WHAT SET OUT TO DO AFTER ASSUMES DISTRICT 32 DIRECTORSHIP IN 1947
Scope and Content Note: Basic problem to maintain district, largely in good shape. Membership had increased during war years. Kept locals notified of contract termination dates well in advance. Participated with regular negotiating staff in home stretch of negotiating new contracts. Set out to repair or eliminate disunity in district since some locals, large and small, had grown displeased with Adelman and “Pittsburgh.” Strict USWA policy on local financial accountability, with audit report due every six months. Some Milwaukee area locals had set up extracurricular “sportsmens,” “welfare,” or “benevolent” funds supported by local dues and refused to let international auditors examine books. Locals at Heil, Chain Belt, and Pressed Steel Tank among those with such funds. International, insisting all funds be returned to central treasury, had some suspicion real purpose of extracurricular funds was to build resources for eventual disaffiliation from USWA. Situation delicate for Burke to step into as a “Pittsburgh man,” but eventually worked out without USWA losing large local.