ANTI-UNIONISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26077, 14 February 1946, Page 5

ANTI-UNIONISM

MINISTERIAL CHARGES LONDON HOTELS ATTACKED (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 13. West End hotels where, “ if there is a suggestion that you own a trade union ticket, you are out on your neck,” were attacked in the House of Commons by the Minister of Labour, Mr George Isaacs An uproar followed his refusal to name more than one hotel. He said he had communicated with the hotels concerned, and told them that unless they put.matters right he would show them up. He added that he was determined to get them to come to a settlement. Mr Isaacs’s attack came when supporting the repeal of the Trade Disputes Act. He spoke of hotels where the highest possible prices were charged, but where the staffs worked from 60 to 80 hours weekly for from 10s to SOs weekly, and were told they could “ make it up by tips.” Mr Isaacs mentioned the case of a girl cashier in one hotel who was found to be the steward of her union, collecting contributions. “They sacked

her late at night, and when she said she was from Ireland, and had nowhere to go, they threatened her with the police unless she got out.” He also mentioned the case of a hall porter in another hotel who was sacked when caught asking the chambermaid to join the union. Mr Isaacs. then read a form which he alleged people were asked to fill in when they got a job at Odenino’s Hotel. One passage in the form read: “ I hereby declare I am not a member of any union connected with the hotel or restaurant business, and I promise not to join such a union without first notifying my employer.” Another passage statedi “ I agree that should I be absent frpm business through sickness or other cause, I am not entitled to any salary during the period of such absence.” Mr Isaacs commented: Oddenino’s —odds and evens—odds I win. tails you lose. Those are the conditions. Mr Isaacs went on to say that there was an organisation of employers banded together to prevent workers joining unions. Mr J. H. Lambert, managing director of Oddenino’s, which is a famous Regent street hotel, told the Daily Mail that the Minister’s remarks were absurd. Mr Isaacs had got hold of an old employment form used by “old” Oddenino, who had been dead for 10 years. He added that a disgruntled employee came into possession of a copy of this discarded agreement and had hawked it around in all sorts of circles. “ We have only one other copy of the old agreement left,” he said. “We keep it as a souvenir. Employees are entitled to join any union they like, and they have done so.”