CO-PARTNERSHIP SCHEME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19020, 16 November 1923, Page 7

CO-PARTNERSHIP SCHEME.

WORK FIVE DAYS A WEEK. WAGES INCREASED WITHOUT “ SWEATING.” (Peb United Peess Association.) AUCKLAND. November 14. The co-partnership scheme established by the proprietors and the employees of Tattorafieid (Ltd.), furniture manufacturers, about four years ago, is reported to be working very successfully. When inquiry was made by a Herald representative as to how the scheme was progressing, the manager said that the best authority was the committee representing the workers, and he said that lie would put the inquiry before it. The result was that an appointment was made tor a reporter to meet the committee to hear a first-hand opinion of the workers. Only representatives of the factory employees were present, and each gave an emphatic endorsement of the success of the system. ~ ‘ When the system was first proposed, said one young man, “I opposed it because the union was opposed to all such schemes. None that had ever been tried elsewhere seemed to have worked well.” “And now he is chairman of the committee,” remarked his neighbour, and they all smiled. “ The one disadvantage we have brought upon ourselves,” said another, “is that the income tax-collector is showing an interest in this establishment. The unmarried men are grumbling most, of course.” Under the system the monthly bonuses on the output for the past year increased the wage of everyone by 20 per cent., and on top of that, under the conditions of the scheme, the firm is paying an annual bonus of 5j per cent, on normal wages. Thus the 2CO employees concerned have secured 251 per cent, more than the union rate of wage. “This has been obtained without ‘sweating,’ ” said one of the committee. “There is an impression abroad that our factory is a ‘sweat shop.’ It is nothing cf_ the kind. Certain time is allowed for each job, but it is not the time of the fastest workers. It is the average of the whole factory. We are not working harder than before, but perhaps we are working with a better heart.” The workers at the outset were never led to imagine that the scheme would be entirely for their own benefit. They were told that they would receive full payment for all they produced over and above the fixed normal output. On the other hand, the firm wonM benefit by an increase in the output. The scheme was for mutual benefit. Perhaps the best proof of the success of the scheme was shown during the slump period,' when it became, necessary to reduce the number of hands. The management explained the position, and asked the committee to decide who should go. After the meeting the committee informed the firm that the members would prefer that the firm should take the responsibility, but the management insisted that the committee sljpald act. The workers then decided that the unmarried men were the best fitted to stand the siege of unemployment, but no one was permanently discharged. It was arranged that the single men should work half-time, turn about, and in this way the depression was survived without anyone suffering severe hardship. A representative of the girls was asked if life in her department was now “one glad song.” or if the girls squabbled and “made it up” in the good old-fashioned way. “Of course we squabble sometimes,” she said, “but not enough to spoil the scheme. It may sound contrary to the spirit of the thing, but we place a limit upon our output. You see, some can do fast, neat work, and others fast sloppy work. Well, we do not want any sloppy work, and so we avoid it by fixing a limit. With the introduction of new machines for new work there was a little difficulty, but that was quickly oyercome, because it was soon known what time should be placed upon the new articles.” The system has given an impetus to social diversions. Musical evenings and dances flourish in this atmosphere, and there is a tennis court made by the employees in their snare time for their own use. Only five days a week are worked, the four hours of Saturday morning being made up during the ether five days. A sick and mutual accident fund has been established. “ We do not lose men as formerly,” said one of the committee. ’There have been very few changes since the scheme started. Among the girls most of the resignations have been from those who were being married.”