The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-12-25
Clio President

number OF states had already mdu'
; provisions for relaxing standards
when these standards, after an inves
tigation, obviously determined that al
emergency need existed in war indus
tries. The prevailing idea seemed t
be that If our labor laws are to bt
saved we must, through administra
tive flexibility, emergency powers Of
the governor or legislative authorize
ton, adopt a means of relaxing regu
lations when war production needs de
mand such relaxation. Where such
provisions have not already been
made, as is the case in this state
the fact that the legislature will soon
be In session, indicates that legisla-
tive procedure will be the best means
of safeguarding our labor legislation.
Safety and Health
Industrial accidents are cited by
the conference as the greatest single
cause of lost time" with a quarter
billion days of production time lost
through such accidents in 1871. Rec
commended was broad powers of ac-
ton worked out by management, la
Dor and the government. Recon-
mendations included Strengthening
state laws, adoption of necessary la
Dor codes, more adequate inspection
and enforcement, maximum co-ordina-
ton of plans and programs, both state
and federal, and safety training pro-
81,
Wage Policy in Wartime
The conference went on record for
the establishment of wages adequate
for health, decency and morale" and
assurance against fall of wages aft
er the war. 1t was urged that forty
cent minimum be extended to all
workers under the fair labor stand
ards act as rapidly as possible and in
addition that the public contracts act
be used to the fullest extent to set
minimum prevailing wage rates. Ac-
cording to recommendations, states
with minimum wage law for women
men with wage rates established for
the job, the same for women as for
men.
Wages and Hours Program
Based on the premise that when
hours of work are too long the rate
of production tends after a period to
decrease and the health and efficiency
of workers are impaired" the confer
ence commended recommendations on
hours of work, jointly issued by the
war and navy departments and the
labor department, maritime commits
sion, public health service, commerce
department, and the war production
board. These standards included a
day of rest, provision for meal periods |
and a recommended maximum eight |
hour day and forty-eight hour week. |
It was made abundantly clear, how
ever, that an endorsement of these |
did not constitute
of provisions for time and |
one-half for all work over 40 hours |
per week.
Compensation
CctCliillC ObJCShifto III bhC iASfN
Of compensation for industrial injuries
are not overshadowed by the war;"
according to the conference program |
Of action, and sit is more necessary |
than ever to have complete coverage, |
an adequate scale of benefits, and
that is prompt and
simple" Also, higher costs of COM
)ensation due to employment of han
iicapped and older workers is not
desirable but there should be no waiv-
,r of rights permitted. Setting up
secondary funds, such as second in
ury funds was recommended to take
ARE of situations of this kind.
State Labor Department
accommodation covering III 8
ield were brief and we quote them in
ull: Additional requirements inn
,osed upon state labor departments
" increased production makes essen
ial the expansion of staff and facili-
les. Adequate appropriations should
e made available to meet these de-
hands"
;hild Labor and Youth Employment
Recommendation Of the conference
nder this head were especially APP
licable to child labor problems in
his state. Citing the tremendous in
rease in the employment of children
nd youth under eighteen because of
ne demand upon the adult manpower ,
q ., he ,,ni,1fad y
ut that careful planning and guild
nee was essential for the conserya- {
on of health, safety and educational
pportunity of our young people. Safe
yards for the health and welfare of
nildren employed in wartime argicul
ire were stressed with state labor
apartments working with other
roups taking an active part in de-
clipping such plans. The conference
Emphasized that there are still UNI
lpped reserves of adult labor which
lould be called upon before boys and
rls are called upon to leave school 3
to carry on double burdens of
.hool and work. X
Industrial homework was discussed
7 the conference and recommends
ons included the need for action by
% states to control Industrial home 5
ork where federal prohibitory orders 8
I've not been issued. Regulation of q
ivate employment agencies was 3
ted as now national problem, by 8
e conference. Enactment of nation q
legislation now pending (H.R.5510 3
ID S. 2333) which requires registra- 8
On and regulation of employment 8
.encias which onerafe across state q