THE LONDON BUILDING STRIKE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14983, 2 June 1914, Page 5

THE LONDON BUILDING STRIKE.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE -fESS." Sir, —I have seen occasional mention in your columns of the troublo in tho London building trades, but few peoplo havo any idea of the real cause of tho lock-out. Tho Federated blaster Builders are asking tho men who seek employment to sign a certain document justly called by the men "tho odious document," of which tho following it. a copy:— '•'.to Messrs :— ''I agree, if employed by you, to peacefully work with my "fellow-em-ployees (engaged either iv your direc:employment or in the employ of any sub-cotitractor) whether they are inem!>ers of a trade 'society or not, and 1 agree that 1 will not learo your employment because any of my fellow-em-ployees is or is not a member of a trade society, and I agree that if I commit any breach of this agreement, I shall be subject to a fine of twenty shillings, and I agree that the amount of such, tine may be deducted from mv wages which may be <*ue to mo. "Witness ; —. Name — . Adtiress

I arc sure that no person with an ounce of manhood in him would sign such an agreement which is being forced upon them with the obvious intention of breaking up tbe trade unions. A trade unionist is a man -vsith a beautiful ideal, i.e., the uplifting and purifying of hi.s handicraft, the betterment of his social, moral, and physical' con'ltion. : and of those dependent on him Therefore my sympathy goes out to the men in London who" are steadfastly refusing to sign such a degrading agreement. —Yours, etc., T.F.