The bakers' case

from A,E. Halliday, 0.B.E. The situation could be divided into two issues, one in relation to the Distributive side, and the other in relation to the Productive side, As far as the Productive side is concerned, we have for some considerable time been to the National Joint Committee in view of the technical changes that have taken place in our industry, requesting that our National Agreement be revised in the light of the changes already taken place, and for new techniques that are now operating in the industry, end for this purpose, the Sub-Committee has been set up to consider same. We have also submitted to the employers a four-point application on the basis of trade union membership, that the present basic wage rate, 5/9. per hour, be increased to 7/6d6 per hour, ies, £15 for the 40-hour week, and the present extended annual holidays on the basis of service, be amended to provide a third week's holiday after twelve months service for all employees, and for annual increments for female workers until we reach the question of equal pay for female workers, In the course of our negotiations, we have stressed to the employers that the industry recognise that the basic wage rate is (in)sufficient, and consequently, the need for overtime is part of the built-in structure of our industry; and we desire a revision of working arrangements with the object of reducing overtime working, and the earnings being transferred to build up the basic wage rates During the course of negotiations, we have had the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes, which has made certain recommendations. We have tried to get the employers to agree to the principle of the £15 as a basic wage rate, and from that standard to review the Nntional Agreement in relation to our industry. We also suggested that this could be implemented from a given date, lst December, and for both sides to work towards this object. The employers however, were unable to concede this, particularly in view of the National Board for Prices and Incomes report, as they alleged this would necessitate an increase in prices, However, in view of the failure to get an assurance on the immediate issue of £15, we have decided to reecall our Conference to consider the present position, particularly in the light of the further meeting which we have held with Mr. George Brown, Minister of Economic Affairs, and a further meeting which is being held by the Minister of Labour, *This article was written especially for The Week, in enswer to a request, by Mr. A.E. Halliday, General Secretary of the Bakers! Unione We are sure that all readers will wish the Bakerst Union every succes in achieving its aims, and that they will explain the Bakers! case throughout the movemente