Factory Wage Structures and National Agreements

Originally published in 1960, this book contains a survey of the structure of factory wages in Great Britain.

D. J. Robertson (Author)

9781107669130, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 March 2013

274 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.41 kg

Originally published in 1960, this book contains a survey of the structure of factory wages in Great Britain. Three case studies from engineering and shipbuilding lead into a general discussion of wage structures in these industries. The text considers the uses and abuses of systems of payment by results, particularly their effects on relative payments to different grades of workers. Overtime payments are similarly considered, especially their attraction to workers and their cost to management. Finally, the effects of these components of the pay packet are discussed in relation to the attitudes of trade unions and management, and to wage policies and theories. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in British economic history and labour relations.

List of tables
List of figures
Preface
1. Introduction
Part I. Wages in Practice: 2. Wages in the engineering industry
3. Wages in an engineering factory I
4. Wages in an engineering factory II
5. Wages in the shipbuilding industry
6. Wages in a shipyard
Part II. Factory Wage Structures: 7. Payment-by-results: in principle
8. Payment-by-results: in practice (Appendix - illustrations from two strikes)
9. Overtime
10. Rewards for skill
Part III. Wage Policy: 11. Trade unions and employers' associations
12. A commentary on wage policy
Part IV: What kind of wage theory?
Appendix 1. Variable earnings and wage earners' expenditure
Appendix 2. National agreements in the engineering industry
Appendix 3. Memorandum to the council on prices, productivity and incomes
Index.

Subject Areas: Economics of industrial organisation [KCD]