Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

MINIMUM WAGESource: Monthly Labor Review, Vol. 14, No. 4 (APRIL, 1922), pp. 99-104Published by: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of LaborStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41828210 .

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MINIMUM WAGE.

Massachusetts.

THE division Minimum

of minimum Wage Commission

wage of the of State

Massachusetts, department

or of

rather labor and

the division of minimum wage of the State department of labor and industries, has issued advance sheets of its report for the year

ending November 30, 1921. The work of the year nas been marked by a revision of existing decrees rather than the undertaking of new activities. The business depression and downward trend of prices have made difficult the problem of securing compliance with the recommendations of the commission, and have been factors in the findings for lower rates made by the boards called or reconvened in some of the industries, while in others relatively early rates have been advanced. For the first time in the history of the law the commission has been obliged to publish the names of employers failing to comply with the decrees, this being the only form of en- forcement which the law provides.

Wage boards have been in session for office and other building cleaners, minor lines of confectionery and food preparations, men's furnishings, and retail stores. Other boards for which early meetings were anticipated were in the brush, laundry, muslin underwear, women's clothing, and men's clothing and raincoat industries; a new board was also being formed for the paper box industry. The de- crees entered during the year related to office and other building cleaners, fixing a rate of $15.40 per week, and of 37 cents per hour where less than 42 hours per week are worked; and for minor lines of confectionery and food preparations, where the rate was $12.

Inspections were made in candy, canning and preserving, corset making, knit goods, minor lines of confectionery, office cleaners, paper-box making, and wholesale millinery. These inspections re- sulted in procuring 14,690 records of women employed by 649 firms. Of the firms visited, 550 were in full compliance with the decrees applicable to them, wholesale millinery showing a clean record in this respect, while in corset making the three cases of noncompliance found in two firms were adjusted oy raising wages. Candy making, canning and preserving, and knit goods likewise showed a high degree of conformity to the requirements of the decrees. Of the 658 persons receiving less than the minimum wage, 425 or practically two-thirds were among office and other building cleaners. Paper boxes with- 92 cases and minor confectionery with 57 account for a large fraction of the remainder. Adjustments had not been made in minor confectionery cases by the end of the year with a single excep- tion, while 134 office cleaners' cases were pending when the report closed.

The fact that the law is not compulsory makes it possible for un- willing employers to decline compliance, and also puts the complying employer at a certain disadvantage in costs. The commission recom-

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100 MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.

mends an amendment, as it has for some years past, making the law mandatory, as is the case in all other States having minimum wage legislation. "The law in its present form is unfair to the great majority of employers who voluntarily accept and abide by the decree, " and several employers have refused to comply with the decree until it is made mandatory. On the other hand, efforts to repeal are being renewed, but, it is said, with little prospect of success.

Later reports indicate progress in the revision of rates in the hands of boards convened or reconvened during the year. The oldest rate is that for the brush occupation fixing a minimum wage for exper- ienced workers of 15 ' cents an hour. At the time that this rate was fixed (1913) the 54-hòur week then legal would give a weekly wage of $8.37. In 1919 the weekly limit was reduced to 48 hours, which would give a minimum wage of but $7.44. The new rate provisionally approved by the commission on the report of the board is §14.40 per week, w^ith a learners' entrance rate of $9.60, to be advanced to not less than $12 within 6 months. The hourly rates corresponding are 30 cents, 20 cents, and 25 cents, respectively.

In the men's clothing and raincoat occupations the $15 rate fixed in 1919 for experienced workers will be reduced to $14.75, learners' rates remaining unchanged; while in women's clothing the rate of $15.25 established in 1920 iß reduced to $14, adult learners to receive not less than $11 instead of $12, and all others not less than $9 instead of $10 fixed by the earlier decree.

In men's furnishings the action taken corresponds more nearly to that in the brush industry, the weekly rate of $9 fixed in 1917 being, advanced to $13.75 for experiencea workers. Banners over 16 years of age will receive $9, to be advanced to $10 after three months, and not less than $12 after six months' experience. Other learners receive not less than $8 per week as an entrance rate, the entrance rates for these two classes having been $7 per week under the earlier decree.

While the rates above named are reported as "provisional^ ap- proved," and public hearings are to be held before their final ratifica- tion, they may be taken as practically fixed for the occupations indi- cated. An effort is being made to procure a better degree of uni- formity in the rates fixed by the different boards, and to this end conferences have been called of the representatives of the public on the different boards. While differences are indicated above which are rather difficult to explain, the fact remains that some, of the more glaring inequalities will be removed by the bringing into effect of the rates recommended.

Minimum Wage Ordere in North Dakota.

THE been operation

affected of by

the the

minimum opposition

wage of some

law of of the North

employers Dakota

of has the been affected by the opposition of some of the employers of the

State, notably the telephone companies. The act was approved March 6, 1919, its enforcement being intrusted to the workmen's compensation bureau -of the State. Disputes as to the capacity of the commission to act during a period of incomplete organization were submitted to the court, and an injunction was issued restraining the

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MINIMUM* WAGE. 101

operation of the orders first promulgated until the question of legality was finally determined. Tne opposition, therefore, did not address itself to the nature of the law, and the compensation bureau chose to drop the contest as to the jurisdictional authority, and, in its reor- ganized form, to issue a new set of orders. No attempt was ever made to enforce the orders first issued, though technic alfy they remained as orders of the bureau.

Conferences called for the purpose of considering the new orders were said to be very harmonious and indicative of a general feeling of good will. Representatives of the employers' association and of one of the larger telephone companies are reported as expressing them- selves as satisfied with the orders adopted and contemplating no opposition thereto. The original list of orders, S in number, is not completely covered by the revised list, there being but 5 adapted on February 3, 1922. The occupations formerly covered that are omitted up to the present time are personal service , ofiice occupations, and student nurses. It is said that there is no present need apparent for orders in these occupations.

The current list of orders is newly numbered, beginning with num- ber one. As already indicated, all Dear date of February 3, 1922, and become effective in 60 days, or April 4. Order No. 1 relates to public housekeeping, and fixes a rate for experienced workers as waitresses and counter girls of $14.90, and as chambermaids and kitchen help of $14.20 per week. Rates fixed by the earlier order were $17.50 and $16.70, respectively. Where board is furnished, waitresses and counter girls are to receive $8.90 per week and chambermaids and kitchen help $8.25; while with board and lodging the money waçe is $6.80 for the first group and $5.95 for the second. If lodging only is furnished, $12.75 and $12.05, respectively, must be paid. A learning period of four months divided into two equal periods is established, with an entrance wage of $11.90, advancing to $13.60 after two months for waitresses and counter girls, and $11.20 advancing to $12.90 for chambermaids and kitchen help. Monthly rates through- out are four and one-third times the weekly rate.

The second order covers manufacturing occupations, and fixes a rate of $14 as against $16.50 under the order which this supersedes. The learning period is fixed for but two groups, biscuit and candy manufacturing, where it is nine months, and bookbinding and job- press feeding, where it is one year. In other establishments the length of apprenticeship is to be fixed by the bureau in its discretion, in con- ference with the employer and employee in such occupation; appren- ticeship wages are to be similarly determined. Rates during the learn- ing period advance uniformly by stages of three months each, the entrance wage being $9, that for the second period $10.50, and that for the third, $12 per week. The fourth period in bookbinding and job-press feeding calls for a $13 wage. Not more than 40 per cent of the employees in any manufacturing establishment shall be ap- prentices except by special permit. Provision is made also for piece- rate and part-time workers.

The third order relates to mercantile establishments. Experienced women are to receive not less than $14.50 per week or $62.83 per month. This is a reduction of $3 per week from the preceding order. Apprenticeship for 12 months is provided for, divided into four equal

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102 MONTHLY L'ABOI* REVIEW.

periods, the respective minimum rates being $9.f>0, $10.40, $11.20, and $12 per week. Not more than 25 per cent of the empWees in any mercantile establishment may be apprentices.

Laundries are covered by Order No. 4, which fixes a wage rate of $14 per week, or $13.50 where laundry privileges are allowed. The rate superseded was $16.50. Apprenticeship of five months, divided into periods of three months and two months, is fixed. $11 per week being the entrance rate, advancing to $12.50 after three months and to the $14 standard at the end of the next two months. The number of apprentices may not exceed 25 per cent of the employees.

Order No. 5 applies to telephone occupations and fixes a rate of $14 per week in towns of 1,800 population and over, and of $12 in towns of smaller population. The earlier rate was $16.50. The learning period extends over nine months, the entrance rate in larger towns oeing $10 per week, payable for the first month; for the next four months the rate is $11.50, and for the next four months $12.50, after which the standard rate is to be paid. In the smaller places the rates for the corresponding periods are $9, $10, and $11. The number of learners may not exceed 35 per cent of the employees. The schedule for part- time workers calls for 29 cents per hour in the larger towns, 25 cents per hour in the smaller towns, if the eight-hour law applies, and where the 8-hour law does not apply, 20 cents. The learners' rates for the different-sized places are also set forth, while for towns of under 500 and for rural exchanges mutual agreement as to work time is to be arrived at and the bureau informed.

The jurisdiction of the minimum wage department of the work- men's compensation bureau extends to a determination of schedules of hours and of sanitary conditions, which are embodied in each order. No reference is made to substandard workers except in the order relating to public housekeeping, in which it is provided that women physically defective bv age or otherwise may apply to the bureau and secure a permit for employment under conditions and for wages not specified m the order.

Revisions of Minimum Wage Orders in Washington.

AS POINTED 1921 (p. 113),

out the in the

order Monthly

of the Industrial Labor Review

Welfare for

Commission November,

1921 (p. 113), the order of the Industrial Welfare Commission of the State of Washington of September 10, 1918, fixed a

minimum wage for females generally " during the period of the war," telegraph ana telephone occupations being excepted. This order having lapsed, the industrial welfare committee, which supersedes the commission created by the act of 1913, has issued revised orders of practically general coverage.

Order Ño. 23 relates to public housekeeping, and fixes a weekly rate for experienced adults (over 18) of $14.50. This is for a 6-day week of 48 hours. If less than a week is worked, the wage is $2.50 per day or. 35 cents per hour. Employment may be continuous for not more than 10 consecutive days, ana at least 4 days' rest must be given in anv 28-day period. If ooard is furnished, 95 cents per day may be deducted from the wages, and for a room $2 per week. The

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MINIMUM WAGE. 103

meals are rated at 20 cents for breakfast, 30 cents for lunch, and 45 cents for dinner. A separate order (No. 24) fixes wages for minors, i. e., tjiose under 18, the rate being $12 for entrance, this to be in- creased $1 per week after each 4 months' service until the standard rate of $14.50 is reached. Night work (between 7 p. m. and 7 a. m.) is forbidden, though by permission females may work until 9 p. m. and males over 16 until 10. Females may not be employed as bell hops, nor may girls under 18 operate elevators, sell cigars and tobacco, act as messengers, bus girls, or cabaret performers.

Order No. 25, laundry and dye works, was noted in the Monthly Labor Review above referred to. The weekly minimum is $13.20.

Order No. 26 regulates the employment of minors in all occupations and industries • other than public housekeeping. As has already appeared, the industrial weliare committee has power to regulate employment conditions generally, and not wage rates only. This order fixes the minimum wage for minors under 18 at $9 per week, work being limited to six days and eight hours per day, no work to be done between 7 p. m. and 6 a. m. unless authorized by special permit. This does not apply to telephone and telegraph messengers m rural communities and cities of less than 3,000 population not continuously employed and paid by piece rate. No minor may be employed later tnan 10 p. m. The wage rate is to increase $1 per week for every six months of service until the standard of $13.20 is reached. Employment in specified dangerous or otherwise unsuit- able occupations is forbidden or restricted.

Telephone and telegraph employees are required by order No. 27 to receive $13.20 per week for six davs' service, the hours not being regulated other than a requirement of one hour for lunch. The order applies not only to telephone or telegraph operators, but to "any public occupation other than public housekeeping, laundry, dry- cleaning ana dye works, mercantile and manufacturing." Rest rooms, sanitary conveniences, and proper heat and ventilation are prescribed. Order Ňo. 28 fixes the same standards of wages and surroundings for the mercantile industries.

Manufacturing occupations are covered by order No. 29, which fixes the same weekly rate as is found in all other occupations except public housekeeping, but offers five schedules for apprentices varying in length from 4 weeks to 12 months. The entrance rate is uniformly $9, $1 to be added at the termination of each of the four schedule periods, either 1 week, 1 month, 6 weeks, 2 months or 3 months, according to the schedule fixed upon on application of the establish- ment to the supervisor of women in industry. Provision is made for both time and piece workers. The number of apprentices on time- work may not exceed 25 per cent of the total number of women employed at time rates; if piece rates are paid, the prevailing rate must enable at least 75 per cent of the workers to earn $13.20 or more per week. Beginners employed at piece rates must earn at least $9 per week after having been employed 60 days. The number of ap- prentices and the number of women on piece rates earning less than $13.20 per week may not exceed 25 per cent of the total number of women ötoployed.

Order No. 30 has no relation to wages, but prescribes working con- ditions for female employees in the State. The provisions relate to

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104 MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.

lighting, ventilation, and temperature (not less than 58° from October to April) ; floors, which must be dry and sanitary, or if wet, racks or grating must be provided; rest, cloak, and lunch rooms; seats, which women must be permitted to use when not actively engaged; and toilet and wash rooms. Other provisions forbid any woman or minor to be required or permitted to lift or carry excessive burdens; forbid the employment of a woman for four months before confinement or six weeks thereafter, and direct that the requirements for first aid provided by law be complied with.

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