NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1942)

1 626 K St., N. W. WASHINGTON Phene N Alional 2080 Neville Miller, President C, E. Arney, Jr., Assistant to President Joseph L. Miller, Director of Labor Relations ; Paul F. Peter, Director of Research ; Russell P. Place, Counsel r Howard Frazier, Director of Engineering ; Arthur C. Stringer, Director of Promotion NAB BOARD MEETING (Continued from page 577) reported on the work which is being done in public rela¬ tions, legal and legislative fields in regard to this matter. It was felt that satisfactory progress is being made and that efforts along the present lines should be continued. A resolution expressing regret at the shocking news of Harrison Holliway’s death and expressing deepest sym¬ pathy to his family and business associates was adopted by the Board. The Board adopted a resolution pledging the continued cooperation of the industry in the war effort and renewed devotion to service in the public interest. Following the regular session of the Board an executive session was held at which internal association matters and personnel were discussed. It was voted to hold a special session of the Board on October 13 or 14 in Chicago to further discuss these internal matters with particular reference to personnel and policies. NAB ASKS EXEMPTION FROM PREMIUM PAY ORDER At the direction of the Wage and Hour Committee, the NAB is asking the Labor Department to exempt the broad¬ casting industry from President Roosevelt’s Executive Order on premium pay. The Wage and Hour Committee, at a meeting Wednesday in Washington, found that the only substantial effect the order would have on the broadcasting industry would be to require those stations not now paying time and one half for holiday work to do so. Since the broadcasting industry, like public utilities, operates normally on a 365-day-year and a seven-day-week, the effect of the order on the industry would be directly contrary to one of the broad purposes of the order — to combat inflation. The Wage and Hour Committee agreed that the industry was covered by the Order, which is applicable to “work related to the prosecution of the war.” Most of the provisions of the order, effective October 1, do not affect broadcasting stations. It provides: (1) Payment of time and one half for all work on New Years Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and either Memorial Day or one other such holiday of greater local importance. (2) Payment of double time on the seventh consecutive day of work unless there is an agreement between employer and employees which provides for at least one whole day off in each regular week. For instance, double time need not be paid for the seventh day in such a case as this: An employee’s regular day off was Saturday, in a regular work week which started Sunday morning. He took Saturday off, as usual, in week “A.” In week “B” by agreement, he took Wednesday off. In week “C” he went back to Saturday off. In this case, he need not be ])aid double time for Wed¬ nesday in week “C.” 578 — October 2, 1942 (3) There is to be no time and one half or double time for Saturday and Sunday work just because of the name of the day. (4) In all other respects, the terms of the Wage and Hour Act and of union contracts, if any, prevail. For instance, time and one half for overtime over 40 hours a week prevails. If a union contract provides for time and one half after eight hours in any single day or time and one half on the sixth day, that contract prevails. Members of the Wage and Hour Committe at the meet¬ ing: C. T. Lucy, WRVA, chairman; James B. Rock, KDKA; Quincy A. Brackett, WSPR; and A. K. Redmond, WHP. Selective Service MANUAL ON PRESS The list of 34 essential activities, which includes radio broadcasting under “Communications,” was attached to the amendment of Local Board Release 115 made July 11, 1942, and released July 15, 1942, as Local Board Release 137. In filling out Form 42-A (“Affidavit — Occupational Classi¬ fication (Industrial)) reference should be made to Local Board Release 137 under the question “Description of the Activities of this Company.” The following language is suggested : “Communications, — radio broadcasting. (See Local Board Release 115, as amended by LBR 122, 4,/ll/42, and LBR 137, 7 15 42. In the List of Essential Activities attached to LBR 137, under the title “Communications,” radio broadcasting is designated an essential activity.) See Exhibit A*, attached, for analysis of this station’s broadcasting operations essential to the support of the war effort.” Enclosed with the issues of NAB Reports is a pianographed copy of the first page of LBR 137. This may be attached to Form 42-A to insure local board’s making proper reference to the List of Essential Activities. Extra copies are available at NAB upon request. NAB is preparing a “Selective Service Handbook” to assist stations in requesting occupational deferment of “key” men. It will contain pertinent excerpts from the Selective Service Act and Regulations, Local Board Re¬ leases, a dummy Form 42-A, and authoritative procedure for prosecuting claims for occupational deferment. It should be off the press next week. SELECTIVE SERVICE OFFICIALS VISIT STATIONS On Friday, September 25, officials from National Head¬ quarters of the Selective Service System made an inspection tour of four Washington, D. C. broadcast stations. The trip was arranged by NAB to familiarize them with broadcast station operations and the difficulties encountered in train¬ ing replacement technicians and other key personnel on short notice. Russell Place and Howard Frazier of NAB accompanied the group. The officials appeared to be deeply impressed and it is believed similar tours arranged by broadcasters for local boards having jurisdiction over their key personnel would be helpful. Stations located in or near state capital cities can be of real service to the industry by sponsoring these inspection trips for the State Director and Occupational Advisers from their Selective Service State Headquarters. *Exhibit A should include list of typical month’s govern¬ ment programs and spots.