The mirror., 1921-12-01

employee.
This paper does not call for the uphold
ing of the unions, but l feel that these
are questions that should be answered in
some measure.
While it is undoubtedly true that some,
not all, unions may have encouraged the
"go easy" system in the past, I know of
no union that practices this today.
In regards to the days work being
regulated by the least efficient employee
well, this system does apply :. :. in the
British Isles, but we happen to be in
America, where we find the better,
quicker, more proficient craftsman is not
only paid his regular union scale, but is
given bonus for any extra work he may
turn out, this is an inducement that tends
to encourage better craftsmanship.
Let us go back to the Open Shop. Do
we find the mechanic receiving extra
money for extra work? No!
Here we find system of contract jobs
timework; pacemaking and piece work in
vogue.
Just what do these terms mean?
The contract job, is as its name implies
a proposition where the employee receives
so much for the work, whether it takes
two hours or two years. and you may rest
fully assured that the boss has figured out
well in advance how long it would take
a good mechanic to perform the work, so
that the best the employee may expect is
an ordinary days wages, for an extra
ordinary days work.
Timework is practically the same thing,
it allows the workman so much time for
given amount of work, if he is able to
finish it in the specified time or not.
Pacemaking used to be employed, by
setting the days work, according to the
amount of work turned out by the fastest
worker, but with the introduction of
machinery it has taken on different
aspect.
Now it is merely matter Of regulating
the speed of the machines, just as you
regulate your automobile, from low, to
intermediate, to high, with this exception,
when your automobile is in high you
know it is in high, while the employee
finds the machine is still capable of little
more speed, long after it has reached high.
Now we come to the piece work sys-
tenn; here without doubt is the most
dangerous weapon in the hands of cruel
employer, weapon with which he may
cause his employees to almost sweat blood.
Let us see how this instrument of tor
ture is used.
An employee goes to work, and is given
an opportunity of working for so much
for each piece of work he does, he tries
this, and to his astonishment finds he can
earn,-let us say $500 day, fairly easily,
but the employer also finds This out, and
takes little off the piece rate the en-
ployee finds by just little more effort on
his part, he can still earn the $500, and
again the employer cuts the piece rate,
and so the process goes on, and on, with
the employer always one jump behind the
employee, and by these methods beating,
driving and goading the ambitious en-
ployee into over-exerting himself until at
last his physical endurance gives way,
when he is forced to retire into a life of
poverty, suffering, and anguish, broken in
spirit and body, to make way for some
other young husky, who is ready to follow
in his footsteps.
These are some of the reasons, why
am not in favor of the Open Shop or
American plan, could give more but
time. will not permit.
NoTE: Read before the Pierian Chau-
tauqua Circle, at their regular meeting
Sunday afternoon, Nov. 6, 1921.