MERCHANTS' ASSISTANTS' UNION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1216, 26 August 1911, Page 14

MERCHANTS' ASSISTANTS' UNION.

Sir,—There seems to be a deal of controversy 'in tho papers regarding tho Merchants' Employees' Union, and some particularly hot-headed statements against the union by persons signing themselves as employees. It is my candid opinion that if tho truth were known, the signatories in every case'are employers, and particularly those that aro paying the emplovees anything but a satisfactory wage. It seems preposterous and absurd to think that any employee would insert an article in tno papers detrimental to his own interests. I suppose there- are employees getting fair or even liberal salaries, but I should like to wager that each one, without exception, would liko to see .the union successful. Personally, i am very much underpaid, and have been warned by my employer against joining or upholding the claims of the union. I denied being a member (may I bo torgiven the lie) lest I should be sacked. lo my personal knowledge there are hve omplovers in this town in fairly large way of 'business- who have threatened to sack their employees should they hayo anything to do with the union. Ihreo of these firms are underpaying their hands. Now, sir, is this fair to the employees? All or nearly all workers have their unions, why not the merchants assistants? If the demands of the union appear high to some employers, just lei. them imagine themselves in our places, as married men. on 40s. or 425. per week, and see.how they like it. I shall, now conclude/sir, bv saying that the majority of the men in our warehouse held up their' hands in favour of the union when asked by the manager at a meeting recently, ..'whether they desired the union or not.—l am, etc., . . IMPRAMATUR. Wellington, August 23.