Montana labor news., 1946-12-26

" VI NeN
Ter Immediately. rather than wait until
The expiration Of the current bene1l
wear before claiming such benefits.
Opposes Merit Ratings
Although a majority of the commits
sion is opposed TO any form OF expert
euce or merit rating being adopted at
this time. admission is made that pub
lie opinion-that is. non-seasonal EN-
ployers-may force reconsideration. A
merit system would bring about tax
reductions for such steady employers
as retail merchants, banks, etc. but
would place an additional tax burden
on seasonal employers such as the
lumber Industry. construction trades.
etc. The ALL and CIO. as we'll as
seasonal employers are strongly op-
posed 10 any form Of merit system.
While opposing experience ratings.
The commission voices the belief that
10 tax increases will be necessary to
finance the proposed extension and
expansion program outlined above.
Tie ICc as of January /. 19i7.
Will approximate S23 million. The fund
would siill be in excess of $50 million.
had The additional benefits being pro
posed TO the 1917 assembly been paid
O Il during the past seven years. These
additional payments would approx
mate S~9.l75.H00. If the commission
experiences no greater outlay than the
peak wear Of the past. and no less out
las than the lowest previous year,
these additional OUTLAWS will average
bout S3lo.0oo per year. Estimated
amount Of tax funds to be received by
the rec during 1916 is $4,000, 600.
Note. Although the commission inn
plies That a reserve fund OF $40 million
is sufficient Ia meet almost any future
Unemployment emergency, the Mon
'.ra state. Federation OF Labor feels
tI.ai Il reserve fund Of $50 million may
be necessary 70 bridge a future de-
lgessi Jon approaching the intensity IF
lla' ol lie early 20s.)
Sickness and Disability Insurance
Emphasizing The pressing need for
sirktess and disability insurance is
an integral part Of providing greater
security 70 workers in the highly-in-
ds irializtd postwar period the com
ni iols iu The report presents such a
lrul al Tar consideration by The .cgis-
lN Ma king the proposal. the report
rarts Ont that on countless occasions
me commission has been forced to
deny benefits TO persons thrown out Of
work temporarily by common illnesses
aud nonindpsiry disabilities, Will
their ablebodied brothers. unemploy-
ed f0r other reasons beyond their con
.fai. have heen granted benefits.
Under NE proposal a. about 100
COS Workers would be covered On to
finance The program a one per cent
taN On ail wages up TO $1,000 per year
tsan maximum annual deduction
would ~ collected by employers from
employees tal benefits would have
a uluiumn 81 - per week, maxi
mufl 81 s15 duration Of lG WEEKS; l4l
WaltinA period ~ TWO weeks ~dlsdDlllty
with ttird iull week being first com
pensahie wcel 90 exemption foi
holders of private or voluntary disabi
lily insurance of equal yalue-i.e.,
such as railroad workers, as now GOV
cred by the Crosser bin, and the Goa
miucis under their welfare fund gain
ed in negotiations last May.
Present annual wages in Montana
total $4,000 600. ON a settled annua
payroll Of 800 million the proposed
program would provide an annual FUND
of 100000. Anticipated benefits L
be paid out annually would total ap