Published Quarterly by the State Department of Labor. Vol. XIV, No. 4. ALBANY, December, 1912 Whole No. 53 THE STATE OF EMPLOYMENT. Of the 2,469 unions in the state at the end of September, 1912, returns as to idleness were received from 2,440. Of the 29 not reporting, 5, with membership of 11,000, were actors and chorus singers, returns from whom as to employment and idleness were not received, as was also the case with a number of musicians' unions. The idleness returns included 491,535 members, which was 93 per cent of the total number in the state. These returns indicate that there was a decline of 3.7 points in the percentage of idleness at the end of September, 1912, as compared with the same date in 1911, while idleness continuous throughout the quarter was about the same (very slightly greater) as for the corresponding quarter of 1911. Comparative figures for sixteen years appear in the following table. NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF MEMBERS OF LABOR UNIONS IDLE, 1897-1912. The number and percentage of those idle at the end of September, 1912, as given in the following table indicate that, as usual, the prime cause of idleness was lack of work. The absolute number of those idle from this cause was 40 per cent less than a year ago, but the total number of unemployed for all causes was 30 per cent less, so that the percentage of total idleness due to lack of work in 1912 was only 8.2 points lower than in 1911. The absolute number idle because of labor disputes was higher and that due to disability slightly lower than last year. In each case, however, the percentage of total idleness due to these causes was increased as compared with last year because of the smaller total number idle which was the base on which the percentages were computed. The lower percentage of idleness in general at the end of September as compared with September of the previous year was, therefore, due to less idleness caused by lack of work. It should be noted, however, that of the 6,057 union members who were reported as idle at the end of September on account of labor disputes, 4,500 were members of a single organization of marine firemen, oilers and watertenders in Manhattan. In the statistics of strikes and lockouts given in later pages of this Bulletin, this strike is reported as having been terminated in the middle of July. So far as the firemen were concerned, however, the strike was virtually ended by the hiring of new men and the union reported that 4,500 of its members were unable to secure re-employment and remained idle throughout the quarter. CAUSES OF IDLENESS OF MEMBERS OF LABOR UNIONS AT END OF SEPTEMBER, 1906-1912. Consideration of the percentage of idleness by industries reveals that three industries, including one leading one-transportation — had a greater amount of end-of-the-quarter and also of continuous idleness in the third quarter of 1912 than in the corresponding period of 1911. In six industries, including two leading ones building and metals and machinery the idleness of both kinds was less than in 1911. In four industries, including one leading one clothing and textiles- the end-of-the-quarter idleness was less than in 1911 but the continuous idleness was greater. In three of these, however, the increase in continuous idleness ranged only from one-tenth of a point to six-tenths of a point whereas the decrease in end-of-the-quarter idleness was much greater. IDLENESS OF MEMBERS OF LAbor OrganizatIONS, BY INDUSTRIES, 1909-1912. INDUSTRY. 1. Building, stone working, etc.. 2. Transportation. 3. Clothing and textiles.. 1912. 1912. 1911. 1910. 1909. 1912. 1912. 1911, 1910. 1909. 8.2 640 14.3 8.6 10.5 162 207 7.1 8.5 10.4 9.3 584 13.6 1,430 1.1 4.1 3.8 5.6 7.8 5,275 6.6 1.3 4.1 4.6 15.0 4,658 3.6 0.7 3.5 2.2 2.2 10.0 2.2 4.4 2.4 2.0 2.1 2.4 1.5 2.6 2.3 4.1 3.3 2.7 5.5 3.6 9. Tobacco. 10. Restaurants, trade, etc.. 13. Miscellaneous. Total. 513 1,472 5.9 10.7 6.8 8.7 115 0.5 1.5 1.0 1.1 188 1.8 8.5 2.1 2.2 8888 100 1.0 0.7 0.3 1.0 86 1.2 1.1 2.2 9.8 .34,829 7.1 10.8 13.6 10.3 14,170 2.9 2.7 3.3 4.4 The causes of idleness on the last day of September by industries are set forth in the following table from which it appears that of the idleness due to unemployment, approximately 30 per cent was in the building industry and 36 per cent in clothing and textiles. The unemployment idleness in the building industry was concentrated in the building and paving trades in New York City, the largest single items being approximately 2,000 bricklayers and 1,100 carpenters. Similarly, most of the clothing and textiles idleness was concentrated in the garment trades in New York City, the largest items being approximately 2,600 cloak and suit makers, 1,400 coat, pants and vest makers and 1,200 waist, dress and wrapper makers. |