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5th Draft - TV Spot - Meany 3/23/72 - When I announced our new economic policy on August 15 I said that fighting inflation must be everybody's job. Yesterday, George Meany walked off the job. The decision to walk out came after the ruling on the longshoremen's contract. While other American workers are being held to a 5.5% wage increase, the Pay Board ruled against a 20.6% wage increase for the longshoremen. Mr. Meany supported the increase. The Pay Board was right, mr they was carry I respect Mr. Meany as spokesman largest the panelful for the nation's union organizati on: the AFL-CIO. But only 17% of America's 80 million wage earners belong to the AFL-CIO. It is my responsibility to act and speak for all the people, and I shall meet that responsibility. As President, I cannot permit any leader representing a special interest, no matter how powerful, to torpedo and sink a program needed to protect the public interest. I have directed the Pay Board to continue, but as a single public unit, with those labor leaders who wisely wish to remain balanced by a reduced number of business leaders. I have directed thePrice Commission to proceed on course, working alongside the Pay Board to cut inflation in half by the end of this year.