Labor Unions and Full Employment

The Employment Act of 1946 has many weak nesses which may be corrected by the proposed Equal Opportunity and Full Employment Act of 1976. However, the 1946 act does place two major obligations on the federal government: (1) the promotion of maximum employment, production and purchasing power, and (2) the creation of conditions in which the government would supply useful employment opportunities when private industry is unwilling or unable to do so. These obligations can and should be met through such means as improved unemployment insurance and government subsidized employment in both the public and private sectors. The goal of full employment also requires an organized work force in order to be achieved. Despite the current recession and high levels of unemployment—and perhaps in part because of them—organized labor can grow stronger. Fundamental changes in national economic pri orities—changes which would place the welfare of the people above all other concerns—must take place. Evidence of such changes is mounting. Hopefully a new set of priorities which places people first will be adopted permanently in the United States.