Norwich bulletin., 1921-05-09
AWARD FOR MAsoNs Is
SCALE OF 90 (


 Zebulon R. Robbins, who has acted as | arbitrator in the wage settlement be- tween the master builders and the brick. layers, masons and p,asters' internationl union, local No. 12, rendered his deci- sion Saturday, which sets the minimum wage at 90 cents an hour up to the first of next April
 The masons have been out on strike since their demand that the former wage scale of SLIP 1-2 an hour was re- fused by the master builders who of fered 90 cents an hour
 The following is the award made by the arbitrator, which it was agreed on should be- binding upon both sides:
 To the committee representing the Master Builders and the Bricklayers, Masons, and Masters International necticut; Messrs. P. F. Sweeney, Ar chibald Torrance, Thomas H. Delaney, Thomas c. Barry:
 Gentlemen: In considering the wage question submitted for award. the fol- | lowing conditions must be taken into &C., | count: First, the high cost of living and the high cost of materials; second, the cause to these high costs third, how best to reduce these costs to living rates with the greatest justness and fairness l to all parties concerned The extreme high prices of today are chargeable to the word war. After war l comes reconstruction and this means re- | adjustment of prices
 Prices generally are on the decline and 1 labor must accept it's share in the re- i duction in order to level costs to a liv- 1 ing standard; for labor is the prime i factor in the cost of everything.
 In making comparisons as best I can l in the limited time at my disposal I | find the following.
 First-The present scale of wages for union masons in Norwich. namely SLIP l 1-2 per hour is the highest of any | city in the state, with New Haven very close. second at SLIP an hour. Second-In some instances a considera- ble reduction has been brought about ] by mutual afreemqnt. In other in stances and in other crafts arbitration has has resulted in a reduction of 20 per cent.
 In fixing this award I am required to establish two points:
 1-The time for this agreement to run. namely. until April 1, 1929.
 2-The minimum wage for which a union mason may be emoioyad during this period.
 In the first point (prac.icaily one !esr) I am mindful that the reduction of pric-
 es is, and will be steady and material
 during that period.
 In the second point, n establishing
 the minimum rate of wage Ro mason is prohibited from receiving a higher wag,
 if both parties. the employed and the !; employer. are agreed. Finally, with a fuM apprecia ':on of the responsibility assumed. and with nc other incentive but to be just arI equ:t. able to all concerned, I conclude that [ redgcton of 20 per cent. from the pras
 ent SLIP 1-2 per hour 10 the new inIr- , imum ware to be established from tht date of this decision to April 1, 1922 is both fair and reasonable. : I, therefore, name 90 cents per hou, . as the minimum wage for the Brick,ay CTS, Masons and Plasters' Internat!ona ' Union, Local No. 12, and the Master : Builders association of Norwich. Conn f RasDa ,tfILy, ZEBULON R. ROBBINS. \ Arbitrator Dated at Norwich, Co7a., May :, 1921 i While the strike was 3n t is under stood that some If the Norwich -nel e have been working on job Tn 3aut s vile where they were pail S1 al lDur