http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/2a674ab2a148c9d6aa1459ea4173eeea.PDF cb8cfec77274a4f883f6529cd711077a PDF Text Text 11 Official Organ of the Seafarers International Union of North America VOL. IX. Taft-Hartley Slave Law Now Effective WASHINGTON, D. C. — The Taft-Hartley law, major handi­ work of the reactionary 80th Congress, became fully effective on August 22. Thus, many protections of la­ bor's Magna Carta, the Wagner Act, were eclipsed and supplant­ ed by the drastic, anti-labor measure designed to hamstring the labor movement and inject the Government into the conduct of labor-management relations. Faced with the full impact of the Taft-Hartley law, the AFL Executive Council at its coming meeting in Chicago will consider the problems involved and map a campaign of forceful action against the measure. Some of the provisions of the new law, now fully operative for the first time, aie as fol­ lows: The general counsel is estab­ lished as a labor relations con­ troller, independent of the Na­ tional Labor Relations Board, while the latter is shorn of its administrative functions and is turned into a labor court. Formerly the general counsel acted as an agent of the board, he now has final authority to pass on all charges of unfair la­ bor practices and representation cases and issuance of complaints. UNIONS LIABLE Among the major new func­ tions delega'ted to the general counsel is the prosecution of em­ ployes for unfair labor practices. Hitherto o.-aly employers were li­ able to prosecution for unfair labor practices against employes. The general counsel will in­ vestigate for the first time com­ plaints by employers against unions, which may be charged with having committed one or more of six prescribed unfair la­ bor practices. They are as fol­ lows: Coercion of other employes in their rights of collective bargain­ ing; discrimination under union shop contracts for reasons other than failure to pay dues; refusal to bargain; engaging in certain types of strikes and boycotts; 'ex­ acting excessive or discrimina­ tory fees under union shop agreements and engaging in "feather-bedding," The closed shop, under which employers can hire only union members, is outlawed. The union shop, in which non-union work­ ers may be employed if they join up in 30 days is continued but under severe restrictions. NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. AUGUST 29. 1947 In This Issue All sections of the newly signed Isthmian Steamship Com­ pany contract which have been agreed upon by the Union and the company appear on page 14. So far, only the Union Hiring Hall, Rotary Shipping, no discrimination for Union activity, and wages have been settled, and working rules are now being negotiated. When this phase is completed, the remainder of the contract will also be carried in the pages of the LOG. The series of articles which analyzed the part played by the National Maritime Union and the communist party on the waterfront winds up this week with number three, which gives the SIU position in regard to political groups, and goes into the plans and programs developed by the SIU to fight off the waterfront unemployment which seems imminent. The article appears on page 9. No. 35 First Isthmian Ship Crews Off SiU Board Under Rotary Shipping What Isthmian Steamship Company said could never happen, started last week when the first man took a job off the board and headed for a ship owned by that heretofore anti-labor company. Within a few days after the end of the strike most of the Analysis Of Taft-Hartley >lcf As It Affests The Seafarers 'Isthmian ships were com­ pletely crewed up, by the Rotary Shipping Sytem, and some had already left port on voyages. When the action was fi­ can hire the men wherever he to withdraw the union's author­ nally brought to an end by By HARRY LUNDEBERG chooses; only the employees he ity. The board will take a secret the capitulation of the com­ SAN FRANCISCO — During hires must apply for membership ballot of the employees and if the pany, thirty one ships were the week, 1 met with all the at- 30 days after they have become majority of the employees in the tied up in ten ports, and more torney.s of the Teamsters, who held a convention here, and also met with the attorneys from the A. F. -of L., who explained the law thoroughly to various union representatives. As far as the affect of the law is concerned, it is one of the most vicious pieces of legislation against the Amer­ ican Workers tiiat has ever been introduced. Our membership is on record to open up the agreement for various changes. Our agreement expires September 30, 1947. After August 22, neither employers nor unions are -.dlowed to sign a closed shop agroement or pref­ erential employment clause. UNION SHOP The only clause allowable un­ der the law is what is called the "Union Shop Clause," which is a clause the employers and the union can agree to. Under this clause each employee must be­ come a member of the union 30 days or a month after the date of his employment, or ths" effective date of the union contract, which­ ever is later. This is only possjble if the union is duly author­ ized or a certihed representative of the employees in the appro­ priate bargaining unit, and if the NLRB conducted an election and the majority of the employees have authorized the union to sign the union shop agreement. Also, only a union that is duly certified as representative of the employes can ask the Board for an election to authorize the union to sign a union shop contract. In other words, first a union must be certified and then they must appeal to the NLRB to conduct an election to find out whether the majority of the employees want a union shop. If they do, then the union can bargain with the employers for this. After you get this union shop, you have nothing, because under the union shop agreement, the employer employed. Employees who are working under a union shop contract and who have authorized a union shop contract by election can re­ voke it, even though the contract is still in effect. All they have to do is to file a petition with the NLRB stating that 30 per cent of the employees in the unit desire unit vote against the union shop, the employer will have to stop enforcing it. So, in other words, taking a case like the Isthmian Steamship Company, if the Isthmian Steam­ ship Company had a union shop agreement with our organization, then upon request of 30 per cent (Continued on Page 4) Browning, McCarthy Sign 40-Hour Contract With SIU By FRED FARNEN DETROIT — During the past provided in the Taft-Hartley Act. The Browning agreement was several days, the SIU Great Lakes District has signed two signed on August 19 and the Mc­ more forty-hour contracts cov­ Carthy agreement on August 20. ering the seven Browning bulk Both of them were just under carriers and the three McCarthy the wire as far as beating the August 22 deadline of the Taftautomobile carriers. These two new SIU contracts Hartley Act ban on the closed already signed by the SIU, in shop and the Union Hiring Hall. addition to providing wage scales BROWNING RATES as high as any on the Lakes, Rates in the Brovyning agree­ contain certain union security ment, based on the forty-hour sections which provide that all week with time-and-one-half for disputes between the Union and all time over eight houi'S daily the companies shall be settled and forty hours weekly and for within the provisions of the con­ tracts rather than before the all penalty time, are retroactive courts or any outside agencies as to July 1, 1947: Daily 'Monthly Hourly Over Rate Rate Time Rate Rating 201.20 8.40 1.57 V2 1.05 Wheelsman 288.43 8.32 1.56 1.04 Watchman 288.43 8.32 1.56 1.04 AB Dayman 227.41 6.56 1.23 .82 O. Seaman •291,20 8.40 1.57 Vii 1.05 Oiler 288.43 8.32 1.56 1.04 Fireman 227.41 6.56 1.23 82 Coalpasser and Wiper 388.27 11.20 2.10 1.40 Steward 277.34 8.00 . 1.50 1.00 2nd Cook 227,41 6.58 1.23 .82 Porter (* These monthly rates are approximate and are based on an average of four-and-one-third weeks in a month. Also, they do not include any penalty overtime which varies according to the amount worked.) (Continued on Page 4) would have followed wherever and whenever they hit U. S. ports. No attempts were made to fink out struck vessels, and almost to a man all unlicensed Isthmian seamen walked off the ships to join the picketlines. Although no request for a mass walkout was sent out by the Union, neverthless no mem­ ber of any other union crossed a Seafarers picketline. In all ports the strike was ef­ fective. New York had ten ships hung up; Baltimore accounted for six; New Orleans had five; Philadelphia tied up three; San Francisco hung the hook on two; and Mobile, Coos Bay, Galveston, Boston, and Houston took care of one each. MORALE HIGH Morale throughout was high. Some of the strikers, especially the youngsters off Isthmian ships, had never taken part in strike action before. But they con­ ducted themselves in the tradi­ tional SIU manner and there were few cases of disorder on the picketlines. " Starting with the second day of the strike, there was little drain on the' Union Treasury. Contributions came rolling in from men paying off contracted ships, and it looked very much as though the action could con­ tinue indefinitely without tap­ ping the treasury to any great extent. *rhis was one of the factors that forced Isthmian to cry "uncle" so fast. Add to this the fact that other steamship com­ panies were angling for the fat shipping contracts held by Isth­ mian, and it becomes obvious that much against its will Isth­ mian just had to settle. �THE Page Two SEAFARERS LOG SEAFARERS LOG Friday. August 29.' 1947 mxif Published Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 International Officers HARRY LUNDEBERG - - President 105 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. PAUL HALL First Vice-President 51 Beaver St., New York 4, N. Y, MORRIS WEISBERGER Vice-President 105 Broad St., New York 4, N. Y. CAL TANNER Vice-President 1 South Lawrence St., Mobile, Ala. EDWARD COESTER Vice-President 86 Seneca St., Seattle, Wash. JOHN HAWK Secy.-Treasurer 105 Market St., San Francisco, Calif. District Officials J, p. SHULER - - - Secy.-Treas. Atlantic & Gulf District P. O. Box 25, Bowling Green Station, New York, N. Y. HARRY LUNDEBERG - Sec.-Treas. Sailors Union of the Pacific 59 Clay Street, San Francisco, Calif. FRED FARNEN - - - - Secy.-Treas. Great Lakes District 1038 Third Street, Detroit, Michigan HUGH MURPHY Secy.-Treas. Canadian District 144 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, B. C. Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. GEORGE K. NOVICK, Editor 267 Great Day By J. P. SHULER, Secretary-Treasurer Isthmian Steamship Company The great job done by the Organization Staff of the Seafarers International Union, with the cooperation of the membership, in organizing the Isthmian fleet paid off last week when Isthmian Steamship Company completely capitulated and recognized the closed shop and Union Hiring Hall after theii' ships had been tied up for a period of nine days by the SIU. The Isthmian Steamship Company had always successfully fought organized labor. This is the first time that a Union has ever had a closed shop agreement and Union Hiring Hall with this company. After the Union was certified, the Company went into negotiations apparently thinking that they could dictate the terms of the agreement to the Union. It took a complete tie-up of all their vessels that hit American ports to convince them to recognize the truth of the words of one of the executive of­ ficers of Isthmian—that, "Union are here to stay." Bringing the Isthmian Steamship Company un­ der contract to the Seafarers means about 3500 jobs for men in the SIU. All ports where Isthmian ships were tied up reported an orderly and effi­ cient strike, which was financed by donations from the membership. Contracted Companies The Negotiating Committee for the Union has signed contracts with all of its contracted com­ panies, extending them to July 30, 1948, except Calmar and Ore Lines. We ai'e now in negotia­ tions with these two companies. All of these off­ shore freight ship contracts are standard SIU contracts. Moran Towing Company granted the 2 weeks vacation clause and holidays at sea and the raise in wages. The Negotiating Committee also signed an agreement with Atwacoal, which was previously contracted to the Union but has been out of op­ erations since 1942. Atwacoal will resume opera­ tions in the very near future. The passenger ship agreements have been sign­ ed with Eastern, Mississippi and P. & O. The Savannah Line, which is contracted to the SIU but which has been out of operations since 1942, will resume operations the latter part of this year. . They have agreed to extend their agreement on the closed shop and Hiring Hall until July 30, 1948 and all other terms of the agreement are to be worked out. Washington Report Matthew Dushane, Washington Representa­ tive of the SIU, is now sending out reports that are being run in the SEAFARERS LOG, and he has had his hands full on legal procedures in Washington. Some of the ports have been sending him beefs that pertain to regular routine work of the ship. This should be discontinued, and all legal beefs arc to be sent from the outports to Headquarters Offices to be channeled to Du.shane. Peninsular and Occidental Line The labor set-up in Florida has been giving the Union some trouble on the SS Florida of the P&O Line in regards to pulling off men who do not belong to the SIU. This ship is operating out of Miami and turns around on a 24 hour basis. At limes it has been necessary to ship men from the dock regardless of Union affiliation. There has been a system worked out by the Tampa Branch which requires each man that gets off to bring aboard the Union replacement before he signs off the ship. This will assure us that no other men but Union men ship aboard. Last year at this time, just around Labor Day, the SIU faced the biggest fight in its history. Only a short while before the Union had been notified that the Wage Stabilization Board had turned down the salary increases which had been negotiated with the shipowners in bar­ gaining sessions that summer. Over the Labor Day weekend the machinery to put the General Strike in motion was set-up, and on Sep­ tember 6, all over the United States water transportation started to grind to a halt. This Labor Day also is an eventful one for the Sea­ farers, only this time we can look back on a recent victory rather than an imminent battle. Just about a week ago, Isthmian Steamship Company, whose ships in the United These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, States had been tied-up, and which was faced with even as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging further strike action, was forced to meet the Union's de­ heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ mands for the Union Hiring Hall and Rotary Shipping. Men Now In The Marine Hospitals ing to them. So, in on6 year, from Labor Day to Labor Day, the SIU has won two major struggles and has consolidated its strength along the American waterfront. This Labor Day is a day of rejoicing for the SIU, and rightly so. New Style Union-Busting NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL JOSEPH DENNIS L. GROVER C. MACON BOB WRIGHT JOHN MAGUIRE CHARLES BURNEY J. J. O'NEAL ^ E. L. WANDRIE E. M. LOOPER D. G. PARKER LEROY CLARKE J. ZANADIL D. P. KORALIA WILLIAM MOORE L. COOPER When entering the hospital notify the delegates by post­ card, giving your name and the number of your ward. Staten Island Hospital You can contact your Hos­ pital delegate at the Staten Island Hospital at the follow­ ing tiems: Tuesday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on 5th and 6th floors) Thursday — 1:30 to 3:30 pjn. (on 3rd and 4th floors.) Saturday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on 1st and 2nd floors.) X- An obscure Philadelphia manufacturer of farm equip­ ment has come up with a new plan for busting the unions in the United States. And what's more, he has fancied his idea up so well with double-talk that he has a damn good vhance of convincing a lot of people who should know better. - REUBEN VANCE K. t S. In brief, this industrialist's idea is to bring into the GALVESTON MARINE HOSP. U. S. many homeless European refugees, which is okay. W. BENDLE But then he wants to set them up in the abandoned Pas- G. E. LEE samaquoddy project, in Maine, where they will manu­ A. BELANGER facture farm implements for him, but at no pay while A. V. O'DANIELS R. S. SINGLETARY "training." 1 Labor is, of course, up in arms about the proposal, NEPONSET HOSPITAL which is nothing more than an attempt to maneuver around L. CLARK employing union labor. But certain Washington officials J. S. CAMPBELL E. FERRER are falling for the dodge, hook, line, and sinker. J. R. HANCHEY It's remarkable what lengths some people will go C. LARSEN to just so that they can refuse to grant decent wages and L. L. LEWIS conditions to those who work for them. J. R. LEWIS .- Hospital Patients L. TORRES C. SCHULTZ J. HAMILTON R. A. BLAKE H. BELCHER J. T. EDWARDS L. BALLESTERO S. 3/ S/ STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL JOHN RATH E. P. O'BRIEN P. FELICIANO F. J. SCHULTZ T. J. KURKI K. C. CROWE E. E. CASEY J. P. McNEELJ. P. TASSEN P. GELPI S. W. LESLEY J. A. DYKES J. MORRISON D. MILLER (SUP) & ^ » BRIGHTON HOSPITAL E. SEARS (SUP) R. LORD D. LOGAN (SUP) E. JOHNSTON W. McCALL (SUP) E. DELLAMANO R. MORRISON W. MITCHELL P. MADIGAN (SUP) J: BARRON E. JOHNSON H. SCHWARTZ ^ S. 3^ MOBILE HOSPITAL M. D. PENRY J. G. HARRIS ARCHIE SANDY H. HUISMAN J. CARROLL T. J. FAITER M. COLLIER C. E. FOSTER WILLIAM FAWELEY E. L. MEYERS J. C. KEEL U. S. MORGAN R. G. VARNON % % X BALTIMORE HOSPITAL ELMER BROWN DELIMER COPPOCK MURRAY PLYER EDDIE MARKIN MANUEL SANTIAGE MAX FINGERHUT THOMAS WADSWORTH WILLIAM ROSS S. Y. FOGELBERG ANTHONY ATKIEWING r. ... V' : UJ) .'wiv �Friday. August 29. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three OFF THE BOARD TO ISTHMIAN Seafarers Still Needed As Volunteers By AL KERR The Isthmian campaign is over, now it is up to the book mem­ bers of the SIU who have be­ come schooled in the high stand­ ards of SIU ships to go aboard the Isthmian scows. By PAUL HALL One day shcjrtly before we hit the bricks against Isthmian, one of our SIU contracted ships hit port with a Deck Delegate aboard whom we will call Joe. Joe was there ready for the Patrol­ men when they boarded the ship for the payoff with a million and one beefs. Among them was a demand that the Union pull the Mate off the ship because it appeared that Joe didn't like the Mate's way of doing business. The two Patrolmen assigned to handle the payoff had their work cut out for them in attempting to settle all the beefs aboard.. According to the Patrolmen no matter what they did to bring about settlements, nothing pleased him. He had all the earmarks of a superduper Union man. He ran around the ship yelling, "I am a damn good Union man." His cries only lent disruption to the Pati-olmen'.« work. He continued to scream about "improper settle­ ment of disputes." To some of the younger guys who were c^^members on the ship. Joe had the so-called earmarks of a good Union man. At least the young fellows thought so because Joe went to great trouble to explain to them just how good a Union guy he was and just what he personally had done to improve the conditions of seamen. However, just what his contributions to the betterment of seamen were, he didn't mention. Phony Easily Spotted But, in spite of all the window dressing, Joe was easy to spot as a first class phony. His actions were typical of that type of bum who is met occasionally no matter whei-e you go. This guy showed his true colors only three days later when a SIU rank and file com­ mittee went aboard his ship late one night just prior to the com­ mencement of the Isthmian strike and asked the crew, Joe among them, to give a hand in setting up picket lines in front of a nearby Isthmian ship. The rest of the fellows present, of course, immediately volun­ teered and prepared to set up the picket line, but to their amaze­ ment, Joe, the super-duper militant Union stiff, remained in his seat. When he was asked to fall in line to help in the important task of preparing for a strike, he reared back in his chair and started a line of bunk and double talk that would make a congress­ man sit up with envy. His crap ran something like this: "Look fellows, I already have a job. Why shoulfl I have to help set up picketlines?" While the rest of the crew stood stunned, he continued, "Look, fel­ lows, I have never sailed an Isthmian ship and I never had any­ thing to do with them, so why should I be called out now to give a hand to the beef? Anyway, it's getting late and I'm ready for my bunk, so I don't think I can give you a hand." Here in New York, during the first two days of shipping, we dispatched 162 men to Isthmian ships. That's a damned big or­ der to send out to the ships of one company in one port. Robert Burns, FWT, first man to ship off the board to an Isthmian ship, accepts assignment slip from Assistant New York Dispatcher Benny Gonzales after the strike was over. Immigration Laws Hold Safeguards For Aliens It doesn't take a great amount of figuring to see what benefit Isthmian is going to be to the SIU as far as jobs are concerned. For this big fleet to be a big asset to the Union, it will be necessary that the book mem­ bers go aboard and ride these ships. There are still a lot of men aboard Isthmian ships who need to be educated as to what an SIU ship is and stands for. LEND A HAND These men have never had the advantage of riding a Union July 1, 1924, are not deportable ship. Now the opportunity is for illegal entry and non-pay- being presented to them. ment of head tax. They are lawThey need a guiding hand to fully permitted to file for their help them over the hurdles and first papers of intention to be­ the men to do it are here in the come citizens, and after a per­ SIU. Go out there and help iod of two years are eligible for them out. citizenship. While shipping aboard Isth­ Congressman Celler, in the 80th Congress, introduced H. R. 4156 mian ships, don't forget that this —This bill provides that a sea­ is not the last of the unorgan­ man with at least three years of ized companies. We still have "Maritime 'Wartime Service" Cities Service and other unor­ may be naturalized without hav­ ganized fleets to concentrate on. ing been a resident of the U. S. The Cities Service fleet has al­ continuously for at least five ready been petitioned and the years. It also provides that sea­ case is now before the NLRB in men who have at least one year Washington. With the help of a of "Maritime Wartime Service" few more of the membership, would be entitled to be issued a we should be able to win an certificate of arrival (legal entry election in this fleet by a bigger permit). No action has been majority than that which brought taken on this bill by Congress. Isthmian under the SIU banner. By "DUKE" DUSHANE Alien seamen are required by law to sail on American vessels for a period covering five years before they are eligible to apply for U. S. Citizenship. However, there are some pro­ visions in the Immigration laws which permit aliens (which in­ cludes alien seamen) to become citizens. These provisions cover aliens who do not have a legal entry permit into the United States and are subject to depor­ tation. Aliens, whether through legal or illegal entry, are liable to de­ portation for violation and con­ viction of certain offenses. In the case of an alien seaman who has been sailing on American or For­ eign vessels from ports in the Lost Crew's Respect U. S., the Department of Immi­ The crew stood there and listened to his malarkey, and all gration has ruled that they are respect they might have had for him died right there. They were deportable if they overstay the strictly in accord as the SIU rank and file committee began to talk twenty-nine days interim period to him in non-Sunday school language. The committee gave him that the Department allows them the score on Isthmian, which ,if he were a militant Union man he to ship out on another vessel. wouldn't have to be told, and when they finished he felt low SIXTY DAYS enough to crawl under a snake. He then joined the crew and went The Department has under out to the ship. consideration a proposal which This unfortunate, but necessary experience was a real educa­ will permit alien seamen to tion to the young members who had made the previous trip with stay ashore sixty days before Joe and' had swallowed his phony line of "super-duper militancy." They saw him in his true light and from that night on Joe was a they are siibject to deportation, deadhead in their books. This case, even though it doesn't happen this proposal would also permit often is typical of what the Patrolmen and officials run across oc­ them to sail coastwise. Congress has provided that in casionally. In this instance the loud mouthed bum dug his own the case of an alien who is de­ grave and covered himself by shirking his duty when the chips portable, and who has proved of were down. go'od moral character for the pre­ He is the kind of a guy who when his personal welfare is at ceding five years, the Attorney stake is a red-hot "Union man," but when it is the Union's wel­ General may suspend deportation fare that is hanging hot, he is as unconcerned as a shipowner. This of such alien seaman if not ra­ guy Joe ran into what he deserved and he warrants no sympathy cially inadmissable or ineligible for his downfall. It was good for the rest of the crew and the to naturalization. Union that the showdown came when it did. Should the Attorney General Still In Our Ranks find that an alien seaman is mar­ Unfortunately, however, there are still a few Joes left around ried to an American citizen, or in the Union. Joes who try to give everyone the impression that a legally resident alien' who is they are rabid Union men, but who in a tight spot fold up like an the spouse, parent, or minor child accordian. It is this same kind of a guy who goes into the ship's of such deportable alien, he may messhall at breakfast and tells the crew he, by his previous super suspend the deportation of such militant action, can be thanked for the fresh eggs and milk they are alien seaman. enjoying. Therefore, an alien seaman If you don't hear him on the ship, he is the same guy that can who is married in this country, be heard in the local ginmill speeling forth his own praise as and whose deportation would to what a good Union guy he is and what a hard time he gave the cause an undue hardship on his phony Mate and he v he "put the damn Patrolman in his place." He wife, or children, may apply t-j can be found anywhere seamen get together and he always talks the Department of Immigration the same. Fortunately for the Union these obnoxious characters for a suspension. Should the sus­ are few and far between. We should now make damn sure that pension be granted, he may then the ones still in our ranks become even fewer. apply for citizenship. All alien seamen who have en­ You judge a Union man by his actions—not by how much noise he makes. tered the United States before Gangway Watch Resolution The following resolution, which is self-explanatory, was pa-ssed by the New York membership meeting and referred to all other ports for concurrence; RESOLUTION WHEREAS: The SIU in the last negotiations with Water­ man and Mississippi Steamship Companies forced the operators to change the contract to read, "the gangway watch shall be maintained by sailors in all ports, including weekends," and WHEREAS: The Union at that time was not aware of the fact that the ILA (Longshoremen) had an existing agreement with these two operatof^ to furnish watchmen for several fast coast ports; among them. New York, Philadelphia and B^timore, and WHEREAS: As a result of the new contract between the SIU and Waterman and Mississippi Steamship Companies, ILA men previously doing this work in these ports have lost their livelihood, and WHEREAS: We have been requested by our affiliates, the ILA to reconsider our position on this so as to prevent the mem­ bers of the Longshoremen from losing their livelihood, and WHEREAS: The ILA has supported the SIU in every strike and every beef, regardless of whether it involved one ship, or one company, or the entire waterfront, and WHEREAS: We feel that considering the fact that these gangway watches in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore represent only overtime money for our members on weekends, but the same work represents the full time living jobs for Longshoremen, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the SIU go on record to immediately contact Waterman and Mississippi Steam­ ship Companies and inform them that we wish to clarify this agreement so as to allow the ILA to stand gangway watches in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York instead of SIU metu PAUL HALL J. P. SHULER JOE ALGINA �THE SEAFARERS Page Four LOG Analysis Of Taft-Hartley Art As It Affects The Seafarers Friday, Augutt 29, 1947 tiffed by the NLRB and the ma-1 whole and its assets; but not jorty of Ihe employees working against any Individual member on fhe job have voted to strike. or his assets. For instance, if a then it's legal to respect the pick­ ship is tied up by a Patrolman et line. But, if the majority of and if the union goes on record to By JOSEPH VOLPIAN the people on the job have not release the ship, the union is still Special Services Representative voted for the strike, then the open for lawsuits and all these CLOSED SHOP company can sue the union for suits will come through Federal Many of our alien members 1936 up to the present time, the refusing to go through the picket Courts. Under a closed shop, like we particularly those who sailec Immigration and Naturalization line. There are at least fifteen dif­ this country's ships throughout service has recently issued a rul­ have in the SUP, if after August ferent ways where the employ­ the years of the late war, now ing which, in effect, states that 22, the Shipowners voluntarily HIRING MEN ers can move in and sue the un­ have the five years of seatime re­ an alien seamen seeking naturali­ agree to carry out the closed shop The company might hire a ion and bleed its treasury to quired for eligibility for U. S zation must show letters from agreement and refuse to hire any­ death. These are only a few of citizenship. union disrupter and stool pigeon one unless he comes from the each Captain sailed with during the things in the Taft-Hartley who has been put on the job for union hall, or because he is not Most of the detail involved in the five years showing that the a union member, the NLRB can one specific purpose; namely, dis­ Law. There is no doubt that it's filing application is of a routine applicant's service was honor­ order the Shipowners to employ rupt and jeopardize the agree­ going to raise hell with a lot of nature. But there is one glaring able. a non-union man. However, the ment. The union cannot take unions, but now more than ever inequity in the law as it now A THROW BACK NLRB cannot issue an order to this man off the job and the em­ before will the fffture of the stands, and which should be cor­ union depend upon its membei-s. ployer does not have to fire the The strong arguments against the Shipowners unless a charge rected if it is to be fairly admin­ of Unfair Labor Practices is filed man. The only reason for which Because in order to beat this law istered. This is the provision this are innumerable. For one with the Board. In other words, the employer can fire a man is if and come out of it on top, we whch states that proof must be thing, the Immigration people if a stooge comes along and there he belongs to the union and re­ must have a disciplined mem­ furnished the Immigration and are thus reapplying the extreme­ will be plenty of them, and he fused to pay his dues. In other bership and we must know one Naturalization Service that an ap­ ly unfair provisions which were demands to be hired in a certain words, if a union expels a dis­ another and be able to spot plicant's five years aboard Amer­ ruled out in 1936. They are mak­ steamship company and the com­ rupter. ho can still stay on the phonies and stooges. ican ships were spent in "honor­ ing what should otherwise be a job because the employers can­ simple procedure an involved The membership of the SUP able service." pany turns him down, the stooge not fire him; it's against the law. have many tough days ahead of can then file Unfair Labor Prac­ Before going into this aspect and, in some cases, almost impos­ So you can readily see what them. Each and every member tices against the Shipowners and dealing with "honorable service" sible task. Many of the skippers setup it will be for disrupters and union delegate will have cer­ if he proves it before the Board let's take a look at the section which men have sailed with a and stooges to raise hell with tain responsibilities. It will have the employer will be told of the law, which states the con­ five year period are dead. Some to be each man's duty to assume ditions under which an alien sea­ may live in Bangkok, or Peru, to hire this man. This is some­ various unions. thing for us to remember. A LAWSUITS AGAINST UNIONS these responsibilities, not only men may become a naturalized or Alaska and cannot be traced. ashore but on ship. And it is practically indisput­ stooge, saboteur, or enemy of our citizen: A union can be sued for viola­ able that these skippers cannot union can file unfair labor prac­ These things the membership PERSONS SERVING ON remember far back enough to tices against our union and against tion of collective bargaining should think about and remem­ UNITED STATES GOV­ testify of a crewmember's char­ the employers and can demand agreement in all industries af­ ber, and when we start to nego­ acter. and receive wages for the time fecting interstate commerce. The tiate with the Shipowners, we ERNMENT OR PRIVATE he lost by not working on ac­ new law states that a union can will know where we stand and VESSELS Under this recent ruling an sue or be sued as a whole and count of discrimination. alien seaman is placed at the we will be ready for any and all a) A person who has served is responsible for the acts of its mercy of the skipper's nature, BOYCOTTS honorably or with good con­ agents. A judgment can be en­ emergencies affecting our or temperament and whims. A per­ duct for an aggregate period It is absolutely prohibited to forced aginst the union as a ganization. of at least five years (1) on sonal dislike could result in the establish a jurisdictional strike board of any vessel of the Captain stamping the man's serv­ or to refuse to handle goods in United States Government ice as dishonorable, in spite of the Secondary Boycott. As an other than in the United States the applicant's honesty, indus­ example—if a lumber mill were Navy, Marine Corps or Coast try and capabilities on his job. on strike and the lumber com­ Guard, or (2) on board vessels Most certainly this procedure is pany brought the lumber into of more than twenty tons bur­ not fair or just. Nor is it consis­ San Francisco in a railroad car den, whether or not document­ tent with the democratic tradi­ and if the SUP members refused On an SIU ship, many of these ed under the laws of the United tions which each alien is asked (Continued from Page 1) to sail with scabby lumber, that jobs are considered as penalty States, and whether public or to understand and accept. Yes, Brothers, it's the SIU would be classed as Secondary jobs, and are paid for at the private, which are not foreign SHOULD BE ENOUGH Boycott, and our union could be that leads on the Lakes every overtime rate over and above vessels, and whose home port We have pointed out to the sued for damages; not only by time when it comes to wages, the regular pay which you are is in the United States, may be Immigration authorities that the lumber company, but by the overtime, hours, working and already receiving. naturalized without having re­ their requirements: (1) a clean people who bought the lumber, living conditions! And don't This means extra cabbage for sided, continuously immediate­ police record, (2) sponsorship by the consignee, who may be on forget those two little words you when you're working under ly preceding the date of filing at least two responsible citizens "working conditions," as they the-East Coast. of such person's petition, in the an SIU contract. and (3) the discharge showing However, no company can sue mean a lot to you when you're United States for at least five the applicant was working aboard a union for respecting a legiti­ working under an SIU contract. LCA RAISES? years, and in the state in which ship for five years, should be suf­ Many jobs on an unorganized mate picket line, if the union According to reports reaching the petition for naturalization ficient. which is striking and maintain­ ship are done on your watch this office, the LCA is contem­ is filed for at least six months, ing the picket line has been cer- with no extra pay whatsoever. Certainly the first two require­ plating the payment of increased if such petitioner is still in the ments are a fairer way of ascer­ wages in line with those already service on a reenlistment, re­ taining a man's character than appointment, or reshipment, or won by the SIU. leaving it in the hands of one This is in line with the usual within six months after an person, who is to sit in as a judge. honorable discharge or separa­ LCA policy. They wait until In fact, in as much as a man is tion therefrom. wage' increases have been won able to present evidence of a by the SIU, and then out of the WHAT IS PROOF? clean civilian record, and can bigness of their hearts they come The law, then, seems to be produce two citizens willing to across with a comparable in­ fairly clear. But there is the one sponsor him, the requirement that crease. provision which is posing diffiHave you ever stopped to fig­ ciUties. Now that applications he be adjudged honorable by his ure out that even if you're sail­ are being filed with the Commis­ skippers seems rather unneces­ sary. ing on an open shop LCA ship, sioner of Immigration and Na­ that you benefit by every wage turalization an obstacle in the Furthermore, most alien sea­ gain won by the SIU on the form of a technical question has men who are applying now, Great Lakes? These tight-fisted, arisen. Just what will be accept­ have sailed American ships dur­ profit-hungry outfits never give ed as proof of "honorable serv­ ing the war years. The present law makes no recognition of this you these raises because they ice" or good conduct?" sei'vice. A more equitable pro­ think you deserve them. Up to 1936, discharges had a The only time Great Lakes place wherein the Captain of cedure would take this service seamen ever receive any kind of each vessel classified the sea­ into consideration. an increase or improved work­ man's character .and ability In view of the inequity exist­ ing conditions, is at the insti­ aboard ship as either good or bad. ing in the present law, we are gation of the SIU. If there was This procedure was abandoned protesting the unfairness of this no SIU, then there would never with the passage of the Merchant feature. Further, we are recom­ be any changes. Marine Act of 1936. mending to the Immigration and Compare, then choose for Thus was ruled out a vicious Naturalization Service that it yourselves. Don't be a free­ method of blackballing which recognize that aliens who sailed loader. Join the SIU today, and unlicensed seamen had been during the war did perform an become a part of the most mil- fighting vigorously. A skipper honorable service. Fighting to tant, progressive and democrat­ could no longer hang what, in ef­ maintain the government and its ic Union on' the entire Lakes— fect, was a don't-touch sign institutions committed to demo­ the Seafarers International Union around a man's neck. cratic principles is definitely hon­ However, for the period since orable in our book. IAFL, Great Lakes District. (Contimud from Page 1) of its employees an election could be held which would take away the union shop. However, even if you have a union shop, it doesn't give you anything. — f 1 ^ ^.s. wt. .. I ac I .-J 1« f < ,-3 < < 1 l<% AM Browning, McCarthy Sign 40-Hour Contract With SlU �Friday, August 29. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Fiva No Isthmian Ships In Norfolk, But Port Aided In Final Victory By RAY WHITE PR Commies Back To Old Tricks NO NEWS?? Spreading Disruptive Rumors By SALVADOR COLLS SAN JUAN—Shipping in this island port has improved quite a bit during the past weeks, hut business remains the same. We are expecting business to take a turn for the better in the near future as more men are coming in to pay their dues and assess­ ments at this end of their trips. It seems that the communists down here on the island are working overtime to create dis­ unity between the ILA and SIUSUP. They have been worming around here trying desperately to plant a rumor to the effect that I was called up on the carpet at Head­ quarters for backing the ILA during its strike down here. The rumor is typical of a com­ mie tactic and like everything they spread it is strictly phony. Why should I be reprimanded for backing our AFL alliliate and fellow member of the Mari­ time Trades Department? Our aims are the same and we are in complete harmony in every­ thing we undertake. CLOSE COOPERATION I'm not going to devote m.uch ispace to this spawning of an overwor-ked commie brain and thus lend it dignity. Suffice it to say that wherever the ILA and SIU work together, whether it be in San Juan or in the States, there is always 100 per­ cent cooperation and harmony. The commies and the CGT f contracts come up for renewal. He said that the company is get­ ting tired of these men, and is going to throw the whole matterin the faces of the negotiators. That's what they will do, too. They are getting tired of putting up with these performers and they intend to do something about it. Now that the rainy season is hei-e, the boys on the beach don't find the sun so hot. It is very enjoyable down here now and if you don't believe me ask French Michelet how he liked this climate. He was in paradise down here. The fellows around here kind of miss Frenchy now that he had deserted us for the big city. They want to know when he is i-eturning to cook them another ham. They still have indiges­ tion from the last one. Silence this week from the Branch Agents of the follow­ ing ports: MILWAUKEE JACKSONVILLE SAVANNAH NEW ORLEANS MARCUS HOOK CLEVELAND TOLEDO The creadline roi pori re­ ports, monies due. etc.. is the Monday preceeding pub­ lication. While every effort will be made to use in the current issue material re­ ceived after that date, space commitments generally do not permit us to do so. NORFOLK—The Port of Nor­ folk wasn't .blessed with actual participation in the Isthmian Strike, but there was a feeling prevalent in this port of being right in there aiding in the win­ ning of the beef. There were no picketlines or stewpots in operation here; in fact, the nearest Isthmian ship was quite a ways from here in Baltimore. The feeling of participating in the beef stemmed from the fact that many of the men in this port had sailed the Isthmian ships and had put months of la­ bor into the struggle to gain a contract. Let's be honest about it. The men who sailed these ships as volunteer organizers worked un­ der severe handicaps. They have every right to feel that they took part in the final victory even if they didn't stand a picket watch. They made all this possible and to them should go the laur­ els if any are given. NOT ALL OPTIMISM When the drive first opened, it was not all optimism on the part of the SIU. The majority of the Taft-Hartley Act Backfires On Labor-Baiters, Lakes Seamen Turn To Seafarers For Security By MAURICE DOLE kind of lousy conditions they ASHTABULA —If the manu­ now have to put up with on facturers' and- owners' unions their ships. like the National Association of Several repoits have reached Manufacturers, the U. S. Cham­ this office that a number of ber of Commerce and all the lo­ cal Chambers, plus our own pet LCA stooges are on the loose, hate, the Lake Carriers Associa­ warning the younger unorgan­ tion,' thought that they were ized seamen on the Lakes not scaring unorganized workers to listen to any union talk or away from the union by passing pass any union literature around the Taft-Hartley Act, then they on their ships. made one big mistake. These same LCA stooges don't This infamous piece of legis­ lation has had the opposite ef­ bother with the older more ex­ fect. perienced seamen. They know Today, more than ever, unor­ that these men know the score, ganized seamen are dropping in­ and that's why they're concen­ to our SIU Halls in various trating on the younger fellows. Great Lakes ports in ever in­ After talking things over with creasing numbers. some of the men on the Cleve­ These men realize that the land-Cliffs ships, they tell me Taft-Hartley Act was meant to that their "Union," better known enslave and then break the or­ as the Lake Sailors Union, un­ ganized labor movement in the affiliated (except to the Lakes U.S.A. V Carriers Asso.) has plenty of With no SIU on the Lakes to cabbage floating around. spearhead the drive against the No one apparently knows open shop conditions prevalent where the dough came from, but on LCA ships, and to fight for it really smells to high heaven better wages and conditions such of something like the LCA. as those won in recent SIU con­ Check this for yourself. Don't tracts incorporating the forty take just my word for it. hour week, who would lead the fight on the Lakes? . A LITTLE CAUTION The answer is very obvious. Here's a little word of caution No one would lead the fight, for SIU members and non-mem­ because there wouldn't be any bers who show up on the job battle for the rights of Great all gassed up, and quit at the Lakes seamen to earn decent last minute. wages, and work under decent working and living conditions, if We're not preaching or trying there wasn't an SIU in there to put on any prissy pratt act, plugging away. but this is really a bad policy. wish very much that there were disunity in bur ranks so they could capitalize on it, but such will have to remain just wishful thinking on their part. We had beefs aboard a couple of the ships in port here this week. One aboard the Morning Light, Waterman, gave us a mornings work. Unfortunately, the cause of the whole affair was three drunks. These guys wanted -to take off on their own free will which they did and didn't bother to turn to for the next two days. I got a caH from the 'Water­ man office to come down and straighten them out. When I asked them why they had re­ COLUMBIA ALREADY fused to turn to they were so It didn't take long after the drunk that they were unable to final effects of the Taft-Hartley answer my question. They real­ Act took place (Aug. 22), before ly put the officials and the rest Columbia Transportation Com­ of the union in a fine position. pany (Oglebay, Norton) came PROMISE A FIGHT right out into the open with their worst open shop tactics. The Waterman Port Captain Ask any Columbia seaman, reminded me that we will have when you run into them, what a fight on our hands when the When you quit at the last minute, it makes it tough on your former shipmates as they have to pitch in that much harder to take up your «lack Eight hours is plenty of hours for any seaman to work, and we certainly fought hard to get the three watch system of eight hours. So make sure you puU your shai'e, and don't leave your buddies in a spot by piling off without any replacements at the last minute. Although this applies to non­ union as well as SIU ships ,it's really a lot worse on an SIU ship because your shipmates ex­ pect that as a Union Brother you will do your share, and not leave them holding the sack. The SIU motto is always. "Brotherhood of the Sea." Re­ member that next time \-ou feel like getting gassed up and piling off. men felt that Isthmian could be won and pitched in with a will. There were men, however, who didn't share their feelings. In one SIU Branch, the Agent took the deck and said we could never win. He was proved wrong. His wishy-washy attitude did not aid the drive in the least and it is to the membership's credit that he was voted out of his position. Enough credit will never be given the men who went out and did the job that was done aboard Isthmian scows. They sacrificed a great deal, but most of them aren't looking for any rewaid. Their reward is in see­ ing Isthmian ships called off the board. Let's survey the situation as it now stands. 'We have won a contract from Isllnninn embody­ ing nine points covering wages and employment, but the work­ ing rules are still to come. TAKE THE SHIPS What is needed now are men to go aboard these Isthmian ships not to just sail them as they would any other ship, but to keep them solidly SIU and in­ sure the gaining of a set of working rules compatable with, other SIU ships. The longer these men stay aboard Isthmian ships, the better will be the final contract. That's our aim now. We learned a lot of things during the months spent in or­ ganizing Isthmian. We made a lot of mistakes, and Norfolk wasn't an exception, but with the experience we now have we can prepare for the future. After all, we knocked off the biggest dry cargo operator in the country. Who can be tougher than Isthmian? We intend to use our new ex­ perience to good advantage when contacting the unorganized ships which hit this port, and if the same is done in all other ports it shouldn't be too long before we wull add other companies to our growing list of contracted oper­ ators. Victory Over Isthmian Proves Sill Can Do Just About Anything By SONNY SIMMONS TAMPA—The good news that Isthmian is in the bag will make a lot of doubting Thomases eat their words. In the past two years there were quite a few characters who said we could never get Isthmian. Everything is okay down this way as far as business goes. We didn't have any Isthmian ships in port so we did our part by offering moral support and donating and collecting money to keep the strike going. ALL CONFIDENT Well, through no help from There are the usual lads pass­ them, we got Isthmian and a ing through hei-e, oldtimers and contract that will knock their newcomers, and all have only eyes out. one thought in mind—"We lick­ ed .Isthmian, and we are on our I can remember when I was a way to organize everything un­ New York Patrolman, some organized on the waterfront." would-be disrupters attempted to There are rumors that some scuttle tjie whole drive with statements such as "We can't of the operators are going to in­ win," 'Tt's money wasted," "The crease their coastwise traffic. If organizei's are running the this is true, it should add quite Union now." a bit of activities to the port. I'd like to see those guys now! The lelaxing situation is still Our victory over Isthmian proves that the progressive path the Union has followed during the past three years pays off, and there isn't much we can't knock over now. okay here. The fish sun shines, and a man plenty of fun on the very little cost—that doesn't drink. bite, the can have beach at is if he I. '1 i 1; �THE Page Six SEAFARERS LOG Friday, August 29. 1947 Crewing Up Of Isthmian Vessels Helps To Make The Patrolmen Say,.. Port Of New York A Boom Town For Seafarers Different Story, Now Takes All Kinds By JOE ALGINA NEW YORK — You can call this port Boom Town as far as shipping is concerned at the moment. We have plenty of jobs here for the asking and there is no waiting for a ship. Right in the middle of the Isthmian tie-up the ships start­ ed to hit this port in a steady stream, and they have been keeping it up for several days now. Where they all came from, I don't know, but we'll take all that come in and crew them up. I don't think they are all converging on New York at the expense of other ports, as from the reports I've seen shipping seems to be very good in almost all of the other ports. where they're going to stay from now on. The Seafarers is now harvest­ ing the benefits we fought for so long. It gives a guy a feel­ ing of personal satisfaction to know that the fight wasn't in vain and that the last major non-union dry cargo fleet has fallen. I want to thank all of the men who donated dough to the Isth­ mian Strike Fund. A lot of MONTREAL — ' The year of 1947 brought the SlU to Mon­ treal and a lot of headaches to the local shipping agents. For a number of years, Amer­ ican seamen arriving in the port of Montreal have been pushed around by this bunch of Old School-tie Boys and remittance men. It has been common occurance for our ships to leave this port short of many items because of the penny-pinching attitude of the Agents and Skippers . These guys all had the same GOOD SHIP'S DELEGATE ^ . old story: "This is not the U. S., The Jackson was fortunate m we can't get this and we having aboard a very good man ^ ^hat," in face of the fact as Ship's Delegate. He knew , that Stewards' stores are more the score on. everything pertain- plentiful and far cheaper than in mg to the Union and aided the u g Patrolman immeasurably. The opening of the Montreal The old demon of the sea. Hall has changed this picture en­ Captain Blood of the Seatrain tirely. Slowly but surely, people Texas, is back in the bad graces up here are beginning to realize of the SIU once more. that the SIU is an organization The crew reported that he is to be reckoned with. up to his old tricks of giving the Only the SIU has the welfare men a hard time and being of its members at heart. It is an abusive. organization that can rely on the The Patrolmen went down to support of its membership 100 the ship and had a little fire­ per cent. side chat with the old boy and This is an entirely different set­ hinted openly that he had better up from what they have been mend his ways, or after the next used to, as the only seamen's trip the Union would be forced union they have dealt with be­ to take direct action and see fore is the CSU, a commie con­ that he does all of his sailing in trolled outfit, whose only interest Central Park. in the seaman is the dues they The crew has taken plenty can collect to finance Joe Stalin's from this phony, so he is strict­ political machine in this country, ly on his good behavior. * Mike Quirke was an ^ easy payoff for the Pa­ trolman. The Lundy crew was very gen­ erous in donating to the Isth­ mian Strike Fund, with each man giving a good hunk of cab­ bage. The same was the story on the Andrew Jackson, Waterhian. The crew pitched in and gave a very large amount of money to the strike fund. Both crews de­ serve a real vote of thanks for their generosity. This morning I stopped on the 2nd floor of the Hall for a few minutes. While I was standing there I heard Paul Gonsorchik, our Dispatcher, yell into the mike: "Give me one Carpenter s. and two ABs for the Steel money was kicked in by Sea­ Flyer." farers on the beach and on the ships in this port. Every dollar SWEET MUSIC went toward insuring the suc­ It was music to my ears to cessful prosecution of the strike. hear him call an Isthmian ship Those dollars paid off the final off the board. The guys walked installment of the Isthmian fleet up and threw in their cards for and now she belongs to us. the jobs just as they would On the regular shipping front for any other contracted oper­ in this port, things are running ator. along in routine shape. The I couldn't help but think about Mooring Hitch, Alcoa, which has how much work and sweat went been in drydock was all set for into the simple procedure of a sign-on. calling for an Isthmian crew. The Patrolman who went down The shoreside organizers and the to handle the payoff ran into By KEITH ALSOP been collusion between the SIU SIU men who sailed the Isth­ the usual flock of beefs that and the company. Well, if there mian ships can be pioud of the come up on these bauxite ships. GALVESTON — The big talk had been would there have been fine job they did. A lot of time, down this way is about how the BAUXITE BEDLAM any reason for the strike we just money and effort went into put­ Isthmian Steamship Company She was filthy. As the Patrol­ met its lord and master, none pulled and won? Let the NMU ting those ships up on the board, they're up there now and that's man described it, she was a other than the SIU. We had to misleaders answer that one. madhouse. Bit by bit, and beef travel the hard way to win this All the fake charges pulled out by beef, the Patrolman patiently one, but win it we did. of the hat by the NMU were squared away the beefs on board The victory may have come just what were to be expected and put her back on the beam, from a bunch of scabs and finks but it is a thankless task, for as a great surprise to a lot of which the top leadership of the the company will go right back people, but not to real SIU- NMU has proved itself to be. to its old tricks and when she SUP members. We knew we The words scab and commie hits port again it will be the couldn't lose since we never are starting to mean the same have and we never will. same old story. thing to American workers. The Orbis, one of Bernstein This beef should serve to make Congress, which has slashed Steamship Company's old rust the NMU commies eat their Before I forget I'd like to make funds requested by the Maritime buckets, is being sold to a for­ words. another point. I think that some Commission for building and im­ eign government. She has been of the former officials of the proving American passenger As soon as the SIU won the around for a long time and now SIU owe an apology to the or­ ships, is at least consistent in its bargaining election, the NMU the company is going to replace ganizers, both volunteer and policy of ignoring the American shysters • started putting all sorts her with a newer vessel. staff, for the way they belittled merchant marine. of legal difficulties in the way The opposite of the Mooring the organizers right in the mid­ Many Representatives and Hitch was the Benjamin Lundy of our certification. dle of the Isthmian campaign. This played right into the Senators, along with government of Alcoa which came in this The main complaint was that officials, are booking ocean pas­ week. hands of the company, and as a the organizer didn't know how sages for their authorized mis­ Belonging to the same com­ result, we almost got caught be­ to organize (that's a hot one— sions abroad, but most of them pany as the Mooring Hitch, it tween the rollers of the Taftask the NMU if our boys can't are sailing on foreign vessels. was hard to believe that things Hartley law. organize). One fantastic charge brought At the close of the last Con­ coidd be so different. She was Another gripe was that the or­ gressional session, between 30 clean in every department and by the NMU was that there had and 40 Congressmen reserved space aboard the Queen Mary, Cunard White Star Line, for passage to Europe on Aug. 27, By W. H. SIMMONS painting the foc'sles, new hot when they leave on an official can feel damned proud for it. plates, shower heads, fans and government mission. The two Isthmian scows, the SAN FRANCISCO—Things are new mirrors in the washrooms. Their action blandly ignores returning to normal out here Steel Fabricator and Lynn Vic­ All these items were put aboard tory, are reassembling their the merchant marine laws, which on the Gold Coast now that the crows and should clear this port here and the painting will be require that government officials traveling on public funds use Isthmian Strike has become an­ in a few days. It gives me a done while en route to Balti­ other page in waterfront history. real buzz to seq those Isthmian more. ships of the American flag. While aboard the ship I found jobs called off the board. Another official party acting Knocking off this line deserves it necessary to give a little lec­ ONE IN TRANSIT contrary to the merchant marine a full page in any book written ture on Union responsibilities to on maritime labor. laws is the one which will ac­ We have had one transit ves­ a couple of members of the black It was a tough nut to crack sel in port this week. The Cor­ gang. company Secretary of the Treas­ ury John W. Snyder, who is go­ and I'm not blowing the horn nell Vielory, Waterman, stopped A few of the fellows aboaid ing to London as this country's of the SIU when I say it took a off long enough for us to go decided that they only had to representative to the second an­ real union to knock it off. aboard and settle a few beefs work when they felt like it. I nual meeting of the World Bank Every other Union, and even that had accumulated. pointed out to them that the in September. The group also the shipowners, felt that Isth­ Every thing was settled to the SIU did not tolerate this kind has a booking with the Cunard mian would never sign a Union satisfaction of the crew. of horseplay. Line. I contract, but we did it and we I think they will be okay now. Some of the beefs pertained to PHILADELPHIA—One week I had a good clean payoff to write about and the next, I got a bunch of foul balls and gearreckless guy that I ran into re­ cently on the SS Afoundria of Waterman. I went aboard this ship at 5 P.iVI., August 15, to pay her off and found the crew in an uproar and half gassed up; the messroom chairs broken, lock­ ers ripped apart in the Deck Department quarters. All beefs were settled at the payoff on this ship, but the only reason I allowed the ci'ew to payoff was that we had the Isthmian strike on hand and it was a big enough headache with­ out detaining a bunch of wreck­ ers like this gang. To show the bright side of a Patrolman's job, listen to this: Hats Off to the crew of the SS Azalea City, of Waterman. I boarded this ship, looking for strike contributions and talked with the crew and the Captain. The Skipper said that they only have a half day's pay com­ ing but if they want to make donations, he will give them a draw for one day's pay. The crew got together and all agreed to donate five dollars apiece, so at the end of the ses­ sion I walked off this ship with $155.00 in donations. So, again I say. Hats Off to the crew of the Azalea City and E. B. Tilley Isthmian Finally Meets Its Lord And Master U.S. Politicians Break Law, Sail On Alien Vessels Isthmian Victory Milestone In Maritime History ganizers were giving the other officials a hard time. All the gripes were just so much bushwah, and its a shame that these former officials, who were defeated by the member­ ship in the last election, are hot around to see the results of the hard work and effort put forth by the organizers. Texas is in good shape and rolling merrily along. We had a couple of Isthmian scows hung up down this way, but they are rapidly being squared away, along with other contracted ships. Keep Sailing Cities Service At long last the Seafarers has forced the hand of the £Uiti-union Cities Service Company, and in a short while an election should be held to determine a bargain­ ing agent for the unlicensed personnel in the fleet. The SIU has a better than good chance to sweep the elec­ tion, but victory can only be assured if volunteers get jobs on those ships and slay with them until the voting is over. That's the way Isthmian was won; that's the way all our big companies were brought under the SIU flag.. Now is the time for action. Apply for jobs on Cities Service tankers, talk SIU while aboard the ships, and stay with them until all the votes are cast. �THE SEAFARERS Friday, Augusl 29, 1947 Few Performers, If Unchecked, Can Ruin All LOG LAKJ^S OLDTIMERS MOBILE—To say that we are very happy over the news about Isthmian is mild. The thing that everyone said couldn't be done —organize Isthmian — has been done and in a big way. CHICAGO—For the past two weeks, shipping in this port has been very good. Altogether, we shipped a total of 48 Firemen, 14 Coal Passers, 3 Oilers, 1 Pumpman, 1 Handyman, 7 AB's, 33 OS's, 5 Cooks, 11 Porters and 51 for the Stewards Department on the passenger ships. We are now crewing Isthmian ships off SIU shipping boards, and the Isthmian seamen have the same protection and security that other .SIU members have had for a long time. Among the ships paying us a visit were the SS Pollack which was in here twice, the SS Son­ era, Hewitt, Davniavin, Coralia, and the Penobscot, also in here twice. Only a few beefs on them, H«id they were all straightened out in short order. In some instances, when the report comes in that the guy did not show up for his watch, we find him in a gassed up condi­ tion after scouting aixjund. Upon asking him if he's going back to his ship, he invariably says that he is quitting. This is a lousy job to pull on the Union and on your shipmates! NO CREDIT These men, who are usually the first ones to squawk when negotiations are going on with the operator for better conditions are no credit to the Union. Then we have it tossed in our faces that our members aren't entitled to any benefits because they don't want to work and won't live up to the contract in any event. It's true that it is only a small minority that pulls these stunts, but they aren't helping themsel­ ves and they're not doing any­ thing to help the Brothers who are trying to uphold the tradi­ tions of the SIU by winning the best wages and conditions on the Lakes. Remember, it only takes a few bad eggs or performers to spoil all that the SIU has fought and struggled over the years to at­ tain. The shipowners are only wait­ ing for any opportunity to blast the seamen and take away our conditions. Performers and gashounds among the ranks of the seamen only play into the hands of the shipowners stooges who are waiting to blast you. It's up to all of you as members of the SIU to see that no one weakens us by their actions. It's up to all of us to protect our contracts and conditions. This is our Union. It is operated by us, and we are the ones who can make or break the Union by our actions. Some Said It Couldn't Be Done, But Seafarers Won Isthmian By GAL TANNER By HERB JANSEN Now that the hot weather is about over and some relief from the torrid wave that hit Chicago some three weeks ago is in sight, the Firemen are coming out of their hiding places and starting to man the ships once again. For a while, they were as scarce as hen's teeth. One of our big headaches has been the uncertainty of some of the men returning to their ships to stand their watches after be­ ing ashore. Aside from wondering whether some of these lost souls will re­ turn, it's quite hard sometimes to find competent replacements. Page Seven Lots of fellows will never know how hard it was to or­ ganize Isthmian. I am fortunate enough to Itnow v/hat a big job it was, since before being elected Mobile Agent I worked both as a shoreside and shipside organ­ izer. Sailors of inland seas, these men have travelled the Great Lakes for more years than they like to remember. Left to right. Gold Tooth Gus and John Peterson. No, we don't know Gus's last name. Oldtimers and newcomers alike are flocking to enroll in the Seafarers drive to organize the Great Lakes. Bargaining elec­ tions are pending in about seven companies right now. and in all of them the SIU should roll up impressive majorities. Many seamen have come into the SIU Halls around the Lakes to sign pledge cards and to say something about how much a union is needed in that area, but only a union that will fight for its members. Of course, they mecin the Seafarers. At times it looked pretty bad for us since the NMU and the commie party were putting up $10.00 for every $1.00 that the SIU was expending on the cam­ paign. But the good record of SIU and the punk record of NMU were the final factors, so the SIU won by a plenty majority. the the and big Too much cannot be said for the hundreds of men who sac­ rificed time and dough to make this victorj' possible. They sail­ ed Isthmian ships as volunteers, and through them Isthmian too is SIU. LOCKED TIGHT We had a ship tied up here, and I really mean tied up. There was no attempt made by the company to move it, and ^ if there had been, the SIU is so popular here I am sure that all organized labor would have downed tools to prevent the com­ pany from finking a vessel out of this port. The entire Gulf area appearsto be in good shape at this time, and the happenings that plagued us a fev.^ months ago are things of the past. The gashounds and performers are learning to mind their Ps and Qs, and it is rarely that we have trouble with them. Brother Lindsey V/illiams is with us again, still talking of New Orleans as the cultural cen­ ter of the United States. Fie is a great help in this port, and he is now concentrating on the or­ ganizing work to be done in the fishing field. More about this will be an­ nounced later. Nobody knows what the future holds in store for the SIU in the coming year. We no doubt will be called on to do battle on big issues. Well, let 'em come! After Isthmian anything will be a cinch. Men Who Shield Disrupters Harm Themselves And Union 1 had a swell time and everyone had a lot of fun—everyone ex­ BALTIMORE — Isthmian jobs cept the responsible crewmemin this Port are now being ship­ bcrs and the Union, ped off the board, which is some­ These guys decided that things thing that few people ever ex­ were pretty dull on board ship, pected to see — but which the so to liven things up a little they Baltimore boys never doubted, in took the dishes out of the pantry the least. and heaved them against the This attitude of the member­ bulkhead just to hear them ship is one of the great assets smash. that the Union has here in Bal­ They then took the icetrays out timore. While in some other of the refrigerator and heaved ports there were some who ques­ them over the side. Oh, they had tioned everjdhing about the Isth­ loads of fun. It was a big joke. mian Drive, the fellows here sub­ Everything they could pick up stituted action for double talk by or pry up, they destroyed. They taking jobs on Isthmian ships, left things in shambles and then instead of raising hell and con­ crawled into their sacks and fusing the issue. dreamed sweet dreams of what I remember, in particular, a a joks it would be on the rest of couple of "rank and filers" in the the crew. Port of New York (who didn't The rest of the creiy^ however, make a trip a year) who tried didn't get the joke. Instead, they every way they could to make called the Union Hall and I went the task of the organizers tough­ down to look over the damage. er. That they did not succeed is I tried to find out who was res­ a compliment to the intelligence ponsible for it but the guilty ones and loyalty of the membership. wouldn't own up to it. Last week some of the boys of EVERYONE MUM the Walter Perry, Waterman, had themselves a big party. They Their joke had backfired so they weren't going to get stuck for it. What was worse than the guys not owning up to the dam­ age was the fact that no one in the crew would point them out. The complete light to get This is a hell of a note. There's Isthmian signed to an SIU nothing noble about concealing contract is not yet over. We the identity of a unionwrecker. won the major part of the These guys didn't consult any­ battle when we got them to one when they took off on this agree to the Union Hiring caper. Hall and Rotary Shipping, They didn't give a damn if it but the working rules still meant a black eye to the Union, have to be negciiated. yet no one would point them out. So. when Isthmian jobs A good union man wouldn't appear on the board, be sure hesitate to identify a fink or a scab, yet these men are in the to accept them. same class. In fact, they are The more Seafarers on the even worse, as a fink or a scab ships, the better the work­ doesn't carry a book in the SIU. ing rules will be. Do your I would like to bring to the part. attention of the membership the By WM. RENTZ Ship Isthmian fact that the Union fought like hell to get these things on our ships. The day isn't too far in the past when there was no china or ice trays aboard ships to be broken—just tin plates and no ice cubes, either. If we want to keep these things that we have won, there must be a sense of responsibility among the men who crew the ships. There will always be one per­ former in any crowd, but I'm sure the rest of the crew can handle him and thus protect the gains we have made in this in­ dustry. ern; Yorkmar, Calmar and the Fisher Ames, American Eastern. At the same time we covered the Robin Goodfellow, Robin Line, and Joseph Hewes, Bull Line, in transit We also crewed up a rarity around these parts. The tanker Bull Run came in and took al­ most a full crew. The Baltimore shipyard work­ ers are still on strike. This week they held a meeting and voted to remain out on strike. The SIU is still respecting their picketlines, and we hope they will soon end the strike in a vic­ tory. SHIPPING BRIGHTENS They have been out a long time and it sure hurts to get involved Business and shipping have in a long drawn out strike. picked up in this port in the past two weeks and show signs of do­ SAW THE LIGHT ing even better in the future. We Gashounds in this port are on expect several ships in port for payoff and sign-ons, so there their good behavior. Of course, should be good news from Balti­ during the Isthmian strike we didn't have the time to fool with more for some time to come. This week we paid off the Rob­ the guys, and after we made ex­ ert M. T. Hunter, South Atlantic; amples out of a few of them the Azelea City, Waterman: Walter rest of them straightened out Perry, Waterman; George M. quickly. Cohan, Eastern; Yorkmar, CalWe will continue to give them Arlya also of Bull Lines. Not a a short run if they cause any bad week of payoffs. disruption in this port, and I We signed on the Yaka, Wa­ think they know it. Anyway, terman; George M. Cohan, East- they're being good at the mar; Thomas Rusk, Bull and the moment. Port Philly Busy, Sends Wire PHILADELPHIA—Too busy now to write full article for the LOG but not too busy to send wire and say that the Se.'u'arers has just won the greatest victory of any maritime union in the business. We whipped into line the biggest and toughest of all the steam­ ship companies. Isthmian, and it was a job that seemed impossible to do when the Union fii-st tackled it. We can feel justly proud of the work we have done to protect the standards of American seamen by forcing Isthmian to grant union wages and conditions to its unlicensed personnel. Our caps off to the membership of the finest Union of them all, the Seafarers International Union. Eddie Higdon X'l �THE Page Eiglii SEAFARERS LOG CSU Seamen Find Seafarers Gets Results While CP Dissension Rocks Their Outfit By GENE MARKEY demands for better contracts and more security, the CSU rank and filers are going to find them­ selves forced into the unhappy position of having to accept any crumbs the shipowners will throw in their face. back to their ships determined to organize for the SIU. Now that we are a little better known in this territory and the trips that the commies have peddled about the shipowners, SIU, etc., etc., has been disproved by ac­ tual sight of our better kept foc'sles, good chow and well fill­ ed OT sheets, more and more CSU members fed up with the Seafarer Jacob Lundoy, AB, dismal picture of their own union's failure are going out even though not a full Book among their buddies as volun­ SIU member at the time, acted like a real oldtimer when the teer SIU organizers. SIU struck Isthmian. He was CSU rank and fil^ committees on the SS Richard Alvey, an-, are meeting with crew members chored in Brooklyn, and as on SIU ships all over the world soon as the strike was called, and 'getting the lesson of their he and Bosun Joe Shea led the life on just how a real union entire crew off the vessel and operates. on to the picketline. Friday, August 29. 1947 Waterman Opens New Ponce Run The rapidly expanding services of the Waterman Steamship Cor­ poration will be increased fur­ ther this month with the opening of a run between West Coast ports and Puerto Rico. Service will probably be main­ tained on a monthly basis, with sailings from San Francisco to San Juan, Mayaguez and Ponce. The new Puerto Rico run will be operated independently from Waterman's present coastwise and intercoastal services and will be handled from the West Coast by the firm of Sudden and Christenson. Waterman's rapid growth since the end of the war has made it largest shipowner under the American flag. It is an unsubsidized line. >• MONTREAL — Current hap­ penings on the waterfront here are a prime example of the ex­ tent that commie union-wreckers will go in their pursuit of union-busting. SEES THINGS WORSE The CSU hits the headlines Sub-standard living and work­ daily, but not an ounce of their energy is directed to the win­ ing conditions on Canadian ships ning of better conditions. Their will get worse. Joe Blow who prime interest is a political one sails the tubs knows how bad Joe Stalin has had a bumper thing have gotten in the last wheat crop so he is deterriiined year, and a continued deterior­ to get the market in Europe, a ation is a pretty rotten prospect — market no doubt designed to tie for the year ahead. the hungry European nations to The commie publicity muck, the Commissar's Red Army apron and the general opposition to the commies from all sections of the strings. To help Joe in this direction, Canadian people, is casting a the commie leadership of the slur upon Canadian seamen that CSU have been instructed to will take a lot to live down. impede the flow of grain from The average Canadian uptown, Canada and they are using every organized and unorganized, who subterfuge to fulfill moustached depends on the daily press to By FRANK MORAN turning to school, and they won't lusioned that m-ore and more of Joe's orders. find out what's going on in the DULUTH—A good many years be taking any of that seasonal them are just waiting for a world, has the impression that RANK TREATMENT bonus with them when they go. chance to register a vote for the Canadian seamen are a very ir- ago, Sam Plimsoll fought for and Then, when the bonafied sea­ union of their choice—the SIU! At the vei-y time, the rank comes in the very near future won a law which prohibited the and filers of the CSU should be for the need of a strong treas­ gi-eedy shipowners from over­ men take their places, they won't SIU PATTERN mapping out a program of bet­ ury and a well organized mem­ loading their ships so that they have much lime to amass any Here's something else to re­ ter wages and .conditions, they bership capable of backing up became unseaworthy and a safety bonus because the season will be member! Now that the SIU con­ almost two thirds over. are being dragged through a responsible bunch of hooligans hazard for the crews that manned It takes a tough man to ride on tracted companies have come mire of rotten publicity as the and skidrow characters. them. through with substantial raises dupes of the commie puppets Before this law was establish­ an LCA ship all season and put based on the forty hour week, it The adverse publicity directed who are seeing to it that they daily against the CSU creates the ed, many ships put to sea in an up with the well known abuses won't be long before the LCA leave no stone unturned in their wrongful impression that every overloaded condition, and when­ and open shop conditions preva­ ships, receive raises, too. cringing subservience to Stalin's seaman in Canada is a faithful ever a storm came up some of lent on these ships. This, of course, will be another Maybe the long hours they orders. stooge to the Communist Party. these ships were lost with all work, and the extra work that emergency created because the After struggling through a If Canadian seamen had to hit hands aboard. SIU has forced them to meet the lousy year of poverty-level the bricks today in an honest at­ This happened many times be­ they do without any extra pay raises won on SIU ships. is also a shipowners' emergency. wages and rotten conditions tempt to win better wages, they fore the safety law fought for by In the Seafarers International Whenever you receive an in­ made worse by the unhampered would not have one iota of sup­ Plimsoll became established. , Union, AFL, the boys call extra crease from the big-hearted op­ chiseling of the shipowners, Joe port from any section of the Competent steamboat inspec­ work overtime or penalty time, erators controlling the LCA ships, Seaman is a badly neglected bona-fide labour movement and, tors designated the depths to and they receive the overtime just remember that you owe dues-payer. which the various vessels could above all, public sympathy that At a time when his leaders is so necessary to the winning be loaded, and caused marks to rate of pay established in all SIU these raises to the militancy and fighting spirit of the Seafarers. should be out knocking at the of rightful demands would not be painted on each ship side contracts. That's why the shipowners If it weren't for the SIU, and which became known as the shipowners' doors for more park be forthcoming. don't want their men covered by our insistence - upon decent "Plimsoll Marks." chops, they are squandering Here we find a prime example the benefits of an SIU contract, wages, hours, working and liv­ away the union's finances on of union sabotage so much a WAR EMERGENCY and why these same operators ing conditions, there wouldn't be commie politics. When the time part of Joe Stalin's program. During the recent World War fight so bitterly against the SIU. any raises. That's for sure! II, these safety marks were dis­ Now the unorganized Lakes BLEAK PROSPECT Great Lakes seamen have regarded and Lakes vessels were seamen sailing the open shop shown that their eyes are slowly Today, every available baton enabled to load five or six LCA ships have become so disilbeing opened through reading is raised and ready to crack inches over the lecognized safe the SEAFARERS LOG and the down on the skulls of the glow­ load line. Isthmian Vet organizational bulletins that ing heroes of a couple of years This became known as the we've spread around the Lakes. ago. So poor Joe Seaman is in By LES AMES "War Emergency Draft," and all a helluva spot. The future does Lakes ships were loaded to this They've proven how they back SOO, Mich.—At the Soo Locks not look too promising, and that the fighting program of the SlUnew emergency line. on August 22 the Wilson ship, house and the new clothes for AFL by signing pledge cards, Now, the war is over, and has SS Edward S. Kendrick had a the kids look a long way off. and waiting impatiently for the been for some time, but the close call while attempting to It's a helluva prospect alright greedy operators hate like hell day when they can register a dock prior to locking through something for CSU members to give up the extra profits they vote for the SIU and become one the Soo Locks. to chew over next time they are can make, by loading several more Brother in the "Brother­ The Kendrick was caught in a pulling hot fires and choking hundred tons of additional cargo hood of the Sea." strong undertow leading to the through a miserable eight hours Remember, Brothers, in the on their vessels. Rapids, and it was only through of ashes and bum grub. It won't SIU you become part of the au­ Six or seven hundred tons the prompt action of the Great help either to make the grind tonomous Great Lakes District mean that much additional profit Lakes Towing Company Tug any easier on that tough fleet, with more than 91,000 SIU Broth­ on each trip. That's their emer­ Iowa that the Kendrick was pre­ over the side in some swelteiing gency! ers and Sisters backing you up. vented from ramming the In­ tropical sun. This shipowners greed may You also have the support and ternational Bridge which con­ It looks like the blue sheets, cause their vessel to sag some backing of the powerful AFL nects the Canadian and Ameri­ the cockroaches and the lousy five or six inches closer to the Maritime Trades Department, can Soos. overtime conditions are going to bottom, especially in some of the some quarter million strong, plus The Tug Iowa at the time was stay a little longer on Canadian shallow draft channels which the strength and backing of al­ assisting the Canadian steamer ships. That is, if Joe Rank and abound on the Lakes. most eight million AFL Brothers! H. L. Shaw and its tow the Bryn Filer doesn't decide to do some­ That's strength! It may even cause the opera­ Barge when she heard the em­ thing about it and that's just it Forest E. C o o 1 e y . Chief ergency signal put out by the —he is. A steady stream of tors' pockets to sag a little more with the additonal profits, but Steward, who paid off the SS Kendrick. pretty good looking union ma­ Quick to note the emergency terial crowds the SIU Hall daily I've yet to see some of that extra San Angelo Victory, an Isth­ signal, the Iowa steamed to the to get the lowdown on SIU pol­ sag in the pay envelopes of the mian scow, last month after On June 16, the wages of Kendrick's assistance, which in icy and leadership for Canadian men who carry the extra tonnage three consecutive voyages to Isthmian seamen were in­ down the Lakes! the Far East. Previous to the meantime had been turned seamen. creased 11 3/10 per cent ef­ Maybe the Lakes seamen are to Cooley's nine-month hitch in broadside to the heavy current. The better class of union guy fective that date with no re­ Toeing a line aboard the Ken­ with genuine interest is taking be c-onsoled with the promise of Isthmian, the San Angelo Vic­ troactive pay. Men sailing drick, the Iowa had a tow line time out from the CSU political some extra bonus this Fall. How­ tory was operated by Alcoa. Isthmian did not receive the secured in a few seconds. Short­ meetings and fakery to discuss ever, with the huge turnover in Cooley stayed with the ship April six per rrent increase ly after, the Kendrick was right- something more to his liking: personnel on all unorganized when she was transferred in with retroactive pay to Jan­ Lakes carriers, it doe.sn't look as order to do his "job for the .ed and put on her proper course wages and conditions. uary 1st won by the SIU once again. He is interested in genuine though the operators will go Union." from its operators. The quick thinking and actions union security on the ships, de­ broke paying bonuses this yea.. His job has now been com ­ Thus men sailing Isthmian •of the Tug Iowa deserves a vote cent contracts and above all a SCHOOLBOYS" PILE OFF pleted thanks to the fine style have no retroactive pay due of thanks for averting what union that he knows will rep­ In the very near future; the in .which he and fellow Seafar­ them for the last wage in­ otherwise could have been a very resent him in his beefs. large number of school boys now ers hit the bricks against Isth­ crease. serious accident. Many CSU men are going sailing these ships will be re­ mian last week. Great Lakes Operators Still Use Wartime Draft Lakes Tug, Iowa, Averts Accident Isthmiair Seamen / �v Friday, August 29. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine Maritime Unionism—The Seafarers' Way (Last of a Series) "No one shall be admitted to membership in this Union who is a member of any dual organization or any organization hostile to the aims and principles of this Union. "Any member who advocates and/or gives aid to the principles and policies of any hostile or dual or­ ganization or gives aid or comfort to such, shall be denied further membership in this Union. The mem­ bership certificate shall at all times remain the prop­ erty of this Union." So read Sections 3 and 5 of Article III of the Con­ stitution and By-Laws of the Seafarers International Union. Further along, Section 1 of Article 5 reads as follows; "It shall be the duty of each member to be true and loyal to the Union and the labor cause, and to en­ deavor to put into practice the principles laid down in the Preamble." With these propositions embodied in the constitution, and with the entire membership constantly educated as to the danger o& possible domination of the Union by outside groups, the SIU has been in the forefront of the fight for a better life for seamen, and that fight has not been sabotaged by the special interests of any political body. The SIU never has, and never will have, an article in its constitution barring communists ,from member­ ship. The Union relies on an alert and well informed membership to withstand commie, and other factional group, threats in the future as it has in the past. In the previous articles in this series, we have seen how the communist party captured the National Maritime Union, CIO, and made of it another arm of Stalin's vicious, totalitarian machine. We have seen how the leadership of the NMU constantly sold out the membership to serve the interests of the communist party, and we have traced tlie way communist agents carried propaganda and secret documents and instruc­ tions from Russia to other lands by means of ships contracted to the NMU. Outright Betrayal During the war, the NMU deliberately betrayed its membership, refused to fight for decent standards, al­ lowed all the gains made in the past to go by the boards, all to better serve the cause of Soviet Russia. When the SIU fought for the war risk bonus, against the Coast Guard, the WSA Medical Program, the Re­ cruitment and Manning Office, and the fink pools of the Maritime Service, the NMU offered to sail ships struck by the SIU, and what's more, did just that. With the end of the war, the NMU and the other commie-dominated maritime unions decided that it was time to break off the united front with the bosses and governmental agencies, and instead go all out for water­ front unity. The Committee for Maritime Unity, spawn­ ed in the dark rooms where CP conspirators meet, was trotted out, and the commies and their stooges started beating the drvuns. Maritime unity has for a long time been the dream of all sincere waterfront trade unionists. But when overtures were received from Harry Bridges and Joe Curran, who headed the CMU, the SIU-SUP registered an emphatic "NO." From the first days of the CMU, the leaders and rank-and-file of the SIU-SUP predicted that the CMU would not and could not achieve unity. The move was unmasked for what it was—an attempt to extend com­ munist control over the entire maritime industry. This was proven in the first test. During the strike of the Masters, Mates and Pilots, AFL, and the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, CIO, last year, the CMU, especially on the West Coast played a role of disruption and sabotage. At the height of the strike the MEBA was advised to settle for less than it had requested, and was warned that if it did not obey orders, steps would be taken to bring the union into line. Harry Bridges, who knows nothing of the work of Engineers, negotiated the con­ tract for the MEBA on the West Coast, and as a conse­ quence, the Engineers took a licking. Previous to that, other members of the CMU came to terms with their operators, leaving the independent Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders, and Wipers out on a limb. Although all membefs of the group were pledged to stay on strike until each had settled, the MFOWW was left to man its own picketlines after con­ tracts had been negotiated by the NMU, the MCS, and the ILWU. Such policies, which were merely an extension of the activities indulged in by waterfront communists during the entire history of the American section of the com­ munist party, have done nothing to bring about unity. In fact, these sellouts and back-stabbings have put waterfront unity further and further back, thereby playing right into the hands of the shipowners. With the SIU, unity is more than a word. In spite of the commie leadership of the NMU, whenever that union has been involved in a beef based on straight eco­ nomic issues, the SIU has supported it to the limit. As an example take the statement adopted previous to the June 15, 1946, deadline of NMU negotiations when President Truman threatened to use the Coast Guard and the Navy to breaks the NMU strike. At that time the SIU went on record as follows: "We shall treat government manning of ships in the the event of a strike by the National Maritime Union, CIO, as a lockout, and all SIU members will immediate­ ly walk off their ships in port. Ships which reach port after government manning begins will also be tied up." That statement was a warning to the government that the SIU would not tolerate fascistic methods, but was more than that proof that the SIU would resist any attempts on the part of the shipowners, and their stooges in the government, to grind down merchant seamen. This is the type of unity that means something. It is unity at the point of production; unity against the enemies of the maritime workers. In time of strikes and lockouts, there is a need for real unity, but it can not be achieved where the com­ munists have established their slimy control. Pure eco­ nomic beefs become outlets for communist propaganda whenever these party-liners are allowed to begin their sly maneuverings. Many strikes have been deliberately sabotaged by the communists, lost on purpose, so that the CP line could be followed. Honest Unity Needed The SIU vastly desires unity of program and action with the NMU and all other maritime unions, but this much to be desired objective cannot be realized as long as the NMU is led by communists and as such is diametrically opposed to the best interests of American merchant seamen. On other questions which vitally affect American seamen, the SIU has consistently striven for the pro­ gram which will best protect what has already been won, and at the same time building for furth*r gains. In regards to the Taft-Hartley Act^ the SIU-SUP has adopted a program which will allow the utmost or­ ganizing of the unorganized to continue, yet at the same time will discourage the government and/or the shipowners from using the provisions of the "slave labor" law against SIU seamen. Here is the Seafarers position on the T-H Act: The SIU-SUP go on record as not tolerating in any way, shape, or form, any interference with our Union Halls by shipowners or Government bureaus. The SIU-SUP is to consider as a lockout any at­ tempts by any person or persons to use the TaftHartley Act to the detriment of our Unions. This position is clear and to the point. The SIU will not brook any interference by the government or anybodj' else with the democratic method of shipping through the Union Hall and by the Rotary Shipping System. Other sections of the Law will be complied with. The part dealing with affidavits swearing that officers of the Union are not members of the communist partj' will be obeyed, and these affidavits will be filed very shortly. This is not being done because of any respect for this section of the law, but because none of the officials of the SIU have ever been identified with the com­ munist party, and for this reason there is no need to penalize the many men who want Seafarers represen­ tation and who would be denied it if the affidavits are not filed. Right now the SIU has approximately ten National Labor Relations Board bargaining elections pending. Thousands of dollars have been spent in the organiz­ ing campaigns, and no members of the SIU could con­ scientiously allow this money to be wasted, and these many men to go unrepresented. Against Government Control The SIU has traditionally been opposed to govern­ mental control of trade unions. Even when the NMU, and other communist-dominated unions, were playing footsie with the government during the war, the SIU hewed to a true course and continued to force better wages and working conditions for its members. But in this case the situation is entirely different. The SIU will not allow the union-busting provisions of the Taft-Hartley Act to be used against it, but on the other hand, there is no need to flaunt any sections of the law that do not constitute a threat to the honest trade unions, free of communist control. The strategy used by the SIU in the Isthmian strike is a case in point. The company, assisted at first by NMU stalling, tried every trick in the book to force the Union past the deadline of the T-H Law, whereupon the Union's demands for the Union Hiring Hall and Rotary Shipping would have been illegal. Instead of continuing on a path that would have led right into open conflict with the full forces of the com­ pany, supplemented by the agencies created by an anti-labor Congress, the Union changed its plans but not its thoughts and presented Isthmian with new proposals that demanded exorbitant pay rises, the 4- watch system, doubled vacation time, and other gains not standard in SIU contracts. There was no Vnention of the Union Hiring Hall or Rotary Shipping. This change made the strike legal under any cir­ cumstances, and put the company with its back to the wall. Faced with this, and recognizing the Union's real po­ sition, the company soon surrendered, acceding to the Union Hiring Hall and Rotary Shipping, something V, hich itfc had boasted it never would do. In nine 4^j's the strike was over, with the Seafarers winning everything it had set out to gain. But, if the Union had persi.sted in running counter to the new Law, all the money and effort put into the Isthmian campaign would very easily have been wasted. Too much was at stake for the Isthmian seamen who need'ed and wanted SIU representation, and so the Union followed a wise course, and carried through to com­ plete victory. One of the big problems facing the SIU, in addition to the impact of the Taft-Hartley Law and other even more stidngent anti-labor legislation which is being planned, is mass unemployment of merchant seamen, For the past eight years, with the impetus of a war economy, there has been enough vvoric for all able bodied seamen. This situation, however, will not last, and already the first signs of a depression, especially in the mari­ time industry, are showing. This is being helped along by the willingness of U. S. shipowners and the govern­ ment to give away American ships to foreign govern­ ments and foreign nationals, to be used in competition with American ships. This is a smart move on the part of the shipowners. When these ships, manned by foreign personnel receiv­ ing far less than American merchant seamen, take away some of the trade now exclusively being handled by American flag ships, the shipowners will use this as an excuse to cut the wages of U. S. seamen. Program All Ready Against this shipowner offensive the SIU has de­ veloped a far-reaching program. First and foremost is unequivical opposition to the continued transfer of American ships to foreign governments and foreign nationals. The Panan.-anian ship reallocation busine.ss must be re-surveyed, and those ships which have al­ ready been transferred must be brought under Union contract without loss of time. Next, must come an organizing program of inter­ national proportions. Through the facilities of the International Transportworkers Federation, to which the SIU is affiliated, this could be brought about, and all seamen, of all countries, could be united in sea­ men's unions. This would raise the standards of those maritime workers, and at the same time protect the hard-won gains made by American seamen. And finally, the emphasis must again be placed on the 4-watch system. Not only would this provide more jobs for seamen, but it would increase the efficiency of men at sea for long trips and add to their life expectancy by decreasing the amount of work each man is required to do in the successful navigation 'of a sea-going vessel. The 4-watch system has for many years been the objective of seagoing men. The operators on the other hand have complained that institution of the 4-watch system would impoverish them. To seamen this is an old story. The 3-watch system was fought on the same grounds and with the same emphatic refusal to con­ sider it. Yet it came into effect, and shipowners' prof­ its mounted in phenomenal percentages. Oi ganized seamen who have tasted the fruits of their unity will not readily assent to mounting unemploy­ ment and the fighting for jobs which is part and parcel of depressions. American seamen have seen how the war period gave them plenty of jobs, and they expect peace to grant them the same work opportunities. With seamen, as with other workers, the WPA is a thing of the past. While operators continue to coin profits which go up into the stratosphere, seamen will not be willing to take the dregs. The next period before seamen may be a rough one, but it can never be the same as they have already weathered. In the SIU plans and programs have been drawn for the future. With a militant, well informed membership, these plans will bear fruit. What lies ahead is a challenge, but one which the SIU can meet and conquer. Our Union has come through all its battles with flying colors, and faces the future with confidence. To the shipowners, to the government, and to those who would turn the trade union movement into a a sounding board for totalitarian philosophies, we have the same message: We axe trade unionists. We work for the better­ ment of merchant seamen, and we work to extend our gains to merchant seamen the world over. Nothing can stand in the way of sincere trade unionism. That has been proven in the past and it is still true today! �Friday, August 29. 1947 LOG TBE SEA.FA.RERS Page Ten SBIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS SS Cavalier Meeting Points- Up Need For Studying Union Rules The knowledge constitution ion's of A-ROLLIN' AND Morrison M. Secretary Paul a saved and the meeting then proUn- ceeded smoothly to other matters noted in the minutes that much applause greeted the proposals by-laws on the crowded agenda. having of importance working A-ROCKIN' the and was demonstrated recently at to increase still further the har­ The Cavalier crew then turned mony aboard. its attention to elections to selec t it w a s Alcoa Cavalier where After a sh�rt educational lec­ a representative of each departfound that many of the motions on parliamentary proceed­ ment to appear at SIU Head-· ture aboard meeting shipboard _ a the proposed by c r e w membe r s were 1 York to aid in ure, and an agreement by all to quarters in New nlrcady a part of the Union's pro- drafting proposals for passenger ch�nnel all beefs through the gram either in the cons titution; delegates, the two-hour meeting ship agreements. by-laws or agreements. was adjourned. TO GO TO HOS . When . members th e of arose, situations these familiar crew I Those elected to aid Headquar­ �ith the provisicns cf the Union's ters ftiles came to the rescue of the out problems wages and scales, intended, \•.:ell mistaken, though in representatives the of working con­ Charles Steinberg, ditions were: William Department; De c k William 1 Stewards;. and Higgs, With tallying the Chairman Department. Engine McCuistion, Brother Finds Bremerhaven Rough Poi� working manning Higgs Another German port in which completed, led then merchant the Good and Welfare meeting into for its splendid internal coopera­ Suggestions Plowing through the seas with a 30 degree roll, the SS James Duncan is shown taking it all in stride on a trip to Europe. Commenting on the letter sent Ray Durban. Deck Maintenance. took the snapshot, so Brother gineer of the Desoto. follow­ then ed for improving still further the abuse doled out to the Gateway 'brothers by pointing out the pro­ "Bremen used to be bad," he said, now." ! i In the' minutes of a shipboard meeting held at sea on A ugust the by is business form minutes Boycott Camels, words: spelled out in capital letters and The crew's desire to make its in regards cigarettes stems from all Camel feelings the fact that today manufactured after the made The Camel by non-union labor. workers, to cigarettes are concluding a strike against the company were a time short out locked later with over 500 persons made idle. At in meeting, the addition to giving the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco ' Company old heave- the ho the 2n d Steward read one "Cl ear· of Paul Hall's art1c1 es m ing The Deck," and suggested · · that because nature, the of educational its ship's entire abide by the article. Presiding was W over the Stockman, crew meeting while 1 Baseball as it was never played in Brooklyn the they ship M. vns strated to the natives of South Africa when the demon-. crews of two Robin Line vessels squared off against each other in have leaves a diam ond encounter marked by terrific slugging-of rhe -:;. baseball, that is. contest with the Robin Locks- In the same manner a seaman with ley nine. German a girl is arrested and In fined but a soldier is not stopped. · ------ Lourenco , a are village Seafarers street in Matthew France Sams. I Cook and Ralph Mendez, Messman. The two Seafarers first game, Marques, py seamen, the score was there in for all to see: Moline Victory-15; curtain Robin Locksley-35. played the Today there are two Robin the seamen are content to Robin Locksley hotshots scoring Line ships plying the seas off the 2 on out runs, coming but 9 i stay away from the ma n drags the African coast, but like in they can't do much, as the USS short end to the 30 scored by the Mudville, there is no joy aboard Moline Victory. the clouters off clubs are only allowed to serve the Moline Victory. drinks three hours a day, while Back to their ships went the so Id·1ers can drmk at any time in victors and the vanquished. The If Pounding the hot pe v e ment of the at the antics of the baseball-hap­ was finally rung down with the SHORT BEER. SHORT HOURS · their are clubs men. off the Toussainte L'Ouverture, which exclude sea- thoroughly demoralized Thomas Reed Crew Lauded By Master For Fine Conduct Locks- ley team then switched its strat­ One case in particular was egy. They brought up a new pointed out by Brother Amacker: twirler and primed the men for A seaman was arrested within another onslaught should the oc­ Bull Lines. underlined. known if but when to roam the streets all night. I is giving thumbs down to them of spot When the setting sun dropped Playing under the withering Seamen are pounced upon the over the horizon nnd the last of men the , sun African the of rays minute they overstay the 11 p. m. the local populace had left shak­ curfew but soldiers are allowed of the Moline Victory met in ing their heads in bewilderment a when pushed across the counter. the bette-r. tough the lars. cigarettes carried i item rrtuch is they cannot exchange it for dol­ good reason it is that the crew on ashore script the ship's slopchest; and with each is According to Brother Amacker any left items aboard the Alcoa Clipper 1st, it seamen are forced to use Army Probably the least sought for ,separated "but Bremerhaven �Union Made Smoke Ri1igs On Clipper m South Mrican Twin Bill Produces Hit-Fest Brother even worse in Bremerhaven. gram, much time and labor was! are the Camel Bremen, in Amacker stated that things were Looking It Over By squaring away the difficul­ tY immediately, through a know­ ledge of the Union's written pro­ ��-----�����-�- men City motions. their Durban held fast to the rail and caught the Duncan in the throes of a heavy roll. which told of discrimination and petty friction. covering The Duncan, a Watermp.n ship, refused to remain still while relationships aboard and for put­ the LOG by crewmembers of the ting an end to the remaining Gateway City (LOG, August 15) i visions a ing to Harold Amacker, Deck En­ military the by thorities is Bremerhaven, accord­ where the crew was commended tion. given are seamen au­ time hard I Drydock Delivered To Bermuda Base By Tug Farallon the pier gates for carrying two casion present itself, which it did. cartons of cigarettes. Cigarettes BACK INTO BATTLE can be carne . d w1"th"m the gates, I _ but the MPs grabbed him anyA few days later both ships, ay before e could reach the met again in Mombasa, Kenya· w The SIU-crewed Moran � tug Farallon with a 425-foot floating gate and register the?1. Colony, and out to an improvised 1 court diamond trotted the warriors. mto pulled was He drydock in tow was expected in . Bermuda this week. The 4,200- where he was relieved of his This time it was going to be some fast and cigarettes after drydock, which serviced ton - different; it was going to be Navy ships during the war, was talking got off with a $25 sus Over strictly a pitcher's duel. hauled from Brooklvn on what pended fine. the plate zoomed spitters, slidof Anacker's Brother word ad ! was estimated to be � 10 day trip. vice to seamen sailing for Bremer- ers, curves and change-of-pace Another Moran tug stayed ashaven 1s a pomted one: "If you b;:llls. But it was no use, the boys tern of the huge drydock as she try to f " 11 ow every ru1 e the A my were out for blood. � was towed through the Narrows. There was no controlling the sets down for seamen, you might , Sh e gu1·a ed the tow as far as the teams. Both teams stood close to as we11 stay on the sh"ip. , A mbrose L.ightsh"ip. . the plate and swung from the ground. The boys of the Robin The Farallon will return to ! · New York after leaving the drydock in Bermuda, where it will be employed struction job. were on an Army con- A crew of 21 men aboard the dock, which was . Greenberg recorded the minutes. heavily loaded with marine gear. - -; :: ' .......,_..._ -""!""!-; - Locksley powered five ball s for -· k�-�5!: . . . trip of the Thomas B. Reed which paid off in Philadelphia last week, the Skipper of the vessel, a let- to his Albert S. Luker, drew up ter of thanks which he fonvarded to the SEAFARERS LOG. Captain Luker's fine crew follows: letter "To the Editor of the LOG: · I ----_ l For displaying fine cooperntioi � ' and behavior durmg the recent -.::=::: : four sackers. I er le ft ner ved. the box completely un- afternoon mound. Pitcher after pitch- It was out murder there 1 -"I wish to extend my compli­ ments to the entire crew of the SS Thomas B. Reed in all de- partments, for their behavior, cooperation, and fine condition that they brought the ship back in." The letter was forwarded to in· the the LOG by Eddie Higdon, Phil- on the adelphia Agent, who handled the payoff. �Friday. August 29. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG SIU Ships' Minutes In Brief GATEWAY CITY. July 13— Chairman Irving Pearce; Secre­ tary Harlman. Delegates report­ ed everything running smoothly. Education; Chairman Peai-ce ex­ plained the shipping rules and the articles in the LOG by Bro­ ther Hall regarding n e w con­ tracts and extention of same. Suggestion that crew as a whole write to the chairman of the ne­ gotiating committee pledging our complete support. 5, 4, J, PONCE. July 20 — Chairman Balph Carbone; Secretary Henri S. Samuels. Disputed overtime reported in Engine and Stewards Departments. Deck Department reported okay. Motion carried for ship's delegate to turn in re­ pair list from each department. Chief Cook H. C. McCurdy rec­ ommended David Gonzalez for a tripcard. Department delegates elected to see Patrolman con­ cerning termination of articles in Philadelphia. t 4. HAWSER EYE. July 20 — Chairman Harry Mujashio; Sec­ retary Raymond R. Sadler. Mo­ tion that anyone drunk at pay­ off be fined $25, his sobriety to be decided by' Patrolman. Good and Welfare: Deck Delegate James R. Cornher recommended that crewmembers make out re­ pair lists and hand them in be­ fore ship reaches port. Recom­ mendation that launch service at Trinidad be bettered. COASTAL MARINER, July 20 —Chairman Ray R. White; Sec­ retary John J. Flynn. Motion by Lawrence Surham to have refiigerator and other broken appliaiices repaired before signing on. Diseirssion about crewmember being absent during a num­ ber of meal hours. It was felt that everyone has his bad days and the man should be given another chance. Suggestion by Francisco Cornier that agree­ ments be brought aboard ship to enlighten those who wish to learn more about the union contiacts. 4 4 4 TOULUMNE MEADOW. June 16—Chairman R. Tremblay; Sec­ retary C. Muir. Good and Wel­ fare: Food inspector to come aboard in first port and inspect ice boxes. More night lunch and greater variety desired. Fine of 25c to be put or any man leaving cups or a mess in the messhall. Fines to go to hospital fund. ed. Discussion al.so on resolution asking officers to keep out of crew's icebox. New Business: Motion carried that company supply more aprons for Stew­ ards Department. Motion carried that Patrolman be contacted re­ garding lack of launch service in Queenstown. Ireland. 4 4 4 BIENVILLE. June 29—Chair­ man John D. Morgan; Secretary Harold Slills. General discussion held by crew to back messman in getting the book promised him when he had necessary sealime. Good and Welfare. Sug­ gestion that ship be fumigated, medical chest checked and key be made for crew's looms. 4 4 4 OLIVER W. HOLMES. June 28 —Chairman Charles Rodriguez Secretary P. Murry. All depart ments reported everything un der control. Steward requested that stove be fixed in Baltimoi-e One Brother brought up on charges for being drunk for five days .straight and refusing to turn to. Page Eleven SEAFARER SAM SAYS: oTiFY THG UMiON WHEN You ARE LAID Up iM HOSPITAL, GW/E VOUR IVARD A/UMBER. So THAT THERE WILL BE SIOVELAY iM GEtriMG YOUR. MOf^BYo CUT and RUN 4 4 4 ROBERT G. INGERSOLL June 1—Chairman Jack Worlur ski; Secretary Roy Gilmore. New Business: Repair list made up and approved. Good and Wel­ fare: A letter containing all beefs and objections to the 1st Mate to be composed and sign­ ed by crew. Letter to be sent to Union and Waterman SS Co Crewmessman requests a trifle more cooperation in maintaining a clean messroom, particularly after coffee time. By HANK Last week was certainly V-1 Day—Victory Isthmian Day—after a spirited organizing campaign and a powerfully victorious strike against the Isthmian company. The Great Lakes seamen, the tanker seamen and the Canadian seamen now know what the SIU has done and can do—bringing the best agreement for wages and con­ ditions to the unorganized seamen—and there's nothing more impor­ tant than that. Wherever Isthmian ships will dock—whether in foreign ports or in American—the Isthmian seamen who voted free­ ly for the SIU to represent them for wages, conditions and beefs now know they have an SIU agreement covering their jobs—the best of all agreements in the maritime industry. Well, Brothers, let's keep those Isthmian ships clean and shipshape just as you have kept all SIU ships in SIU style. The Isthmian fleet is now in the SIU fleet and that calls for clean ships as well as happy ships. It's easily said and easily done with every Union Brother and shipmate doing his job at all times. 4 4 4 4 4 4 NEW LONDON. July 13 — FRANK NORRIS. July 13 — Chairman R. Nielsen; Secretary Chairman Duffy; Secretary Tes- Axel Brenna. Deck and Stew­ ko. Delegates Tesko. Deck; Prus- ards Departments clear of beefs. zra. Engine; and Canon, Stew­ Engine Department reported on 4 4 4 ards, reported no beefs. New number of books and tripcards WARRIOR POINT. June 1— Business: Motion by Deck and in the department. New Busi­ Chairman Charles Macomber; Engine Department as a whole ness: Motion carried to keep Secretary Bill Robinson. Dele­ that new crew will not sign on ship's head, and messhall clean gates reported a few hours of until Chief Engineer and Cap­ and in union shape. Motion car­ disputed overtime in their de­ tain are relieved of their jobs. ried to dress properly when eat­ Here's a short message from Robert "Do The Best You Can" partments. New Business: Mo­ Captain said the crew is making ing in the messhall. Hillman. the Bosun, who came off the Sealrain New York: tion carried to find out who is too much money to be bothered "To Sam Luttrell: Sorry I can't come down to Trinidad. I put 4 4 4 responsible for painting the about overtime. He and the in two months as Sarang on the Seatrain New York and got off MADAKET. June 15 — Chair­ maindeck passageways. Good Chief Engineer broke out a bot­ in hopes of a shorter trip or at least of seeing you in Hell's man Charles H. Bush; Secfetary and "Welfare: Discussion on dirty Kitchen. Give me the latest on Joe Wolff, the tattoo artist, the tle of whiskey to celebrate the William Jenkins. Delegates re­ linen from fos'sles and disposal passing of the Taft-Hartley Act. Hoss and Copenhagen Benny. Well, Hank, thanks for sending ported everything fine with ship of empty bottles. back my Mariner's Medal" . . . Steward Vic Milazzo just came having best food that was found back from Sweden. He says the beer is six per cent and the only in some time. Motion carried way to get hard liquor is to eat in the restaurants where you can that Union officials contact Cap­ warm up with double scotches. tain on return voyage and find 4 4 4 out why the ship is not properly 4 4 4 4 4 4 secured before leaving port. Mo­ To Brother A. L. Hatch, the Electrician, the best of luck on your NX ANTIC VICTORY. July 13— tion carried that each crewmemALGONQUIN VICTORY. May Isthmian trip and let's hear from you now and then. Brother Chairman D. Stafford; Secretary ber donate one dollar toward a 25—Chairman Ryan; Secretary Willie Thomas and Brother Luke Collins, the Bosun, ju.st came in F. Johnson... New Business: Mo­ hospital fund to be divided Womyss. Engine Depaitment when the strike opened up and they paid off the SS John B. tion carried to accept delegate's among hospitalized SIU Broth­ Delegate reported uneven dis­ Waterman. Now they're ready for another trip out . . . That wellreport. Good and Welfare: All ers. tribution of overtime. Deck De­ known Steward, cook and writer. Frenchy Michelet, is in town men to be present at the payoff partment Delegate requested that with his traditional fedora and those occasional nautical bon mots 4 4 4 and wait until all beefs are set­ more night lunch be put out. as well as gourmetic bon mots, too . . . Bosun Bera Smyley con­ R. NEY McNEELY. July 6— tled. Repair lists for all depart­ Chairman W. Henderson; Secre­ Stewards Department reported fessed last week that he's now sailing the coastwise trips . . . About ments to have three copies. One tary Robinson. Old Business: all okay. New Business: Motion a week before the strike. Brother Edwin Edginton and his mustache minute of silence for Brothers Discussion on motion carried at by Dinwiddle for greater coop­ sailed as Electrician for Antwerp. Happy days with the cigars when lost at sea. previous meeting asking crew to eration in keeping messhalls and you come back, Brother Edginton . . . With the Isthmian strike over 4 4 4 discontinue hanging around gal­ pantry clean. Good and Wel­ and the good news happily spreading over the world. Steward NIANTIC VICTORY. June 29 ley. Motion has been well obey- fare: Departmental Delegates to Joe Arras is once again dressed up in style with his ever-faithful check all foc'sles before payoff. cigar, that familiar straw hat and those white shoes. Going Ip —Chairman W. Prinr-; Secretary Suggestion by Kennedy that France again, Joe? F. Johnson. Delegates reported Ting-A-Ling, crew send in another petition 4^4 all okay in their departments. Ting-A-Ling urging Seamen's Bill of Rights. New Business: Motion carried Here are some oldtimers who may still be anchored in town 4 4 4 that watch shall clean messroom waiting for ships; W. Newhoff; I, Nazarie; V. Walrath: W. When, during the Isthmian every morning; suggestion that strike, a band of 20 pickets apEDWIN D. HOWARD. June 22 Hunt; P. Blanco; O. Blake; Gulfer G. Rourke; F. Mazet; H. Delegates see Captain for a lar­ proached Pier 4, Staten Island, Chairman Curry; Secretary TaNicola; T. Brennan; W. Philip; H. Tilden; Bosun Sal Volpi; M. ger draw of cigarettes. Motion they passed a small park where boada. Delegates reported all Justa and K. Kristensen . . . Here are also a few more Ameri­ carried that sanitary work in children were playing. When in order. Good and Welfare: can Merchant Marine Library addresses and telephone numbers laundry be done by all depart­ the youngsters spotted the white Motion carried to give Patrol­ where you can ask for a library of books and magazines for your ments. Good and Welfare: Sug­ capped Seafarers they yelled in man beef about Chief Mate and ship: Boston—408 Atlantic Avenue. Tel. Liberty 8782; Chicago. gestion that night lunch be put chorus: "Look, there go the Good Engineer asking the crew to Illinois—9055 South Houston Avenue. Tel. Saginaw 3065; San out at 7:30 P.M. Suggestion that Humor men!" paint quarters under contract Erancisco—105 Embarcadero. Tel. Garfield 8965; Sault Sto water cooler in Engine Room be Marie. Michigan—Old Weather Bureau Building. Tel. Sault Ste Picket Captain, Ed Larkin, plan. Bosun asked for vote of replaced before leaving port. blushingly reported that they thanks to Stewards Department. Marie 874; Seattle. Washington—3203 East Marginal Way. TeL Discussion on cold cuts for hot were caught flatfooted with not One minute of silence for Bro­ Seneca 0738; Wilmington. California—Port of Los Angeles. 638 days. thers lost at sea. North Avalon Blvd.. Tel. Terminal 4-6934. even pistachio in stock. ^ t t �Page Twelve THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, August 29, 1947- THE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS ASSEMBLING HIS MAJESTY'S COURT Seafarer Feels NMU Feud Threatens All Rated Jobs To the Editor: (An open letter to Electricians of The National Maritime Un­ ion.) Well, it looks like you have been sold down the river once more. Your officials, busy in their schemes to keep the com­ munist party on top, have will­ fully neglected to represent you in a just beef. Remember the last time when they let Lykes Brothers get away with putting holes in the Engine Room bulkhead and put­ ting extensions on the water end of the check valves? They made you Firemen - Watertenders and knocked 3 men off each ship. Not only has the NMU been lousing up you guys, but they have hard-timed every unorgan­ ized seaman in maritime by their tactics. Every time they see that they are about tb lose an election, they pull some phony trick and use it to keep the unorganized men from union representation. That is a real laugh when it is shown that they can't even do a job for ratings already un­ der contract to their union. WHERE ARE THE JOBS? Why don't one of you guys get up in a meeting and ask Curran when you will get your rightful jobs back on the ships that usually carried two Elec­ tricians but now only carry one or none at all (as on the tank­ ers). Ask him who is being pieced off and for how much. The next thing you know, you won't be carrying Deck Engin­ eers, Juniors, 2nd Electricians or Plumbers. I don't blame the rank and file for being burned up. I heard of the march made by the Elec­ tricians to Basil Harris of the U.S. Lines. He won't help you. Gateway City Gear Awaiting Claimant At Company Office To Ihe Ediior: Will you please print in the SEAFARERS LOG a notice to the effect that the gear of Messman J. Dirksmeyer was left aboard the Gateway City and was delivered to the Company office. Brother Dirksmeyer, who was aboard on voyage No. 3, paid off on August 6th, and failed to re­ turn to pick up his gear. The other messman paid for his laundry and was at a loss as to what to do with the departed messman's personal effects so he left them at the company office. This puts the crewrnembers in a ticklish spot, as they try to handle things for a Brother when he isn't around, but we hate to get stuck for doing a guy a good turn. We hope this clears up the matter. Crewmembers, Gateway City (Ed. Note: The offices of the Waterman Steamship Company are at 19 Rector Street, New York, N.Y.) I If you want action, tie up your ships and do a little talk­ ing at your meetings — demand that something be done. In the SIU we have* a neat agreement and we intend to keep it. ^ It is my opinion that if you guys have no success in getting a favorable deal from your of­ ficials, it is about time that you clean house and get some of­ ficials who will fight for better agreements for the membership and spend less time fighting in­ ternal troubles. Ed. Lawrence BROTHER SUGGESTS CHANGE IN 90-DAY SHIPPING RULE To the Ediior: The 90-day shipping I'ule in effect in Nev/ York seems to me to be unfair to Brother mem­ bers who do not have residence in New York but come here to ship and have a few days lib­ erty in the town. This is a very expensive pro­ cedure, as you all well know. It doesn't take but a few weeks for a seaman to go "tap­ ped," especially when most of us have dependents at home. Then a rated man has to ship out on anything he can get or go hungry. In my opinion, 30 days ashore is enough for any man who fol­ lows the sea for a living. With the present high cost of living I don't see how a man with a family can possibly stay ashore longer and support them. Yet I know ins;ances of men with families wh.o come in from short trips, stay on the shipping register three months and then re-register for another three. How can this be possible? What is the man waiting for? Does he consider himself an active sea­ man? Mobile Hospital Staff Is Fine, Says Brother To the Ediior: I have heard so much about how lousy certain Marine Hos­ pitals are that I had to wi-ite this letter to say that I would not mind going back to the Mar­ ine Hospital in the City of Mo­ bile. I believe that some of the' complaints come from men who are on special diets, or perliaps from guys who just can't ever get enough to cat. Here King Neptune and his queen aboard ihe Samuel Grif­ fin call forth all pollywogs to begin their initiation into the ranks of loyal shellbacks. The stately looking King is Second Mate A. Samuels and his coy finger nail chewing queen is Messman James Mitchell. The king's summons produced twelve passengers and thirteen crewmembers all of whom passed the rigid test of admission. The queen's gown and the King's robe and staff were de­ signed by an obliging passenger. Credit for the excellent snap­ shot goes to Steward Alfred Baer. Crewmembers Of SS Leacock Draw Tribute From Master To the Editor: I take pleasure, at this moment, to congratulate the Seafarers In­ ternational Union for the man­ ner in which they crewed this vessel for the past voyage. For the first time since before the war, I noticed a marked increase in ability and attention to du­ ties. This is, indeed, a healthy sign, and I am sure that in the future I can look forward to still great­ er improvements, although that is asking a lot as they are at pres­ ent tops. During the past voyage, I had the extreme good fortune of hav­ ing as boatswain, one of the bet­ I entered the hospital on the eighth of July for an operation. The doctors here believe in be­ ing thorough and no less than four surgeons examined me. Tlie operation v/ent off with smooth­ ness and dispatch, and now, four months after the operation, the incision has completely healed and it is hard to locate the .«rar. The nurses hero are excellent, and not one of them, to my knowledge, has ever raised her voice to a patient. They are gentle with all the patients and .seem to take a real interest in each man's progress. ter known SIU bosuns: Windy" Even the orderlies are tops. Walsh. He and his gang, a deck crew Only one out of the entire crew really and truly representative was no good, and he was fired. of the SIU-SUP, transformed this • which is exactly what I would vessel, which was laid up in the have done myself. James River for a long time, into I- have been in about six Mara ship resembling .a yacht. All of'ine Hospitals so faiC and V whl this in the course of a six-v/eeks take Mobile over any one of trip to Germany and return to them. From the first moment I Baltimore. entered, through the operation As long as the Union can man and the recuperation period, I the ships with men such as these, have only fond memories of the they have nothing to fear from hospital and the entire staff. If any source. So, for a still strong­ I ever need any more hospital er Seafarers Union, I remain, treatment, I will head right back S. Weinstein to Mobile. Masler Charles B. Martin SS Stephen Leacock LaFayette. Alabama Log-A-Rhythms m When The Last Watch Is Over WHO CAN AFFORD IT? . He must either have a good shoreside job or be a millionnaire. Any man who can afford to stay ashore indefinitely should, in all fairness to the rest of his poor unfortunate brother mem­ bers, be agreeable to have the shipping rules at New York changed by regular heaquarters meeting to expire after 30 days. About two weeks on the beach is all I'm good for if I'm careful, and I'm not by myself. If shipping is so tough that a man has to stay on the beach three months to ship in his rat-, ing, then the time has come for some of us to go home and eat 'gater tails and swamp cabbage or - scratch up a few grits and grunts. Dulchy Moore Dear Editor: According to the July 25th is.sue of the LOG, you are asking for any literary efforts that might have been "mixed" by Seafarers. The following is what I hope can be termed a poem. I'll leave the final judgement of that up to you, along with any changes you see fit to make. Please withhold my name. I wonder if there is a sailor's heaven. And if it's open to guys like me. If the tale of the wee petrel is only legend. More of the old salts' lore of the sea? I've heard of lands beyond the rainbow. Where castles, like clouds float in the sky. But I'll take the song of the sailors Where your soul wings on, free to fly. I sort of hate to give up sensual pleasure. And scenes I sure love and will miss. But ma.ybe the way angels sing and gesture Will cause these same scenes to persist. For all of God's great glories. The one that is grandest to me Is the tropic sun, slow sinking In a flame lit rolling sea. With the swooping gall hanging suspended. While the whole world stands hushed beneath. And the waves lapping slow and languid. Causing your heart to swell out with peace. But the sunset is more than an ending. It's nature reminding—.lest we forget; An omen, visible and clear in meaning. Showing us all—our one great debt. Yes, for the diety in glory and spendor. No mortal aspects can even be classed With the sea day's end and the still wonder. Or the carress you felt as it passed. For to me the sea is alive, a woman. Restful, soothing and oh so fair; Yet changing,_scornful and wanton. Always a challenge, forever a dare. So if there is going to be a haven. And they'll settle for guys such as me, I'm hoping it's the old salts' version; Then like a petrel—my soul will soar fiee. J" �THE SEAFARERS Friday. August 29. 1947 Page Thirteen LOG BRINGING THE HULBERT INTO BALTIMORE Brother Sees Advances For Midland Seafarers To the EdSor: Sometime ago I took a two months run on the Great Lakes and to say the least, I had one of the bitterest experiences of my life. Photo at left shows the Bosun and deck gang of the Arthur M. Hulbert topping booms as she entered the port of Baltimore early this month. On the right, members of the crew.- their work completed, take up positions in the bow to watch the ship's approach into Baltimore Har­ bor. The Hulbert put into Baltimore to pick up' ganeral cargo and passengers for a trip to Vene­ zuela. Photos were submitted to the LOG by Eldon "Bill" Ray. Dutchy Puts Up Bait To Bring Pal North was slow in setting them up? I went back there and he is sure one swell guy. He wants you to come back so he can get you good and stiff. Confidentially there are more pretty girls in that place now than ever before, and I should know. Lou, the bartender, even • Hello Keith and all the rest of steers me clear of the dead heads. that swell crew off the MV Haw­ ser Eye. Ai'c you fellows still NEW YORK BELLE chasing the chickens in the park I am enclosing a photograph of in Trinidad? what I mean by pretty girls, that Keith, I am on the bricks in is, if the LOG will print it. I New York helping the guys do took it myself and she looks even a job on the Isthmian Line. Boy, better from other angles. No, we don't even let the alley cats you don't get her name, but if you come to New York I'll intro­ duce you. If you get itchy feet and head for this big city stop in at the Pali Bar, 236 W. 78th Street and ask for me. If I'm not there the bartender will give you my ad­ dress. So long for now. Dulchy Moore. (Ed note: The following is a letter from Dutchy Moore to Keith Winsley. a brother Sea­ farer in New Orleans. His ac­ count of what is taking place in the Port of New York might be of interest to other Seafar­ ers.) PUNK CONDITIONS RAMPANT ON LAKES UNORGANIZED SHIP To the Editor: DUTCHY'S FRIEND chase a rat through the line with­ out a special letter from the Hall. These docks are graveyards without grass. I'm hoping things will liven up a little soon. Pull­ ing this picket watch is a pleas­ ure, having made a tough trip on the Minot Victory, Isthmian, in 1946; and did that Electrician aboard give us a hard time. Ask Bosun Smyley about that guy sometime. . Speaking of Bosuns, that little Canadian off the Hawser Eye is up here. Asked me where you were. In fact, a hell of a lot of the guys ask about you. BOYS ARE ALL HERE Ed Gillcn is here, Frankie, Chico, and a hell of a lot more I can't remember at the mo­ ment. You'd better send your address as some of them want to write you. Why, I don't know, •'cause you're an ugly man," as Bob Flarrady used to say. Keith, you remember that bar here in New York on 78th St. and Broadway that we, pardon me, you were going to take apart one nighi because the bartender -:V •i'.-.i.JC-i'l Send 'Em In Don't hold your pictures and stories of shipboard acti­ vities. Mail them to the Sea­ farers Log, 51 Beaver St., New York 4, N. Y. If you haven't the time or don't feel in the mood, just forward de­ tails. We'll do the rest. Pic­ tures will be returned if you wish. FORMER SEAFARERS TAKE TO AIRWAYS AS PARATROOPERS Our runs were between Duluth and Lake Erie ports with a trip averaging nine days. We had some time in Duluth to get off between watches, but as for Erie The ship was the W. G. Pollock, ports there was not time off becaiise of one continuous watch an ore carrier owned by the with standby. All without com­ Midland Steamship Company. It pensation. is an old tub of 1906 vintage with Sometimes I think we should the quarters fitted out according have a law preventing cruelty to to that year's style and plumbing. employees by em.ployers. Many We were very crowded with would say, why work if you are two men bunking together in one badly treated? This is a free very small room. There was no country and you can always quit. ventilation of any kind, and on But I say would it help matters warm days it was so stuffy and any? hot that it was very difficult to THE UNION IS THERE stay awake, let alone sleep. A fan was put on the wall, but it only churned around the foul air. All ship regulations and maintenance were also of an earlier day. ORIGINAL COURSES That's where legitimate labor unions come in on the part of the working man. The Union is the unit to deal with the unscrupu­ lous employers and the Union for the men on the Lakes is already hard at work. What attracked my attention most was the way the deck crew was bullied by the First Mate, who devised some of the most insulting expressions that I have ever heard in all the years I have sailed. I guess the Lakes is trying to be original in producing speci­ To the Editor: mens so therefore not to be con­ The following Union Brothers fused with those of the deep sea. have finished the parachute train­ Working conditions of the Pol­ ing course at Fort Benning, lock were more to be pitied than Georgia: James E. Lamb, Ernest condemned, because of the sheer La F. Deal, and Lawrence R. ignorance on the part of the com­ That organization is the Sea­ Dean. We all jumped together in pany as to how much men can en­ farers International Union, and a class of 118 men, making five dure before they reach the point no other equals it. The SIU is day jumps at 1200 feet and one where, from physical exhaustion doing a bang-up job for the at night. and lack of sleep, they render working stiff on the Great Lakes One NMU man and one Stand­ themselves inefficient and dan­ and no other. ard Oil seaman were also part gerous at their tasks. Witness the fact that the SIU of our class. With the deck hands it was no now has a contract with Mid­ The Union Brothers were all exception. After long hard ardu­ land. Witness, also, the fact that greatly interested in the two ous work for a couple of-months. better pay and better conditions copies of the LOG that were sent are rapidly becoming the order some time ago as it seemed to of the day to men aboard ships bring us close once more to the like the Pollock. good old SIU. Many things are yet to come, All of us now are under orders Well, I shipped on the SS Sonora out here on the Great for the 82nd Airborne Division. Good luck and best wishes to Lakes about two weeks ago and the SIU. believe me this is some outfit. No contract and you have to Pfc E. Lap Deal, get your overtime at the com­ Fort Benning, Ga. pany's office. They hold back your overtime from the day you ship until the next pay day. You DEL NORTE don't get gny overtime for Satur­ day afternoon unless you are at the dock. That means a 48-hour per week job. No wonder they can't get anybody to ride the scows. HAYWIRE WAGON "The company calls up the Lakes Carriers or the NMU for men. However, we have but three men on board who haven't signed pledge cards. And this wagon sure is haywire. No cold water to drink and the wash water is so hot you've got to wait until, it cools off. The icebox was so warm yes­ terday, the Steward said that if they didn't fix it he was going to hit the bricks, and believe me, we all would do the same. The Firemen were getting drinking water from over the side in a can. This Browning Company is the cheapest outfit I have seen in a long time. Guess I'll sign off for this time and hope to see you all in October. Best wishes for the success of the SIU and SUP. "Baldy" McAdoo I was ready to throw in the sponge and cry "Uncle." but don't worry about the SIU— it'll come through with every­ thing that is lacking aboard Mid­ land ships and before very long, too. John Slefanik COMPLETES ANOTHER TRIP One of Mississippi Steamship Company's deluxe cruise ships, the Del Norte, as she ties up in New Orleans after a trip through southern waters. For interested shutterbugs, the shot was taken with a Voigtlander at F 11-125th second. Photographer was Robert L. Johnston, New Or­ leans Seafarer. �Page Fourteen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. August 29. 1947 Agreement Between Isthmian, Seafarers GREEMENT made this 21st day of August, 1947, by and between ISTHMIAN STEAMSHIP COM­ PANY (hereinafter referred to as "Company ), and SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION of NORTH AMERICA, affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, (hereinafter referred to as "Union"), on behalf of the Unlicensed Personnel employed on the American Flag seagoing vessels manned by the Company, A WITNESSETH: The Company, being satisfied that the Union repre­ sents a majority of its Unlicensed Personnel, hereby recognizes the Union as the exclusive representative of all the Unlicensed Personnel employed on the Ameri­ can Flag seagoing vessels manned by it for the pur­ poses of collective bargaining. NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows; ARTICLE I EMPLOYMENT Section I. To assure qualified employees and ma.ximum harmonious relations between members of the crews, the Company agrees that when vacancies occur necessitating the employment of unlicensed personnel, to give preference of employment to members of the Union in good standing when the Union has available and is able to supply unlicensed seamen who are, in the opinion of the Company, qualified to fill such va­ cancies. Section 2. The Union agrees to furnish the Company with capable, competent and physically fit persons who are so qualified'to fill the vacancies. Section 3. If members of the Union in good stand­ ing of the ratings needed and of such qualifications cannot join the vessel in ample time to prevent a delay in her scheduled departure, then members of the Union in good standing shall be deemed not available, the Company will then hii-e members of the unlicensed per­ sonnel without any regard to Union affiliation. Section 4. The Union agrees that the Company shall have the right to reject any applicant for employment whom the Company considers unsatisfactory or un­ suitable for the vacancy: provided, however, that if the Union considei-s such rejection discriminatory, it shall be dealt v/ith under the grievance procedure and the Union agrees that such rejection shall not cause any vessel to be delayed in her scheduled departure. Section 5. Unlicensed personnel, when applying for employment shall submit to the physical examination prescribed by the Company, and shall submit from time to time thereafter to such physical examination as may be required by the Company. Failure to pass such physical examination shall be sufficient cause to pre­ vent employment or to cause termination of employ­ ment; provided, that if the Union feels that the Com­ pany doctor has unfairly discriminated against a member of the Union, it shall be deal with as a griev­ ance; and, provided further, that the Union will not interfere with or delay the dispatch of any vessel on her scheduled departure from any port because of such grievance. Section 6. Nothing contained in this agreement shall be construed to prevent the discharge of any member of the Unlicensed Personnel who, in the opinion of the Company, is not satisfactory;., provided, however, that if the Union feels that any such discharge is dis­ criminatory, it shall be dealt with as a grievance; and, provided further, that the Union will not interfere with or delay in the dispatch of any vessel on her scheduled departure from any port because of such discharge. Section 7. The term "Unlicensed Personnel," as used in this Agreement, shall not include super cargoes, doc­ tors, female employees, cadets, pursers, concessionnaires, barbers, musicians, and livestock tenders. Section 8. Discrimination. The Company agrees not to discriminate against any member of the Unlicensed Personnel for legitimate Union activity. ARTICLE II SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES Section 1. All grievances, disputes, or "beefs" shall be settled as soon as possible on the vessel upon the completion of each voyage. Section 2. If a satisfactory settlement is not reached on the vessel, the matter shall, at the request of either party, be referred to a Port Committee which shall have authority to settle the controversy. The Port Commit­ tee shall meet in New York City or such other place as may be mutually agreed upon, and shall consist of not more than three representatives from the Union and not more than three representatives from the Com­ pany; provided, however, that the Company and the Union shall have an equal number of representatives on any Port Committee. Section 3. Any matter referred to the Port Committee shall be in writing and any decision or award of the Port Committee shall be in writing. Section 4. It is mutually agreed that any dispute regarding the interpretation or application of any clause or provision of this agreement shall be dealt with only between representatives of the Company and the Union duly appointed for such purposes. The hottest news of the year, at least as far as the maritime world is concerned, is the signing of a contract with the Isthmian Steaniship Company containing provisions for Union Hiring Halls and Rotary Shipping off the boards. So far, the entire contract has not yet been ne­ gotiated. Employment, Settlement of Disputes. Union Security, Passes for Union Officials on Union Business, Wages, and Vacations and Holidays have been settled, but Working Rules are still under dis­ cussion. The Union Negotiating Committee is con­ fident that the standard SIU contract will be adopt­ ed. Section 5. In the event the Port Committee is unable to reach a satisfactory settlement, or agreement is not reached between the Union and the Company, the mat­ ter may by written notice, registered mail, be referred to an arbitrator within one week after the Port Com­ mittee or representatives of the Company and the Union are unable to reach a satisfactory settlement. Section G. If the Company and the Union cannot mutually agree on the selection of an arbitrator within one week, then application shall be made for the ap­ pointment of an arbitrator to a Judge of the U. S. Dis­ trict Court in a Federal District where the Port Com­ mittee or representatives of the Company and the Union met to settle the eontrovery. All questions submitted to arbitration shall be in writing and the decision of •the arbiti-ator shall be in writing and shall be final and binding on all parties and persons concerned. The Company and the Union shall share equally the ex­ penses of the arbitrator and all other agreed upon ex­ penses. ARTICLE III SECURITY OF EMPLOYMENT AND OPERATIONS Section 1. Since this Agreement adequately provides for an orderly settlement of any and all grievances and disputes, it is mutually agreed that during the life q| this Agreement and during any period of negotiations for its renewal there shall be no lock-outs, strikes or any other work stoppage or refusal to sign on or off Shipping Articles for any cause, including an attempt to force Agreement to any demand. ARTICLE IV PASSES Section I. The Company agrees to issue passes to rep­ resentatives of the Union mutually agreed upon for the purpose of contacting its members aboard vessels cov­ ered by this Agreement in home ports and ports of call in Continental United States and where the Union has a recognized office and in Honolulu, T. H.; in considera­ tion of which the Union hereby agrees to hold the Company harmless from any claim, loss, damage, or liability, for loss of life or injury occurring to, or caused by a representative of the Union while such representative is on the property of or while on board a vessel owned or bareboat chartered or controlled by the Company. Section 2. The Union agrees that its representatives shall not at any time interfere with the Company's em­ ployees while at work. ARTICLE V MONETARY Section 1. The wage scale for the Unlicensed Per­ sonnel shall be as follows; Deck Department Monthly Rating Rale of Pay Boatswain $228.17 Boatswain's Mate—Day Work 214.25 Boatswain's Mate—Watch 200.34 *Carpenter 228.17 Storekeeper 219.82 AB Maintenance 208.69 Quartermaster 191.99 Able Seaman 191.99 Watchman " 191.99 Ordinary Seaman 166.95 *When the Carpenter is required to furnish his own tools, he shall be paid $7.50 per month in addition to his basic wage per month. Engine Department Monthly Rating Rate of Pay Chief Electrician $327.78 Assist. Electrician :. 253.21 Unlicensed Jr. Engineer—Day Work 255.99 Unlicensed Jr. Engineer—Watch 228.17 Plumber—Machinist 263.78 Deck Engineer 228.17 Chief Refrigerating Engineer 299.95 First Refrigerating Engineer 264.34 Second Refrigerating Engineer 243.19 Engine Storekeeper 219.82 Engine Utility 228.17 Evaporator—Maintenance 21,1.47 Oiler—Diesel 217.32 Oiler—Steam Water-tender j. Fireman-Watei'tender Fii-eman : Wiper Stewards' Department 197.56 197.56 197.56 186.43 194.78 Monthly Rating Rate of Pay Steward $244.86 Chief Cook 228.17 Night Cook and Baker 228.17 Second Cook 205.91 Third Cook 194.78 Messman 166.95 Utilityman 166.95 Section 2. The overtime rate for the Unlicensed Personnel receiving $210.00 or less per month shall be $1.06 per hour, and for those rates receiving more than $210.00 per month, the* overtime rate shall be $1.32 Va per hour. Section 3. When meals are not furnished members of the Unlicensed Personnel shall receive an allowance of $1.05 per meal. Section 4. When members of the Unlicensed Per­ sonnel are required to sleep ashore, they shall be al­ lowed $3.00 per night for lodging. ARTICLE VI VACATIONS AND HOLIDAYS Section I. When a member of the Unlicensed Per­ sonnel has completed one year of continuous service on the vessels of the Company, he shall be entitled to receive a vacation of seven (7) consecutive days with full pay, and in each subsequent year of continuous service on the vessels of the Company, he shall be en­ titled to receive a vacation of fourteen (14) consecu­ tive days with full pay. Vacations shall be cumulative to the extent mutually agreed upon and shall be allow­ ed at such times as may be convenient to the operating necessities of the Company. No cash allowance in lieu of vacations shall be made. If after six (6) months of continuous .service the Company terminates the employment of a member of the Unlicensed Personnel through no fault of his, he shall be entitled to such va­ cation as has been accrued on the basis of 1/12 of the annual period per month. If employment is terminated for any reason within six (6) months of continous serv­ ice on vessels of the Company, no vacation shall be al­ lowed. yContinuous service shall not be deemed broken by leaves of absence on account of illness, accident, va­ cations, lay-off for lack of work, or leaves or absence granted in writing, provided, however, that no vaca­ tion shall accrue during such periods of absence. Section 2. The following days shall be recognized as holidays; New Year's Day Independence Day Lincoln's Birthday Labor Day Washington's Birthday Armistice Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day ARTICLE Vn WORK IN PORT AND AT SEA Section I. Overtime shall j3e paid for all work per­ formed by Unlicensed Personnel in port or at sea on any of the nine (9) holidays specified in this Agree­ ment; provided, however, that in the case of holidays at sea falling on Sunday the following Monday shall not be deemed a holiday, and no double overtime shall be paid on holidays falling on Sunday. Section 2. The work week in port shall be forty (40) hours per week. It is understood for the purpose of this paragraph all Vork performed in port on Satur­ days, Sundays and recognized holidays shall be paid for at the overtime rate. Section 3. At sea the hours of work shall be fortyeight (48) hours per week for men standing watches. It is understood that for the purpose of this para­ graph Sunday at sea shall be considered the overtime day, that is to say, all work performed on Sunday at sea shall be paid for at the overtime rate. Section 4. Engine and Deck Day Men at Sea. The work for the Unlicensed Deck and Engine Personnel who do not stand watches shall be forty-four (44) hours per week (8 A.M. to 5 P.M. weekdays and 8 A.M. to 12 noon Saturdays.) ARTICLE VHI SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS Section 1. The Company shall furnish safe gear and working equipment. ARTICLE IX TERM Section 1. It is specifically understood and agreed that the Company and Union will continue negotia­ tions upon two (2) days' notice in writing by one party or the other regarding general rules and working rules for each of the three departments and that the work­ ing rules and working conditions now prescribed by the Company which are not contained in this agree(Confintted on Page 15) �THE SEAFARERS Friday, August 29, 1947 -rr {Confimied From Page 14) ment shall remain in force until an agreement is reach­ ed. When a full agreement is reached regarding gen­ eral rules and departmental working rules it shall be incorporated in writing in one document with this Agreement which shall then be the complete agree­ ment between the parties. Section 2. This Agreement shall take effect on the date first above written and shall remain in full force and effect for a period of one year thereafter and shall automatically renew itself from year to year thereafter MONEY DUE LOG unless either party gives the other written notice by registered mail sixty (GO) days in advance of any ex­ piration date of intention to change, modify or ter­ minate the collective bargaining agreement between the parties. ISTHMIAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY Signed— WALTER M. WELLS, President Attest Signed—A. V. Cherbonnier Retroactive Wages Page Fifleea SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, AFL. Signed— J. P. SHULER, Secretary-Treasurer MORRIS WEISBERGER, Vice-President PAUL HALL, Vice-Pi'esident ROBT. A. MATTHEWS. Headquarters Representative Attest Signed—Ray White •^ NOTICE! PHIL AGREE tact Agent Eddie Higdon in Phil­ SS T. J. JACKSON The SUP representative in Bal­ adelphia as soon as possible: The following men, who wer timore wishes you to contact him John R. Sm.all, Roland S. JestOilers aboard this vessel, have in regards to some money. ings, Robert C. Downing Jr., money coming to them for over John Henry Collier, Fred C. XXX Pearson, Jr. and Glen Reid. time. Anyone knowing the where­ G. O. Tailor 97 hrs NEW YORK, N. Y. abouts of A. J. "Jack" Soder60 BEAVER STREET R. Vv'illard 97 hrs berg is requested to contact his Pigg, Leonard E 7.47 SS FITZHUGH LEE A. Hout 97 hrs brother, Carl A. Soderberg, 3422 46 $ 9.46 Rushing, Elmer W Collect at the office of the Copeland, Joseph Columbus Avenue, Jacksonville, Szydlowski, Leonard 7.47 PHILIP MACHLIN Herd, Paul R " 1-40 Alcoa Steamship Company. Fla. Your mother is very ill- and Waters, Ernest L 7.47 .46 Jelf, John W 4. 3/ 4. XXX wishes to see you. 80.20 . X X X Lawton, Win. M FRED EDGETT Will the man who got the XXX 15.40 Naffziger, Charles .n... GEORGE A. ALLEN SS JOSHUA SLOCUM wrong tan gabardine suit from R. TROUT Richards, Robert H 63,88 These men have money com­ $ 1.87 the baggage room of the New Contact Mrs. R. Trout, 9 Firth 88.08 Bedell, Charles ing for 750 meals on the SS Santo, Michael J York Hall on Aug. 18, please Square, Ford Estate, Sunderland, Cruz, Juan 1.87 94 Kemp-Battle, riow the SS Gov­ Theodore, Phillip Egan, James R 3.74 return it as soon as possible to So. Durham, England. Thomas, Edwin M 6.44 ernor Graves. Collect at any Edler, Aske 1.61 the Baggage Room. It belongs XXX ^ ^ % Waterman Steamship Corpora­ Jones, David L 1.97 to Brother Tom McKee. ROBERT (BOB) DAVIS SS FRANK C. EMERSON tion office. XXX Martin, Robert A 1.87 Contact Fi-ank Schultz at the Davis, J. H $ 10.26 McCarthy, Charles 4. 4. 4. JAMES R. LATHIGEE 1.87 Staten Island Marine Hospital. 94 Morris, E. J Money is due the following Flack, J. C A certificate of discharge from 6.68 XXX 13.45 Mulholland, Robert E. .... 1.87 the SS Sidney Short is being crewmembers of the Sidney Johnson, Robert JOSEPH DINKINS 94 Simonds, Theodore L. Short for working overtime: Martin, Oliver F. 1.87 held for you in the mail room, You have money waiting for Martinez, Francisco 7.04 Elmer West, George Rouse, Roy Tamboory, Peter 2.01 4th floor. New York Branch. you at home. Get in touch with 4.66 Tiium, Alexander V. Kelly, Herbert Borne and Ed­ McGuffy, J. E 12.14 Mrs. R. H. Tillman, Panasoffhee, XXX McHenan, Theo. E 1.96 ward Gillies. The cash can be The following men should con­ Fla. Van Splunter, J. M 139.98 33.56 collected' at the company office. Murphy, Johnson, L Pier 45, North River, New York. X X % SS JAMES M. GILLIS Acki,ss, Elwood $ 3.98 Kellogg, Charles M 3.51 Ker.shaw, Charles C 1.46 3.00 G. Novick NEW YORK BRANCH David H. Florcs 10.00 J. Fawcett Receipt No. 89399 5.00 Walker, James E 3.43 W. Hunt $3.00 L. Soler 1.00 B. Beck 10.00 D. Hodge 5.00 Will the member who was is­ Wichartz, Julius W 3.43 E. Muliere 10.00 A. C. Ruiz 1.00 H. J. Piekutowski 5.00 R. Peck 5.00 sued receipt bearing abov^e num­ ^ X X 10.00 T. C. Hickey 1.00 A. Viera 10.00 C. McComiskey E. Hernandez 5.00. ber on Aug. 8 bring it to the New SS JOHN GALLUP 5.00 N. C. Patterson 2.00 P. Hall 10.00 R. Villanueva A. Jackson 5.00 York Hall so that his name may 10.00 2.00 T. R. Bourque 3.00 C. Ruggeiro D. Stone J. Graff 5.00 Blankenship, C. P $ 11.20 be entered on it and his records 10.00 2.00 D. H. Buckley 5.00 M. A. Colucci E. Goodman J. Stewart Carver, Ernest E 24.77 3.00 credited with payment. 1.00 A. G. Gilliland 3.00 P. V. Larsen 2.00 C. C. Oppenheimer 5.00 Catuclal, E. E 11.20 A. Cotol 5.00 A. J. Jarvis 4.00 B. Gonzales 10.00 P. J. Olsen , 5.00 Darville, Richard E 17.74 Frank Rossi 4.00 L. N. Evans 3.00 W. P. Gonsorchik 10.00 C. O. Underwood 20.00 Enyart, Elbert H 94 S. B. Marshall 5.00 J. B. Glovier 5.00 H. Pruitt 3.00 I. Ostrowski 5.00 Gaskins, R. J^ 13.23 R. Sturgis ASHTABULA 1027 West Fifth St. 5.00 F. R. Ramiller 5.00 G. Brackett 4.00 P. F. Rasmussen Yrjo Mattsson 5.00 Gillen, Paul ! 2.34 Phone 5523 5.00 H. A. Brown 5.00 F. M. Libby 5.00 L. V. Cantero 5.00 11.20 J. J. Juscios BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. Jowers, J. C 5.00 C. R. Turner 2.00 J. R. Rekstin 3.00 R. W. Kunla 5.00 Calvert 4539 LaMorte, Sabastian 3.26 H. O'Shea BOSTON 276 State St. Patterson, Frederick 5.00 D, E. Dupre 3.00 R. M. Greenwood 4.00 W. McCrod 5.00 20.18 N. F. Engelsen Boudoin 4455 5.00 H. A. Svanberg 3.00 A. Rosso Gohansen 5.00 P. Livingstone R. 5.00 Rankin, Whitney G 6.06 BUFFALO 10 E.xchanse St. 5.00 10.00 J. L. Ryder 5.00 A. J. Tiorno D. Johnson W. Moore F. 5.00 Van Bysterveld, H. D 9.66 Cleveland 7391 5.00 D. B. Peele 10.00 F. W. Kelly 5.00 K. M. Bosted Tjore K. 5.00 CHICAGO 24 W. SKperior Ave. XXX Superior 5175 H. A. Cutchins 4.00 T. Kearny 4.00 R. J. Miller 5.00 DeCosts A. 5.00 SS JOHN A, DONALD CLEVELAND ...1014 E. St. Clair Ave. H. L. Nixon 10.00 Witt McBride 3.00 F. P. Fuchs T. D. Dolly 5.00 5.00 $ 1.40 Main 0147 Bianco, Sabastiano ,5.00 S. H. Williams 10.00 J. B. Gordon 3.00 G. Glassing A. 5.00 Olsen DETROIT 1033 Third St Biggerstaff, J 1.40 5.00 L. A. Kelly 10.00 J. S. Capps 5.00 W. A. yobis 5.00 E. Skorupski Cadillac 6857 Coulter, J. G 1.40 4.00 J. J. McMahon 10.00 J. C. Price 3.00 L. A. Salminer 5.00 P. Trasmie DULUTH 531 W. Michigan SV Crowell, E. R 1.40 Melrose 4110 5.00 H. Nielsen 5.00 5.00 J. G. Ryan 3.00 J. Timotliio Juan Medina Fontenot, G 1.40 GALVESTON aOS'/z—23rd St C. Weaver 10.00 5.00 3.00 A. Monahan J. C. Drummond 10.00 J. E. Cavender 1.40 Phone 2-8448 Houchins, Clarence M. .. 5.00 J. Somyak 10.00 10.00 T. P. Quirke 3.00 H. Guinier L. Ellorin HONOLULU 16 Merchant St MulmsLrom, E 1.20 5.00 P. Dunphy 10.00 J. E. Car-on 3.00 G. Fowles 3.00 T. M. Purcell Phone 58777 1.40 Shaffer, J JACK.SONVILLE 920 Main St, 10.00 K. C. Wright 3.00 S. J. Nathan 5.00 M. Kotelec 5.00 A. Galza Shaffer, George 1.40 Phone 5-5919 2.00 J. L. Whitley 3.00 A. Pappas 5.00 A. Maldonado W. Edwards 5.00 4.20 MARCUS HOOK 1W. 8th St Smola, E. A 1.00 R. E. Lantrip 3.00 M. Shelton 5.00 M. Greenwald 5.00 Terry J. Chester 5-3110 Stinehelfer, E ^ 1.40 5.00 3.00 H. G. Releford 10.00 R. Morrison 3.00 P. H. Acree J. P. Forget MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St, Swank, E. B 4.19 3.00 M. F. Larsen 5.00 5.00 C. Labiosa 5.00 J. E. Harrison J. W. Grant Phono 2-1754 S" l" 4" MONTREAL 1440 Bleury St 5.00 P. Loleas 5.00 Clifton Nelson 5.00 K. Korneliusen W. Ogle 5.00 S3 JOHN B. LENNON NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St 2.00 J. Arraya 5.00 10.00 E. T. Driggers 5.00 J. C. McMasters E. M. Cullinair Magnolia 6112-6113 Bayley, A. W. $ .60 W. Mrozinski 5.00 5.00 P. Moncraft 5.00 J. Volpian 10.00 J. Paliania NEW YOR.K 51 Beaver St Devere, L. E. 6.90 5.00 R. J. Harriott 5.00 E. Parr 10.00 E. E. Gonyea 5.00 J. L. Gumera HAnover 2-2784 .46 A. Medina NORFOLK ,...127-129 Bank St Grassi, John .... 5.00 J. Drawdy 10.00 R. E. Lagerstroem 4.00 J. Shemct 1.50 Phone 4-1033 Healon, Thomas M 7.36 L." Ramos 2.00 P. B. McDaniel 1.50 3.00 .J. Parker 10.00 G. Grant PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St Hill, John 24.48 A. G. Burke 3.00 3.00 J. Sheehan 10.00 G. A. Campbell 1.00 J. Farquriai' Lombard 3-7651 Kausas, J 29.84 R. W. Gilmoui 10.00 3.00 L. Welch 5.00 R. Gonzales 10.00 C. W. PfM-ry PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St 9.30 J. .Milukas 10.00 2.00 W. Roux 5.00 C. Leader 5.00 J. W. Rascon Beacon 4336 Seay, John B RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St. Sheets, James K 5.10 A. Rodriguez 7.00 2.00 M. Gottschalk 5.00 F. Barthes 10.00 "J.- R. Greco Phone 2599 Tetterton, Charles B 24.28 J. L. Ramos 10.00 C. P. Albury 5.00 R. Denison IC.OO M. J. Folan 2.00 SAN FRANCISCO 1C5 Market St. 5.00 F. Logan Skazpski 5.00 W. E, Reed 5.00 T. M. Ostaszeski A. 2.00 XXX Douglas 25475 5.00 L. H. Carlson . 5.00 C. D. Carlow 10.00 G. Clough A. Plaza 2.00 SS JOSEPH LEE SAN JUAN, P. R. ..252 Ponce de Leon Sun Juan 2-5996 Davey, Wm 2.00 J. W. LaBrossc 5.00 E. Green 5.00 T. J. Whelan $ .94 A. Rios 2.00 SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. Davis, Harley M 10.00 G. H. Butterfield 5.00 M. A. Machel 5.00 R. E. Stapleton 1.00 94 J. Algina Phone 8-1728 5.00 10.00 N. H. A. Hansen 5.00 A. S. See 5.00 B. C. McGill Gresham, Arthur 46 L. Goffin SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. 5.00 5.00 E. Witko 5.00 J. Pelutis J 1.40 F. Bayne 5.00 S. Palmeru Main 0290 Groenevald, Wm 2.00 J. Senay A. Kerr 10.00 L. S. Dempkowski 5.00 J. L. Moore TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. Haecke, Oscar W 94 2.00 Phone M-1323 Hock, Raymond J 5.00 5.00 J. Smith 10.00 J. Gardner 5.00 G. Cain 94 J. P. Shuler TOLEDO 615 Summit St. 5.00 R. Eldridge 10.00 10.00 P. E. Reed 5.00 P. J. Serraino Hudson, Wilbur 94 D. O. Heron Garfield 2112 Verendrey Crew 41,49 J. W. Gallardo 10.00 1.00 R. Matthews 10.00 J. R. Mason Johansen, Henry 46 WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. 2.00 5.00 J. Smith 7.47 T. J. Hoar 2.00 J. Arabasz 10.00 F. Peskuric Terminal 4-3131 Mcszaros, John J VICTORIA, B.C. 602 Boughton St. Morris, Chester R 5.00 J. McCellan 5.00 3.00 H. W. Eatherton 10.00 H. Stone 46 Samuel Salvo Garden 8331 5.00 D. P. Wagner 5.00 1.00 J. Purcell 10.00 J. F. Murphy Nilsson, Svend A 6.44 H. Loorents VANCOUVER ....144 W. Hasting* St. 5.00 J. P. Martin 5.00 E. L. Frazee 3.00 W. Siekman 10.00 )fye, Dow M 4.20 F. McNamara Pacific 7624 I Pierce, John 7.47 Smith Johnson PERSONALS NOTICE! Honor Roll Of Isthmian Strike SlU HALLS i �^"*S-r Page Siicleea THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, August 29, 1947 ^ c/ !• ««» N I M Th&ScofoirersLrd'cmaticmal Umow Ortai l^kes Pistvict' / r^<riar?l'V-^ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource August 29, 1947 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. IX, No. 35 Description An account of the resource Headlines: TAFT-HARTLEY SLAVE LAW NOW EFFECTIVE FIRST ISTHMIAN SHIP CREWS OFF SIU BOARD UNDER ROTARY SHIPPING ANALYSIS OF TAFT-HARTLEY ACT AS OT AFFECTS THE SEAFARES BROWNING,MCCARTHY SIGN 10-HOUR CONTRACT WITH SIU IMMIGRATION LAWS HOLD SAFEGUARDS FOR ALIENS SEAFARES STILL NEEDE AS VOLUNTEER PR COMMIES BACK TO OLD TRICKS SPREADING DISRUPTIVE RUMORS TAFT-HARTLY ACT BACKFIRES ON LABORE-BAITER4S LAKES SEAMEN TURN TO SEAFARES FOR SECURITY NO ISTHMIAN SHIPS IN NORFOLK BUT PORT AIDED IN FINAL VICTORY VICTORY OVER ISTHMIAN PROVES SI CAN DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING CREWING UP OF ISTHMIAN VESSELS HELPS TO MAKE PORT OF NEW YORK A BOOM TOWN FRO SEAFARES ISTHMIAN FINALLY MEETS ITS LORD AND MASTER ISTHMIAN VICTORY MILESSTONE IN MARITIME HISTORY MEN WHO SHIELD DISRUPTERS HARM THEMSELVES AND UNION CSU SEAMEN FIND SEAFARTES GETS RESULTS WHILE CP DISSENSION ROCKS THEIR OUTFIT GREAT LAKES OPERATORS STILL USE WARTIME DRAFT MARITIME UNIONISM-THE SEAFARES' WAY DUTHCHY PUTS UP BAIT TO BRING PAL NORTH BROTHER SEES ADVANCES FOR MIDLAND SEAFARES Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 08/29/1947 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1947 Periodicals Seafarers Log