The Daily Alaska empire., 1948-04-10
EMPLOYERS
 TURN DOWN
 CARPENTERS
Contractors Meeting Is At- tended by Representa-
 lives of 25 Local Firms

Negotiations between local car penters and the Juneau Contractors and Employers Association went in to reverse today as the result of an Asso citation meeting at the Elks Club last night.
 The Association members were told by their attorney that it would be illegal for them to bargain with the Juneau Local of the AFL Car penters Union because that union has not heen certified by the Ma tional Labor Relations Board.
 It. was explained that each em- ployer would be subject to max mum penalty of S100,O00 by the Federal Government if he should enter into a collective bargaining agreement without first receiving approval from the NLRB.
 It was pointed out, however, that the carpenters could continue to work under their old contract which expired on March 31. This agree ment would remain in effect until NLRB certification had been re- ceived. At that time, negotiations could be resumed.
 Have Fixed Income
 The meeting was attended by re- presentatives of 25 business firms in Juneau who discussed the gener- al labor picture of the community. It was pointed out that the com munity income is more or less fix ed because it is derived only from Government payrolls and the wages of Juneau Spruce Corporation em- ployees at the present time.
 It was stated that the latter pay oil Is already considered quite high and there is little likelihood of an increase at the local sawmill. The company's present labor dispute, it was also pointed out, is not help ing to stabilize local economy
 The group decided that it would not be good thing for Juneau ii unions are granted wage increases at this time because the people, themselves, cannot afford to pay the increases in prices which would have to he made in order tc allow for wage hikes. The employers, them selves, said they personally, had nothing to lose by az increase as it would be passed on to the con- sumer.
 Increase Not Necessary
 Several other arguments were al so advanced for not granting wage increases at present. Several gro- cerymen, who were present, said that while the cost of living index went up 13 percent from June 1947 to January 1948, the local food pric- es had decreased in Juneau g per cent in the first three months Of this year which has almost can celled last years rise.
 The Territorial World War II Veterans Sales Tax will expire on June 30, they said, which will mean a one percent reduction in costs to the consumer. The new cuts in the Federal Income Tax will also bene- fit the average person as well as new reductions in freight rates be- tween Alaska and the States.
 All of these items, it was pointed out, provide more take home pay for the average person and it is, therefore, not necessary to grant wage increases at the present time. they declared.
 Sympathy With Spruce
 The group also declared its sym pathy with the Juneau Spruce Cor poration management and offered to assist, if possible, in helping the company through it's present diffi- culties, which it labelled as unfair. It was pointed out that the conn., pany had done much for the com munity and is undeserving of its present labor difficulties.
 A committed is being appointed to meet with the Juneau AFL Build ing Trades Council and explain the situation of the contractors to that group.
 The possibility of expanding the nine member Juneau Contractors and Employers Association to ac- commodate other businessmen was discussed and is expected to be acted upon at their annual meet ing, April 19.