The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-12-12
A. F. To Press For
3O-Hr. Week After
War Program Ends
Acute Unemployment Crisis
Seen When Defense
Program Ends
By N. B. of o. p. Delegates to the
A. F. of l.. Convention

BY N. b. of q. p. Delegates to the
A. F. of l.. Convention
New Orleans QLNS).-Forseeing
an acute unemployment crisis as in
tensive production for defense pur-
poses slackens and finally ends, the
American Federation of Labor stands
committed to press for adoption of
the 30-hour week when the war emer-
gency passes.
Reaffrmation of the A. F. of l..
Endorsement of the 6-hour day, 80
hour week as an ultimate objective
came in the closing session of the
Federation's Goth annual convention,
which unanimously reelected Presi-
dent William Green, Secretary Treas
urer George Meany and all other Of
fcers. Seattle was selected as the
1941 convention city.
The convention made it clear that
the Federation would not insist on
adoption of the 3O-hour week now and
approved the present 40-hour week
as making for efficiency in the arma
ment program. 1t instructed the Off
GERS to fight any encroachment on
present hour and wage standards and
declared:
"We hold that any lengthening of
labor hours in the light Of existing
unemployment conditions would be a
grave mistake and would be certain
to react injuriously to the national
defense program"
Short Week Seen Certain
Commenting on the declaration for
a 3O-hour week to spread unemploy-
ment as the defense program ends,
President Green told the delegates
that he regarded the 30-hour week as
"the real remedy" for joblessness and
predicted it would be accepted by in
dustry "when the let-down comes"
Speaking after his reelection,
Green said he believed there exists a
strong desire for labor unity among
workers of all kinds and added:
81 will, with all charity, devote my
energies to bringing about peace in
the labor movement in the coming
year."
Union Drive Pledged
The A. F. of l.. head pledged him
self to aggressive organization ef-
forts among unorganized workers and
to the mobilization of labor support
for the national defense program.
Expressing his pleasure at adoption
of a resolution hailing return of the
International Ladies' Garment Work
ers' Union to the A. F. of L., David
Dubinsky, president of the union, said
his organization was happy it had
severed it's connection with the CIO
and rejoined the Federation.
The convention condemned all
moves to curtain educational oppor-
tunities because Of the increased tax
burden imposed on communities by
defense taxation and held that such
moves were mot only unfair to chill
dren but dangerous to the future well
fare Of democratic government"
ITU ReaffiliatiOn Progresses
Matthew Woll, Federation vice
president and chairman of special
committee negotiating for the return
of the international Typographical
Union to good standing in the A. F.
of L., reported progress had been
made in conferences held here and
that further meetings would be held.
The $4,000 members Of the printers
union were suspended a year ago for
refusal to pay a special assessment
Of l cent a month a member, but this
assessment was repealed at the pres
ent convention.