Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / Nov. 8, 1945, edition 1 / Page 1
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J $2.00 Per Year ; JOURNAL'S POLICY The Charlotte Ubor Jaurnal welcomes suggestions and con structive criticism. Ite object Is to promote organization of the unorganized, to help bring about a better anderetandiag between employer and employe, thereby gaining a better stand ard of living for the worker. Progrene shall always govern The Journal's VoL XV; N*. 25 mm l| * (AND DIXIE FARM NEWS) A Newspaper Dedicated To The Interests of Charlotte Central Labor Union and Affiliated / Carolina Federation of Labor and Approved By The American Federation of Labor. Published Weekly CHARLOTTE, N. C„ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1945 LABOR-MANAGEMENT PARLEY UNDER WAY - —; - — ...; * Administration Proposal Seen As Strong Clue To Truman’s Policy For Wage Hikes Throughout Private Industry Washington, D. C. — Leaders of labor and industry with the eyes of the nation upon them, opened an epochal con ference called by President Truman for the formulation of a "broad and permanent foundation for industrial peace and progress." The first two days of the meeting were given over to speeches in which the spokesmen for the various groups rep resented outlined their views. Practicing what he preached to private industry, the President ad vocated a program under which Uncle Sam would give his faithful servants sufficient added income to meet increases in the cost of living. The administration plan was un veiled before Congress by Civil Service Commissioner Arthur S. Fleming, Chairman Sheridan Dow * ney, of the Senate Civil Service Committee, has introduced a bill for 20 per cent federal wage in-, creases, indicated his committee would move from prompt action by Congress. Fleming told the committee that the President had publicly brand ed government wages as "pitiful and inadequate.” The Civil Service official added: "The President’s statement is a challenge to all of us who are con nected with the government to raise our sights in terms of the things that need to be done in order to make the government stand out as one of the most progressive em ployers in the nation, and thus at tract to its service and hold in it s service persons of outstanding qual ifications.” Fleming ga*e this Justification of a flat 20 per cent increase in pay of white-collar employes whose salaries are fixed by the Classifi cation Act: 1— That the average annual straight time earning of federal employes covered by the bill had increased from $1,929 in January, 1941, to $2,340 in July, 1943, or n percentage increase of 21.3 per cent. 2— The cost of living since Janu ary 1, 1941, he said, “has increased by approximately 30 per cent which means that there must be an additional 8 per cent increase in the present average annual straight tine earnings of federal employes covered by this bill in order to make sure that their 1945 dollars will purchase as much as their 1941 dollars.” 8—That 12 per cent additional is being asked in line with the Pres ident’s statement Tuesday that “wage increases are imperative.’ “We submit,” he said, “that the government, as an employer, is being extremely conservative.” Fleming recommended far more liberal pay increases for govern ment officials in the higher brac kets. He urged 100 per cent increases for members of Congress, from $10,000 to $20,000 a year. Cabinet members would be raised from $15, 000 to $25,000. The same boost was suggested for the speaker of the house and the vice president. In , creases of $10,000 a year were urged for Supreme Qourt justices and for judges of lower federal courts. Government employe unions of the American Federation of Usbor, which originally started the drive for higher pay rates, threw their full support behind the administra tion’s program. OUR ADVERTISERS The Journal wishes to extend its sincere appreciation to afT* those business firms of Charlotte who have co-operated with this news paper in presenting the various messages relative to the Commun ity War Fund and Victory feond drive to the public through the ad vertising columns. All have dem onstrated a real patriotic Ameri can spirit and we commend them to our government and to the pub lic at large. Soon a series of advertisements will appear in The Journal from business firms outsdie of Charlotte and we also extend to them our deep appreciation for their co operative spirit. m. EXECUTIVE COUHOL TO DRAFT POLICY FOR IHOUSTRIAL STAHUTT AFL Leaders Will Consider Many Major Problems At Meeting Cincinnati—TVs Executive Coun cil of the American Federation of Labor to draft a policy for the establishment of industrial peace at its meeting here which begins October IS. The Executive Council’s pro gram will then be submitted by the AFL’s delegates to the Labor Management Conference, called by President Truman for November 5. as the basis of a new national labor policy. Many other subjects will be con-^ sidered at the fall session of the councli, but the question of labor management relations daring re conversion and the ensuing post war period is regarded as para TEe present unrest and disturb ances which are delaying the re conversion program are troubling the leaders of the American Fed eration of Labor no less than the leaders of the government. The AFL chiefs \>elieve a way can be found for the orderly set tlement of disputes in peacetime if the proper spirit of co-operation is developed between labor and management and if effective ma chinery is set up by the govern ment. One of the key factors in the present situation is the lack of a clear-cut wage policy. The entire subject of wage rates as compared with prices and with the shorter work week will be taken up by the Executive Council which is ex pected to issue a sharp declaration on the subject. Entering into the wage picture is congressional action on taxes. It appears likely that Congress will vote substantial tax relief to corporations for 1946. The extra funds available to business can be used to increase wage rates with out cutting into profits or affect ing costs, in the opinion of many labor economists. The Executive Council also is expected to state its views with regard to the need for reducing taxes on low incomes so that the wage earners may ob tain some direct relief. The present atttiude of Congress toward vital labor legislation, such as unemployment compensa tion and full employment bills, will be searchingly explored by the council. AFL leaders feel that Congress has not only let Presi dent Truman down but the nation and its workers.as well. » Another timely and important subject which the Executive Coun cil may delve into is the status of world peace and America’s rela tions with its allies in the war. The AFL chiefs may decide to speak their minds on the failure of the recent Foreign Ministers Conference In London and the fate of labor organisations in Europe if freedom and democracy are hot quickly restored to sub merged nations. „ > In this same connection, the failure of Great Britain to per mit increased immigration of Jews into Palestine Is expected to be considered at the council meeting. The AFL has consistently and strongly favored the establish (Please Tarn to Page S) PLAN SPENDING FOR POSTWAR NOW BY BUYING VICTORY BONDS/ Vin sou W arns lotion Against Losing Last Round Oi War Washington, D. C.—Pointing to the absolute need for a successful Victory Loan Drive, Treasury Sec retary Vinson in a radio address opening the campaign) on the eve of the drive warned^ against the danger of winnujg'all the rounds except the Instone and thereby losing the fight. His warning was a reference to the past seven suc cessful War Bond Drives and the bulwark bond sales provided against inflation. From an inflationary point of view, Secretary Vinson pictured the Victory Loan as the most important of all. At the same time he cited the need for funds for meeting costs of muatering-out pay, medical care and education of veterans. His address follows: “You and I are not alone tonight as we launch this Victory Loan. We are joined in spirit by those who made pos sible this occasion, the spirit of the American dead who brought us to this wondrous opportunity of build ing a better world. Thousands of Americans who fought for this op portunity lie beneath the earth of foreign lands and under the high seas. More thousands, seriously in jured, are the living dead. “Their sacrifices, patriotism and nobility are forever enshrined in the annals of our history and in our hearts. Their loss is an irretriev able loss. That cost is on the bopks for keeps. The war had other eosts. Some of these, fortunately, we can ; make good—can wipe off the book*. Although these costa art also heavy, we oan meet and conquer them. “It is to conquer these costs that we are met here tonight, you and I, and your neighbor across the street, or down the road on the next farm. This Victory Loan is for us, the living, but the spirit of those who died is with us. “How will the money you put in the Victory Bonds be used? It will pay the coats of bringing home our boys; it will be used for raustering out pay; it will meet the cost of medical care for our injured; it will help our veterans to pick up their interrupted education or work. Put ting your money into bonds, more over, will build a sound economy for the Nation that will afford you a prosperous future. As we whipped the enemy overseas, we beat an enemy here at home—inflation. In flation is the ogre that takes the power, the value out of your hard earned money. There is one very bad thing about fighting this ogre: you have to beat him every round. It would be pathetic if, after beat ing him every round all through the war, we should now lose the last round and the fight. “The challenge before us is great It will be more difficult to meet the challenge because the drama is gone. Under the drama of war we pulled together and pulled hard. We must pull together and pull hard to turn back inflation and to turn down the path of full employ ment, fall production and high in come. If we do this, we shall be prosperous, and prosperity is a prerequisite of lasting peace. “A successful Victory Loan is a big part of this picture. A success ful Victory Loan will help us on the long road ahead. It will help you in planning for your own future. And it helps to keep the faith with those who fought for a better world.” ODT Baa Lifted Washington, D. C. (ILNS). — Lifting of the Office of Defense Transportation ban on conventions will mean holding of a number of union conventions this year. The International Association of Ma chinists has scheduled a convention for October 29, in New York City, with 1,230 delegates. Other unions are considering conventions, if ar rangements can be made in next few weeks. State federations of labor meet ings, called off previously, are again being scheduled. One of the first to act was the Illinois State Fed eration of Labor, which will meet in 63rd annual convention at Springfield, October 29. The American Federation of La bor is not planning a convention. The annual meeting eras called off when travel restrictions were im posed several weeks ago. BUY A BOND FOR $150 MO 6ET HACK $200 IN TEN YEARS - MIGHTY 0000 HZ, EH? i 1 so© ISSUE DATE jMWCMiswf r«wT OAV o* WO* *'»«.*'*»*•**'«;: ms.a , \ 'i\ % Green Presents Four-Point AFL Program To Parley After Truman Opens Session With Plea For Accord Washington, D. C.—Preside clear clue to what he consic American workers generally w of his administration behind a of federal employees by 20 pe: NORTH CAROUNAIS OEMONSDUTING ABRJTY TO RECONVERT RAPIDLY » State Unemployment Chairman Aaalyaea Sitaation. Raleigh—In its reaction to the termination of the war, and the contract cancellations which fol lowed, North Carolina industry is demonstrating its basic stability. This is the conclusion reached in a report, issued today by A. L. Fletch er, chairman of the Unemployment Compensation Commission, analys ing certain aspects of the employ ment situation in this state since V-J Day. The report shows that the num ber employed in North Carolina in war production plants exclusively, which does not include textile or food processing plants, reached ap proximately 70,000, and at the end of the Japanese war the number was around 30,000. Of this number, it was reported that 16,000 workers were released between August'20 and September 1. As about 10,000 workers are still employed in war production plants, the report fig ures that a total of 2D,000 wo kers have lost their jobs in this state as a result of contract cancellations. Analysis of the unemployment claims record since August 18 shows to what extent these released workers have found it necessary to apply for unemployment compen sation. During the last week in Oc tober, there were 0,111 workers drawing benefits while seeking jobs Included in this total are some 295 seasonal workers, so that the num ber of war-worker claimants may be taken as 8,186. Of this number 1,793 claimants arc workers who lost their jobs in other states, later came to North Carolina and filed claims against the state in which they were last employed. This leaves only 6,393 North Carolina war workers on the jobless list, and of this number 5,759 are women. Women, the Only Problem Virtually all of these women ac quired their labor skills in war work. Unless a new demand for such skills develops, these women may draw compensation for the maximum of 16 weeks without find ing acceptable employment. There remain, then, only 634 male workers released from war jobs out of a total of 20,000 includ ing women, who were drawing bene fits because new jobs had not yet been found for them at the ind of October. But on the basis of the total number of claimants who have served waiting .period weeks since the end of the war, 14,780 persons could have been drawing benefits had they not become re-employed in the meantime. Of the 10,000 still employed in war production plants, approxi mately 8,000 are in the North Caro lina Shipbuilding Company plant at Wilmington, with prospects of < continued employment well into if not throughout 1946. j It is evident, the U. C. C. report 1 states, that reconversion in North < Carolina is presenting no serious i problem for those who were part of i the active labor force and have 1 skills which can be utilized in peace- i ime industry. What can be done i about the women released from war i work, or what they will wish to do, remains uncertain. Should they < wish to remain in the labor mar- j ket, occupational training along j 1 new lines must be considered, pref-' | erably before the exhaustion of j their benefit rights under the Un employment Compensation Law. i Veterans I What is of more concern* in this i state than the readjustment of war 1 (Please Turn to Page k) nt Truman gave the nation a era a fair pay increase for hen he threw the full support proposal to lift salary scales ’ cent immediately. APL President William Green, in a powerful appeal far construe* tire action, proposed a four-point program including more scientific collective bargaining, development of union-management cooperation, improvement in the U. S. Concili ation Service and the extension of voluntary arbitration. The labor-management confer* cnee was formally opened by Pres ident Truman who warned, in a brief address, that failure of the parley would mean regulatory leg islation by Congress. Speaking before a backdrop of massed green ferns in the lofty au ditorium of the Department of La bor building, with thirty-six dele gates and an equal number of al ternates ranged at long tables fac ing him, the President in matter of-fact tones called upon labor and industrial leaders to work as a “team” in drafting a “definite pol icy in the field of labor relations.” Emphasizing that this was a con ference of labor and management, with the government not partici pating in a voting capacity, tho President, nevertheless offered sev eral broad suggestions. The key to harmonious relational between unions and management, he declared, must be genuine col lective bargaining. He said: “I do not mean giving mere lip service to that abstract principle. I mean the willingness on both sides, yes, the determination, to approach the bargaining table with an open mind, with an appreciation of what is on the other side of the table—and with a firm resolve to reach an agreement fairly.” If bargaining produces no results, the President said there must be a willingness on both sides to use im partial machinery to reach deci sions based on facts and in that way to prevent strikes and lock outs. He also emphasised the desirabil ity of peaceful negotiation of con tracts which should be faithfully carried out. As a final point, the President urged that some substitute be found for jurisdictional strikes. • Turning to the industry dele gates, the President warned: “Management too often has looked upon labor relations as a stepchild of its business, to be disregarded until the controversy has reached a point where real collective bar gaining becomes very difficult—if not almost impossible. It happens all too frequently that in the actual process of collective bargaining de laying tactics are practiced with the result that there is no real bar gaining. There can be no justifica tion for such tactics at the present time or in the future.” The President left immediately after his address which closed the morning session. In the afternoon, the conference resumed with brief addresses by Secretary of Labor Schweilenbach and Secretary of Commerce Wallace. Then Justice Walter P. Stacy, chairman of the inference, called upon President Sreen to lead off for the delegates. Mr. Green emphasized at once hat the conference should confine ts deliberations to the seven points n the agenda seeking methods by vhiclk industrial strife can be re luced to a minimum. He warned igainst trying to inject current vage disputes or controversial leg slat ion into the proceedings. If hat is done, he declared, it “would nake failure of the conference a ore gone conclusion." This marked a sharp difference if policy with the CIO whose Pres cient, Philip Murray, made it clear hat his organisation plans to drag n its difficulties with employers n current wage negotiations. Mr. Green insisted that such natters must be settled by collec ive bargaining on an industrial or >lant basis and not be injected into he national conference. He im (Please Tarn to Page fi) i 'i&mffiam
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Nov. 8, 1945, edition 1
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