WAGE RESTRAINT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27247, 25 November 1949, Page 7

WAGE RESTRAINT

APPEAL TO UNIONS TUC POLICY SUPPORTS RECOVERY PUN NZPA—Reuter—Copyright LONDON, Nov. 23. Trades Union Congress leaders today approved a policy of wage restraint designed to support the Government’s economic recovery programme. They urged the congress’s 8,000,000 members to agree to work until January, 1951, at their existing basic wage rates. An appeal sent out to the 187 affiliated trade unions to-night urges that wage rates shall remain stable so long as the index of retail prices does not rise or fall more than six points—the equivalent of about 7s 6d a household week. The TUC General Council undertakes that special regard will be given to the possibility of assisting lowerpaid workers by incentive schemes. The council says that it will intensify its campaign for increased productivity and greater efficiency in industry, and recommends a review within each industry to see if systems of payments by results can be extended.

The new policy was accepted unanimously by the 17 leaders of the TUC in committee after seven weeks ot intense discussion, including several meetings with Cabinet Ministers. Ii was adopted by the full General Council to-day, with only two members dissenting. Mr Vincent Tewson, the TUC general secretary, said that the TUC expected employers to exercise more restraint in the payment of dividends, and added: “We have an assurance that there will be bo Budgetary action which will attempt to take any further advantage of these proposals we have made, to the detriment of our enemies.” ,