The Omaha guide., 1943-05-01
Job Segregation
Held Discriminatory

It;onal origin" and makes it the
duty Of employers and labor organ
izations ito provide for the full
and equitable participation of all
workers. without discrimination,
Mr. Johnson posed the question Of
whether, in the operation Of the
poIicy of segregation, workers were
denied full and equitable particip-
alton without discrimination.
He pointed out that many en-
ployers, both in government and
Private industry, have a segrega-
ton policy on the job" which MAJ
place a particular a e on a partic
ulsr shift, or limit that race to GER
tain types Of work, or place them
in certain buildings, shops. or sec
ticns ty themselves.
Basic to the right to equality
OF Opportunity for employment is
the right u be considered for en-
pInyn.en. for any position on the
same terms as other persons"
johnson sad. Equally basic is
the Fight to be considered for pco-
motions and ~upgrading to better
paying and supervisory positions.
Where the policy of segregation
obtains in any of the forms men-
toned alove. there will be a len
ial Of employment opportunity if
Iand when an available and quail
fled worker is refused considerat-
ion for a position because it is in
a skill from which members Of MS
group are excluded, or because it
is in a building from which they
are excluded.
1T is indeed difficult to imagine
a situation" the speaker declared,
where a worker is Segregated Sc
cause of his ace and yet is not
restricted in his employment on
pcrIunities because Of that segreg;t-
ton. Equality Of employment or
p~ortunity involves something more
than equality in hours of WORK,
rates of pay tools. machines, work
SHOPS, and types of work. all Of
which are susceptible of control.
It1nvolves intangibles which by
their nature may not be subject to
the control necessary to assure e.
quality"
Johnson said the FEPC recogn-
lied that it's jurisdiction was limit
ed to discrimination but he reiter-
ated his main theme that where Sc
gregated produced discrimination
violative of Executive Order $500,
the FEPC was obligated to act.
He declared that where housing
was segregated and such segrega-
ton operated to limit equal job o.
portunities for workers on account
OF race. it was a violation Of 1902.
Striking at separate jim crow
local unions, Set up as auxiliaries
Of established unions. johnson said
that TO the extent that the min
ority group deals only through the
regular union of which it is Simply
a part..-.it seems clear that .he
unions policy of racial separation
has violated $500.
Declaring that the elimination IT
racial and religious prejudices
should be the concern Of all. John
son said:
1T is true, that racial, religious
and national prejudices are deep
seated. charged with emotion, stu
born and irrational. Nevertheless
it remains important to encourage
clear thinking in this difficull
field of human relationships, ana
to discourage reconciliation to {
state Of affairs which is morally
untenable. If this nation is to as
: sumo leadership as a democracy i
fact as well as lin theory. the elm
nation OF policies and practice
: which reduce large segments d
( our population to the status Of sec
f Sond and third class citizens mus
be sanely. sincerely and effective
Iy undertaken"