The Omaha guide., 1946-05-04
Is Labor Selfish?


(by Noah C. A. Walter for CaUins Nevs Serrice'
Since W Day there have been more strikes in these 8
months than during the 8 IL years America was at war.
Many people are being influenced to believe that these
strikes have held up the nations industries from reconvert.
ing factories from war time to peace time production, Great
ing unemployment for ex-war workers and war veterans.
Many other people condemn these strikes charging that the
Unions are making a mess of things demanding too much.
Of course this is all SO silly. We know why there we're so
few strikes during the war. The unions led by Philip MUIR
ray of the Go and William Green of the A. F. of L. all a.
greed with the Federal Government to discourage strikes to
help win the war. Nevertheless there were then and still
many wage and working conditions that we're inequitable to
Labor. In many industries during the war, workers we're
going home with fat pay envelopes based upon low hourly
or weekly rates for long hours. Despite the increased cost
of living the majority of workers wage rate during the war
remained at prewar levels.
The contents Of the war workers fat pay envelopes of
wages earned from long hours of toll, weekly was absorbed
by the high cost of living and black market prices. When
VI Day came the workers who were fortunate to be kept in
hteir jobs found that their post war "take home' pay was
almost $500 less than they received during the war. The
cost of food, housing, clothing etc., remained the same or
had been increased. What was labor to do? Industry was
asked to increase regular wages to that "take hOme'' pay
would meet the cost of living. The Federal Government
after investigation agreed Labor was correct in its demands.
Industry at first refused to consider any reasonable adjust
ment between the cost of living and workers Stake hOme''
pay. The workers could not live on 500 less wages and
we witness strikes of auto, steel, oil, electrical and thous-
ands OF other workers.. Industry finally proposed grant
ing wage increases ranging from SIS to 8 dollares per week
based upon a 40 hour week. Most of the strieks have been
settled and not one big factory has closed its doors because
of these strikes, or wage increases granted labor.
After looking at the record no one can truly believe that
Labor is selfish. Negroes, more than anyone else should
realie that Labor's fight today is the Negroes fight. The
more LabOr's wages come to be equitable with the value of
industries production, the more goods the workingmen and
their families can afford and therefore keep open the door
OF Americas great factories that provide jobs for American
Labor. Right today thousands of Negroes and White ex-
var workers and veterans are jobless, unable to find decent
employment with fair wages. These workers and veterans
do not want Relief. They want jobs at decent pay levels.
labor is the only hope to strengthen and maintain the Am
erican system of economy if it is to continue to serve to
provide all Americans, Negro and White with equal oppor.
tunity to enjoy the great wealth of our rich country. No
American, Negro or White wants to see our country return
to the chaotic levels we suffered during the depression.