The union times., 1944-09-16
Use Of Waivers
 Sharply Attacked

Haven, former Connecticut Labor Commissioner, now Labor COnsultant to tn C United States Department of Labor, this week suggested a number of changes in the Connecticut WOrkman's Com. pensatiOn Law, which would be of great value to Connecti- cut work men and women.
 Tone said he had in mind not only civilians, but war veterans as well. He said, in part:
 "When this army of ours returns to civil life, it is important to note that Connecticut has a very serious gap in its legislation. It is without any provision for a second injury, l find, to aid the employment of handicapped workers and soldiers. Under such provisions, one who has lost an arm, or other members becomes totally disabled, would be paid for the permanent total dis ability.
 However, the employer who gave job to the handicapped worker would be charged only for the loss arising from the second injury and the remainder of the loss would be paid out of the second injury fund. Such an arrangement relieves the fear of an employer that he incurS too great a risk if he gives job to handicapped worker. In Connecti- cut such a situation has been met by compelling the handicapped applicant for a job to sign a waiver. The workers are supposed to have choice Tn this matter, but actually he does not, because if he refuses to sign the waiver, he cannot get work in many Connecticut establishments.
 Many thousands of Connecticut workers have been compelled to sign such waivers every year In order to get jobs. Even the insurance carriers, in recent publications, have taken the stand against the use of waivers.
 ''The law should be changed from elective to compulsory cov- craze, in line with the action re- gently taken in our neighboring state of Massachusetts. It is un- fair both to workers and employers for some employers to have to pay wOrkmen's compensation premi- ums while other employers are allowed to elect out of the arrange ment.
 Tt is necessary for Connecticut to follow up its step i'll raising the level Of the maximum weekly payment by raising the level at other points which are much too low.
 Connecticut is to be congratulated upon the 1943 amendment to the Worknen's compensation law which increased the maximum weekly pay ment to $50. Such action is in ac- } cordance with the position of Connec- ticut as one of the most highly indus trialized states in the Union. This amendment however, should be looked upon as token of action yet to be expected in this field, rather than as evidence of complete job.
 For a great many years there has been a lag in Connecticut, in bringing this important legislation abreast of the developments that have taken place in some progressive states.
 ''FOr example, 1t is a matter of very serious concern to the work CTS that the percentage of wages paid in wOrkmen's compensation in Connecticut is only 5O%o, as com pared with 66 2/3b in many other states, and with 7O@o in Wisconsin. Moreover, the payments are so Him. ited as to duration that they often run out at the time when the in- jured worker. or his dependents may be most in need of protection.
 ''FOr example, payment for per- manent total disability can con- tinue only for 52O weeks, as com. pared with payments for life in a number of states. Another example of the serious inadequacy of the Connecticut benefit payments is the number of weeks for which compensation is paid for the loss of a member. For example, in Con. necticut the workers are paid for only 275 weeks for the loss of an arm at the shoulder as compared with 500 weeks in Wisconsin,