HIGHER WAGES

Evening Star, Issue 25956, 22 November 1946, Page 6

HIGHER WAGES

UNION LEADER'S DEMAND BIS FIGHTING FUND URGED (Rec. 11 a.m.) ■ NEW YORK, November 21. Mr Walter Reuther, president of the United Auto Workers, urged the C. 1.0. convention at Atlantio City to establish a common war chest or 10,000,000 to’ 12,000,000 dollars to back any single union in the fight for higher wages. Mr Reuther said his union would seek a 20 per cent, increase from General Motors. He declared that the average earnings throughout the nation had depreciated by 20 per cent, since January, 1945. He added that the C. 1.0. must ‘‘ defeat the myth that you’ve got to have higher prices to give higher wages.” Mr Reuther said General Motors spent .5,000,000 dollars in five years broadcasting a symphony orchestra. Big business had fooled a lot of people by its propaganda campaign. The C. 1.0. president, - Mr Philip Murray, speaking after Mr Reuther, said: ‘‘Be decent, gentlemen. Let’s arrive at mutually satisfactory wage agreements without resort to strikes. . The C. 1.0: wants a fair deal. There is no threat of strikes, in the offing—-we want honourable, straight collective bargaining.”