Economics and the Workers

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 2, 1 March 1913, Page 3

Economics and the Workers

The soap-boxer is continually bombarded bv this question: “ Does not the Capitalist pay you your wages?” Implying that the Capitalist must, therefore, be a beneficent sort of a bloke. Let us look into the matter.

In the first place, Fellow-worker, does your employer pay you your wages before,, or after, you have done any work ? He pays you afterwards, most certainly; whether you are on by the piece, or by the day.

If Mr. Boss couldn’t make fifty shillings a week out of you. he wouldn’t want to pay you that amount in wages, would he ? No. he’d give you the sack.

So it is evident that you must first produce fifty bob’s worth of something before you can continue to receive that amount in wages.

But the boss is not out for his health. What is the use. he would say, of my investing two pounds ten in this man’s labour if I get no more than my money back ? Where are my profits ? I may as well bottle my money. Then he comes along to you and says: “Here, you’re not earning tucker!” (That’s his little joke, of course. He really means you’re not earning his tucker.) t So you pitch in and work twice as hard as before.

At the week-end the boss, remembering the five quid you have earned for him, rubs his hands, returns you fifty bob, calls it straight, pats you on the back, and says you’re a damned good fellow. You’re a loyal worker and a credit to 1 he grand old flag.—A.ll.