Pres. Johnson's State of the Union speeches: on Jobs


Oppose 35-hour workweek, but also oppose excessive overtime

For our goal is not merely to spread the work. Our goal is to create more jobs. I believe the enactment of a 35-hour week would sharply increase costs, would invite inflation, would impair our ability to compete, and merely share instead of creating employment. But I am equally opposed to the 45- or 50-hour week in those industries where consistently excessive use of overtime causes increased unemployment.

So, therefore, I recommend legislation authorizing the creation of a tripartite industry committee to determine on an industry-by-industry basis as to where a higher penalty rate for overtime would increase job openings without unduly increasing costs, and authorizing the establishment of such higher rates.

Source: Pres. Johnson's 1964 State of the Union message to Congress Jan 8, 1964

Extend minimum wage to 2 million unprotected workers