Research

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of transcripts of eight public hearings held by the committee to gather information on issues relating to industrial and labor relations in the State to assist in formulating labor legislation.

A public hearing on industrial and labor relations held in Rochester on October 18, 1939 consisted of testimony from businessmen on a range of labor topics including: wages and profit sharing; unemployment insurance; picketing, strikes, and violence; the relationships between employers, employees, and unions; unions' political activities; company unions; union organizing; the minimum wage; and issues facing state and federal relations boards.

The second and third hearings were held in New York City, December 3 and 5, 1941. The December 3 hearing was dedicated to experience rating in unemployment insurance; the December 5 hearing to cross picketing.

Public hearings on small business concerns were held in various cities during September 1945: Albany (September 24); Syracuse (September 25); Rochester (September 26); Buffalo (September 27) and Binghamton (September 29). Principally owners of small retail businesses testified. Topics included minimum wage legislation, job training, umemployment insurance, length of the work week, union representation, and women and minors in the labor force.