Full text of Facts on Women Workers : July 1946

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WOMEN'S BggffcAU
^oF^iNT

fycuctk an Warner 'Wosdz&vL
JULY 1946

EMFLDYMENT OF WOMEN IN JUKE 1546

Employment cf women in June increased, nearly half a million above that
of Nay. There was also an increase in 'inemployment of women. Cummer
normally sees increased, seasonal employment, and. mere workers in the
market when school is not in cession.

Number cf
women
Population (l4 yearc
and. over)
Employed.
Unemployed.
Armed, forces
Nonwcrkers

57,75C,ooc
16,71c,coo
560,000
60,000
36,^20,000

June 15^6
Change since
Total persons
May 1546
Number
Percent
women
106,210,000
5C .6
+ 2C,C00
4- U'50,000
56,7^0,000
25.5
+ i4c,ooo
2,560,00c
21.3
- 1C,COO43,000,000
2.0
- 560,000
43,510,000
S2.3
(u.s„ Bureau cf the Census)

COST OF LIVING COMMITTEE
un request of representatives from minimum-wage States at the annual
Women's Bureau Minimum Wage Conference (March 15-l6) in Washington,
the Bureau is working toward, a new cost-of-living budget for working
women for minimum-wage purposes. A Joint State-Federal Committee was
sqt up, including technical consultants from Federal agencies such as
the Bureau cf Labor Statistics, the Social Security Beard, and the
Bureau of Heme Economics. The first meeting, June 17-1S, reviewed use
of cost-of-living budgets, difficulties of States in devising defensi­
ble budgets, varieties of theories used in constructing budgets, and
proposed new techniques as developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Problems on individual budgeting, such as clothing, food, and housing,
were discussed, as well as methods for pricing the new type budget.
The committee includes representatives from California, Utah, Minnesota,
Chic, Connecticut, and three ncn-Federal consultants. No report cn the
Committee's work will be available for several months.

PROGRESS IN LABOR ^STANBARDS

Certain department stores in Chicago, Bctrcit, Milwaukee, /Columbus, and
in six other cities recently instituted a year-round, 5“lay, Uo-hcur
week for employees. In no store were weekly salaries reduced because
cf the shorter working schedules. This is in line with the policy
adopted by leading New York department stores in 15^1.
Certain stores
in Washington, D. C., and Baltimore have also had this 5-^ay Uo-hcur
week for seme time.



UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AMENDMENTS

The Director cf the Women's Bureau prepared, a statement for use of
the House Ways and. Means Committee in considering pending amendments
to the unemplcyment comoensation provisions cf the Social Security
Act.
She urged support for provisions that would enable the States
to provide insurance protection to persons engaged in household em­
ployment, agriculture, small "businesses with fewer than eight em­
ployees, -and in non-profit establishments. Uniform standards were
sought in order to limit the number and character cf unemployment
compensation disqualifications adopted among the States. This
revision would prevent undue hardships to wage earners resulting
from cancellations or excessive reduction of benefit credits,
particularly in cases cf merely temporary separation from the labor
market. (Copy cf full statement available on request.)
WOMEN EMPLOYEES IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
At the end of May 19H6 there were 639,373 women employed full time
by the executive branch cf the Federal Government.
Of these, 116,^76
were in the Washington, D. C.,area. The decrease during May was
27,279 for the entire country and 3*^68 for Washington. This com­
pares with an all-time high of 1,086,397 women employed by the
Federal Government in July I9UU and with 186,210 in June 19^0.
(U. S. Civil Service Commission)

Uc,000 STUDENT NURSES NEEDED

The shortage of graduate nurses is acute all over the country and
hospitals are closing wards because of it. The American Council on
Education and the National Nursing Council urge colleges that must
refuse admission to women students to make known the opportunities
offered in the nursing profession.
In spite of the increasing
demand for nurses in industry, in veteran and civilian hospitals
and clinics, and the prospect cf a vastly expanded program of
national health services, some schools of nursing report the fewest
number of applicants in their history. The goal of the National
Nursing Council is H0,000 student enrollments in I9U6-U7. Women
veterans may enroll in these courses under the GI Bill of Rights.
WOT<SU ELECTED TO JAPANESE DIET
Thirty-eight women, ranging in age from 27 -to 6l, and in occupation
frem typist to university professor, were elected to the Japanese
Diet on April 10. There are 6 Social-Democrats, 5 Liberals, 2 Pro­
gressives, and 2 Communists; the ether 23 are either independents or
members of minority parties. (Far Eastern Survey, May 22, 19^-6)

H Y R
THE TWO LIVES OF WOMEN, by Edward L. Bernays, McCall’s Magazine,
A 0 E
June and July 19^-6. The first article examines woman's ideal life,
V U A.
as contrasted with her actual existence; the second provides a blueE
D
print for action.