Cheap ground provisions, where?

THE EDITOR: There is great concern being expressed at all levels regarding the never ending increases in the cost of goods and services to the consumers of this country, especially in recent times and relative to basic food items. The two basic ingredients in most commodities consist of raw material and labour, and the cost of raw material is to a large extent dependent on the cost of labour in its production. It was interesting to note that some union leaders were among those who showed their concern recently when the price of flour, milk and rice were significantly increased.

In the bad old days when wages and salaries were fixed at a particular level for particular jobs with a starting rate and a maximum rate that was attained over a period of service and largely based on productivity and performance, labour costs remained at a fixed predetermined level and there was little change in the cost of the final product to the consumer. The cost of most items therefore remained virtually static and a tin of milk sold for six cents for decades on end. With the advent of the labour unions, however, wages are negotiated usually on a three year duration with each successive agreement moving upward by anywhere from 20 to 30 percent and accompanied by demands for increased and additional prerequisites, better working conditions and in some cases a decrease in working hours. Is anyone still wondering why the cost of living is continuously on the rise when in fact the cost of labour worldwide is going up with each passing day?

It might be instructive to note as well that union-negotiated increases apply to the entire workforce and affect the good, the bad and even the idle, and unlike most of the unions that I have encountered in the advanced countries of the world that frown on unproductive workers, complaints to shop stewards about unproductive workers in this country usually elicit the reply that the particular worker is the most productive of all. As I pointed out in a letter to a newspaper that was published in April 1996, “Perhaps it would do well for the labour force to come to terms with the fact that consistent increases in wages, can only result in consistent increases in the cost of living and that in reality they are the very ones who will be affected in the long run and the ones most affected will be the ones least able to cope with the ever increasing cost of goods and services.”

On a lighter note, perhaps Minster Danny Montano would be good enough to tell the public where he gets his cheap ground provisions from, because like most of the rest of the population I have so far been unable to locate such a source. In fact I have found that the price of provisions and vegetables has been on the increase in recent times.

MARTIN KAVANAGH
La Romaine