The union times., 1945-11-24
Enemies FullEmploymentI1a 1ackAtBil1
Can IndustryPay A
 Reasonable Wage?
A.F.L. Survey, Based On Official Figures, Answers With An Emphatic "Yesv'-Workers Tired Of
 Being Treated As "Step Children

T abi of inabity pay, raised by of the lead
 ing corporations resisting reasonable wage adjustments shattered bits this week by the American of Labor The job done in the November s sue of Monthly Survey prepared by the Fedora tion's research staf
 by official figures, the report presents proof industry better position grant wage in creases without hiking prices, than before in history In l946 the report disclosed industry is slated to roll profits taxes, SIC, 200 OOO ame hgh and half times the earnings recorded during the inn mediate pre-war years
 This record bonanza' will top of profits that averaged eight billion dollars annually after taxes.
 Furthermore, the elimination of profits by Congress will business about $25OO, OOO year, the very time that wages of workers have already dropped the of nine billion dollars annually because of loss of overtime and 1ayofs This decline will be drastic next year, the A. F. of L. pointed out.
 IS IT ANY WONDER?
 'sSuch drastic reshuffIng of income bringing billions business profits after and taking billions away from workers incomes will throw entire economy of baIance,' the Federation warned When new loss for workers is heaped upon the neque they suffered in wartime due the Little Steel formula any that they rise throughout the country and insist that tice be given them?'
 Throughout the war, A. F. of L. declared, workers have been treated stephdren Their wages they worked often under nto1erabe conditions they labored 'exhausting hours."
 
 Before such profits skyrocketed four workers income, the A. F. of l.. pointed out.
 In addition through carry back provisions the tax laws corporations given virtual guarantee profits in the postwar period.
 WHO GAINED THE MOST?
 I've ask only that the be evened up, and that income be increased in proportion increasing produc tivity which compensaed the Federation said Durng the workers increased productivity resulted rise in corporation profits before from OOO 900 to 100000 in l944 but wage were frozen and did not share proporionate in this gan With working hours sashed, average yearly of workers has dropped from 1900 oOO below prewar ea earnings and far below what today maintain family in 'healh and decency' the report re-. vealed All that workers seek the Federation sad decent living standards be restored.
 INDUSTRY NEEDS BUYING POWER Most corporations easily adjust wages maintain such standards and they will so consumers are to have the buying needed take ndusrys goods the shelves of retail the Federation conended 'There is only way forward, the A. F. of L. stressed That for and labor lay the the table in collective bargaining and agree immediately the largest increase the concerned pay the only way industry restore balance and demand for goods large enough expanding produc tion and steady profits
 In every possible the weekly pay should be longer work-week"
 As final poin the Federation cited forecasts made by financial experts that stockhoders look forward to flood of dividend payments in December'
 elf companies generous their stockholders, they should be their workers Federation serted.