The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-06-07
THE DOCKING SYSTEM.
An Injustice That Hsbs workers 81
Millions Every Year.

AN Injustice That Hebs workers 0f
Millions Every Year.
The docking system is in operation in
nearly all large manufactures, whole
sale and retail establishments. Millions
Of dollars are taken from workers ev-
cry year by this means. Investigation
shows that from % per cent to 500 per
cent is taxed over and above the
amount received BY employees for the
same amount OF time. Overtime never
Is paid for in the majority Of cases
The docking rules are enforced rig
idly. Regardless of extra work given
BY compulsion. every employee register
ing one minute late pays an enormous
percentage from his wages. The strict
est OF iteInized accounts is ordered in
this branch by the management 1t
means thousands Of dollars III the treas
ury at the end Of the year. Investiga-
ton proves that no records are kept OF
overtime. That would be too much on
the order OF self determination. Profits,
dividends and SURPRISES would be ar
fected visibly IL such record were
discovered and all fine had to be con-
verted into cash
hands are employed 1t Is necessary to
enforce some system to secure punctu-
atty.
Under the present rules inexperienc-
ed and experienced workers are treat
ed alike. The difference In wages
makes no difference in the rule. Facts
prove that the most poorly paid en-
ployee is locked at the largest percent
age. Thousands In our cities will bear
witness 10 this.
A man paid at $3.50 per day rate is
docked over twice MS much as he re-
ceives for working the same length Of
time, while the errand boy. under the
same rule. pays 900 per cent and over.
Examine the register OF an establish
ment where 5000 workers are employ
edevery one must report twice day
and you will fii.d per cent Of them
are docked. This is most conserva-
tive estimate. II simply means 1925
per week or SI1, 700 per year. an excel
lent sum TO add to the years profits.
OF this amount an average of so per
cent is clear extortion.
Hundreds Of business houses through
out this country are acquiring like and
even larger sums In Just such man
ner.
The claim has been made that all
funds from the docking system are
placed In the treasures OF the employ
ees' insurance, mutual aid or beneficial
societies. Whether this Is a fact or
not is question the officers of these
societies alone can answer.
The following are the more generally
used docking rules:
"a charge Of cent per minute for
the first fifteen minutes. and the ball
anee of time in proportion to wages"
Fifteen cents 10 be charged when
late one 10 fifteen minutes. and the bal
ance Of time according TO wages"
You can figure by these rules the
enormous profits derived annually
through this channel.
Why shouldn't an employer be com
PEELED TO pay for extra time In the
same proportion that he docks?
Fifteen minutes il fifteen minutes
whether it comes between 8 and Sis
n. m. or @ and G15 p. m.
What is justice for one should be
justice for the other. 1t is simply the
employers own plan inverted.
If such rule were enforced the new
condition would call forth change Of
orders like these: Rush your work"
"Close on time Have every one out
Of here at G.
An incoming sum at the rate Of 80
per cent cxtortion Is a thorough bust
ness transaction and considered Il great
achievement An outgoing sum under
such conditions generally calls for a
new management = NJ II. Burns In
chicago Tribuue