The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-04-19 00:00:00

MEETING OF PLUMBERS

Last night, a numerous meeting of the journeymen
plumbers was held at the house of Mr. Solomon May, in
Ranelagh-street. The advertisement convening the meet-
ing requested every member of the trade to attend, as
" business of great importance" would be brought for-
ward. _ _ _

ROBERT STEVENSON was called to the chair, and in
the outset of his remarks said that he might offend some
of those present, because he was not disposed to ask for
anything unreasonable, but only for that which would
admit of the journeymen plumbers contributing to their
benefit society in connexion with the trade, in addition
to supporting their families. There was no trade con-
nected with the building society that required more care or
more skill than the plumber, and, therefore, they ought
to be paid a remunerative rate of wages, which was not the
case at present. Other trades belonging to the building
society, where so much skill was not required, were now
paid a proper rate of wages, and why should they re-
ceive less ? Did they think 24 shillings a week was
sufficient for a full journeyman ? (No.) Now, there
was a proposition, he understood, for twenty-seven shil-
lings a-week ' • but he did not think it would be a fair
thing to ask for twenty-seven shillings a-week at this
time. He suggested that twenty-six shillings a-week
should be agreed upon as the lowest rate of wages, and as
much more as the master might feel disposed to give ; but
he would not contend for a uniform rate of wages to every
man, as there were superior and inferior workmen in every
branch of business ; and it would be unfair to the
employer to compel him to pay the same rate of wages
to an inferior workman as to a superior one. Still he
would fix 26s as the lowest standard wages.
JAMES Ntmmo thought that throughout the trade an
advance of 2s per week should be demanded, that is, that
those who were receiving 245. a-week should ask for 265. ;
those who were receiving 265., should have 28s. , those
who were receiving 285., should have 305., and so on.
He thought it would be unfair to ask for more, because it
might hamper the employers who were under contracts,
and they all knew that the price of metal had advanced
lately. He concluded by moving that every man receive
two shillings a-week advance on his present rate of wages.
TIMOTHY BURKE seconded the resolution.
Much difference of opinion was manifested, and con-
siderable discussion took place, in the course of which the
Chairman and other speakers did not think it would be
right to compel the employers to pay an advance of 2s. to
those men who were now receiving 265. a week and
upwards.

The CHAIRMAN proposed as an amendment, that 265.
a-week be the lowest standard rate of wages, with as much
more as the employers would give.

BENJAMIN dozyNED. seconded.
Jomv KEMP moved, as another amendment, that the
lowest standard rate of wages be 275. a week.
This was seconded by WILLIAM PORTER.
_ _

After some further discussion, the chairman put the
second amendment, for which ten hands only were held
up. For the chairman's amendment there voted 38, and
on the original motion being put, 27 voted for it.
The chairman's proposal, that the lowest standard
of wages be 265. a week, was therefore carried.