RESTRICTING WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1920, Page 5

RESTRICTING WAGES.

BUILDEES FIX MAXIMUM. "BIDDING UP" DEFEATED. By Telegraph.—Press AssoeUtlon. Auckland, Last Nighf | The practice of ''bidding up"' wage* nf carpenters and bricklayers by, privale bargaining with contractors hai iii'cn exercising the builders of Aucklam! for some time past, and has reMilted in the members of the Auckland 'builders' Association having agreed ore a scale of maximum wages for carpenter*, bricklayers, and plasterers. At a meeting of the Association some time ngo, members reported that they were being pestered by continual ap« plications for increased wages by the men, who stated that gome other, builder was paying more, and in the course of a discussion on the subject ol wages an opinion was expressed that some workers were systematically "bidding up" one employer against toother. The Association decided to send out a voting paper to all members on the subject of agreeing on a maximum wage, these papers being returnable for a special meeting to be held on Nov. 4. When the special meeting, was held last night there was a record ance of members, and the count of thev voting papers resulted in a unanimous vite in favor of maximum wages. *rhe meeting discussed the question and unanimously decided to fix a maxrmum wage of 2s 0d per hour for carpenters and joiners, and 3s per hour for bricklayers and plasterers. All the members present agreed not' to pay mora than this maximum, and to bring the new rule into force on November 12. It was made clear during the discussion that this maximum refers only to the best meiij exclusive of foremen.

The present award rates, including the latest Os coat of living bonus, are 2s sid for carpenters and joiners, 2s 7d" toi bricklayers and plasterers, and 2a o|d for laborers. At the moment the men are being paid 3a per hour, an.! others are asking 3s 3d. According to reports similar action it, contemplated amongst builders in W«b. lington and other districts.