NON-UNION SEAMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1925, Page 4

NON-UNION SEAMEN

OWNERS SUE UNION. WELLINGTON, March L2. In opening a ease wherein the Wellington Local Federated Seamen’s Union was proceeded against by Eckford and Co. Ltd., of Blenheim, claiming CIOO penalty for alleged breach of Clause -IS of the Seamen’s and Firemen’s award, Mr Stevenson (counsel for plaintiff) said , “job control” was a term which bad come into great prominence of late. This was a pin-

pricking method, by which 1 nionists, to achieve their ends, stopped work temporarily, or, as in this ease permanently. Men who manned ships during the 1922 strike trouble (be would not call them strike breakers) were given

protection by the award, and the position was that there were two such men as these working on the Opawa. Iwo other members of the crew who were Unionists, asked for the dismissal of those non-union seamen and absolute

preference to unionists was demanded, despite the provisions of the award. The two unionists left the Opawa on l* eb-

iiiarv 3rd. to attend a stop-work meeting, and immediately upon their return they banded in their notices to the captain. They explained that the Union had declared the ship “black.” The Captain interviewed the Union secretary, who stated that a guarantee

was required from the owners to employ Union men. The secretary, said counsel, added that the watersiders. would assist, and since then, they had not worked the Opawa. On the same day the two non-union members of the

crew endeavoured to join the Union, but they were told to “put their money away, as they might want it.”

On February 4th, the owners caused a nolice to be put in the window of the Ouvenmient Shipping OHice. asking for two able seamen for the Opawa. This lio! ice remained there a full month

without any Union seamen applying fee

positions. The position in regard to the Opawa was that she was a joh ship which meant that positions on her wore lunch desired under ordinary circumstances by married seamen. It meant that they were in port at least two

days a week, and had a good chance of being able to spend their Sunday als" at home. Under ordinary circumstance*a vacancy on the Opawa would Is “rushed,” but for a whole month tin jobs “went begging.” The owner, Mi Eckford, himself was finally obliged tc ship on board as an able seamen. On two occasions letters were written to the Union charging it with “job control” in connection with the Opawa. and these i barges were not denied. Burton. one of the members of the Union, was an old servant ot Eekfords, and Instated before be left that be was willing to return ‘‘as soon as lie got word,” meaning advice from the Union. The other seaman was so disgusted with tinaction of the Union in taking him oil the Opawa. which was the first job lie had had for some time, that lie was going to slay ashore and work, and he would never go to sea again. “It would he idle,” said Mr Stevenson. “for the Union to sav that the

strike .was not at its instigation. Evi dome would lie culled to slum' Iluu. cl 1 li<‘ iliiv ol the .trouble. Mr Young him self, with another mini, probably : Union official was down in the tore castle of the Opawa. Mr T. \V. Young, for the Union pointed out that the Union was iui charged with striking, hut with cncour aging job control on the Opawa. .Mr Stevenson referred to the inoden industrial tactics of unions in job control and pin-pricking. lie likened tbit procedure to “shooting from behind r hedge.” It was very hard to prove J these matters, hut the evidence he had ] outlined, he contended, clearly showed that the Union had aided, abetted, and even ordered job control, of which comI plaint; was made. A nreat principle ] was involved, the sanctity of the Act and award. If these were flouted, then there was an end of law and order. The Magistrate reserved his decision on a preliminary point, raised by Mr Young that as the Opawa was owned by .Mrs .1 ;me Kckford, at the time flie award was made, the act ion should have been brought in her name. The ease was continued. Mr uning asked the captain if it was true that men would not sign on the Opawa because she rolled her inside out. ’The captain replied that she does roll to a certain extent. Other witnesses said that the Opawa was a “home job.” There hail never been any difficulty in getting a crew before, and that usually jobs on her were rushed. The case was adjourned until Thuiscfav next. Ti lere is considrable inter.--t in the ease.