Evening star., 1943-05-04
D. {. Workers Bound
By Job Freeze Until
New Plan Is Ready
Nationwide Proposal
Abandoned in Favor
Of Regional Operation

Washington workers are still
frozen" to their jobs in essential
activities despite an announcement
from War Manpower Chief McNutt
late yesterday that he had aban-
doned a Nation wide stabilization
plan because of the adoption of re-
gional plans.
According to Mr.. McNutt, Wash
ington was covered by one of the
regional plans. but Regional VINO
Director Leo Wirts said today that
q regional plan would not be effec-
tive here until next week at the
earliest.
Mr.. Wirts said a plan had been
approved in principle by his labor
management committee, but final
details are yet to be worked out
After the committee has put its ap-
proval on plan, he added, it will
still have to be reviewed with his
staff representatives before it can
be announced.
d. c. Plan Ready Soon.
As result, it appeared likely
that Washington would have its own
plan before the regional plan is
adopted. Area VINO Director RAINY
B. Deschner announced late last
week that his labor r-management.
committee would take final action
on a local plan on or before Sat-
urday.
Under the regional plan-which
follows a general pattern through
out the country-workers In essen
tial activities will be allowed to
transfer to higher-paying jobs If
they get statements of availability"
from their old employers.
The regional plans are temporary
and are to be superseded by local
plans as soon as they can be adopt
ed. Because cities were slow to
adopt them, the NATIONWIDE plan
was thought necessary, but 1t. too.
was superseded by the regional
plans.
Regardless of pay. however. work.
ers in essential activities will have
to obtain release before trans
fering Since this provision does
not involve higher wages, Mr.. Nc
Mutt said yesterday, violators are
not subject to the penal provisions
cited in the job-wage freeze order
Of last month.
VINO is hopeful to get enforce
ment through public opinion and
sanctions against employers who
hire new workers in essential ac-
tivities without requiring releases
from old employees.
Regional Plans More Liberal.
When he announced last week
that a Nationwide stabilization
plan was in prospect, Mr. McNutt
said 1t was necessary to lift the
ban on transfers for higher pay
In areas not covered by local stabili-
zation plans. Workers in nearlv'
80 per cent of the country were
frozen" to their jobs as far as
transfers to higher-paying jobs was
concerned.
He said yesterday he did not know
that regional plans were being
adopted so fast but since 9 of the
IL regions now had them. includ-
Ing Washington, it was necessary
TO put national plan into effect.
While the regional plans are tenn
porary and mot complete written
agreements Mr.. McNutt said. they
are generally more liberal in allow
Ing transfers to higher-paying jobs
than the job-wage freeze order.
Workers stabilized under the Or
1slnal order were allowed to transfer
for higher pay only where they we're
discharged, laid of or could show
they could use their skills to better
advantage to the war effort in an
other job. The regional plans Mr..
McNutt said, generally allow trans
fers for compelling personal rea-
sons"