. EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATION 
extended meetings. It called upon the personnel manager and the 
superintendent to furnish data regarding existing wage rates, and 
undertook to obtain from outside sources information as to the cost 
of living in the vicinity and as to wages paid in similar industries in 
the locality. By canvassing representatives of various sections of 
the establishment, this committee reached the conclusion that the 
majority of departments favored a return to the rates of 1918, which 
would mean an increase of 25 per cent. 
Having arrived at this conclusion, the employees’ committee 
requested a joint meeting with the management representatives 
appointed to serve on a standing joint committee on wages. The 
further development may best be told by an abstract of joint com- 
mittee meeting minutes which follows: 
April 5,—Minutes of employees’ wage committee meetings read; discussed. 
Agreed that further information was needed regarding present wage rates, effi- 
ciency of labor, and cost of living for other similar plants in the east. 
April 10,—After discussion it was voted that the following questions should 
be investigated in the order indicated: 
A. Does the general sentiment of the plant favor an increase in earnings? 
B. Does the condition of the industry and labor conditions (cost of living) 
justify the request? 
C. What are the possibilities of increasing the earnings of employees through 
increased production, economy of operation, lower turnover, etc.? 
D. How should increased earnings, if any, be put into effect? 
E. Does the financial condition of this plant warrant an increase? 
F. How much, if any, should this increase be? 
Motion [by a foreman, a management representative] that the committee 
answer “No” to item A; motion withdrawn. 
Motion [by an employee representative] that the committee answer “Yes” 
to item A; so voted. It was also voted that it was the consensus of opinion of 
the committee that the cost of living today is practically the same as in October, 
1918. 
April 11,—Voted to investigate item E before item D. 
Voted to post minutes of these wage conference meetings throughout the plant. 
Voted that the cost of living does justify increased earnings to employees. 
Voted to table the question as to the condition of industry and labor condi- 
tions because of need for further data. 
Discussion of item C. 
April 16,—Voted that the tendency of industry in general toward higher wages 
would indicate that an increase in the employees’ earnings is advisable. 
April 17,—General manager of plant present (at request of joint committee) 
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