'A kind of Elysium where nobody has anything difficult to do': H.B. Higgins, H.V. McKay and the Agricultural Implement Makers, 1901-26

Abstract

The years 1907 to 1913 were a period of bitter industrial relations at the Sunshine Harvester Works. It was here in 1907 that H.B. Higgins handed down his famous needs based wage for unskilled labour. However, the same award rejected the use of improvers and offered large pay increases to skilled and semi-skilled employees. For this reason it was opposed by the industrialist, H.V. McKay. Intent on introducing modern manufacturing methods, McKay was determined to resist wage rates comparable to those prevailing in general engineering. Failing to win wage rises through arbitration, his employees attempted to introduce a closed shop in 1911. McKay in turn locked out his workforce. At the end of..