IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WORKING WOMEN

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31983, 9 May 1969, Page 3

IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WORKING WOMEN

(By LUCIA MOV AT) (Reprinted from the “Christian Science Monitor”) WASHINGTON. For Mrs Elizabeth D. Koontz, it was “an agonising decision.” The North Carolina teacher was just half-way through her term as president of the National Education Association (N.EJk.) when President Nixon asked her to give it up to become director of the Women’s Bureau of the United States Department of Labour. As a teacher of slow learners at Price High School in Salisbury, North Carolina, for more than 20 years, she was

understandably reluctant to give up the education post. As the first Negro to head the N.E.A., she claims she was a “symbol” to blacks who looked forward to seeing a member of their race in the job. But now, with several months in office and one goodwill visit to France behind her, she has no regrets. She views the mission of the Women’s Bureau (which has no enforcement power but relies on the gentle art of persuasion) as mainly educational. TIMES CHANGED Mrs Koontz, who speaks in slow, measured tones, conceded that times have changed radically since Congress established the Women’s Bureau in 1920. In

those days the long hours and low wages of women factory workers were of prime concern.

But despite numerous legal safeguards to prevent such exploitation today, sex discrimination lingers oh, said the Women’s Bureau director. It is simply more subtle. It is most noticeable, said Mrs Koontz, with'jobs mentally categorised as “for men only.” Until recently the post of jockey qualified as one. In education, said the North Carolina teacher, women principals are being replaced by men almost as rapidly as they retire. Since it is,harder to keep them in the teaching field and their expenses are regarded as high, many men have been eligible for bonuses simply because of their sex, she pointed out. , Similarly, many women are “underemployed” in terms of their abilities. They may start at one job and take on increasing responsibilities but never get the title and compensating salary of the “new” position.

"ECONOMIC NECESSITY” Such centres, perhaps set up by states and subsidised by public and employer funds are an “economic: necessity” if women with families are to be brought hack into the work force. Families would pay for this service according to their ability (not just salary).

One of the strong interests of the Women’s Bureau at present is the field of household employment which employs some two million American women.

Special training is underplayed, said' Mrs Koontz, but needed. Reading and Writing skills, for example, are necessary to take telephone messages accurately and read appliance directions. The new Women’s > Bureau director would like to encour-

age those hiring household help to provide on-the-job training or to make available time off with pay and transportation to accommodate those who have household chores in their own homes to take care of after working in someone else’s home. Mrs Koontz suggests the use of home economics departments after school, perhaps staffed by retired experts or volunteers, as one training possibility. LEGISLATION ■ There is also room for action on the legislative front. Although 27 states have minimum wage laws, few household workers are included. Only Wisconsin has issued a specific minimum wage order ($58.50 a week for 45 hours if room and board are not furnished). No federal law regulates the hours of domestic workers. Only Kansas, Montana and Washington specifically limit the number of hours of service for household workers.

Under no circumstances in its work, said the tall Mrs Koontz, is the Woomen’s Bureau trying to drag homemakers into the working world, rather, it is acknowledging the fact that many want jobs and lack the training for them. As for the husbands who feel that the sign of their success is having wives who do not work, Mrs Koontz pointed out diplomatically that changing their views is one way to ease the burden on themselves and have more time to spend with their families.

Plant Test.—Test whether your.houseplant needs watering by rapping the side of the pot with your knuckles. If it rings, rather than makes a dull thud, then get out the watering can.

Plunket Officers. Officers elected by the Tai TapuGreenpark sub-branch of the Plunket Society were: Patroness, Mrs G. Suckling; president, Mrs R. M. Manson; vice-presidents. Mesdames V. Radford and A. Whitelaw; secretary, Mrs R. Kelso; treasurer. Mrs L. Burney; trustees. Mesdames R. M. Manson and L. Burney: com mittee, Mesdames B. Adams, P. Cunningham, W. Dawber, D. P.. Graham. W. L. Harris, B. Hight, N. H. Meyer, P. O. Loughlin, R. J. Radford, W. H. Scott. R. Westoby, J. McR. Williams, M. Gilbert, B. Drozdowski, A Jennings, S. Miller, B. White, B. Miller. I. Reinke, I. Watkins, Joblin, Potts, Clarke.