The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 81
Objections to the System
Objections to the System.
Now, I want to anticipate objections which are likely to be raised to this system. The practice of paying a premium or extra wage to one or a few operatives in order to force the pace of all is strongly condemned by trade unions. And from the glaring abuses of the system, rightly condemned. I need not delay to set out the objections to the class of "chasers," "runners," and "bellhorses" employed in different callings at a premium to be pace-makers for all. The oppressive tendency of this peculiar system has justified trade union opposition. But this system has never yet in the world, as far as I know, been tried under a Compulsory Arbitration Act with powers to prevent these abuses, and upon-examination it will be found that its evils are due to the fact that the employer (in the absence of the controlling power of an Arbitration Act over him) has been able to use or rather abuse the system for his own profit.