Conditions for Letterpress Workers

(December 9, 1922)

Conditions for Typesetting Workers

(1) For newspaper typesetters: For each major newspaper of two large sheets, calculated as eight pages, one person per page. Each column shall be calculated based on a standard of 50 lines, with the line count based on the space occupied by No. 5 type. If lines are added, payment shall be calculated proportionately. Advertising shall be handled by one person. Once various news items are typeset and proofed, no removal shall be permitted. However, if removal is absolutely necessary, an additional 6 jiao in silver per hundred characters shall be paid. For miscellaneous job typesetters, daily work shall be limited to eight hours, but rest periods at the beginning and end are not included in this time. If evening work is added, it shall be calculated at the daily work rate plus food expenses, with three and a half hours counted as one workday.

(2) All newspapers should issue copy as early as possible. For provincial news, the standard shall be 104 lines per person, with lines calculated based on six characters.

(3) For newspaper typesetters, in addition to meals, the monthly wage shall be 11 silver dollars in guangyang, calculated on a monthly basis. However, those working ten days or fewer shall be calculated on a half-month basis; those working more than ten days shall be calculated on a one-month basis. This does not apply in cases where the newspaper office goes bankrupt or is sealed. For miscellaneous job typesetters, in addition to meals, the monthly wage shall have a base rate of 9 silver dollars in guangyang, calculated on a monthly basis. The foreman's salary shall be double.

(4) For output and proofing, the payment shall be 1 jiao and 4 fen in guangyang per thousand characters. Blank spaces shall be calculated as characters. Borders, circles, large and small brackets, and marginal symbols shall be calculated at an additional half rate. Tables within books shall be calculated at double rate. Rates for English text, miscellaneous pieces, complex tables shall be negotiated separately. Meals shall be fully borne by the company.

(5) Two-fifteenths of the company's dividends shall be allocated as dividends for all workers. However, this is limited to those who have worked for a full six months.

(6) Miscellaneous job typesetters shall begin work on the sixth day of the first lunar month each year and conclude work on the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month. However, under special circumstances where work is necessary, wages must be paid at double the rate. The first and fifteenth days of each lunar month shall be rest days; wages shall not be deducted for these days. If special work is required on a rest day, wages must be paid at double the rate.

(7) Within one year from the date of signing, companies shall not take on additional apprentices.

Conditions for Letterpress Machine Workers

(1) Contract printing of major newspapers. For each type, counting as two sheets, the monthly contract price shall be 22 silver dollars in guangyang. The print run shall range from 100 to 1,000 copies. If the run exceeds 1,000 copies, the calculation shall be at 70% of the original price.

(2) Contract printing of minor newspapers. For each type, counting as one small sheet, the monthly contract price shall be 10 silver dollars in guangyang. The print run shall range from 100 to 1,000 copies. If the run exceeds 1,000 copies, the calculation shall be at 50% of the original price. Terms for dual-role conditions shall be negotiated separately as needed.

(3) Machine operators: Each person's monthly wage shall be 10 silver dollars in guangyang.

(4) Press rollers: Each person's monthly wage shall be 5 silver dollars in guangyang.

(5) For both contract workers and hired workers, meals shall be fully borne by the company. Apprentices and evening work shall follow the regulations of the Typesetting Department.

Common Conditions for Both Departments

(1) When dismissing a worker, the company must announce the reason, and may not use this strike as the reason.

(2) Wages and food expenses for the period from December 26 to 30 must be paid retroactively by each company as usual. However, this does not apply if a newspaper office ceases operation entirely thereafter.