The Hagerstown Globe

WAGE INCREASES MUST BE APPROVED BY WAR LABOR B'D.

Chairman Issues Statement to Correct Misunderstanding

All employers of seasonal workers who wish to increase wages at the beginning of the new season must have the approval of the Regional War Labor Board, according to Chairman Sylvester Garrett.

The announcement followed a statement from the National War Labor Board in Washington, and said, in part:

"Any increase in rates over those paid at the close of the previous season must be presented to the Regional Board for approval in accordance with routine procedure."

The statement was issued to correct a misunderstanding which had arisen as a result of a recent National War Labor Board interpretation.

The interpretation had indicated that employers, subject to NWLB jurisdiction, who were engaged in seasonal occupations (canneries, etc.) could establish rates at levels not exceeding these which prevailed in the area, without obtaining board approval.

"This statement is incorrect insofar as the establishment of such rates would result in increasing the rates paid by the employer to his employees at the close of the previous season," Garrett said.

Garrett pointed out that increases allowed under the Board's cost of living formula may be difficult to calculate because, in many instances operations might not have been taking place in January, 1941.

Cost of living increases in these cases, may be computed by using the average straight-time hourly earnings in the Spring of 1941 near the beginning of the seasonal operations provided that no increases had been made to compensate for increased cost of living between the close of operations in 1940 and the beginning of operations in 1941.

All applications for wage increases for seasonal operations should be filed with the nearest Wage and Hour Public Contracts Division office.