In 1950 Engine Plant #1 was hailed as the most automated plant in the world, but the conditions in the plant were horrible. Working in clouds of smoke and dust were typical. When the line went down – workers were sent home. There were no short work weeks. You had to provide your own gloves and coveralls and there were no work standards. There was no cafeteria – the lunch truck would pull up, you would purchase your lunch and eat it on the mold or assembly line. No medical coverage, pension or paid holidays were provided. The average production worker made $1.44 an hour. Skilled made $1.88. Unionized plants in Cleveland paid higher. In 1952, Al Granakis, a tool maker at Plant #1 began unionization procedures with the International and Regional organizers. Leaflets were distributed in the Plant and between June and September cards were signed by workers petitioning the National Labor Relations Board to conduct an election for unification. 60% of the workers wanted to go union. On September 14th UAW won the election by 95%. The electricians and patternmakers voted to join the IBEW and Pattern Maker League of North America.

Local 1250 Presidents
1952 - present