SHIPPING AND UNION DUES.

Evening Star, Issue 22026, 11 May 1935, Page 11

SHIPPING AND UNION DUES.

TO THJt EDITOR. Sir, —I have read with interest the two letters that recently appeared in the ‘ Star ’ under the above heading. L was working on the Maheno during her preparation prior to the taking up on the Melbourne-Bluff service, 9ml the facts stated by those, two persons are true. ■ Also, there were numerous other cases of men who had to forfeit their jobs because they were unable to obtain membership of the union. Again, there were men who were old members of the organisation, holding discharges from some of the finest steamship lines, who could not obtain the least concession from their arrears that would enable them to get a start after a long period of relief work brought about by the depression. Even advantage of an amendment in the rules which gives the member the right to become financial after payment of six months’ arrears, was refused them. 1 came ashore from the Maheno in 1931, just before she was laid up at Port Chalmers, and, luck being with me, I obtained work ashore. When again I had occasion to look to the sea for a living I found that the hardest part of the business was in being readmitted to the union. I was put to a great deal of expense in obtaining the services of a lawyer at Wellington, and after four months of idleness, during which time things were very good in the shipping business, and I would naturally have had no dfficulty in getting a boat, word was sent to me that I would be made a member again. Just after that I started work again ashore, so 1 never had occasion to make use of my membership ticket, but having had so much trouble in getting back in the union, I was determined to keep up my contributions, Every month for a year, therefore, I paid four, shillings monthly, so that when I was taken on to work by the Maheno I was a fully financial member. Perhaps I had upset the officials when, after telling me I was not to become a member of / the union, I proved to them that they could not refuse a person of good character admittance. Anyhow, they were determined to stop me somehow, for after I had worked by the ship for a ■ couple of weeks I was told to finish upI have sailed with the chief steward of the Maheno for years on the Me! bourne service, and hold a good record with the Union Company over a period of eight years. Both parties assured mo they were not responsible for my being discharged, and so when the manager of the providore department | happened to come to Port Chalmers 1 from Wellington I tackled him regard- i

ing the matter. . He told me that the Union Company had been approached by the union at Wellington to the effect that if I was to sign articles in the Maheno trouble with the men would eventuate, I can definitely state that ..the men in question were indignant when they eventually heard about the business, but they had, put me off the day before the men arrived from the north, and when they did know it was too late. I have now resigned from the union, for what can I do when by obtaining work I am not allowed to sail in the ships? Also, I would be helping to pay the fat salaries of the paid officials in Wellington and being hindered from getting work in consequence.—l am, etc., Disgusted. May 10.