ABSTRACT
We, the masons and carpenters, wish to inform you that for the sake of earning our livelihood, we demand a modest pay increase. Since June 1, we have been paid thirty-four cents for grade A work, and twenty-six cents for grade B work. Then recently there suddenly emerged an association of a few people, which held a meeting in opposition to this, and requested the administrative offices of the [xian] government to make a public proclamation about changes in the pay rate. But the fact is that workers like us engaged in painful toil exchange a day of our lives and of our energy for only a few coppers to feed our families. We really do not sit idle and live on undeserved income, as is the case with other illegitimate occupations. Just look at the merchants, who may simply raise the price in a matter of a few days. Why isn’t there anyone to oppose that? Why do we, workers who only earn the little money from a whole day’s “sweat” and “toil,” have to go through such an ordeal of being trampled on?
