Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 January 1937 — Page 17

» WEDNESDAY, JAN

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__ THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES ___

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PAID ADVERTISEMENT

“The following statement was posted on the bulletin boards of all General Motors domestie manufacturing operations today and is reproduced here for the information of all concerned.”

General Motors Employees:

“On January fifth I told you the circumstances that had resulted in our having to close certain of our plants and curtail the ‘operations of others. Many things have since been said. In the conflict of statements and happenings there is much confusion and I now want to make clear just what has happened and what

the situation is today.

Three weeks have passed. During that time we have earnestly striven to do everything possible to develop negotiations with the group that has attacked us, in the hopes of reaching a satisfactory solution that will protect the interests of all involved and enable you to go back to work. That is what you want and it is our most earnest desire. During these three weeks you have in many different ways demonstrated your loyalty and satisfaction. preciate your confidence. It means more to me than anvililhs else, for I am deeply concerned with the situation in which we find our-

selves. Over 100,000 have signified their desire to return to work.

y ; I told you before, and you yourself have always known, that you are deprived of the right to work by a small minority who have seized certain plants and are holding them as ransom to eno : y

force their demands.

~The leader of this group has, as you know, publicly stated that

hours, wages and conditions of employment are not involved. Now

I ap-

what is involved? It is this. That we should turn you over, body .

and soul, for exploitation. This is demonstrated by the demand |

that they be given the exclusive privilege of acting as representa-

tives of all our workers, regardless of your desires. This has al-

ways been perfectly clear.

¥

I say to you once more, have no fear. Do not be misled. Gen--eral Motors will never let you down.

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Now here is where we stand: -.

1. We propose to cemonstrate that these trespassers, who have seized our plants and who have taken from you the privilege of working, ~ have not the right to do so.

2. We shall demand that your rights and our rights be protected.

3. We will negotiate with this group and will earnestly strive for an honorable settlement as soon as the illegal seizure of our plants is terminated.

4. We believe in giving every group an opportunity to be heard. There is nothing to iustify our doing otherwise.

5. You will not have to pay tribute for the privilege of working in a General Motors plant.

Efforts have been made to make you believe that General Motors is responsible for the breakdown of negotiations; that we refuse to meet with representatives of our own employees; that we are shirking our moral responsibilities; that we have no respect for

the public interest. You know this is not true. Seo, why all these

charges? Simply because we refuse to negotiate with a group that holds our plants for ransom without regard to law or justice,

‘thus depriving over 100,000 of our peaceful and law abiding em-

ployees of their inherent right to work. That is the reason and

the only reason.

Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., President

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