The trend on the American tradeo-—union scene for demands to be for fringe benefits rather than straight wage increases was furthe> reinforced by the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union when it recently took the position of wanting the oquivalent of a 5% wage increase applied to fringe benefits. President Knight said that his union is taking this position as it requires more "net" for the worker. ‘wage increases in the past," he said, “have beon dilutod by inflation. We get more money for our people, and they report to us that the grocor raises his prices, the landlord hikes the rent and taxes go up, so there isn't a hell of a lot left for the worker except highor costs,"
O.C.A.W7. wants tho ¥% increase to apply to one or more of the oxisting bonefitss: hospital and medical, pensions, severance pay and holidays. If the union were to win its demands, the bill for the oil industry's fringe bonefits would be pushed up to 26% of total pay costs. Knight is also vory worried about unemploymont, "From what we have learned," he said, “automation has caused a disemploymont of about 20% in the oil industry within tho last 5 or 6 years. And we soo more ‘ coming"..Knight continued, “Our militancy, purposefulnoss and willing ness have never been firmer, At last yoars 0.C.A.\J. conference we got a 55% increase in dueseeeea Cloar demonstration of support." The union is rapidly building up a strike fund and is expocted to threaten a nationa. strike later this yeare