Full text of Facts on Women Workers : April 30, 1947

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EMPLOYMENT OF WOffiN IN MARCH 1947

The woman labor force has remained stable at about the 16 million level
for 3 months. As compared with March a year ago, there were about
300,000 fewer women in the labor force this year, but the difference Is
in large part explained by the unfavorable weather in March 1947, which
prevented women from doing farm work.
_______ ________________ March 1947
Number of
Change since
______ Total persons
women
February 1947
Number
Percent
women
Population (14 years
and over)
Civilian labor force
Employed
Unemployed
Armed forces
Nonworkers

54,370,000
15,950,000
15,470,000
480,000
20,000
38,400,000

+ 140,000
+ 40,000
+ 40,000
No change ‘
No change
+ 100,000

107,190,000
58,390,000
56,060,000
2,330,000
1,570,000
47,230,000

50.7
27.3
27.6
20.6
1.3
81.3

(U. S. Bureau of the Census)
WCMEN'S EARNINGS AND HOURS
Women's average weekly earnings for 25 selected manufacturing industries
were $36.94 in December 1946, compared with $31*49 in December 1945*
Women's average hourly earnings for the same months were 93*9 cents in
1946, and 79*7 cents in 1945* Women's average weekly hours for the same
months were 39*4 in 1946, and 39.6 in 1945.
'
(National Industrial Conference Board)

CHANGES IN SEX RATIO OF POPULATION

Estimates of the population of the United States for 1946, made by the
Census Bureau, show an excess of about 470,000 females over males.
Nearly three-fifths of this excess of females was in the nonwhite
population. The sex ratio (the number of males per 100 females)
declined from 100.7 in 1940 to 99*6 in 1945 and to 99*3 in 1946,
chiefly because of military losses and the perennial excess of male
deaths over female deaths. "Since there is some reason to believe
that the gap between male and female mortality rates will narrow in
the future," the Census Bureau says, "the sex ratio is not expected
to fall much farther before beginning a gradual rise."




STATE LEGISLATION

Recent legislative action taken in the States includes the following:
Nevada amended its minimum-wage law to establish two 10-minute rest
periods within the 8-hour work day of women in private employment other
than the coonunications industry. New York eliminated the directory
period from its minimum-wage law, and now makes minimum-wage orders
mandatory upon approval by the Commissioner* It continued until
April 1, 1948, the authorization for factories on multiple shifts to
employ women until 12 o' clock in the evening* North Dakota adopted a
concurrent resolution petitioning the Congress to propose an amendment
to the Federal Constitution "endorsing equal rights for women? Indiana
continued until March 15, 1949 its wartime suspension of the law which
regulated employment of women at night in industry.

Some proposed bills — North Carolina would regulate industrial homework
through orders to be issued by the Commissioner of Labor on recommendation
of an Industry Committee* Nevada proposes to limit the spread of hours to
12 far women employed on split shifts* Ohio proposes to remove from
prohibited employments for women Jobs as express drivers, taxi and Jitney
drivers, gas or electric meter readers, ticket sellers on night duty,
delivery service with wagons or automobiles, operators of freight or
baggage elevators* Pennsylvania would establish a minimum wage rate of
65 cents an hour for women and minors*
Minimum wage — A mininnin-wage bill, setting a 50-cent minimum rate apply­
ing to both men and women and covering all workers, except in agriculture,
was introduced in the Missouri legislature on March 26* A minimum-wage
bill was also introduced in Oklahoma on March 31, but details of its
provisions are not yet available*
■ Equal pay —

the Senate*
introduced*

Indiana1 s bill HB-181 passed the House, but failed of passage in
Wyoming* a bill lost out in the House, where it was originally

COST OF LIVING

On the basis of September 1946 prices, a New Tork State working woman living
with her family needs $34*55 per week in order to support herself adequately*
Between that time and February 1947, according to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics Consumers' Price Index for moderate income families, a 3 percent
increase has occurred in New Tork City, and a 4*9 percent increase in
Buffalo*

Since 1937 when New fork's first cost-of-living survey for women workers was
made, the total cost of maintenance has increased 70 percent* In addition to
price changes over the decade, this difference reflects as well certain
changes in composition of the budget to make it up-to-date and the inclusion
of income taxes which were not applicable to low incomes in 1937*




JOB OUTLOOK IN MAJOR INDUSTRIES

Construction and Mining Machinery — The proportion of women workers here
continues to decline from wartime levels. Women were 10.2 percent of all
workers in this industry in November 1946 and 9.3 percent in January 1947*
Most establishments no longer hire women except for clerical and office
work.
Jewelry — Women are wanted for 83 percent of the 1,500 job openings to be
filled by May. Women are preferred for many operations in this industry
because of their greater finger dexterity. By May, the proportion of
women to total employment is expected to rise to 55*6 percent.
Metalworking Machinery — The proportion of women to total employment
declined by 5.1 percent from January 1946 to January 1947, and still
further declines are probable.
Shoes — Women accounted for about half of all workers in January. They
will make up about 70 percent of all new hires between January and May.
Silverware and Plated Ware — In January women were 30.8 percent of all
workers. About 500 more women are scheduled to be hired by May, but a
large portion will be assigned to office jobs.
Suits and Coats for Men and Boys — Women made up the majority of new
hires and at present make up about 60 percent of the work force. Many
employers have set up programs to train new workers (mostly women) for
the industry, in addition to on-the-job training for veterans.
(Uhited States Employment Service)
Government — Women wartime employees of the city postoffice in
Washington, D. C., are on their way out, according to newspaper reports.
Some 1,500 temporary wartime workers are to be replaced by personnel from
a permanent civil service register, hut the Postmaster was quoted as
saying that "only a male register will be used."

TURNOVER AMONG WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING
The nunbers of women in manufacturing industries increased in January 1947,
over the end of 1946, according to January figures recently compiled by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics. For every 1,000 women workers in manufacturing
industries, 67 were hired and 60 were separated from their jobs, leaving a
net rate of increase of 7. Men’s corresponding net rate of increase was
10 per 1,000.

Women’s hiring rate was greater than their separation rate in 14 of the
19 individual industry groups reporting to ELS. Net increase per 1,000
women was 11 in leather goods, 13 in apparel, and 14 in tobacco. In 16
of 19 individual industry groups, woman were separated from their jobs at
a rate greater than men’s, but in all these 16 groups women also were
hired at a rate greater than men’s.
WOMEN IN EDUCATION

According to a list released by the U. S. Office of Education, there are six
women serving as State Superintendents of Public Instruction. They are:
Nettie S. Freed, Colorado s Jessie M. Parker, Iowa: Elisabeth Ireland,
Montana; Mildred Bray, Nevada; Pearl A. Wanamator, Washington;
Edna B. Stolt, Wyoming.




married women workers

Abolished recently was the last restriction against married women workers
remaining in contracts between the railroad industry and the Brotherhood
of Railway and Steamship Clerks (AFL). The "Married Women Rule,” part of
the contract between the union and the Boston and Maine Rai 3 road, had
specified that married women would not be employed and that women who
married while holding a permanent position would be expected to resign.
A Board of Arbitrators decided in favor of the Brotherhood in its contention
that the clause should be eliminated.
WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD

C 3O H

W OK

Britain — The Air Minister for Great Britain, according to a story in the
New York* Times, told the House of Commons recently that the Royal Air Force
plans to train women for communications work and non-combatant flying duties.
The Government also plans a reserve flying branch for qualified women
pilots... The freighter La Cordillera of the British merchant marine is
reported to have sailed from England in March with 15 women crew members.
The women, all former members of the Women’s Royal Naval Auxiliary, will
serve as cooks and stewardesses.
China — On December 31, 1946, there were 177,045 women members of the
Chinese Association of Labor, according to a report from the American
Consulate General in Shanghai. These women constituted 13 percent of the
total membership.
Iran — The newly established women’s and children’s bureau of the Ministry
of Information and Labor in Iran is headed by Miss Iran Tesmoortach. Another
woman official in the Ministry is Miss Ozma Adie, who is head of the
magazine section and responsible for the issuance of the government’s monthly
labor publication. These offices are under the directorship of Mr. H. Naficy,
Undersecretary of the Ministry. • • Labor regulations are in force in this
country regarding minimum wage, maximum hours, overtime pay, night work, and
equal pay... Industries in Iran employing large numbers of women are textile
mills, carpet factories, tobacco, chemical factories, and the converted gas­
mask factories now making clothing and rubber goods.
Sweden — Newspaper stories have announced that Karin Kock, 56-year-old
professor of economics, this month became the first woman to hold Cabinet
rank in Sweden. She was appointed Minister without Portfolio.
thited States — On April 14, Miss Margaret Day left Washington, D. C.,
for Germany, where she will make a 2-month survey of the needs of young
women. Her inspection tour is sponsored Jointly by the Army and the YWCA.

Postwar Labor Turn-Over Among Women Factory Workers. MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
March 1947.
The Domestic Service Dilemma. THE LABOR MARKET, March 1947. (Monthly
publication of the U. S. Employment Service).
WOMEN’S WARTIME HOURS OF WORK: The Effect on Their Factory Performance
and Home Life. Women’s Bureau Bulletin No. 206, 167 pp., 1947.
Women On The Railroads. SCHOLASTIC TEACHER PREP, April 14, 1947.