WAGES IN WAREHOUSES.

Evening Star, Issue 22459, 2 October 1936, Page 7

WAGES IN WAREHOUSES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —It is my wish to bring before your readers the position as it exists in man \ r wholesale establishments in this city in connection with the restoration of the 1931 rates of pay, and if any of our prominent trades union officials should read this letter *1 hope that they will publish a reply. Up to 1931 a warehousemen’s union was in existence and an award was operative, specifying rates of pay up till the age of 23. As in other trades, wages were reduced, not only by 10 per cent., but in 1932 up to a further 15 per cent., when the award expired. We have been given to understand that, by the Finance Act, remunerations were to be the same as in 1931. In some warehouses the wishes of Parliament have been complied with by the employers, but in many cases the wages now paid are exactly the same as those paid during the last few .years, in many cases £3 a week being paid after eight years’ service. Owing to the Storemen and Packers’ Federation having lodged a protest against a wholesale employees’ union being formed, we have no recourse of asking our union secretary to rectify our grievance. Young men from different warehouses, have seen the Labour Department with a view to having justice done to themselves, but so far to no avail. I ask that any of your readers with the necessary knowledge of industrial matters will reply to my letter, pointing out some avenue by which these dilatory employers may he made to meet their obligations to their employees.—l am, etc., Young Warehouseman. October 2.