Official Organ This is your of UNION PAPER Local 713 UPW CIO AEGTON Non political SUPPORT IT!
Vol. No. Panamá, August 1947 FREE was (AN EDITORIAL)
Less Hospital APPROPRIATION SUBSTANTIAL RAISE NOW Deductions Authorized made by the RIDER DEFEATED For some time now, the silver employees on Union that hospital fees to be the Canal Zone have been looking forward to a sub deducted from an employee Through the terms of the 1936 seeing that orthodox methods stancial wage increase. The changed conditions over 20 of the employee take. Treaty between the Republic of had failed. La McCarran the last seven years have caused an upward trend in home pay. In the past, deduc Panamanian citizens were eligi tacked on to the War Departwages all over the United States. Even the oft for tions that were large in relation ble to equal opportunity with ment Civil Functions Approriagotten government employees have been given in to the employee salary created American citizens for employ tions Bill, to the effect that none creases in wags to cope with the rising cost of liv a serious financial strain on the ment on the Canal Zone. In ob of the money so appropriated ing. Here on the Canal Zone, certain government servance of this, the Civil Ser was to be used to pay PanamaMr. Wang, Assistant to the Gdv vice Commission employees were given substantial increases in wages, ernor of the Panama Canal, in ed examinatione ecently open nian citizens who had qualified an 18 increase at one time and a 22 increase formed the Union that to citizens of for employment through Civil cases the Republic. The Governor of Service Examinations.
at another time.
which merited special considera the Panama Canal endorsed this Supporters of the Rider were The silver employees were not given these gen tions could, be handled justifi provision unqualifiedly. Repre defeated in the House where the sentatives of the Canal Zone AFL Bill was passed without the eral substantial increases. They were given small in ably by the government.
Said Mr. Wang: Unions at Washington vigorous Rider. In the Senate they were crases, but the percent of increases were much less am glad to inform you. attacked this measure, mainly on more successful. The Rider was than the percentage of rise in the cost of living. that whenever there are special the grounds that the safety of included in the Bill passage.
In the month of February, Local 713, UPW CIO the Canal in relationship to Na The matter had then to be taken (Continued on Page 4)
submitted to the Governor a Brief in which they protional and Hemispheric defense up by a joint Congressional Comvould be jeopardized. They also mittee of Congress preparatory posed wage increases for silver workers. The facts claimed among other things that to a vote by House and Senate presented showed that between the years of 1940 Union To Celebrate nationals of foreign countries before presentation for the Preand 1946, the cost of living for the silver workers could easily secure Panamanian sident signature to become had gone up 50. while the monthly average takeLabor Day citizenship by outright purchase, Law.
home pay of the same employees rose only 31.
take these examinations and so CIO GOES INTO HIGH GEAR Labor Day will be celebrated infiltrate into key. positions Legislative Representatives of This meant that the silver employees were taking by Local 713 with special radio which would place them in a po the UPW CIO in Washington, a cut in real wages.
broadcasts, dances, and playing sition to seriously hamper na working as a team, quickly got The Panama Canal announced that certain food of games by Chapter teams. tional defense in case of war. In into touch with the State Deitems made up the major portion of the silver flock to the Paraiso Playground presentatives of the American fice and the Panamanian Legamembers will this they were supported by re partment, the Panama Canal Ofworker diet. The prices of these items were con for the spirited contests sche Legion and veteran organizations tion. The Representatives of the trolled, they said. By comparison of the 1940 and the duled in cricket, softball, ten in testimony before various com International Union assigned 1947 prices of these controlled items, it was shown nis, volley ball and ping pong. mittees of Congress. The UPW here to Local 713 was was directed that the prices had risen over 94. Dancing from P. to mid cio supported the position taken by the Washington Office to conIt is reasonable to assume that the overall aver night will conclude the day by the Governor of the Panama tact the Foreign Minister of the age cost of living of the silver worker rose much of Panama City will provide the Department of Justice and the many groups converged on the activities. The Rhythm Masters Canal, the State Department, the Republic. Representatives of more than the 50 originally estimated. The Brief music.
Civil Service Commission in di conferees in an eleventh hour (Continued on Page 3)
The Atlantic Side activities rect opposition to the AFL. effort to save the situation.
will be held at the Gatun Gym THE RIDER: Knowing from experience that in nasium where games, and dancthrough necessary Leing will be provided for the The AFL Unions resorted to gislation immediately prior to members and their friends. questionable Legislative devices adjourment Legislators are likely to merely skim reports and statements, the attention of the conferees was drawn to significant factors relating to Treaty MORE GAINS.
sick relations, Employees morale and On July 28th she reported for Administrative embarrassments.
Recent Gains won by Local 713 duty, tendering a medical certif Union Organizers May Now Represent The result was the passage of in grievances processed include icate covering her time between the Bill with Rider eliminated the case of Sister Elena Cañate, April 28th and July 28th. She Members In The Second Stage Of Undoubtedly the droping of IC No. 137566, employed at the was instructed to return August the Rider was a clear victory at Mount Hope, discharged whilst ist. Complyng, she was preGrievance Procedure!
for the CIO and a definite deBakery, Commissary Department sented on August 1st. with a feat for the AFL Unions on the on Maternity Leave.
Clearance, showing Pregnancy According to information received at Union Head Canal Zone.
Sister Cañate went on Mater as the cause of dismissal, Worknity Leave for three months manship Good Conduct Good, quarters, it is now permissible for Union organizers commencing June 30th last, to Period of Employment April 23rd to represent members in the second stage of a grievAUGUST 13, BRINGS LUCK return to work September 30th. 1944 to April 15th 1947. The deance.
TO AUSTIN GITTENS On July 31st notice was served cision in this case was also ReIn a recent circular (Circular 341 Amendment There is one man who cannot on her to the effect that she instatement.
No. 1) dated August 20, Circular 341 was amend be convinced that the number would be given Reduction of the hearing it came ed to permit the new arrangement.
13 is unlucky. That man is AusForce effective September 30th. out in the evidence, that the tin Gittens, IC 22029.
The case was handled through stand taken to support ReducFor the benefit of all members we print the folMr. Gittens, a long time emthe first and second stages with tion of Force and Dismissal lowing excerpt: ployee of the Division, was unsatisfactory results. At the was based on the fact that be SECOND STAGE If an adjustment satisfac recently separated through Rethird, Sister Cañate was ordered tween the date of issuance of the tory to the employee is not reached at the first stage, duction Of Force.
re instated. She was represented Governor Circular on the the employee immediate supervisor or foreman will Organizer Joseph Millwood Garcia, associated granting of Maternity Leave, and who negotiated the case obtainwith International Representa the receipt by the Commissary arrange promptly for a meeting with the supervisor in ed for him, with the much aptive Nolan.
Department of final information charge of the office, shop or unot concerned. The empreciated cooperation of ManSister Clementina Fernandez clarifying its terms, the cases in ployee must be present in person and may be ac agement, a cancellation of the De E, IC No. 218074, also an question developed; hence is was companied by REPRESENTATIVE OF HIS CHOICE, order.
employee of the Bakery, suffered the opinion of the authorities EITHER FELLOW EMPLOYEE OR ANOTHER. On August 13, Mr. Gittens was Reduction of Force for similar that the persons affected were back at his old job and punchreasons. She was granted three not protected by the Circular. décision must be rendered promptly and in any event ing his old card.
months Maternity Leave from The decision in this case was within three working days.
March 30th to report back to again Re instatement. Union work on June 28th. During the officials representing the agBy Direction of the Governor: You can afford month of June, and prior to the grieved parties were Organizer WANG expiration of her leave, she for Garcia and Nolan. Both To stay out warded a message to the proper grievances were dealt with at the Executive Secretary.
source stating that she was still same hearing.
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