Internet Checker Taxicab Archive

Here at the ICTA, we try to preserve and archive as much Checker content and material possible.  The  artifacts in the archive clearly celebrate the car we all know and love.  This blog is a little different, in the spirit of sharing information, we are presenting the Checker Cab Manufacturing Supervisor Rules and Regulation.  Given these rules are from CCM, the content was created prior to the corporate name change of 1958.  Somewhat bland from a content perspective, we’ve included many rare factory photos to add to the experience.

The rules themselves are standard, but deep in the list are a number of rules that are just down right funny.  You be the judge, but the rule on compressed air seems pretty ridiculous.

1.The following rules and regulations are issues by the Company for the guidance of its employees

2.Printed copies of these rules are posted throughout the factory

3.Additions and changes of the rules and regulations will be issued when necessary

4.Acceptance of the employment in the Company’s service implies acceptance of all its rules and regulations, and ignorance of these rules and regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for violations.

5.The Bulletin Boards are the official means of communications with employees. Notices affecting employees will be posted on these boards.

6.The company expects all employees to work for its best interest and to retain in confidence whatever knowledge they may have acquired of its business

7.Agents or solicitors are not permitted on the company premises.

8.Cameras are not permitted within the premises except when accompanied by properly authorized passes.

9.The unauthorized sale of tickets (lottery and punch boards included) or other articles, the circulation of subscription lists, or the solicitation of contributions, is prohibited. The sale of tickets for approved forms of entertainment may be permitted on the company’s property during other than working hours upon the approval of the Factory Manager

16. NORMAL STANDARD WORKING HOURS

Day Shift

Monday – Friday

7:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

17. Whistle and Auto Call Signals

Day Shift

Monday – Friday

Preliminary Warning       Starting Time     Stopping Time     Leaving Time

6:55 AM                                 7:00 AM             12:00 Noon         12:00 Noon

12:25                                   12:30 PM               3:25 PM               3:30 PM

18. The time for starting and stopping work refers to the actual time in the department and the ringing of the time clock. Employee are expected to be at their place of work at the time given for starting and stopping
19. Special standard working hours are assigned to certain occupation. An employee

ABSENCES

25. An employee wishing to leave the department during work hours, or at noon, may not intending to return that day, shall first obtain permission from his foreman
26. Absences should be arranged for in advance. In case of inability to report for work, the Foreman should be notified as early in the day as possible.
27. Unexpected absences, if repeated, shall subject the employee to dismissal.

PUNCTUALITY:

30. Employees shall be punctual and regular in attendance.

Time Clocks:

32. Employees shall regularly register on the time clocks four times a daily

(1) Morning In

(2) Noon Out

(3) Noon In

(4) Afternoon Out

33. Employees leaving the company premises during the noon hour shall register “Out” withing 15 minutes and “In” not later than thirty minutes after the regular stopping time.
34. The Department Foreman shall see that employees are properly instructed in the use of the time clocks.
35. For each failure to register, one half hour will be deducted from the total hours credited after the said total has been determined in the regular way. The time work being certified by the Department Forman.
36. Employees registering “IN” late will forfeit the time they lose, and the time used in figuring their pay will start from the next even quarter hour. Those registering “out” early will have their time figured to the last even quarter hour.
37. Employees shall ring out within fifteen minutes after the regular stopping time unless they have been furnished with overtime passes and actually remain for work.
38. The ringing of the time clock for another employee is positively prohibited
39. Under no conditions shall employees place clock cars in their pockets or other receptacle. Cards shall always be left in the proper rack during period between registrations.

JOB CLOCKS

40. Employees shall punch in at the start of an operation and shall promptly punch out when the operations is completed
41. The recording of another employee’s job ticket is positively prohibited

ENTRANCE AND ENTRANCE BADGES

42. Entrance badges are furnished employees. They show the numbers assigned on the clock cards and serve as passes at regular hours.
43. Loaning entrance badges must be shown to the shown to the Watchman when enter the company premises.
44. Loaning entrance badge or other pass to another form any purpose is forbidden
45. If badge is lost or mislaid, the employee shall state the case to the Watchman, who shal obtain permission to admit him from his foreman.
46. If badge is lost a deduction of $1.00 will be made for replacement
47. A deduction of $2.50 shall be made from the final pay check if an employee fails to turn in his badge when he layed off or leaves the employment of the company.

PAY

TIME OF PAYMENT:

50. Employees will be paid by check each Friday for a work performed the preceeding week.
51. The first pay drawn by an employee covers the time from the day he begins to work, up to and including the end of the preceding week.
52. Employees absent on regular pay-days may secure their pay checkers from the Paymaster.
53. No payment of wages will be made in advance of the regular ray-day except in extremely urgent cases.
54. Employee desiring an advance on their wages in accordance with Rule 53 shall first make their request known to their Foreman, who will take the matter up with the Payroll division
55. Whenever, through error, a shortage occurs equal to one day’s pay or more, an additional check will be issued to cover the shortage; otherwise, the shortage will be made up in the next regular pay check.
56. Employee who have been overpaid shall e notified of their overpayment through their Foreman, and the excess pay deducted from the next regular pay checker
57. Final Pay with the exception of piece work balances) may be drawn on the day an employee leaves the Company, provided proper notice of intention to leave has been given the Foreman – at least one day (24 Hours) prior to leaving, otherwise final pay may not be drawn until the next regular pay-day, at which time final pay will be forwarded by mail if so requested.
58. In cases a piecework balance cannot be paid when the employee leaves the company, the payroll Division shall inform him approximately when the balance will be paid.
59. Discharged employees will be paid off immediately
60. No allowance will be made in the time of employees, if less the regular noon hour is taken except on the Foreman’s approval.
61. Garnishments served on the company for employees’ pay will not be tolerated. Employees will be immediately notified after receipt of same, and advised to adjust their person account so as to avoid future garnishments, Second offense is sufficient cause for dismissal.

DISCIPLINE

Rules of Order

65. On entering the factory building, employees are expected to go directly to the department to which they have been assigned and to remain in that department until stopping time unless otherwise instructed by their Foreman.
66. While on the premises, employees will be allowed to work on other than the company’s business
67. Persons occupying executive or supervisory positions are forbidden to borrow money from their subordinates
68. Washing up or making other preparations to leave, before stopping time will not be permitted.
69. As our telephone service is already overtaxed, with business calls employees are requested not to use the phone for personal calls, however in case of urgent necessity or emergency, department heads will deliver the message.
70. The assignment of salary or wages to loan agents or others is prohibited
71. Running in any part of the plant is strictly prohibited
72. Horseplay, throwing things, scuffling and fooling in the plant are very dangerous and will not be tolerated.

Smoking:

75. Smoking during working hours is prohibited
76. Smoking during lunch periods in building will be permitted, BUT ONLY in especially designated areas
77. Cooking and eating is prohibited except during the regular lunch period

MORALS:

78. The company desires to maintain wholesome working conditions for its employees in and about the premises, and requests that employees refrain from using profane and vulgar language while on duty

First Aid:

80. A First Aid stat s maintained by the Company, under the supervision of a registered nurse, where, in case of accident or sudden illness, employees will be properly taken care of.
81. All injuries, including those of a minor character, shall immediately be reported to the department Foreman.
82. An employee seeking First Aid treatment shall leave his work station only after he has been authorized to do so by the Department Foreman or one of his authorized assistants.
83. The Company will not accept any bill for services rendered an employee on account of accident or sickness unless such expense has been properly authorized in advance.

SANITATION:

85. Do not throw waste paper or other material about the premises or out of the Windows. Receptacles for refuse are provided throughout the building and premises.
86. Printed or written matters of any kind shall not be hung on the walls or columns
87. Employees maliciously defacing the Company’s property are subject to dismissal.
88. Materials likely to clog waste pipes shall not be thrown in sinks, urinals or closets.
89. Spitting on the floors, stairways, walls and into the drinking fountains is prohibited.
90. Employees using benches, machinery and tools shall keep them clean and orderly.

PERSONAL PROPERT AND MERCHANSDISE PASSES:

95. When it is necessary to take a package out of the factory, a pass must be obtained from an authorized individual.
96. Employees shall not remove personal property from the Company’s premises without first securing a “Personal Property Pass” from their Foreman
97. No Material (merchandise) or Company property shall be taken out of the factory without a Shipper issued by the Purchasing Department, or a “Merchandise Pass” (Shipper number entered) issued by the Stores Supervisor, or Merchandise Pass okeyed by the Plant Superintendent.
98. All Packages take out of the pant are subject to inspection by the Gat Watchman

LOST AND FOUND ARTICLES:

100. The loss of finding of personal property should be reported immediately to the Employment Department. While we cannot be responsible for personal effects lost, the Employment Department will exert every effort to restore lost articles to their rightful owners. Articles will returned to the finders
101. Employees are cautioned against leaving money or valuables in their clothing when not is use. The company assumes no responsibility for loss by theft of personal property of employees.

VISITORS

103. Employees are not permitted to bring visitors into the grounds or buildings

CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND STATUS

105. Employees are required to immediately notify their Forman in case of a change of address, or if they become married, divorced or widowed while employed here.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Letters of recommendation are not generally issued to persons who leave the service of the company. However, any inquiries made concerning those formerly employed here will be answered gladly by the Personal Department

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST ACCIDENTS

112. Foreman shall use the greatest care in assigning workmen for duty where there is a chance of their being injured through carelessness
113. Machines which are liable to inure employees shall be guarded. Operators shall notify their Foreman in case any such machine is not guarded or sufficiently guarded.
114. Employee shall be carefully instructed in regard to the operation of machines which they are to use.
115. When a workman is selected to operate a machined or tool of a dangerous type, he shall be especially warned of the extra danger from carelessness in its operation.
116. Never operate any machines, crane, tractor elevator, or other piece of moving equipment unless you have permission from your Foreman.
117. Shut down your machine before cleaning. oiling, or adjusting, and be certain your machine has stopped.
118. Never use your fingers for removing chips from machines. Use a brush or stick.
119. Never use defective hammers, punches, wrenches, or other tools. Flying chips from tools with mushroomed or split heads cause many injuries. Exchange or see the defective tools are repaired.
120. Do not remove nor make ineffective any safeguard around or attached to machinery unless authorized to do so by your Foreman
121. all employees except workmen duly authorized are absolute prohibited from working upon or tampering with any electrical machinery, wire or apparatus.
122. Conversations shall not be engaged in while an operator is running a machine and employees are forbidden to interfere with or distract the attention of another so engaged.
123. Use compress air only for the job it is intended. Do not clean your clothes with it. Don’t fool with it. Never blow the air against anyone, as it might enter his body and possibly kill him.
124. Boards with nails sticking up must not be left lying around. When you see such boards, turn them over, or put the boards where they can do no harm.
125. Do not attempted to lift or push objects which may be too heavy for you. ASK FOR HELP when you need it. Learn to lift the RIGHT WAY to avoid strains; bend your knees; keep your body erect; then push upwards with your legs. It is much easier and safer.
126. If you are working where there are heavy fumes or dust, you will be expected to wear the respirators provided for your protections
127. Goggles must be worn by all employees operating grinders, welder, breaking concrete, or any other job designated by the Foreman
128. Before using any ladder, see that it has good safety shoes, and is free from cracks, broken rungs, and other defects. When necessary to prevent slipping, have another workman hold the bottom of the ladder
129. Never uses “makeshift” or defective scaffolds or riggings.

POISONS:

135. Under no circumstances shall employees handle poisons unless there are sufficiently familiar with their nature and uses.
136. All Poisons are stored in suitable containers, such as glass bottles and carboys, and each container bears a label showing the kind of poison it contains.
137. Care shall be taken that the chemical and solutions do not get into the moth or into cuts and sores as their ingredients may be poisonous.
138. The hands shall be left out of all solutions as much as possible. Employees who come in contact with chemicals and solutions which contain poisonous maters should thoroughly wash their faces and hands before eating.

INFLAMAMABLE MATERIEALS

140. Inflammable material such as gasoline, lacquer, alcohol, benzine, etc. shall be used only in accordance with instructions given by the department Foreman or his authorized assistant, and as they are highly dangerous to both operators and the company’s property when handled otherwise, all violations of the rules regarding their use will render operator liable to dismissal.
141. All paints lacquers, oils, and gasoline not in use shall be stored in the fireproof receptacles provided for the purpose.
142. In case of fire in any department the employees shall pass to the adjoining department on the same floor, or down the nearest stairway, dependent upon the locations of the fire, and instructions from those in charge.
143. Under no circumstances use a pail of water where extinguishers are not provided in case of fire.

 

Any employee disobeying these rules will be disciplined according to the severity of the infraction, or by release or lay-off without pay.

 

Special thanks to David and Connie Powers for supplying the majority of the photographs use in this blog