Non-Union Taxi Drivers

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 96, 23 April 1941, Page 9

Non-Union Taxi Drivers

PROPRIETOR PROSECUTED For employing four non-union drivers, H. Steel, taxi-propnetor, was penalised £1 in the Palmerston North Magistrate ’s Court yesterday. The prosecution was brought by the Inspector of Awards, Mr. C. P. Collins, who said application for membership of the Union had been made only yesterday. Answering Mr. H. P. Lawry, S.M., Air. Collins said there was no suggestion of unionists having been kept out of work through the employment of the four men concerned. Mr. J. M. Gordon, counsel for the defendant, said Steel iiad been paying the four men 5s each over award wages and it had never been suggested that unionists had been available to replace the men. Further, there had been no attempt by the union secretary to bring the four drivers into the Union. His Worship commented on the prosecution as an indirect way of collecting Union fees and it was not the lirst time the department had been used for such a purpose. Mr. Gordon said the men were quite willing to join the union but thought it was the union secretary's job to approach them. Mr. Collins said the defendant was not concerned with the collection of Union fees—only the carrying out of legistlation. The Magistrate: Unionists here have not been prejudiced except to the extent of lost fees.