“How about one thousand square meters for each colonist over sixteen,” Marc said.
“Not two thousand?”
“Fifteen hundred,” Marc conceded.
“Thank you.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“What don’t they like about the salaries,” Marc wondered once they reconvened after the lunch break.
“We’re ready to begin this session.” Cer Bachmann said.
“We are also ready,” Marc said. “I don’t see Mr. Olsen.”
“His group decided they wanted different representation,” Cer Bachmann said. “Cer Morrison will be representing them.”
“Okay, then we’re ready. Go ahead.”
“There is a very strong opinion among the colonists that having pay fixed isn’t fair. They would like to see it based on market forces,” Cer Bachmann said.
“Ignoring the fact that everyone signed a contract that specified their pay, what market forces are you referring to?”
“The law of supply and demand!” one of the representatives shouted.
“Ahem,” Cer Bachmann coughed.
“Sorry.”
“You do realize that supply and demand would dictate that wages could go down as well as up,” Marc said.
“I pointed that out. I also pointed out that it was likely to hurt the majority of the colonists, who are semi-skilled,” Cer Bachmann said.
“Did you also point out that we would provide training to those colonists so that they could start picking up some of the higher paid jobs, thereby increasing supply and bringing those wages down.”
“We wouldn’t allow that!” another shouted. “Sorry,” he said before Cer Bachmann could cough.
“So you want to form labor unions and negotiate contracts, like those contracts you signed when you joined the mission,” Marc said. “And you want to limit the number of workers available in your job, so you can control the supply. What are we supposed to do when the next group of colonists shows up?”
“That is a conundrum,” Cer Bachmann said.
“Look, a free market is all well and good. I’m a big fan myself. And my mother would have my scalp if I stood against labor unions. But the economy here is just too small. It has to be managed until it’s big enough and has enough momentum that it can adapt without stalling.”
“We just want to be treated fair!”
“Okay, then form your unions. I’ll be happy to listen to reasonable demands that you present. If your rank and file feel they should be paid more, then show me how they are contributing more to the colony than others. Show me how their current pay is inadequate, and we’ll discuss adjustments. But just saying you think you should be paid more doesn’t cut it.”
“We understand,” Cer Bachmann said. “This is really driven by the desire to have a way to make more money so they can get ahead faster. They think the farmers will do better with the allotments than they will, so they want a way to even things up.”
“Then ask for extra work,” Marc said.
“We discussed that. But the work is limited by the supply of material and is tightly coordinated. There currently don’t seem to be any overtime opportunities.”
“Oh, you want some overtime, do you?” McCovey asked, sounding almost threatening.
“A reasonable amount would be appreciated,” Cer Bachmann said.
“Well, that’s not all that easy to arrange. We have to have full work crews,” McCovey said.
“Why don’t you make that their problem,” Chief O’Donnell said. “Tell them what you need and let them chivvy up a crew.”
“I could work with that. And we do need to start working on that damn house that Blake came up with. I don’t think a façade’s going to fool those aliens when they actually show up,” McCovey said.
“Excellent,” Marc said. “I was wondering when to bring that up.”
“That you’ve waited this long, shows you have more sense than that brother of yours.”
“Okay, Cer Bachmann, do you have anything else?”
“I think we’ll let the labor unions form up and bring any further issues to you. There was some concern expressed about how you were going to deal with Riley O’Brian and his miners.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Mr. O’Brian,” Marc said.
“I don’t think Riley’s going to be as reasonable as we were!” one of the male representatives yelled.
“And I don’t think another beatdown is going to work!” another added.
“You let me worry about O’Brian.”
“Can I come watch?!”
Dec 5th
Marc had the Lynx overfly the mining town. He was impressed. They’d used local trees for lumber and constructed a pretty nice little town. It was very reminiscent of the towns seen in old western movies. Two rows of buildings separated by a dirt street, with raised sidewalks on each side. In fact, everything was raised to allow the utilities to be run under the buildings without having to excavate. South of the town, they had set up an algae farm to produce diesel. They were using the diesel to run their mining equipment and pumps, and provide electricity for the town.
“Okay, I’ve seen enough, let’s get this show on the road. Please land just outside of town,” Marc ordered.
Once the Lynx landed, Marc and Corporal Jenkins, his bodyguard, exited the Lynx. They walked over toward a group that had gathered at the edge of the town. The big Aussie, O’Brian, was standing in front of the group.
“Hey, Nancy-boy, you looking for some gold?” O’Brian taunted.
“I’m here to find out why you’ve turned away the transport that came to pick up your delivery.”
“They didn’t offer to pay for our gold, so we told them to get lost!”
“It’s not your gold. The mine belongs to MacKenzie Discoveries, and you work for them,” Marc said.
“Well, we think this gold is worth more than just wages!”
“Why is that, did you discover it? Did you buy the land? Did you buy and ship all the mining equipment out here from Earth? Did you provide the infrastructure to build this town?”
“We built this town, and we dug the gold out of the ground!”
Mariana Ramsey lay on the deck of the Lynx that hovered above the town. With its stealth technology and being in the sun, it was unlikely that anyone in the town had noticed
