Workers could be paid using two different minimum wage scales - time rates (i.e. a standard sum per hour) or piece rates (i.e. for the number of items worked). The Trade Board assessed the standard working week to be 48 hours, with a maximum of 4 hours to be normally worked on Saturdays.

Time rates often varied according to age and experience. When this was the case, workers under those ages were subject to lower minimum rates of pay.

Minimum time rates

Men:

Workers (general)

From 17 Nov 1919 & 16 Jan 1922: £3 & 5 shillings a week (48 hours) = £169 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Surgical bootmakers:

From 12 Apr 1920 & 16 Jan 1922: £4 & 16 shillings a week (48 hours) = 2s an hour; £249 12s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Experienced operators of Power Sole-Stitchers or both Power Sole-Stitchers and Blake or Richardson machines, aged 21 and over:

From 6 Sep 1920 & 16 Jan 1922: £4 a week (48 hours) = £208 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Experienced operators of Blake or Richardson machines, aged 21 and over:

From 6 Sep 1920 & 16 Jan 1922: £3 & 15 shillings a week (48 hours) = £195 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Pressmen responsible for cutting and costing:

From 6 Sep 1920 & 16 Jan 1922: £3 & 15 shillings a week (48 hours) = £195 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Foremen and managers:

From 15 May 1920 & 16 Jan 1922: £4 a week (48 hours) = £208 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Women:

Workers aged 21 and over (general):

From 12 Apr 1920 & 16 Jan 1922: £3 & 5 shillings a week (48 hours) = £169 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Workers aged 21 and over employed in a productive department on patching machines:

From 12 Apr 1920 & 16 Jan 1922: £2 & 5 shillings a week (48 hours) = £117 a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)

Surgical bootmakers:

From 12 Apr 1920 & 16 Jan 1922: £4 & 16 shillings a week (48 hours) = 2s an hour; £249 12s a year (if all 52 weeks a year were worked)