The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1956-08-31
Labor Plank

E~oDVf PfdIak
Under the Republican Administra-
ton, as our country has prospered,
so have it's people. This is as it should
be, for as Pres. Eisenhower said:
Labor is the United States. The men
and women who with their minds,
their hearts and hands, create the
wealth that is shared in this country
they are America"
The Eisenhower Administration has
brought to our people the highest
employment, the highest wages and
the highest standard of living ever
enjoyed by any nation. Today there
are nearly 81 million men and women
at work in the United States, four
million more than in 1852. Wages
have increased substantially over the
past three and half years; but, more
important, the American wage Garner
today can buy more than ever before
for himself and his family because
his pay check has not been eaten away
by rising taxes and soaring prices.
The record of performance of the
Republican Administration on behalf
of our working men and women goes
still further. The federal minimum
wage has been raised for more than
two million workers. Social Security
has been extended to an additional
10 million workers and the benefits
raised for six and half millions. The
protection of unemployment lnsuf-
ance has been brought to four mil
lion additional workers. There have
been increased workmen's compensa-
ton benefits for longshoremen and
harbor workers; increased retirement
benefits. In addition, the Eisenhower
A administration has Endorsed more
vigorously and effectively than ever
before the laws which protect the
working standards of our people.
Workers have benefited by the
progress which has been made in car
rying out the programs and principles
set forth in the 1852 Republican plat
form. All workers have gained and
unions have grown IN strength and
responsibility, and have increased
their membership by two million.
Furthermore, the process of free
collective bargaining has been streng-
thened by the insistence of this Ad-
ministration that labor and manage
ment settle their differences at the
bargaining table without the inter
vention of the government. This poll
cy has brought to our country an un-
precedented period of labor-manage-
ment peace and understanding.
We applaud the effective, unhlnd-
cred. collective bargaining which
brought an early end to the 1896
steel strike, in contrast to the :"
months unheaval, presidential seizure
of the steel industry and ultimate
Supreme Court intervention under
the last Democratic Administration.
The Eisenhower Administration will
continue to fight for dynamic and
progressive programs which, among
other things, will:
Stimulate improved job safety OF
orr workers, through assistance to
the states, employees and employers;
Continue and further perfect its
programs of assistance to the millions
of workers with special employment
problems, such as older workers,
handicapped workers, members of MI
nority groups, and migratory workers;
Strengthen and improve the feder-
al-state employment service and I'M
prove the effectiveness of the I'M
employment insurance system;
Protect by law the assets OF en-
ploye welfare and benefit plans so
that workers who are the beneflcl-
aries can be assured of their right
full benefits;
Assure equal pay for equal work
regardless of sex;
Clarity and strengthen the elgn'-
hour laws for the benefit of work
ers who are subject to federal wage