POTTERS' WAGES.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17122, 18 April 1921, Page 8

POTTERS' WAGES.

. NO REDUCTION IN ENGLAND. v The "Staffordshire Sentinel" of February Bth, which came to hand last week, had, the following report as to wag<39 ■ ancL conditions in • the potteries district of England:—, . . "We are officially, informed that it has been -agreed between the British Pottery Manufacturers' Federation and the National Society of Pottery Workers, the National Union of Engmemen and Stokers, and the Navvies and General Labourers* Union that notices on either side should not be exchanged for any. alteration of wages to take effect on and after March 25th, 1921. March 25th is, of course, the. pottas' annual -settling day, and, in accordance with | custom, notice of any ; alteration in wages-has to be given,/six weeks-prior to that date. Notices, if any, would therefore have been given bv February 11th. Negotiations have, however, been proceeding between representatives or the manufacturers and operatives, with the result stated above. Wages will, therefore, stand at their present level of 66 2-3 rd per cent, incorporated,, plus 25 per ctnt. bonus, making the general advance (apart from departmental increases) 108 l-3rd per cent, over the- pre-war standard. "It is believed—though we make the statement quite unofficially—that tfhi? wages settlement will have a favourable effect on the demand for wares There fs no doubt that the present lifeless character of home and other markets is partly due to buyers holding back in the belief that pottery, selling prices are likely to fall. In fact, they probably counted on a reduction in "w-auges, as one -of the principal items in. cost ot production. It is now made clear to buyers that there iB to be no. reduction m wages, .and as to other costs of production- the most important \being coal—there is no easing at present, nor any immediate prospect. Buyers may, therefore, take it for granted that there will be no reduction in selling prices for a contfdtrablo time to come, and that there is no to be gained in delaying orders."