UNION FEES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1939, Page 9

UNION FEES

COUNTY COUNCIL'S MEN

"NOT A COLLECTING AGENCY"

A circular letter addressed to county councils! by Mr. P. M. Butler seeking their co-operation in the payment by their employees of their membership contribution to the Local Bodies' Labourers' Union received no support at the meeting of the Makara County Council today. The letter stated that the membership fee was 27s 6d a year, the paymen-!; to be in advance and in a lump sum, the rules of the organisation not allowing payment by instalments. As some niembers found difficulty in making the lump sum payment the letter suggested, with the consent of the employees concerned, that the 27s 6d be deducted from their wages over a period of a couple of months. Then when the total amount involved had been deducted a cheque for the men as a whole could be made out and sent to the union. If necessary the union would be prepared to meet any additional office expense that would be involved. Councillor R. W. Bothamley (Titahi Riding) asked whether the 27s 6d included a contribution to the Labour newspaper. If it did, he had read that that contribution was optional. In any event, the union's rules did not permit of a piece-meal collection. He suggested that the union should be advised to consider the question of altering its rules. The chairman (Mr. E. Windley) said he did not think it was right that the county office should be turned into a collection agency. Councillor Bothamley said he did not object to 'unionism, but he was opposed to compulsory unionism. "I would not assist that mob or Mr. Butler if I could avoid it," he added. It was decided to reply that the council could not agree to take any part in the suggestion.