How less overtime ¢ in industry BY WILLIAM ALLAN DETROIT Be we hear the politicians talk of leisure — time, increased vacation time, more holidays, and a short- er work week. . Unfortunately for the auto workers the only. thing that’s increasing is the hours of work ... In 1964, some 42.2 million hours of overtime was worked in manufacturing in the United States. In 1965 overtime will ex- ceed what was worked in 1964. Out of this overtime the auto corporations helped themselves to make over $2 million in pro- fits after taxes this vear. They admit it’s cheaper than hiring new workers, whom they might work for several months, have ~ to pay them six months of un- employment compensation, as well as other fringe benefits. If a ban were placed on all this overtime, thousands of jobs could be created in the auto in- dustry for youth who can’t now get into the plants. With the rise in automation and improved technological operations, a high school educa- tion is now a must for a youth to become an apprentice in auto, unless it’s the foundry or final assembly. line. The apprentice training programs that now ex- r ist, either dominated by man- agement or run by miserly board of education appropriations, are inadequate. From them only a handful of youth graduate into the trades. With no recreation centres that amount to anything, no real mass pre-apprentice train- ing program to prepare youth for apprentice-training tests, no organized municipal, labor or community approach to grap- pling with youth opportunity, thousands of youngsters hang around the corners, roam the streets, are harassed by the police. In the case of Negro youth, the bitterness is deep, widened even more by racist in- sults, discrimination at the hir- ing. gates, scrubbing out at the apprentice test. exams. During the last contract dis- cussions and negotiations in the auto industry, there was some strong talk from the LBJ ranch in Texas and the United Auto Workers negotiators about . double time for all overtime hours worked and triple time for Sundays and holidays. This was to.curb the millions of over- time hours worked per year, in- crease employment and provide apprenticeship training for thousands of youth who in this age of automation will need ©\ [O. Ko, = / a — 5 HES LONESOME. *, December 24, 1965—PACIFIC TRIBUNE—Page 6 An i S SS 3 a, three skills during their life- time. But so far, it’s all been talk.” The Ford apprenticeship train- ing program has_ graduated 11,000 apprentices since _ its started 50 years ago — an average of 220 per year. Is it any wonder that the auto cor- porations actually are import- ing skilled workers from Eu- rope and Canada each time they open a new plant? (The Ford Woodhaven plant in Michigan has many Canadian tool and die makers.) Recently a little pickup in youth going into apprentice training schools has been noted. Management’s sons are going into these schools in numbers Henry Ford I! wants more trade with China, Russia — In a recent interview with the press, Henry Ford, Il, said he thinks U.S, business and trade should be extended “to include Red China and Russia”, Speaking contrary to the_ views of many so-called experts in the field of economics who hold that war is necessary to the U.S. economy, Ford said he believes the United States could survive a full general peace. Following Canada’s vote op- posing the seating of China in the United Nations, Local 444 of the. United Auto Workers, in Windsor, sent a telegram to Ex- ternal Affairs Paul Martin and the members of Parliament. The telegram, signed by local presi- dent Charles Brooks, reads: “We note with deep concern and regret that Canada voted, Nov. 17, 1965, against seating the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations. “This is contrary to the posi- tion which you and your party gave to the people of Canada. because one can get a draft de- ferment that way. Also fore- men’s sons. This problem of overtime and apprentice training needs a pro- gram. Here are some ideas for resolutions to the next UAW ‘convention which will be held in May, 1966, at Long Beach, California. They are being passed around among the U.S. and Canadian locals by: Ford Local 588 of the UAW in Chicago: e All overtime hours be cre- dited toward a member’s vaca- tion time and also retirement. (For example, 52 weeks times 40 hours equals 2,080 hours. A member works 2,580 hours in one year, 25 percent above his regular hours. This would en- He said the U.S. defense bud- get—now more than 60% of the national budget — could be di- verted to “‘create a better stand- ard of living and less taxes.” Ford also said, “with the right kind of credit terms and the goods to be shipped I don’t see why we shouldn’t trade with anybody”. China’s mammoth wheat or- ders from Canada are jolting Ford local wants China in U.N. when you pledged to work on: behalf of world peace. “The seating of China is a necessary and urgent need and has the support of peace-mind- ed people everywhere, including that of the Secretary of the U.N., U Thant. During his recent visit to the U.N., Pope Paul in- dicated clearly his support for the admission of China and other nations presently barred. “Aside and apart from the fact that China is a No. 1 cus- tomer and bolstering the Can- adian economy, the official re- cognition of China by Canada is long overdue. Britain has long ‘eight-hour day or 40 hours titled him to 25 percent ye vacation and also 1% credilé | towards retirement.) i e All hours worked over © week be paid double time. aid Sundays and holidays be P ae on a triple-time basis, plus DO | day pay. ae e All hours worked over eight | per day or 40 hours per wee on a voluntary basis. ' — raed e Shift. premium for eveniNB | shift be raised to the sam@ ~ midnight shift: 10 percent. e An employee working ove | eight hours per day will be g'¥7, a paid lunch period of * minutes if he works five hoU™ past his previous lunch perio™ ) many U.S. business men who at having second thoughts. ab") trading with this nation that as present one fourth of the worle*) population. Z Some years ago Ford (Cana®’ accepted an order for sevé ei thousand trucks from es : only to have the United Stal) nix the order since Ford otk an American company ant ° “couldn’t trade with the ene?¥ | had diplomatic relations ad 4 many other nations, includin? France has joined in. a “We are reiterating the P™| tion of the Canadian Labor gress and the UAW in Cam in urging that the Canad Parliament take steps | to open diplomatic relany with China in spite of 7 side pressure and pave the 48 for her admission to the U: stéf soon as_ possible. This : would be in the interests 19) negotiated genuine peace 19 4y/ SF ae ae world and would contribute iy : a continued expanding pros ity at home.”