"Profiteering" Firemen.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16424, 18 January 1919, Page 8

"Profiteering" Firemen.

We are glad to see tliat the Seamen's Union, through their secretary, officially disavow the action of these firemen who, in spito of tho agreement between tho shipping companies and the Union are refusing to man tho ferry steamers unless they are paid £2 a day—a claim which every reasonable man must admit to be exorbitant. The secretary to tho Union goes so v far as to say that tho " runners," or casuals, who hold out for this pay are "selfish individualists." The shipping company are quite right in refusing to go on paying these rates; indeed, if they allowed themselves to be further blackmailed to this extent, they could hardly be surprised if dissatisfaction were to spring up among firemen who are loyally carrying out tho agreement under which the firemen's wages are fixed at £14 10s a month. The sec-

retary to the Union says that some of tho men making the demand are not* members of the Seamen's Union. He further states that any member of the Union sticking-up boats for terms ancP conditions beyond those in tho agreement are liable to be dealt with by the Union. We would suggest that in their own interests, and as a matter of fairplay to the shipping companies and to the public, tho Union ought to find the men to man the steamers under the conditions laid down in the agreement, and ought to call sharply to account any member of the Union who is holding out for higher wages than tho agreed! rate, thereby involving the whole Union in the discredit of a breach of faith. Firing a steamer is not easy or pleasant work, but £14 10s a month is not had pay for what is practically unskilled labour. There are probably a number of men even now who would bo glad to take the work at that pay, were they not barred by the provision that a man must servo for three months as a trimmer before he can he taken on as a fireman. This practically makes existing firemen into a close corporation. If they are to enjoy a virtual monopoly they must see that the public gets the service to which it is entitled. For our shipping trade to be dislocated and hunor up at the sweet will of a gang of blackmailers cannot bo tolerated, and if tho necessary supply of firemen is not promptly forthcoming, we have no hesi-. tation in saying that it is the duty ofl the Government to suspend the provision in regard to previous service as trimmers. This, it is stated, they have the power to do, and if so they ought to exercise it.