In view of this result, periodic pressure becomes relatively unimportant for the regular hands. There is no season in the industry as a whole shown in the wage lists. The different firms and different workers have in many cases their regular times of pressure like bank clerks and schoolmasters; these times are sometimes monthly, sometimes quarterly. In other cases no rule is to be discovered.
The most important effect of this irregular pressure is in the number of jobbers employed.
Jobbers usually come in at the busy season and make good money. As they go from house to house, it is impossible to get a full account of any particular jobber's earnings.
Jobbers are frequently employed in Firm B, and in many cases the highest wage earned is by a jobber. Thus in the last week of April, 1895, out of thirty workers, fifteen were jobbers; the eleven highest sums were earned by them, five being over £1.
The distinction between time rates and piece rates is not vital; the method of payment seems to be accidental, and the custom varies from house to house. Machine rulers seem generally to have time rates, and these are among the lowest earners, while some of the best paid permanent hands are also time. On looking through the lists of individuals' earnings, it is seen that time earnings are sometimes quite as variable as piece earnings, for hours worked fluctuate continually. In other cases the time payment is much more regular, showing fluctuations only at holidays.
APPENDIX I.--POINTS UPON WHICH ENQUIRIES WERE MADE.
Comparison between length of training in vogue now and formerly, to be obtained where possible.
Wages throughout the factory or workshop for two or three slack and two or three busy weeks to be obtained where possible, and for a few ordinary hands throughout the year.
(_a_) Describe the nature of the work, and subdivisions.
(_c_) Is it healthy? Is there a special trade disease?
(_d_) Is much strength or intelligence needed?
(_f_) Average hours per week; meal hours.
(_g_) Is there a chance of rising? If so, to what position?
What attempts have been made to organise women, and with what success?
Attitude towards, and knowledge about, Women's Unions?
Are there signs of married women lowering rates of pay?