Thursday's Times contains an account of a remarkable agreement entered
into by the Northern Shipbuilders' and the Boilermakers' and Iron and Steel Shipbuilders' Union,— perhaps the strongest and best organised trade society in the Kingdom. Under it no alteration in wages is to be made until six months has elapsed since the last alteration, and no alteration either way is to be more than 5 per cent. Four weeks' notice in writing must precede any alteration, and previous to such notice there must have been a conference between the officials of the Employers' Association and the Union. Provision is also made for Bottling minor disputes by a joint committee. Work is to proceed penclente lite, whether the dispute is in regard to prices or other con- ditions, and the decision is, we presume, to refer back. A standing committee of three on each side is to be appointed in each river to settle local disputes. The scheme is to be tried for a period of five years. The men this week voted on the proposal, and adopted it by 15,950 to 11,840 against. Both sides are to be congratulated on a plan full of hope for the settlement of trade disputes. So practical an acknowledgment of the virtual partnership between employers and employed) is a subject for real rejoicing. The officials of the Boiler- makers' Union deserve the very greatest credit for their share in the transaction. Alen with narrow or selfish views might have been jealous of the loss of power apparently occasioned? by a five-year agreement.
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