The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-10-29

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workers by means Of an output bonus.
This is supplementary proposal aris-
| ing out of the recent decision 10 estab-
lsh a general minimum-or basic
| wage In the mining industry. Repre-
SentativeS of both the mine workers
and the mine owners have agreed to
the principle that the bonus on output
should be based on district output
rather than on the output Of individual
| pits, which was the original suggestion.
| A standard output for each district
has therefore been fixed, by agreement
with the representatives of the two
sides of the industry. 1t may he nee
essary to revert to a scheme based on
individual pits or groups of pits, if it
should appear after an experimental
period that the district scheme is not
effective.
For the time being, however, stand
ard output has been fixed on a district
basis. Whenever the output of Saleable
coal in district exceeds the standard
output, in an output period defined as
a period of four consecutive weeksl the
mine workers in that district will re-
ceive a bonus payment for every com
plete one per cent by which their out
put exceeds the standard output. Thus,
taking the standard output at 100 per
cent a bonus payment of Sd per shift
will be paid when output rises to 1O1
per cent Cd per shift when it reaches
1O2 per cent; and so by increases Of
Sd. for every complete one per cent
up to 1l5 per cent over when the
bonus payment will be 3s.9d. per shift.
Added To The Wage
1t is to be an equal payment to all
workers in the district for each Shift
worked during the output period in
which the bonus is earned; it will be
paid in four equal weekly instalmenrs
by way of addition to the wages of the
wOrker-that is to all male workers
within the industry who are directly
or indirectly engaged in the work of
winning, raising and handling coal and
other OperatiOnal service. In accord
ance with such practices as may exist
in mid-.June this year other male work
ers within the industry and women
workers may participate in the bonus
payment. Underground workers below
the age of IS and male surface workers
under the age of q will receive half
the bonus rate, and the amount of pay
ment in the case of female workers
will he governed by local practice.
1t is proposed to review the working
of the scheme after March next year
1t is necessarily experimental, but it is
hoped that all concerned will cooper,
ate With good will in making it sue
cess, thus helping to secure the in,
creased production of coal which is sc
urgently needed. Both the mine work
ers' union and the mine owners asso
citation are represented on the BoarG
which is to be set up in each districl
for periodical review and adjustment
of standard output. They are also tC
be consulted by the Ministry in the
appointment of an Independent person
to act as chairman of the reviewing
Board.
Il periodical review at the end of every
sixth consecutive output period if nee
esSary, if either the mine workers
union or the mine owners association
separately or jointly apply for "A re-
view to be made, of if the Minister
on his own initiative thinks it neceS
sary or advisable. The reviewing BoarG
must forthwith give a hearing to repre-
sentatives of the mine workers AM
mine owners, and take into account al
the circumstances which have affected
output during the review period fol
which the decision is to operate. Sucl
factors as wastage or increase of mar
power, or any action taken or direc
tion given by the Regional Controlled
have to be taken into account, in theil
bearing upon the reviewing authority's
decision to fix the standard output fol
the ensuing review period.