill.

Chrysler Local 7 is doing a fine job in building the union. The whole thing is summed up by Daus Vukmirovich, who says, "we are making unionism work." The