UNION RACKETEERING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 24 March 1941, Page 7

UNION RACKETEERING.

CONCERN IN AMERICA. WASHINGTON, March 22. The activities of labour unions are giving cause for profound anxiety in many quarters. On top of many strikes in defence and other industries come complaints of unblushing racketeering by union due collectors. Senator Norris to-day asked the presidents of the Congress of Industrial Organisations and the American Federation of Labour to prevent labour unions from collecting "perlectly outrageous" dues from defence workers. Mr Norris decfared that it such practices were persisted in public opinion might force Congress to pass legislation which might be injurious to labour s cause. . Air Norris, who has been the sponsor and supporter of much I'ederal labour legislation, made his appeal by letters to Mr William Green, president of the A.F.L., and Mr Philip Murray, president of the C.f.O. Mr Norris said he was continually receiving complaints that unions were forcing defence workers to pav admission lees running as high as 250 dollars and that the general public was getting the idea that labouring men had to pay exorbitant fees to join a union. The New York Times quoted the instance of a defence project at I'ort Meade at which it is alleged that the "take for two unions alone, the carpenters and common labourers, was estimated by army men as 400,000 dollars and that the estimate was declared, in proper army fashion, to be as conservative as hell." . ' ' ~_ , The bus drivers' strike in New Yorkhas been settled. The agreement is regarded as a victory for the umon. Jo add to the general disquiet, Mr Ouill, president of the Transport A\ orkers Union, flushed with the triumph of his victory in the New York bus strike, now threatens to tie up the subways next June, when the present labour contract expires.