In a message dated 1/27/00 3:23:45 PM !!!First Boot!!!, caute@accessnt.com.au writes: << However, Unions are designed to protect the workers against low wages thus minimum hourly rates or weekly wages are enforced. Guilds are designed in part to do the same for their members. Possibly setting a minimum tuning rate for members is not price fixing if that price is say 5% below the national average. Then an area charge is added to cover the local areas conditions. >> Ironically, in the US, unions are allowed to fix prices. The Electricians Union, the Plumbers Union, etc., set a labor rates, which then all union members have to charge. They don't even have a choice. A guild, is not a union, so they are not allowed to set rates. Of course neither can self employed non union workers, or corporations. That the way it is here in the land of the free. Wim
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