Evening star., 1942-07-16
Labor
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Labor
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the report OF a A-cent verdict, but
said he did not consider the union
hound to accept a wage increase of
less than$i. -,-,
Mr.. Murray's attack on Mr..
Henderson was felt in Los Angeles,
where a labor spokesman said COL
lapse Of the aircraft wage stabirza-
tion conferences was threatened. He
declared that labors eight rep
resentatives on the 16-man Manage
ment-Labor Board already had
threatened to walk out upon hearing
. statement by Richard Gilbert, OPA
observer. that the OPA would ap-
prove no pay boosts except those
which are necessary to eliminate sub
standards of living and inequality"
Michigan Plant Closed.
In Flint. Mich, the tank plant Of
the Fisher Body division Of General
Motors Corp. was virtually closed
by q strike that followed suspension
Of several workers for demonstrate
ing against "no-smoking" rule.
Only about 5 per cent OF the night
shift entered the plant.
Coal truck driverB continued a
strike in Uniontown, Pa, despite a
plea by Assistant Secretary Of War
Patterson for them to return to work
pending arbitration. The men
walked out Tuesday 70 enforce de-
mands Tor q boost from so to 90
cents an hour. s. s.
The little Steew decfdm Naess1itl
to give the tuaioa . maintenAnce Of
membership clause, the e1apauy,
checkoff Of union dues IN tho
minimum daily wage guarantee.
The decision was generally con-
stdered far-reaching, bil1ce the high
er rates might be applied through
out steel generally, affecting about
10000 workers About 4000o0 au-
tonobile plant workers, also seeking
81 . day increase. have their cases
before the board. The basic formula
used BY the board in "little steel"
was awaited as an indicator OF what
can be- expected in other decisions
In durable goods industries.
Member Maintenance.
Under maintenance OF member
ship, Is voted by the board In four
recent cases, union employees have
two weeks to withdraw from the
union If they desire. Failing to
withdraw during that period, they
are required to remain members in
good standing for the duration of
the contract to keep their jobs.
As for new employees, they are not
required to join the union, but if
they do Join they are required to
maintain their membership for the
life of the contract. The checkoff
provides that the company shall de-
duct union dues from employees pay
and turn it over to the union.
The minimum daily wage guaran-
tee was asked for piece, or incen-
tive, rate workers in Bethlehem and
Republic Steel Cos. These compan-
les guarantee the workers that their
daily wage will equal the minimum
when averaged over the pay period
The union wanted the minimum as
Of each day. youngstown and
Inland are either complying with
the unions request or are willing
to comply.
The four Little Steel cases were
certified to the board early in Feb
r,iary and the wage raises will be
retroactive to those dates.
Los Angeles Conference.
The Los Angeles conference was
called by the Government July S
to stabilize aircraft wages to meet
increased living costs in the last
wear and to prevent labor migration.
The Government warned, however,
against boosts tending toward in
fation.
Labor asked that unskilled labor
be raised from so cents an hour to
Q5 and for other increases to top
of $1.60 for skilled workmen now
drawing $152. Management, rep
resenting nine West Coast war
nlane factories, said it was willing to
grant increases but has submitted
no figures.
Paul r. Porter, wage stabilization
chief Of the War Production Board,
fatty told the conference labor's
demands were too high. Mr.. Gill
bert followed with this statement:
War profits of the aircraft in
dustry "are not labor's to demand;
nor tndustry's to give away -. They
belong to the Government"
1.-The Presidents seven-point
snti-infiation program Gin the view
Of the OPA precludes all wage in
creases except those which are
necessary to eliminate sub-stand-
ards of living and inequality
a. -" Average wages in this
industry scarcely can be considered
sub-standard."
replied: .; :,
reject the fascist idea that profits
belong to the Government.
Now the OPA tells both labor and
management they cannot bargain
collectively to give labor share ol
the pyramiding profits.
GI~sna4