SHORTER HOURS OF WORK URGED IN U.S.

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 October 1949, Page 6

SHORTER HOURS OF WORK URGED IN U.S.

NEW YORK, October 2.—The executive council of the American Federation of Labour said tonight that the time had come for workers to demand a shorter working week. The council’s annual report to the A.F.L.’s- convention, which will open in St. Paul, Minnesota, tomorrow, called for a union bargaining drive to give workers more leisure, and to create jobs for the unemployed. The present generally accepted standard is 40 hours a week, but labour organisers have for some time been talking of a 35-hour week.

Recommending a drive for shorter hours, the council’s report said the United States seemed to be producing more goods and services than there :vas income to buy them. It added: ■lf the economy is to remain sound over the long run, our developing productivity in technology must be lei-sure-providing as well as labour-sav-ing, and must lead to shorter hours and higher living standards for all, rather than unemployment for a growing number.” The A.F.L. declaration is seen by observers as an indication of, what labour leaders will seek once the present arguments over pension plans are settled. Mr John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America, has already indicated that he wants shorter hours in the next coalminers’ contract.