BREACH OF AWARD

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21364, 7 March 1941, Page 4

BREACH OF AWARD

NON-UNIONIST EMPLOYED PROSECUTION BY DEPARTMENT Alleging a breach of the award covering workers in the furniture trade, Mr L. T. Bramwell, an inspector of the Labour Department, prosecuted R. P. Sorenson (Mr R. W. Bennett), upholsterer, of Hamilton, before Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, to- \ day. The prosecution contended that defendant had employed a nonuniunist, Frederick Eric Phillips, an upholsterer, between August 12 and December 24, 1940, contrary to the furniture trades award. The facts stated, which were admitted by the defence, showed that Phillips had been-employed by Sorenson throughout his apprenticeship and since. He had applied to join the industrial union on February 6, a week before intimation was received that the department intended to prosecute Sorenson. His employer had advised and requested Phillips to join the union. Frank R. Dixon, secretary of Auckland Light Furniture Trades Union of Workers, said he had reminded Sorenson that Phillips would be required to join the union as soon as he completed his apprenticeship. Phillips had only completed his obligation to join this week. Mr Freeman commented that Phillips had been taking full advantage of unionism without contributing his share. A fine of £1 would be imposed on Sorenson, and he would have to pay costs.