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Work and Wages at a Melbourne Factory, the Guest Biscuit Works 1870–1921

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  • Charles Fahey
  • André Sammartino

Abstract

The story of wages in nineteenth‐ and early twentieth‐century Australia has largely been told through official published statistics and the experiences of skilled artisans and construction labourers. Utilising wage book data from an early successful manufacturing plant – a biscuit factory – we reveal the earning histories of several neglected groups of Australian workers. We specifically investigate the effects of the 1890s depression, the introduction of a wages board, and shifting demographics on the wages of unskilled factory hands, women, juvenile workers, and commercial clerks. We demonstrate that typical Australian wage series studies have misinterpreted the impact of these phenomena.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles Fahey & André Sammartino, 2013. "Work and Wages at a Melbourne Factory, the Guest Biscuit Works 1870–1921," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 53(1), pages 22-46, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ozechr:v:53:y:2013:i:1:p:22-46
    DOI: 10.1111/aehr.2013.53.issue-1
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    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/aehr.12003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew Seltzer & André Sammartino, 2011. "Nominal wage rigidity prior to compulsory arbitration: evidence from the Victorian Railways, 1902–1921," Cliometrica, Journal of Historical Economics and Econometric History, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC), vol. 5(1), pages 53-78, January.
    2. Sinclair, W A, 1981. "Women at Work in Melbourne and Adelaide since 1871," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 57(159), pages 344-353, December.
    3. Andrew Seltzer & André Sammartino, 2009. "Internal Labour Markets: Evidence From Two Large Australian Employers," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 49(2), pages 107-137, July.
    4. Seltzer, Andrew J. & Simons, Kenneth L., 2001. "Salaries and Career Opportunities in the Banking Industry: Evidence from the Personnel Records of the Union Bank of Australia," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 195-224, April.
    5. Seltzer, Andrew, 2010. "Did firms cut nominal wages in a deflationary environment?: Micro-level evidence from the late 19th and early 20th century banking industry," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 112-125, January.
    6. Seltzer, Andrew & Merrett, David T, 2000. "Personnel Policies at the Union Bank of Australia: Evidence from the 1888-1900 Entry Cohorts," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 18(4), pages 573-613, October.
    7. Ian W. McLean & Stephen J. Woodland, 1992. "Consumer Prices in Australia 1850-1914," School of Economics and Public Policy Working Papers 1992-04, University of Adelaide, School of Economics and Public Policy.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew Seltzer & Martin Shanahan & Claire Wright, 2022. "The Rise and Fall and Rise (?) of Economic History in Australia," CEH Discussion Papers 05, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
    2. Dmytro Ostapenko & Diane Kirkby, 2022. "‘Australian sailors wanted’: Labour supply and Australian shipping, c. 1870–c. 1914," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(2), pages 141-160, July.

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