The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-17

ands of aircraft and automobile in- dustry workers.
 Labor officials generally believed that the union and the little Steel' companies ethlehem, Republic, Inland and YoungstCwn-would ace cept the boards decision because of the importance of keeping steel pro- duction at maximum levels. They believed Q strike highly improb- able.
 They also expected that "big steel employers of an additional 4SO, 900 workers would grant similar wage increase under industry-wide pol- icy of maintaining uniform wage scales.
 It appeared doubtful, In view of the new wage policy, that 400, 900 automobile industry workers would be granted the 91-a-day increase they are demanding before the board. It was pointed out that in the 18-month "base" period those workers have received increases, some of them as high as g per cent. However, some increases to eliminate inequalities are expected.
 Davis explained the new wage policy at a press conference.
 "As a general rule" he said, "the policy adopted in little steel means that all wage earners are entitled to at least 8 IS per cent wage in crease in the period between Jan. l, 1941 and May l, 1942, to meet 8 similar increase in living costs
 "The order does not freeze wages and the board will continue to pass on demands for elimination of ir1- equalities and the raising of sub standard wages to assure all workers fair living standard"
 Five Guiding Principles
 George w. Taylor, public repre- sentative and vice chairman of the board, wrote the majority opinion and set forth five guiding prin- ciples" to be used by the board in deciding future wage disputes. They were:
 T For the period from January 1, 1941, to May, 1942, which fol- lowed a long period of relative sta- bility, the cost of living increased by about IS per cent. If any group of workers averaged less than 8 15 per cent increase in hourly wage rates during or immediately preced- ing or following this period, their established peace time standards have been preserved.
 "2. Any claim for wage adjust- mehtS for the groups whose peace time standards have been preserved can only be considered in terms of the inequalities Or of the sub- standard conditions specifically re- ferred to in the Presidents mes sage of April 27, 1942.
 B. Those groups whose peace time standards have been broken are entitled to have these standards re- established as stabllization fac- tor.
 A. The board, as directed by the President in his April 27 message, will continue to give due considera- ton to inequalities and the elimin- ation of substandards of living
 "5. Approximately 20 wage dis putes, still pending before the board were certified prior to the stab- ilization daate of April 27. The question arises in these cases whether wage rates being paid on April 27, 1942, can or cannot be considered as existing rates within the meaning of the Presidents mes- sage, or whether they then had the tentativ character of disputed rates. Due regard must be given to any factors of equity which would be arbitrarily swept away by a change of rules in the middle of the game"
 Davis said in @ separate concur- ring opinion that the boards pol- icy would carry out President Roosevelt's wage-stabilization pro- gram as enunciated by the President in his anti-inflation message to cone gress last April.