GIRLS CHANGE OVER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 19

GIRLS CHANGE OVER.

An interesting experiment was carried out in America recently when a group of girls in one weaving shop complained that they were unable to earn as high wages as carpet weavers elsewhere. The employer, who also complained of v bad quality workmanship, invited the union to suggest a remedy. The union arranged for the interchange of the personnel of the shop with that of another shop in tjie neighbourhood, the firm concerned being promised the return of their workers in a short time. The union theory was that the first group of girls had become convinced that they could never earn decent wages in their own shop, and what was needed was a change in their mental attitude.

The new girls found, they could earn their accustomed amount in the offending shop, and it was thus made clear to the former workers that they themselves were at fault. They were returned one by one to their old plant, where, working with the newcomers, they picked up more efficient methods of work. As they returned, those who had interchanged with them went back to their own shop, until the transfer was complete. From that time the first group of girls earned as much as other girls in the trade, and there were .no further complaints from workers or employer.