ADVICE TO EMPLOYERS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 458, 17 March 1909, Page 7

ADVICE TO EMPLOYERS.

UNIONISTS OR NON-UNIONISTS? REMARKS BY MR. JUDGE SIM. "I don't know why employers bother with non-unionists," observed Mr. Justice Sim during tho sittings of tho Court of Arbitration yesterday. His Honour added that a groat deal of titrio would bo saved if employers took tho troublo of seeing that the men whom they engaged becamo unionists. Theso remarks led Mr. was representing an employer, to say: "There are many workers —ami superior workers at that —who decline- to become, members of a union." . His Honour: They want the benefits of the awards without sharing any of. the burden. It is mere meanness; there is no principlo in it at all. Mr. Grcnfell; But I submit it is a matter between the workers and the union. Employers arc,in exactly the same difficulty, for non-members of their associations secure tho advantage of any benefits that might bo obtained. Seeing that employers are content, unions should also !>o content. His Honour: Employers should say to.nonunionists, ."I don't want to be, bothered with non-unionists. _ If you want employment with mo you must join tho union." Mr. Grcnfell: My submission is;that, em- . plovers should not be compelled to force workers into a union. His Honour: There would be no compulsion about it. All tho employers need do is to say, "I decline to employ non-unionists." Most of yesterday, was taken up hearing al legod breaches of the preference clause. Al : that time could have been saved if employ, ors had done as I have suggested..