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U N IT E D ST A T E S D E PA R T M E N T OF LA BO R
Frances Perkins, Secretary
B U R E A U OF LABOR STATISTICS
Isador Lubin, Commissioner (on leave)
A. F. Hinrichs, A cting Commissioner
+
W age Stabilization in California
Airfram e Industry, 1943
Bulletin
746
[ R e p r in te d f r o m t h e M o n t h ly L a b o r R e v i e w , J u n e 1 9 4 3 , w i t h a d d itio n a l data]
UNITED STATES
GOVERNM ENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1943
For sale by th e Superintendent o f Docum ents, U . S. G overnm ent Printing Office
Washington, D. C.
Price 5 cents
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
U nited States D epartment of Labor,
B ureau of Labor Statistics,
Washington, June 18, 1948.
The Secretary of Labor :
I have the honor to transmit herewith a report on wage stabilization in the
California airframe industry, 1943, by Theodore W . Reedy, of the Division of
W age Analysis, and N . Arnold Tolies, Chief of the Bureau’s Working Conditions
and Industrial Relations Branch.
A. F. H inrichs, Acting Commissioner.
Hon. F rances P erkins ,
Secretary of Labor.
CONTENTS
Summary___________________________________________________________________
Wage-rate history of the industry since 1941___________________________________
Job description and evaluation__________________________________________________
Recommendations of Board’s investigator______________________________________
Rates set by Board____________________________________________________
Effect of order on factory wage bill____________________________________________ _
Effect of order on occupational straight-time average hourly earnings_______
Comparative wage structure:
Former airframe rates___________________________________________
Rates in other industries____________________________________________________
ii
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Bulletin 7s[o. 746 of the
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
[Reprinted from the M onthly L abor R e t o w , June 1943, with additional data]
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME
INDUSTRY, 1943
Sum m ary
STANDARDIZED wage rates for all types of occupations in the
southern California airframe industry were provided in the decision
of the National War Labor Board made public on March 3, 1943.
The basic hiring rate of 60 cents per hour, with automatic 5-cent in
creases every 4 weeks up to 75 cents, was left unchanged. A 10-grade
job classification was adopted, with a minimum basic wage rate of 75
cents per hour in labor grade X and a maximum of $1.45 per hour in
labor grade I. Additional specialist rates up to $1.60 per hour were
also provided.
Shift differentials of 6 cents per hour on the second shift and 6 cents
per hour with 8 hours’ pay for 6% hours’ work for the third shift were
established for all plants except Consolidated Aircraft, in which the
previous differentials of 8 cents for the second and third shift, with
8 hours’ pay for 8 hours’ work on the third shift, were to be continued
unless the Board premiums were substituted by mutual agreement.
The directive order of the Board provided that upon application of
the job schedule provided, each classified employee should immediately
receive at least the minimum hourly wage rate attached to the labor
grade in which his job was classified. It provided further that the
job schedule should not operate to cause a decrease in the hourly wage
rate of any employee. Application of these directives to the present
wage structure will raise average straight-time hourly earnings for
some employees in practically every classified occupation. I t is esti
mated that average straight-time hourly earnings for all workers paid
by the. hour in the southern California airframe industry will be
increased by 3 cents per hour—from 85.4 (September 1942) to 88.4
cents.
W age-Rate H istory o f the In du stry Since 1941
Minimum hourly rates for beginners were standardized in i 941, but
marked differences persisted in the wage rates paid to the various
experienced workers in any given occupation and grade.1 Throughout
1942 numerous discussions of further standardization took place, in the
interest of improving morale and reducing labor turn-over. A wagestabilization conference, sponsored by the Labor Production Division
off the War Production Board, was held in July 1942 without leading
to any conclusion. Undetermined at that time was the question as to
1 See U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 704, or Monthly Labor Review, March 1942 (p. 659).
1
2
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
whether the Government would approve a general wage increase as
part of any agreed plan of wage stabilization. In September 1942,
the National War Labor Board took jurisdiction over all the West
Coast airframe cases2 and appointed, as investigator, Paul R. Porter,
who had conducted the previous WPB conference. The investigator
held a wage hearing in Los Angeles, October 12-17, 1942, and sub
mitted his recommendations to the Board in January 1943.3 After a
hearing on these recommendations, the Board issued its order on
March 3, 1943.4 This order governs the wage scales now paid by all
the airframe plants in the southern California area.
Job D escription and Evaluation
All the parties involved in the California airframe industry recog
nized that a well-defined list of occupations was essential to any plan
for a uniform wage structure. Furthermore, the opinion prevailed
that relative rates of pay should be based on a systematic evaluation
of the various jobs. Two alternative sets of job descriptions and
evaluation were presented to the Board’s investigator. One of these?
plans had been developed jointly by the International Association of
Machinists and the Lockheed-Vega Management. The second plan
had been developed through discussions among the representatives of
the various companies involved. This second plan, which came to be
known as the S. C. A. I. plan,5 was adopted by the Board’s investigator
and later by the Board itself as the initial basis of wage stabilization in
the California airframe plants.
The S. C. A. I. system of job descriptions involved a consolidation
and redefinition of 1,154 titles of factory occupations which had been
used as late as 1941. The total number of titles was reduced to 116.
Counting the A, B, and C classes, which were provided for most of
these occupations, the total number of responsible factory jobs
amounted to 291.
Job evaluation under the S. C. A. I. plan involved a quantitative
expression of judgment as to the importance of each of seven factors
related to each job: Skill, mentality, equipment and material responsi
bility, mental application, physical application, job conditions, and
unavoidable hazards. The requirements of any job were expressed in
terms of a scale of points which varied according to the relative impor
tance of each factor and the degree to which that factor was judged to
be involved. The factor of skill carried the greatest weight, with point
values based on the length of training and experience that would be
required, normally, to qualify a worker for a given job grade. The
other factors were evaluated in terms of 5 degrees, with a weight as
high as 20 to 100 points for “mentality” and as low as 5 to 45 points
for “unavoidable hazards.” The theoretical maximum point value
of any job under the S. C. A. I. plan was 890, of which 400 points
might be attributed to the “skill” requirement. The highest point
a Oases Nos. 174,307,557, 558,608,609,610, and 673.
a In the matter of West Coast Airframe Companies: Report and recommendations of Paul R. Porter,
chairman of wage hearing held at Los Angeles, October 12-17, 1942.
4 In the matter of West Coast Airframe Companies: Directive order of Board, March 3,1943.
* S. C. A. I.“ Southern California Aircraft Industry. Many of the elements of the S. C. A. I. plan had
been applied at the North American Aviation plant as a means of carrying out the realinement of wage rates
provided in the union agreement of July 1,1941. The United Automobile Workers of America had accepted
the practical application of this evaluation plan at North American, but without approving it as a general
basis for wage stabilization.
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
3
value actually given has been 655 for service and flight inspectors.
The lowest point valuation consists of 125 points for janitors.
Once the factory jobs were evaluated, the employers had a basis for
proposing a specific scale of rates. They did not propose individual
scales for each of 291 separable jobs, but rather suggested the estab
lishment of 10 rate ranges. The entire list of jobs was grouped into
10 so-called labor grades. All jobs having a point value below 200
were placed in labor grade X. Those evaluated at 600 points or more
were assigned to labor grade I. The intermediate grades were estab
lished on the basis of 50 evaluation points per grade.
Recommendations o f Board's Investigator
The investigator’s report to the War Labor Board included four
important wage recommendations: (1) No change in the existing wage
scales for beginners, (2) a general increase of 5 cents per hour for all
classified workers, (3) specific ranges of rates for each of 10 labor grades,
and (4) an automatic pay raise of 5 cents per hour every 3 months,
for each individual worker, until the maximum rate for his job is
reached. Advancement of a worker from one job to another was
not to be compulsory but was to be stimulated by a provision for a
periodic review of each worker’s eligibility for upgrading.
The specific wage scales in the various labor grades, recommended
by the Board’s investigator, were as follows:
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Minimum rate
X ______________________________ $ 0 .8 5
I X ________________________
.8 5
V I I I __________________________ . . 90
V I I _____________________- _____
.9 5
V I ___________________________
1 .0 0
V _____________________________
1. 05
I V ____________________________
1. 10
I I I ___________________________
1. 15
II.
______________________ _
1 .2 0
I _____________________ ________
1 .3 0
Maximum rate
$ 0 .8 5
.9 5
1. 00
1 .0 5
1 .1 0
1. 15
1. 25
1. 30
1 .4 0
1 .5 0
Specialist rate
______
______
______
______
_____
_____
$1. 35
1. 45
1 .6 0
The specialist rates were recommended for the purpose of authoriz
ing the payment of higher rates to exceptional individuals, without
requiring that all the workers in the labor grade should advance
automatically to the specialist rate.
1 .— Percent o f Increase in W ages o f Southern California Airfram e Em ployees,
Under Recommendations o f Board?s Investigator, b y Grade, as o f September 1942 1
T able
Increase of
all workers
to grade
maximum
Increase to
grade m ini
mum
Immediate
in-grade
increases
Total im
mediate
increase2
Grade I _____ ___________________________
Grade II____ ________ ____ _______________
Grade III____ ____________________ _____„
Grade IV. .
- . .
. . .............
Grade V_________________________________
Grade VI________________________________
Grade VII ............ ............. ....... 1______ ____
Grade VIII_____________ ________________
Grade I X ______________________________
Grade X ______________:__________________
Percent
5.3
8.9
8.4
10.6
11.9
13.5
11.4
10.8
7.7
4.8
Percent
1.6
.9
1.2
.7
.5
.5
.6
.7
.8
1.2
Percent
7.2
9.9
9.9
l i .8
12.5
14.2
12.0
11.7
8.6
6.5
Percent
18.5
25.5
20.1
23.8
21.7
24.2
22.7
22.6
19.5
10.9
AH grades _ ________________________
9.3
.8
10.3
20.4
Labor grade
* Source: Government Exhibit K, In the matter of West Coast Airframe Companies.
* Including the general increase of 5 cents to all workers both above and below the standard maximum
rate for the grade.
4
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
Had the report of the investigator been adopted by the Board, the
wage bill of the California airframe plants would have shown ah
immediate increase of 10.3 percent above the level in September
1942. Automatic increases up to the maximum rate for each grade
would further have raised the wage bill. After approximately 6
months, workers who continued in employment would have been
raised by an average of 20.4 percent.
Rates Set b y Board
In considering the report of its investigator, the War Labor Board
accepted the principle of wage stabilization through rate ranges for
each of 10 labor grades. Likewise, the Board approved the proposal
to retain the existing rates for workers with less than 3 months’
experience. However, the majority of the Board rejected the pro
posed general increase of 5 cents an hour, the proposed provision for
automatic in-grade increases, and the specific scale of rates that had
been recommended by the Board’s investigator.
Labor grade X was divided into two parts. A flat rate of 75 cents
an hour was set for certain of the lowest-rated jobs, such as that of
janitor, which did not exist in any of the higher labor grades. A
wage from 75 to 80 cents was set for other jobs, such as that of class
B anodizer and class C electrical assembler. Labor grade X-B and
C thus consisted of jobs in which the worker was subject to upgrading
as his experience on the job increased.
The scale of rates finally approved and now in effect is as follows:
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Minimum rate
X - A ___________________________ $ 0 .7 5
X - B and C __________________
.7 5
I X _____ ______________________
.8 0
V I I I __________________________
.8 5
V I I ___________________________
.9 0
V I _____________ _______________
.9 5
V _____________________________
1. 00
I V _____ ________________________
1.05
I I I _____________________________
1.10
I I ______________________________
1.20
I ______________________________
1 .2 5
Maximum rate
$ 0 .7 5
. 80
.9 0
.9 5
1. 00
1. 05
1. 10
1. 20
1. 25
1. 35
1 .4 5
Specialist rate
______
_____
______
______
______
______
_____
$1. 30
1. 35
1. 45
1 .6 0
Individual wage increases up to the established minimum rates
were mandatory. In-grade increases, from the minimum to the
maximum rate, were not mandatory but were authorized as a reward
of individual merit. Specialist rates were provided for not more
than 10 percent of the workers in each of the labor grades I to IV and
(by special ruling) for class A and B welders.6
All the rates established by the order were for work at straight
time on the first or daylight shift. Overtime pay is governed by the
Fair Labor Standards Act. Extra pay for work on second and third
shifts was standardized by a provision for a shift differential of 6
cents per hour for both of the additional shifts and by the further
provision that* the third shift should receive 8 hours’ pay for 6 % hours’
work. An exception was recognized in the case of the Consolidated
Aircraft plant in San Diego, where the existing 8-eent shift differential
was retained.
A retroactive wage adjustment was made by the Board, in view of
the extended period of consideration of the aircraft cases. Each
6 This exception was made to permit the. continued payment of higher-t han-usual rates that had been
established under some collective agreements.
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
5
worker who remained on the pay roll of a single company from
July 6, 1942, to the date of the Board’s order was allowed a lump
gum of $64.75 in cash or three war bonds of $25 face value plus $10
in cash. Special provisions were made for those employees with a
shorter period of service ($1.85 per week or major fraction thereof)
and for those terminated because of entry into the armed services
($2.50 per week or major portion thereof). Since calculation of the
total amount of this bonus depends upon length-of-service information
which is not available to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, no estimate
of this item can be made here.
Effect o f Order on Factory W age BiU
The basic data for estimating the increase in the wage bill and the
resulting levels of straight-time average hourly earnings were col
lected and compiled by the Southern California Airframe Industry
Research Committee and were presented as industry exhibits during
the recent wage hearings before the National War Labor Board.
Calculation of the estimated increase in the wage bill is based upon
Government exhibit J-I, in the investigator’s report presented to the
National War Labor Board, an adaptation of which is shown in
table 2.
T a b l e 2 .— Percentage Distribution o f Em ployees in California Airfram e Industry, by
Straight-Tim e Average H ou rly Earnings and Grade, as o f September 1942
1
Percent of employees receiving specified average hourly earnings in—
hourly.
earnings
$0,750
$0 775
$0.800____
$0.825____
$0.850........
$0.875........
’$0.900........
$0.925____
$0.950__ _
$0.975...... :
$1.000........
$1 025
$1.050........
$1 075
$1 100
$1 1915
$1 150
$1,175
$1 900
*1 995
$1 950
$1 275
$1 300
$1.325
$1 350
$1 375
$1 400
$1.425
$1,450
Grade
I
Grade
II
Grade
III
Grade
IV
Grade
V
Grade
VI
Grade
VII
Grade
VIII
Grade
IX
Grade
X
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.5
.3
.1
.2
.8
2.8
1.0
.8
.6
5.8
1.9
2.6
.3
11.7
9.1
7.5
.2
10.5
11.6
15.1
8.1
9.6
.4
15.6
9.8
25.1
10.4
28.8
1.3
25.6
11.2
15.0
4.6
36.2
1.7
31.8
16.5
10.3
1.1
73.4
.6
9.7
8.3
5.4
1.4
28.0
.9
18.9
10.8
13.0
4.3
.4
.1
3.8
.7
11.4
2.0
3.3
.2
7.4
3.6
12.7
4.3
13.0
1.9
13.5
7.7
14.8
6.3
18.4
3.6
18.6
8.4
12.1
2.8
15.9
4.2
12.2
2.5
5.6
1.2
15.7
2.1
6.5
1.4
2.3
.3
8.0
1.7
1.9
.5
.6
.3
1.7
.1
.3
.1
.1
(2)
1.0
.1
.1
(2)
(2)
7.4
1.3
4.0
1.3
2.6
.7
17.9
2.6
14.8
7.3
111 3
5.6
13.1
1.4
12.0
3.6
9.5
2.1
9.6
1.5
5.4
2.8
3.9
1.4
3.7
.5
3.5
1.0
1.4
.7
1.9
.7
1.1
.5
.2
.1
.2
.1
.2
.1
6.0
*7
5.2
6.0
.9
4.8
1.9
5.3
1.3
.3
1.9
.5
3.4
.2
.2
.2
ll2
.2
(2)
.8
1 .0
0
0.1
.1
.3
.3
.1
2.7
.3
2.5
3.1
9
10* 9
4.0
11.3
1.0
IO/9
4*4
2 .0
111 8
3! 1
5;3
.3
12.2
.7
.1
.2
.5
.4
.8
.1
.100.0
100.0
’2
111 1
.4
.3
.8
.1
$1,475
$1.500____
7.4
Total-
100.0
(2)
.3
(2)
.5
(2).
(2)
(2)
.4
.1
(2)
(2)
C2)
C2)
.1
( 2)
(2)
.1
(2)
(2)
1.5
.3
1.0
.4
.8
.3
(2)
(2)
(2)
.5
.1
.5
.2
.6
.1
(2)
.1
<2)
(2)
.2
.1
(2)
(2)
(2)
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
.2
(2)
(2)
(2)
1 Government exhibit J-l, Porter recommendation.
.8
All
grades
100.0
100.0
100.0
2 Less than a tenth of 1 percent.
.1
100.0
6
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
The industry has been directed to grant a wage increase to each
employee whose base rate is below the minimum rate of the grade in
which his job is classified. Thus, in the case of a job classified in
labor grade YI, an employee receiving 80 cents per hour base rate
would receive an increase of 15 cents per hour to 95 cents, the grade
minimum. The information shown in table 2 can be used to calcu
late the extent of these wage increases.7 The results of this calcula
tion are shown in table 3.
The increase in straight-time average hourly earnings of all hourly
paid employees, as a result of the application of the Board's order,
is estimated to be 3.6 percent.8 This amounts to an increase of 3
cents per hour to 88.4 cents, based upon average earnings of 85.4 cents
per hour for all workers. Since certain salaried employees, beginners,
and workers now being paid the grade minimum or above will receive
no wage increase, the percent of increase based upon the pay roll for
the entire industry would be somewhat smaller.
T able 3.— Estim ated
Increase in Straight-Tim e Average H ourly Earnings o f Southern
California Airfram e Em ployees 1 Under W ar Labor Board Order
[Based upon industry pay roll for September 1542]
Labor grade
Percent of Percent of
employees inincrease
average
within
hourly
grade
earnings
Grade I.................
............................
Grade II....................................................
Grade III.......................... .............. ........
Grade IV................. .................. ........... .
Grade V........ ............... .............................
Grade VI............................................... .
Grade VII__................... .......... .................
Grade VIII................................... ............
Grade IX ...................................................
Grade X ...... .......................... ........ .........
1.4
1.2
2.8
4.7
2.3
8.5
21.0
12.1
32.6
13.4
2.8
6.3
4.1
4.7
6.7
8.6
4.4
5.6
1.5
All grades................ ^....... ...............
100.0
3.6
i Includes only shop employees paid by the hour; excludes supervisory personnel.
The greatest increase, 8.6 percent, is found in labor grade VI. In
grade X there is no increase, since the minimum basic rate for that
grade is 75 cents per hour, and no classified employees now earn less
than that rate. Other increases vary from 1.5 to 6.7 percent in the
different grades.
E ffect o f Order on Occupational Straight-Tim e Average H ou rly
Earnings
The method of calculating the effect of the award on occupational
straight-time average hourly earnings is essentially the same as that
used to calculate the wage-bill increase. Given a distribution of
employees by average straight-time hourly earnings for each occupa
tion, the problem is simply to obtain a new average for that occupa
tion after increasing the base rate of all employees now below the
7 Basic hourly wage rates below 75 cents are classified as beginner rates and are not included. The order
has no immediate effect on the wages of employees now working at these rates.
8 Based upon the September 1942 pay rolls of all southern California airframe companies, excluding the
Ryan Aeronautical Co., San Diego.
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
7
minimum of the grade in which the occupation is found to that
minimum. Thus, an employee with a straight-time hourly rate of
90 cents engaged in an occupation in grade V (which has a $1 mini
mum) would have an increase of 10 cents to raise him to the mini
mum, which in turn would raise the average for the occupation.
Fluctuations in the occupational average as a result of changes in the
pattern of employment may be extremely wide. Hence, the adjust
ment shown in table 4 may be slightly in error in the case of any one
occupation, but should be substantially correct in most eases.
T able 4.— Straight-Tim e
Average H ourly Earnings* by Occupation, Based on Order o f
National W ar Labor Board (,September 1942 P a y Roll)
Percent
of
employees
Hourly
earnings,
on basis
of order
Hourly
earnings,
Septem
ber 1942
Grade I...........................................................—
Inspectors, experimental, grade A ........ .........
Inspectors, outside production, grade A_____
Inspectors, service and flight, grade A______
Inspectors, tooling, grade A ...........................
Jig builders, grade A ................................—
Machinists, general, grade A ..........................
Mechanics, experimental, grade A...... ..........
Model builders, grade A................................
Patternmakers, metal and wood, grade A__
Tool and die makers, grade A ---- ----------
100.0
1.8
2.4
7.7
7.8
19.2
4.7
6.4
1.8
7.0
41.2
$1.317
1.264
1.275
1.279
1.301
1.286
1.315
1.250
1.313
1.361
1.351
$1.28
1.20
1.23
1.23
1.29
1.25
1.30
1.02
1.25
1.35
1.34
Grade II...................................... .........................
Electricians, maintenance, grade A— ........
Form builders, wood, grade A........................
Heat treaters, steel, grade A...........................
Inspectors, final assembly, grade A................
Jig borer operators, grade A ........ ..................
Mechanics, field and service, grade A............
Mechanics, maintenance, grade A.................
100.0
26.2
6.4
2.3
24.9
3.9
18.2
18.1
1.222
1.239
1.255
1.229
1.207
1.254
1.210
1.211
1.15
1.18
1.22
1.16
1.14
1.23
1.13
1.11
Grade III__________ _____ _________________
Boring-mill operators, grade A .......................
Die finishers, grade A ........ ............................
Drop-hammer operators, grade A..................
Duplicating-machine operators, grade A........
Engine-lathe operators, grade A------------Grinder operators, grade A----------------Inspectors, experimental, grade B ----------Inspectors, machined parts, grade A .........
Inspectors, outside production, grade B ----Inspectors, salvage, grade A---------------Inspectors, service and flight, grade B______
Inspectors, template, grade A....... .............
Inspectors, toohng, grade B ...........................
Jig builders, grade B ........ ............................
Milling-machine operators, grade A___.........
Model builders, grade B ------- -----------Patternmakers, metal and wood, grade B ......
Patternmakers, plaster, grade A...... .............
Planer operators, grade A ........................—
Radial-drill-press operators, grade A_______
Screw-machine operators, automatic, grade A.
Shaper operators, grade A....... ..................
Template makers, grade A .............................
Tool and die makers, grade B .................... .
Turret-lathe operators, grade A......... .............
Welders, combination, grade A......................
100.0
1.6
1.9
2.2
1.1
7.7
3.4
1.2
3.4
2.6
2.9
2.3
2.1
2.0
28.6
10.1
.9
2.1
2.8
.4
2.1
.9
1.9
2.1
7.8
5.4
.5
1.146
1.243
1.101
1.117
1.158
1.207
1.203
1.110
1.180
1.113
1.116
1.145
1.168
1.114
1.102
1.187
1.117
1.122
1.217
1.230
1.101
1.233
1.189
1.123
1.113
1.191
1.300
1.10
1.24
1.03
1.09
1.14
1.20
1.19
1.04
1.17
1.03
1.06
1.10
1.16
1.06
1.02
1.18
1.07
1.07
1.21
1.23
.91
1.23
1.17
1.06
1.06
1.18
1.30
Grade IV..................................... ........ -..............
Assemblers, general, grade A— ...................
Assemblers, precision, bench, grade A...........
Blacksmiths, grade A ................... .................
Cabinetmakers, wood, grade A— ................
Carpenters, maintenance, grade A .................
Electricians, maintenance, grade B ................
100.0
6.8
3.9
.1
1.4
3.9
6.1
1.090
1.067
1.061
1.108
1.097
1.095
1.066
1.04
1.03
1.01
1.04
1.07
1.07
.97
Labor grade and occupation
See footnotes at end of table.
637423°—43--- 2
Hourly
earnings,
December
1941
(first shift
unless
otherwise
noted)
$1.168
1.247
1.281
1.169
1 1.213
1.042
1.015
1.067
1 1.003
1.143
i 1.190
1 1.110
11.172
1.153
1.226
1 1.181
U .035
1.042
1.066
.992
1.069
1.059
1.051
8
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
T a b l e 4.— Straight-Tim e Average H ou rly Earnings, b y Occupation, Based on Order o f
National W ar Labor Board {September 1942 P a y Roll)— Continued
Labor grade and occupation
Grade IV—Continued.
Form builders, wood, grade B .................................
Heat treaters, steel, grade B....................................
Inspectors, detail, grade A......................................
Inspectors, final assembly, grade B ........................
Inspectors, general assembly, grade A._..................
Inspectors, precision assembly, grade A ..................
Inspectors, shipping, grade A............... ..................
Inspectors, welding, grade A ................................ .
Installers, armament, grade A..... .......... ................
Installers, hydraulic, grade A..................................
Installers, power-plant, grade A........................... .
Machinists, bench, grade A.....................................
Mechanics, automotive, grade A ........................ .
Mechanics, field and service, grade B .....................
Mechanics, maintenance, grade B ...........................
Metal fitters, grade A ............................................
Molders, aircraft, grade A..................................... .
Pipefitters, maintenance, grade A..........................
Plumbers, maintenance, grade A............................
Power-hammer operators, grade A......................... .
Sheet-metal workers, bench, grade A........ .............
Sheet-metal workers, maintenance, grade A ...........
Welders, arc, grade A ........................... .................
Welders, gas? grade A ..............................................
Welders, maintenance and jig, grade A ..................
Percent
of
employees
Hourly
earnings,
on basis
of order
Hourly
earnings,
Septem
ber 1942
2.5
.6
2.0
7.5
6.4
1.3
.8
.3
.8
3.3
1.8
1.7
.5
12.3
8.5
3.0
.9
1.7
1.7
.7
6.5
.6
3.3
5.3
3.8
$1.058
1.050
1.067
1.05§
1.075
1.071
1.064
1.132
1.050
1.053
1.057
1.088
1.105
1.050
1.055
1.078
1.072
1.101
1.094
1.073
1.087
1.072
1.280
1.230
1.247
$0.98
.93
1.04
.99
1.05
1.05
1.03
1.13
.93
.95
.98
1.07
1.07
.95
.97
1.05
.98
1.08
1.07
1.03
1.05
1.04
1.28
1.23
1.24
Hourly
earnings,
December
1941
(first shift
unless
otherwise
noted)
i $0.904
.895
1.039
1.007
11.106
.907
.951
1.085
1.047
1.324
1.245
1.205
Grade V ........................................................... .............
Crowning-machine operators, grade A ....................
Draw-bench operators, grade L . .......................... .
Form-block makers, grade A__................................
Heat treaters, aluminum, grade A..... .....................
Hydraulic straightening and forming press opera
tors, grade A........................................................
Inspectors, receiving, grade A .................................
Installers, controls, grade A .....................................
Installers, electrical, grade A...................................
Installers, general, grade A.....................................
Painters, aircraft, grade A.......................................
Painters, maintenance, grade A..............................
Power-brake operators, grade A ..............................
Sign painters, grade A_...........................................
Blotter operators, grade A ........................................
Upholsterers, grade A.............................................
Welders, aluminum, grade A..................................
m o
.2
.2
3.8
3.7
.993
1.000
1.020
1.049
1.003
.96
.97
1.01
1.03
.83
.6
1.9
9.2
11.2
43.0
13.3
2.9
3.1
1.8
(*)
3.0
2.1
1. 015
1.048
1.008
1. 013
1. 003
1.018
1. 076
1.014
1.039
1.230
1.033
1. 260
.91
1.04
.95
.97
.92
.98
1.06
.97
.99
1.23
.97
1.26
Grade V I.......... ....... ................. ...................................
Boring-mill operators, grade B ................................
Buffers and polishers, grade A ............... ................
Craters, grade A ......................................................
Die finishers, grade B ..............................................
Drill-press operators, grade A..................................
Drop-hammer operators, grade B ............................
Duplicating-machine operators, grade B.................
Electroplaters, grade A........ ...................................
Engine-lathe operators, grade B ..............................
Grinder operators, grade B ......................................
Hydro-press operators, grade A......................... .....
Inspectors, experimental, grade C...........................
Inspectors, machined-parts, grade B .......................
Inspectors, salvage, grade B........................ ...........
Inspectors, service and flight, grade C.....................
Inspectors, templates, grade B ............................. .
Inspectors, tooling, grade O....... __....... ................
Jig builders, grade C................................................
Milling-machine operators, grade B ........................
Model builders, grade C....... .................. ...............
Patternmakers, metal and wood, grade C...............
Pattermakers, plaster, grade B .......... .....................
Planer operators, grade B__....................................
Power-shear operators, grade A__...........................
Punch-press operators, grade A._............................
Radial-drill-press operators, grade B ....................
100.0
.2
.3
.8
.4
2.6
1.9
.2
.7
2.3
1.4
1.6
.2
1.1
.6
.1
.5
.8
23.7
4.6
.5
.5
1.0
.3
2.0
2.2
.7
.060
1.040
.090
.063
.050
. 062
.072
.088
.069
.086
.082
.052
.075
1.021
.070
.085
.055
.068
.051
.091
.072
.055
.091
.070
.059
.072
.053
.89
1.04
.96
.90
.85
1.804
.89 .
.761
.94
1.862
.97
.91
.97
.854
.96
i. 979
.83
1.894
.93
1.01
.93
.95
.93 .................
.86
.84
.97
.901
.88
.85
.97
.94
.88
.92
1.960
.83
1.869
See footnotes at end of table.
1.041
.966
.972
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
9
T a b le 4.— Straight-Tim e Average H ou rly Earningsf b y Occupation, Based on Order o f
National W ar Labor Board {September 1942 P a y Boll)— Continued
Labor grade and occupation
Percent
of
employees
Grade VI—Continued.
Riveters, grade A..........................................
Screw-machine operators, automatic, grade B.
Shaper operators, grade B___..........................
Small-tool repairmen, grade A........................
Spot welders, grade A—..................................
Template makers, grade B .............................
Tool and die makers, grade O........................
Truck drivers, grade A...................................
Turret-lathe operators, grade B ......................
Welders, combination, grade B ......................
Grade VII.......... -..........................................................
Assemblers, electric and radio (bench), grade A___
Assemblers, general, grade B ................................. .
Assemblers, precision, bench, grade B .....................
Blacksmiths, grade B ....... ........ .............................
Boring-machine operators (semi-automatic), grade
Cabinetmakers, wood, grade B...............................
Cable splicers, grade A............................................
Carpenters, maintenance, grade B ..........................
Crowning-machine operators, grade B ................... .
Draw-bench operators, grade B__..... .................... .
Electricians, maintenance, grade O.........................
Form-block makers, grade B_.................................
Form builders, wood, grade C................................
Forming-roll operators, (power), grade A................
Heat treaters, aluminum, grade B ......................... .
Heat treaters, steel, grade C....................................
Hydraulic straightening and forming press opera
tors, grade B .........................................................
Inspectors, detail, grade B__...................................
Inspectors, final assembly, grade C.........................
Inspectors, general assembly, grade B .....................
Inspectors, precision assembly, grade B ..................
Inspectors, receiving, grade B ................................ .
Inspectors, shipping, grade B ..................................
Inspectors, welding, grade B _________ _________
Installers, armament, grade B.................................
Installers, controls, grade B ................................... .
Installers, electrical, grade B ...................................
Installers, general, grade B__...................................
Installers, hydraulic, grade B__............................. .
Installers, power-plant, grade B........................... .
Machinists, bench, grade B ................................... .
Mechanics, automotive, grade B .............................
Mechanics, field and service, grade C__................ .
Mechanics, maintenance, grade O...........................
Metal fitters, grade B .............................................
Millmen, wood, grade A ........................................ .
Molders, aircraft, grade B__....................................
Painters, aircraft, grade B .......................................
Painters, maintenance, grade B__...........................
Pipe fitters, maintenance, grade B ..........................
Plumbers, maintenance, grade B ........................... .
Power-brake operators, grade B___........................ .
Power-hammer operators, grade B ............. ............
Router operators, grade A........ ..............................
Saw operators, grade A._........... ...........................
Sheet-metal workers, bench, grade B___.................
Sheet-metal workers, maintenance, grade B ....... .
Blotter operators, grade B ...................................... .
Tool-crib attendants, grade A ................................
Truck-crane operators, grade A__...........................
Tube benders, bench, grade A............................... .
Upholsterers, grade B ..... .......................................
Welders, aluminum, grade B ................... ..............
Welders, arc, grade B ............................................. .
Welders, gas, grade B ............................................ .
Welders, maintenance and jig, grade B ...................
See footnotes at end of table.
31.2
.7
1.5
1.3
3.7
3.2
3.2
2.1
100.0
.8
28.4
1.9
(3)
.1
.4
.3
)
1.1
.1
1.3
.4
.8
.4
:6
.1
.3
1.3
3.2
2.8
.5
.5
.2
.2
.5
2.4
3.7
17.6
2.8
1.2
.8
.1
3.6
1.7
.1
.3
3.2
.3
.3
.3
.8
.4
1.0
1.5
3.8
.2
1.7
.3
1.4
.7
.3
.2
.7
;2
Hourly
earnings,
on basis
of order
Hourly
earnings,
Sept mber 1942
$0,950
.964
.965
.984
.956
.959
.958
.956
.992
1.000
$0.89
.914
.939
.916
.906
.958
.87
.93
.89
.85
.93
.900
.918
.918
.940
.900
.903
.907
.909
.901
.929
.900
.900
.85
.90
.89
.92
.81
.84
.83
.87
.85
.89
.81
.82
.900
.923
.936
.935
.930
.916
.922
.957
.903
.902
.908
.902
.902
.910
.927
.922
.901
.908
.911.955
.906
.901
.939
.938
.923
.902
.905
.901
.907
.925
.927
.920
.907
.930
.924
.906
.968
1.040
1.060
1.003
.81
.91
.90
.91
.91
.88
.90
.94
.86
.85
.86
.83
.85
.88
.92
.90
.83
.85
.89
.95
.87
.85
.90
.92
.90
.83
.86
.85
.86
.91
.89
.85
.86
.90
.89
.81
. .96
1.04
1.06
1.00
.91
.96
.91
.87
.87
.98
.93
Hourly
earnings,
December
1941
(first shift
unless
otherwise
noted)
$0,841
.850
.918
.863
.946
1.880
.845
.890
11.019
.836
.882
.810
.939
1.889
"l. 871
.898
.834
1.955
.861
1.973
.791
.790
.863
1.886
.783
1.845
1.930
1.858
.867
.904
.862
.985
1.017
1.972
10
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
T a ble 4.— Straight-Tim e Average H ourly Earnings, b y Occupation, Based on Order o f
National W ar Labor Board {September 1942 P a y Roll)— Continued
Percent
of
employees
Hourly
earnings,
on basis
of order
Hourly
earnings,
Septem
ber 1942
Grade VIII................................ ....... ...........................
Anodizers, grade A....................................... ..........
Buffers and polishers, grade B_.......... ........ ........ .
Coverers, fabric, grade A .................... ....... ............
Craters, grade B .................................... ...............
Die finishers, grade C__________ ______________
Drill-press operators, grade B _______ __________
Drop-hammer operators, grade C_______________
Electroplaters, grade B__________ _____ _______
Engine-lathe operators, grade C________________
Grinder operators, grade C_______ ____ ______ _
Inspectors, machined parts, grade C____________
Inspectors, salvage, grade C___ ________ _______
Inspectors, templates, grade C..... .................. .......
Milling-machine operators, grade C........................
Oilers, maintenance, grade A______ ______ ______
Overhead-crane operators, grade A .........................
Patternmakers, piaster, grade C_________ _____
Plexiglass formers, grade A..... .................. .............
Power-shear operators, grade B...... ........................
Punch-press operators, grade B ..............................
Riveters, grade B ....................... ...........................
Small-tool repairmen, grade B .................................
Spot welders, grade B .............................................
'Tank cleaners and testers, grade A ................ ........
Template makers, grade 0 ......................................
Turret-lathe operators, grade C...............................
Welders, combination, grade C____ _______ _____
100.0
.7
.4
.7
2.0
.5
6.8
1.3
.4
2.1
2.0
1.5
.2
.4
5.0
.9
.8
1.1
.3
2.1
3.4
55.8
2.4
2.2
.6
4.7
1.7
(*)
$0,856
.887
.854
.858
.850
.871
.854
.855
.850
.864
.856
.885
.852
.850
.861
.860
.902
.858
.870
.855
.859
.853
.861
.852
.869
.852
.866
.900
$0.81
.87
.81
.79
.80
.83
.81
.82
.78
.82
.82
.86
.81
.81
.83
.82
.88
.81
.84
.80
.82
' .80
.82
.81
.81
.80
.83
.90
Grade IX ........................ ....................... .................. .
Assemblers, electric and radio (bench), grade B......
Assemblers, general, grade C..................................
Assemblers, precision, grade O........... ..................
Cabinetmakers, wood, grade O................................
Cable splicers, grade B............................................
Carpenters, maintenance, grade C..........................
Form-block makers, grade O................................. .
Forming-roll operators (power), grade B.................
Heat treaters, aluminum, grade C_.............. ..........
Inspectors, detail, grade O... .......... ........................
Inspectors, general assembly, grade C.....................
Inspectors,precision assembly, grade C...................
Inspectors, receiving, grade O.................................
Inspectors, shipping, grade O..................................
Inspectors, welding, grade C...................................
Installers, armament, grade O.................................
Installers, controls, grade 0 ....................................
Installers, electrical, grade C...................................
Installers, general, grade C......................................
Installers, hydraulic, grade C ..................................
Installers, power-plant, grade O..............................
Machinist, bench, grade C......................................
Mechanics, automotive, grade C .............................
Metal fitters, grade C..............................................
Millman, wood, grade B .........................................
Molders, aircraft, grade . C......................................
Painters, aircraft, grade C.......................................
Painters, maintenance, grade C...............................
Pipe fitters, maintenance, grade C..........................
Planishing-hammer operators, grade A ...................
Plumbers, maintenance, grade C.................. ........
Power-brake operators, grade C..............................
Profile-cutting torch-machine operator, grade A.....
Rivet-header-machine operators, grade A................
Router operators, grade B.......................................
Sandblasters, grade A..............................................
Saw operators, grade B................... ........................
Sewing-machine operators, grade A.................... .
Sheet-metal workers, bench, grade G.......... ............
Sheet-metal workers, maintenance, grade G______
Tool-crib attendants, grade B .................................
Truckers, power, grade A ........................................
Tube benders, bench, grade B.................................
100.0
2.7
57.0
1.7
.1
.2
.3
.4
.2
(2)
1.3
1.5
.5
.6
.2
.1
.1
.6
2.6
8.2
1.2
1.1
.8
.1
2.3
.1
.1
1.4
.2
.2
.2
.2
.3
.1
.1
.4
.2
.8
.5
5.6
.1
2.4
1.0
1.0
.815
.823
.813
.808
.824
.811
.838
.819
.827
.806
.816
.837
.837
.818
.815
.862
.815
.813
.814
.814
.804
.811
.824
.810
.813
.838
.803
.815
.828
.839
.837
.814
.824
.898
.870
.814
.823
.805
.835
.821
.860
.815
.829
.822
.81
.81
.81
.79
.80
.81
.83
.80
.82
.79
.79
.82
.83
.80
.80
.86
.79
.80
.80
.80
.79
.80
.82
.78
.80
.83
.78
.80
.81
.82
.83
.79
.81
.89
.87
.79
.81
.79
.83
.80
.84
.79
.82
.81
Labor grade and occupation
See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly
earnings,
December
1941
(first shift
unless
otherwise
noted)
i $0.988
.783
.818
1.874
1.824
1.818
1.835
.792
1.774
1.876
.817
.772
.833
1.861
.774
1.835
.773
.770
.808
1.913
1.873
.767
.835
.833
.758
.759
.816
.803
.775
.836
.916
.771
.810
1.841
.806
.699
.785
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
11
T a b l e 4.— Straight-Tim e Average H ourly Earnings, by Occupation, B ased on Order o f
N ational W ar Labor Board (September 1942 P a y Roll) — Continued
Labor grade and occupation
Grade IX —Continued.
Welders, aluminum, grade C___ _
Welders, arc, grade C.......................
Welders, gas. grade C ------ -------Welders, maintenance and jig, grade C ...
Grade X ................... ....................................................
Anodizers, grade B ..... ........ ....................................
Assemblers, electric and radio (bench), grade C ___
Buffers and polishers, grade C.................... ............
Cable splicers, grade C_........................... ...............
Coverers, fabric, grade B ................. _1....................
Craters, grade C__............... .....................— ........
Drill-press operators, grade C ..................... .......... .
Filers and burrers, grade A ......................-.............
Helpers, general, grade A „ ......................... ............
Janitors, grade A.......................... _.........................
Laborers, grade A..... ...........................................
Parts handlers, grade A .................................... —
Plexiglass formers, grade B ........... ..........................
Power-shear operators, grade C_.............................
Punch-press operators, grade O...............................
Sandblasters, grade B ........ ..................*............... Spot welders, grade C___.................... ....................
Truckers, hand, grade A . . . ......... —........................
Tube benders, bench, grade O.................................
i Covers all shifts; no shift break-down available.
* Less than a tenth of 1 percent.
Percent
of
employees
Hourly
earnings,
on basis
of order
Hourly
earnings,
Septem
ber 1942
0.2
.2
.7
.2
$0,864
.850
.846
.859
$0.86
.85
.84
.85
100.0
2.7
4.5
.1
.2
.6
.3
3.5
2.7
60.7
12.4
5.0
.6
.1
.6
1.0
.2
1.3
2.6
.9
.758
.800
.770
.820
.770
.810
.750
.760
.760
.750
.760
.770
.770
.770
.790
.800
.810
.790
.790
.750
.76
.80
.77
.82
.77
.81
.75
.76
.76
.75
.76
.77
.77
.77
.79
.80
.81
.79
.79
.75
Hourly
earnings,
December
1941
(first shift
unless
otherwise
noted)
$0,754
1.821
.722
1.749
.698
.734
.713
1.771
.789
12
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
Comparative W aqe Structure
FORMER AIRFRAM E RATES
In deciding on wage ranges for the California airframe industry,
the National War Labor Board took into account, both the spread of
existing wages in these airframe plants and the wages paid for similar
work by other industries in the area. Charts 1 and 2 show the
relationship of the wage scales authorized by the Board to each of
these two sets of wage structures.
The comparison of the wage order with the actual wage rates that
had been paid in these airframe plants is given in chart 1. The
hollow blocks in this chart indicate the rate ranges established by
the Board for each of 10 labor grades in the airframe factories. The
spread of rates actually paid in September 1942 is indicated by vertical
lines. Solid bars are used to indicate that part of the previous spread
of rates that had been paid to the middle one-half of the airframe
workers in each grade (interquartile range). The areas of these solid
bars are drawn in proportion to the relative numbers of classified
factory workers employed at jobs in each grade, while the corre
sponding percentages 'of factory workers in each grade are shown
along the base line of the chart.
The progress made by the Board toward standardizing rates of
pay for similar classes of work is indicated by the comparatively'
narrow rate ranges shown in chart 1, in contrast to the extreme spread
of rates previously paid. The new minimum rates were placed above
the lowest rates that had been paid, in all cases except labor grades
X-A and X-B and C where the former minimum of 75 cents an hour
was retained. The new maximum rates, which were permissive rather
than mandatory, were placed uniformly below the highest of the former
rates paid to individual workers. Individual workers who already
received more than the authorized maxima—less than 10 percent of
the group in-almost every grade—did not have their rates cut as a
result of the Board's order.
One of the objects of the Board's wage order was to overcome the
internal inequities in the airframe wage structure; by making the
relative wage scales in the various labor grades depend largely on the
evaluation of each group of jobs. Chart I shows that the previous
wage levels had been related only loosely and incompletely to the
results of job evaluation. Hence, no uniform relationship could be
expected between the new rate ranges and the spread of wage rates
formerly paid. Nevertheless, the new rates were made roughly
consistent with the rates already paid to significant groups of workers
in each grade. Such individual wage increases as were required by
the Board's order were the result of the Board's attempt to rational
ize the wage structure, rather than any attempt to provide a general
wage increase.
A significant result of the new set of minimum rates was to increase
the difference in minimum pay between the jobs of high and low skill.
Formerly some individuals in every labor grade from X up to II
were paid the lowest classified rate of 75 cents. After the Board's
order, the minimum rate for labor grade II was 45 cents above that
for labor grade X. For the intermediate grades of work, employing
the largest numbers of airframe workers (IX, VIII, VII, and VI), the
COMPARED WITH EXISTING CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME WAGES
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
13
WAGE RANGES ORDERED FOR CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME PLANTS
14
WAGE STABILIZATION1 IN’ CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
new minimum rates tended to be close to the top of the range that
had applied to the mass of the workers in each grade, excluding the
highest-paid quarter of them.
RATES IN OTHER INDUSTRIES
The authorized rate ranges for California airframe plants are
shown in chart 2, in comparison with certain wage scales for similar
work in other California industries. The data from aircraft-parts
plants in the Los Angeles area are displayed in chart 2 in a manner
similar to the previous display of airframe rates (chart 1). In chart 2,
however, the vertical lines and solid bars, relating to the parts indus
try, refer to the spread of plant averages rather than to the spread of
rates paid to individual workers. Special symbols are used to show
the appropriate comparisons with the wages of common labor, with
those of the first-class mechanics in shipyards, and with the authorized
wage scales for civilian workers in naval air stations.
Three comparisons are available with the 75-cent rate for airframe
workers in labor grade X-A. This rate lies at the bottom of the
authorized wage scale for similar work at naval air stations. How
ever, it is as high as that paid to three-fourths of the workers of a simi
lar type in the aircraft-parts plants 9 and it compares with an aver
age of 69 cents an hour paid to common labor in July 1942 by the
manufacturing industries of Los Angeles, excluding the airframe
plants.10
For certain skilled groups of jobs in airframe plants (labor grades
I, III, and IV) several comparisons with wages in other industries are
available. The range from $1.25 to $1.45 per hour for labor grade I in
airframe plants is practically identical with the authorized range for
similar work at naval air stations. As compared with wage rates
in parts plants, the airframe scale for labor grade I appears to have
been rather generous.11
For labor g;rade III, the wage comparison with aircraft-parts
plants is especially significant because of the concentration of parts
workers in occupations of this grade, as is indicated by the large
area covered by the solid bar in chart 2. Individual aircraft-parts
plants pay average rates for occupations in this class that spread
from 90 cents to $1.45 per hour. However, nearly half , the parts
workers of this grade are to be found in plants with averages within
the range of $1.10 to $1.25 per hour—the range authorized by the
Board for the airframe plants.
In the case of labor grade IV, the Board established a range for
airframe plants of $1.05 to $1.20 per hour. The minimum of $1.05
was about the same as the average rate for this class of work in aircraft-parts plants. The authorized maximum of $1.20 was identical
with the established minimum shipyard rate for first-class skilled me
chanics, and lay close to the middle of the corresponding range of
rates at naval air stations.
9 The aircraft parts data in chart 2 were obtained from the preliminary results of a wage survey by the
Bureau of plants in the Los Angeles-San Diego area. For final results of this s urvey, covering the California
Industry as a whole, see Monthly Labor Review, April 1943 (pp. 758-767).
10 See Monthly Labor Review, February 1943 (table 7, p. 327).
u However, higher rates than those indicated in chart 2 were found elsewhere for aircraft-parts workers
corresponding to labor grade I. For example, the final results for California parts plants showed an average
rate of $1.33 for class A tool and die workers and an extreme plant average for this group of $1.74 (Monthly
Labor Review, April 1941, table 5, p. 767).
COMPARED WITH EXISTING WAGES IN OTHER INDUSTRIES
Tt
CLASSIFIED FACTORY WORKERS
-.80
.70
.60
.50
.40
.30
-I
.10
90
80
70
60
50
15
Chart 2
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
WAGE RANGES ORDERED FOR CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME PLANTS
16
WAGE STABILIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME INDUSTRY
In the intermediate labor grades, from IX up to IV, the rate ranges
authorized by the Board for airframe plants are somewhat higher
than those paid to the bulk of the workers in aircraft-parts plants..
No uniform relationships are to be found because the relative wage
scales for airframe plants were based on a plan of job evaluation
which does not exist in most of the comparative plants.
The rate range for labor grade IX presents an especially interesting.
example of the need to reconcile divergent considerations when
establishing a wage rate. This labor grade accounts by itself for
31 percent of the classified factory workers in the airframe plants.
The minimum rate of 80 cents is only 5 cents above the minimum for
the lowest grade of experienced workers (grade X) and clearly needs
to be at this higher level if evaluation is to be followed. Yet the
80-cent minimum required an immediate wage increase for more
than a third of the. workers in this grade. Moreover, the 80-cent
minimum is higher than the average for this grade of work in the
local aircraft-parts plants that employ three-fourths of the workers
of this grade. At the same time, the permissive maximum of 90
cents for airframe workers of grade IX is only slightly above the
lowest rate paid for similar work at the naval air stations in the
same area.
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