Evening star., 1943-01-17
Green Defends Labor $
Right 10 Peacetime
STRIKE as Inherent
Southern Group Hears
Speakers Criticize
Worker Absenteeism
BY the Associated Press.

"a AIaAN IA, 5dlI. 1O,-T I6SlQSIll
William Green of the American
Federation of Labor, addressing
a Southern AFL war labor con-
terence here today, aSsailed anti
strike legislation and asserted
that the right to strike is an in
herent, od-given, democratic
and personal right"
He added that 80 long as the
American Federation of Labor exists
we will fight to the death for the
right to strike, with all the energies
and powers at our disposal.
"On the other hand, We have
voluntarily pledged to our Govern
ment that we will call no strikes for
the duration. =.
Labor has made progress through
the right to strike. The right to
strike is the chief defensive weapon
of labor. 1t Is our gun. But, we
have agreed to place the gun behind
the door for the duration. In other
words, we have voluntarily agreed
to do what we will not be forced to
do
Mr.. Green deplored absenteeism
In production and added, while the
men on the front stand ready to die
before the enemy, there is no absent
eeism there. Their safety tomorrow
depends largely on the goods you
produce today. There is no absent
eeism in military service-there
should be none among the soldiers
of production"
Supports Longer Week.
Referring to the 40-hour week.
Mr.. Green said he was in accord
with efforts to keep men on the
job more than 40 hours a week.
In fact, I think a 4S-hour, or even
a 56-hour week is all right. but
when man is called upon to work
more than the 40 hours set down
by law. he should be paid accord
ingly.
However" he added, too much
work in one week is detrimental. 1t
leads to broken health, inefficiency
and in the main, results in absen-
teeisrn."
In conclusion. he said that efforts
were under way to unite with the
labor organizations of other Allied
countries, Ito. assure that labor will
be Justly treated at the peace tables.
We hope to write into the peace
treaties, the rights and privileges
of labor for the entire world.
Rear Admiral C. H. woodward,
In an address to the conference. de-
clared the problem of "absenteeism"
of workers was one of the greatest
single difficulties in war production.
Organized labor, he said, could be
instrumental in helping to solve the
problem. A voluntary reduction of
work days lost, he added, "can re-
suit in substantial increase in war
production throughout the country"
What makes this problem diff
cult of solution Admiral Wood
ward, chief of the Incentive Division
of the Navy, said in a prepared ad-
dress, lis the fact that it is based
on very natural and understand
able failing of human nature. Many
of your men are now earning more
money than they have ever earned
in their lives and they have less
goods on which to spend that money
and less leisure"
He cited an instance of work loss
due to labor staying away from a
shipyard, whose output was needed
urgently.
"A telegram was received from a
high-ranking officer urging the
workers to stay on the job during
the holidays to get the job out" he
related. Despite this urgent plea
the number of absentees over the
Christmas week end was staggering
"In strict contrast were the re-
suits obtained in another yard where
drive against absenteeism, backed
by definite planned program had
been inaugurated by the men them
selves and their union local"
Admiral Woodward told the union
leaders that they could help war
production by seeking to utilize
impartial umpires for the settle
ment of labor disputes which are
not settled by the parties them
selves"
Unjust Optimism Scored.
He cautioned against acceptance
Of what he called 'the unjustifiable
wave of optimism floating through
the country these days and the great
amount of premature talk of vic
tory"
IF idle chatter of this nature
were to become widespread among
our men on the production lines,
he said "and If it came to be be-
lieved that the struggle itself was
really over-with only the date oi
victory remaining to be settled-it
would result in a definite relaxation
of their efforts. consciously or other
wise, in their daily work: and
shudder to think of how many fine
young Americans would lose theil
lives as a result"
Wendell Lund, director of the
Labor Production Division of the
WPB. addressed the conference anc
called on labor for unprecedented
productivity" He added that "tc
achieve this. workers in many plants
must work longer hours"
Mr.. Lund explained in detail tha
he did not mean to suggest abolition
of the 40-hour week, but advocated
that this be used as basis fol
working hours"
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