100 years ago

CORRESPONDENCE had taken place between Miss Sylvia Pankhurst and Mr Lloyd George as to whether the Treasury agreements between the Board of Trade and the Labour representatives would secure that women would receive equal pay for equal work with the men whom they might replace.

The chancellor had replied to Miss Pankhurst: “The words which you quote would guarantee that women undertaking the work of men would get the same piece rates as the men were receiving before the date of this agreement. That, of course means, that if the women turn out the same quantity of work as the men employed on the same job they will receive exactly the same pay.”

Miss Pankhurst had now written asking for a definite answer on the point whether the women would also receive any war bonus and an increase of wages as a result of the war which would have been paid had the men been employed.

 

50 years ago

BRITISH Railway Workshops were to compete for export rolling stock contracts. Mr Tom Fraser, minister of transport, would announce in the Commons that legislation was to be introduced to give British Railways the power to tender for export.

Under the Conservative government, railway workshops were prevented from competing with private enterprise for the manufacture of rolling stock. The Labour government quickly switched this policy and British Railways were already allowed to compete for contracts to build railway wagons for private firms in Britain. But allowing the workshops to compete for export orders required an amendment to the Transport Act.

 

25 years ago

SOME of the 380 employees of York & County Press got their first taste of things to come this week, with the opening of the new staff restaurant at the Walmgate premises by Miss Yorkshire Evening Press, Emma Elwell.

The 1920s-style dining room was decorated in pink and green trim with mood lighting, and Impressionist paintings adorned the walls. Aimed at healthy eating in a relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant was the latest in a series of “people matter” benefits introduced by York & County Press.

“We ask for a huge commitment from our staff in terms of hours, dedication and quality. In return we are trying very hard to be a first-class employer, having the needs and welfare of members of staff at heart,” said general manager David Mothersdale.

“In line with being members of the Look After Your Heart campaign, we have introduced health checks and tests for staff and therefore we would continue in this vein with the menus in the restaurant, all subsidised by the company with the menu changing each day,” added Mr Mothersdale.

“Although there will be chips on the menu we will be encouraging healthy eating.”