A MAXIMUM WAGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16267, 6 November 1920, Page 16

A MAXIMUM WAGE.

[Per Press Association.] , . AUCKLAND, November 5. llio practice of bidding up” wanes or carpenters and bricklayers bv private bargaining with contractors Ims been exercising the builders of Auckland for some time past and has resulted ni members of the Auckland Enilders Association having agreed on a, scale of maximum wages for carpenters, bricklayers and plasterers. At a meeting of tho association. some time a.o-o members reported that they were beinopestered by continual applications for increased wages by men who stated that some other builder was paying more, and in the course of discussion on the subject of wages paid the opinion was expressed that some workers were systematically " bidding up ” olio employer against the other. The association decided to send out voting papers to all members on the subject of agreeing on a maximum wage, these papers being returnable for a special meeting to be held on November 4. •u? f night there was a record attendance of members and a count of the voting papers resulted in a unanimous vote in favour of a maximum wage. The meeting discussed the question and unanimously decided to fix a maximum wage of 2s fid per hour for carpenters and joiners, and 3s per hour tor bricklayers and plasterers. All members present agreed not to pay more than this maximum, and to bring the new rule into force on November 12. It was made dear during the discussion that this maximum refers only to the best: men, exclusive of foremen. The present award rates, including theJatesi 9s cost of living bonus, are : 2s ojd for carpenters and joiners; 2s id for hrickla yers and plasterers; and 2s Old for labourers. At tho moment some men are being paid 3s per hour, and others are asking 3s 3d. - • According to reports similar action is_ contemplated among builders ’in A]diiii"tou and other districts,-