Media
Issue Date
1943-05-14
Volume
5
Issue Number
10
Plaintext
'L/
OFFICIAL ORGAN OP THE ATLANTIC AND GULP DISTRICT,
^ SEAFARKBS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA
VOL. V. 280 NEW YORK. N. Y., FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1943 No. 10
M:
Seafarers Defeats hocal WSA
Bureaucrat's Move To Handle
v.
Beef For Waterman Line
Last week the New York WSA bureaucrats attempted to move in
on a hearing before the New York port commissioner involving a dis
pute bet wen our union and the Waterman Steamship Company. Brother
John Hawk immediately disrupted the hearing when he refused to
proceed with the union's case as long as the WSA participated in the
hearing. He got in touch with Washington, demanding that the State
ment of Policy be enforced and the union left free to deal with the
shipowners directly and without WSA interference. Within 24 hours
the local WSA official was instructed to withdraw from the case and
sit only as an observer.
This was a signal victory for the union, for had the WSA par
ticipated in this hearing unchallenged, all sorts of precidents would
have been set for future interference with our union contracts.
The following exchange of telegrams between Brother Hawk and
Hubert Wyckoff explain tlu: situation in detail:
May 6, 1943
Admiral E. S. Land, Administrator
War Shipping Administration
Washington, D. C.
(Copy To Capt. Edward Macauley, Commissioner)
In the past the dealings between the Atlantic and Gulf District of
the Seafarers International Union and the operators-of contracted lines
has been conducted within the framework of the Statement of Policy and
labor relations have been on a workable basis. However, a violation of
the Statement of Pcdicy has developed in New York, and if this viola
tion is not checked at once it may serve W undermme tTie Statement
{Contitnicd OIP Pag<t 4)
Editorial
However much certain labor leaders and boss politicans may
try to distort it, the issue in the coal fields is not John L. Lewis.
The issue is a living wage for the miners.
But in a broader sense it is even more than that—it is a ques
tion of a living wage for all American workers. For the infamous
Little Steel Formula, which freezes wages while prices and profits
soar, not only shackles the miners, but the auto workers and the
steel workers and the seamen as well.
The miner's struggle against the WLB, "a court packed
against labor," is all labor's struggle. A miners' victory over the
WLB and the Little Steel Formula, would be a victory for all
union men from coast to coast.
We rcpsat, the issue is not John L. Lewis, but the right to
collective bargaining in order to win decent wages and working
conditions.
Shipowners Work
Charity Racket
John Shipowner is right in there
Etching, trying to make the pub
lic think that the closest thing to
his heart is the health and welfare
of the seamen. He has even been
ynaking .lavish donations to the
phoney United Seamen's Service in
order to impress all with his hu
manity and patriotism.
Some people might have been
taken in by the act, but not the
Kamen. They knew from bitter
experience that those babies just
don't let go of a nickel unless they
have to. This week the mystery of
the shipowners' concern for the
seamen was cleared up—all dona
tions for seamen's welfare is charg
ed to the government on a cost
plus system. It doesn't cost the
dfciipowncr a single red cent of his
war profits!
When this was first exposed in
"Washington the shipowners began
{Continued on Page 3)
SECURITY WATCH
NEGOTIATION
Negotiations arc now being car
ried on with the Waterman, South
Atlantic and Mississippi Steamship
Companies in the POrt of Mobile
for the purpose of establishing se
curity watches.
These negotiations are expected
to be brought to a successful con
clusion within the next 24 hours.
District WLB Upholds Phoney
Decision On New England Case
The Boston Regional War Labor Board has voted 4 to 2 that men sailing the scows
operated by the New England line are not entitled to any wage increases, even though
the union proved beyond doubt that they were working under a sub-standard scale.
The majority of the Board upheld in every detail the finky decision handed down
in March by referee Robert S. Coit when he denied wage increases under the Little Steel
* Formula. To begin with the unioa
mi_ IbiT* A _i rg-ig "VSrY based its petition for increases
JL A TT 1 dWw on the fact that the New England
men were^ being paid sub-standard
wages. Even the WLB's Little Steel
Formula allows for increases in
cases of substandard conditions.
Coit, however, twisted the unions'
case and used the infamous fw-
mula to deny all of the SIU de
mands.
When the case was first refered
to the Boston Regional Board the
union objected to the procedure
for it knew that the Board was
under the influence of the slup
owner. At that time Secretary-
Treasurer John Hawk sent the fol
lowing telegram to William Davis:
MP. William H. Davis, Chairman
National War Labor Board
Washington, D. 0.
We have had no answer .to-.our
letter of March 26, 1943, concern-
ing case number 956, in the mat
ter of New England Steamship
Company and Seafarers' Interna
tional Union. Wo requested that
this case be referred to the Mari
time Panel of the National War
Labor Board. Wo have now in
directly learned that the case haa
been referred to the Boston War
Labor Board. We wish to state
that past experience has shown
that a fair hearing in matters
pertaining to th^ New York, New
Haven and Hartford RailroaA
owners of the New England
Steamship Company, can not be
had in New England or New York
where its influence is so far
reaching; the situation calls for
a hearing in Washington removed
from this atmosphere. In faimesa
this request should be granted.
Seafarers International Union
Of North America
JOHN HAWK,
Secreta ry - Treasu rer
But in spite of this appeal, the
SIU case went to the regional
board upon the direction of the
national board. ITie union then
asked that it be allowed to appear
before the board to present its
case. Here again the seamen were
double crossed and the hearings
{Continued on Page 4)
Agents Conference
A conference of all" Agents of
the Atlantic and Gulf District of
the SIU will open in New York
City Wednesd.ay morning at 10
A.M., May 26.
The next issue of the Log will
carry full details on the work of
the conference.
• vY'-.;
' ff. iV
N
yi-\ V',
http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html
W3
Page Tw© KE SEAFA Pv
liV ••
W
SEAFARER S LOG
Published by the
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Atlantic and Gulf District
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
HARRY LUNDEBERG ------ President
110 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif.
JOHN HAWK ------- Sccy-Treas.
2 Stone Street, New York City
MATTHEW DUSHANE - - - Washington Rep.
424 Sth Street, N. W., Washington, D. C.
Directory of Branches
BRANCH ADDRESS PHONE
NEW YORK 2 Stone St
Dispatcher's Office BOwIing Green 9-8346
Agent BOwIing Green 9-3437
BOSTON 330 Atlantic Ave.... Liberty 4057
BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St Calvert 4539
PHILADELPHIA 6 North 6th St Lombard 7651
NORFOLK. 25 Commercial PI Norfolk 4-1083
NEW ORLEANS 309 Chartres St ...Canal 3336
SAVANNAH 218 East Bay St Savannah 3-1728
TAMPA.,..; 423 East Piatt St Tampa MM-1323
MOBILE 55 So. Conception St Dial 2-1392
PUERTO RICO 45 Ponce de Leon Puerto de Tlerra
GALVESTON 219 20th Street Galveston 2-8043
FT. LAUDERDA1.E 2021 S. Federal Highway..
PUBLICATION OFFICE:
ROOM 213, 2 STONE STREET
New York City BOwling Green 9-8344
I. OI\
^ASHirVGTOIV
• BV MATT+I6W DuSHAMfeeL
Two SIU Ships Account For
15 Planes: Win Citations
The S.S. William Moultrie and the S.S. Virginia Dare
both fully manned by SIU crews, are probably the two
outstanding merchant ship gladiators of this war. Between
them they shot down 15 Nazi planes, damaged many more,
and drove oflF innumberablc Nazi subs and surface raiders.-
Both ships and their crews were
commended by the authorities and
received extensive write-ups of
their exploits in London and New
York papers.
On Sunday, March 21, the Lon
don newspaper News of the World
carried a front page story on the
Moultrie. Here is what it said:
"An Allied convoy has crossed
the Atlantic after being under al
most uninterupted attack from
U-Boat packs and planes for a
whole week. A Liberty ship named
the William Moultrie, carrying a
valuable military cargo, had shot
down eight German planes and
damaged 12 others during a com
bined air and U-boat attack on the
convoy.
"On one occasion enemy raiders
came over in great force, but three
bombers were shot down, and six
Others damaged. In a similar at
tack next day three more planes
were shot down and six moie dam
aged. On two other occasions
single planes were shot down.
"One submarine was driven off,
and at another time a torpedo rac
ing towards the ship was exploded
by a direct hit from the William
Moultrie before reaching its tar
get."
The newspaper then paid high
tribute to both the merchant and
gpn crews.
The S.S. Virginia Dare received
tribute in the April 21 issue of the
JV. Y. Times. "She was a new Lib
erty ship," wrote the Tijncs, "the
Virginia Dare, on her maiden voy
age, She must have seemed a help
less target to the seven enemy
bombers, including at least two
German Junkers-88s, that tried to
sink her. Yet the Virginia Dare
and her "green gun crews' shot
down the seven bombers and her
cargo of war goods got through.
"The Navy today revealed how
the relatively vulnerable merch
antman picked off the seven enemy
planes in two days with warship-
like precision. As far as has been
reported, it is one of the best rec
ords for a ship of her type against
aircraft attacks, and it won Navy
citations for 'outstanding bravery,
cooperation and d e V o ti o n to
duty'."
The crews of both the Moultrie
and Virginia Dare have returned
to port and their Orews are now
preparing to ship out again. It is
these merchant heros that the
RMO would draft into the army
if they refuse to sign the fink
cards.
Well, they didn't sign the fink
cards and they continue to deliver
the goods as union men.
Florida Closed Shop Bap
Submited To Electorate
TALEAHASSEE, Fla. — The
Florida House concurred with the
Senate in a proposed constitutional
amendment which would outlaw
labor's closed-shop contracts in the
state.
The p ro p o s e d constitutional
amendment will be submitted to
the voters in the 1944 general elec
tion. If approved, Florida will be
come the first state to abofish the
closed shop by .constitutional
amendment.
(Pvcport of May 3)
Wod'time War
Emergency Board:
J. Volpian, SIU Patrolman,
N.Y.: S.S. Robin Gray berthed at
Tillbury docks, London, was
bombed—^Board ruled men entitled
to attack bonus. S.S. Robin Gray
passed line between Cape Trafal
gar and Cape Spartel at Gibralter
and anchored. Board ruleil men
entitled to only one bonus, provid
ed vessel did not enter any other
area in Mediterranean. If vessel en
tered any other area in Mediter
ranean and then passed through
the Straits of Gibralter, men would
be entitled to two other bonuses.
J. Hawk, Sec.-Treas., SIU: S.S.
Tristran Dalton: While laying at
anchorage at Oran, general alarm
was sounded, port was bombed.
Board has ruled that crew are en
titled to attack bonus.
J. Flanagan, SIU Agt., Balti
more: S.S. Lou Gehrig: Vessel was
in Oran and crew claimed port at
tack bonus. Board is investigating
and checking with Naval author
ities as to attack. The crew of the
Benjamin Harrison, while being re
patriated on the S.S. Allen A. Dale,
were in Oran, ^an attack occured
on that date and the Board ruled
both crews were entitled to attack
bonus. In the case of the Gehrig,
the time element will determine
when the attack occured. Crew of
Gehrig should recheck on when
they arrived in Oran and when
their vessel left port. It is import
ant for all ships' crews to check
on their arrival and departure
times.
M. Weisberger, Agt. SUP, N.Y.:
S.S. Ambrosia Burnside was in
Oran when' city was attacked.
Board's policy is that when the
town or locality is attacked, bonus
is payable to crews in the harbor.
It is not necessary for the .ships to
be attacked. S.S. Matthew Luck-
cnback crew . were on board the
S.S. Ulsterman being repatriated.
Crew is entitled to attack bonus
if in the area when English Coast
was being attacked. Board is check
ing with the Navy for more infor
mation. Expect a favorable de
cision.
Coast Guard:
Shipping Commissioners have
been logging ships' crews and in
cluded in the logs are bonuses. The
C. G. base their legal right on "a
court decision of tlje "LAKOS vs.
SALIARTS" FEDERAL REGIS
TER 2nd SERIES. XU PAGES No.
441-4.40." In this case, a Greek
there is certain work that must bc-
done in order to make the vessels
sea worthy and if the crews are
not on board to do this work, ves
sels would not be in a sea-worthy
condition to- proceed on their voy
age.
Congress took into consideration
the argument that the employers
had presented and enacted as part
of the law a clause that gave the
employer the privilege to log mem
bers of ships crew who do not
carry out their duties while in port.
This part of the law gives the
employer the privilege to log any
seaman TWO DAYS for every
day that the seaman absents him
self from work while in port. It
also gives the employer the right
to employ someone in the place of
the absent seaman to do any work
that is necessary to make the ves
sel sea-worthy. If it costs the em
ployer more than two days wages
to do this work, they can log the
seaman the cost to cover wages
that they have paid to the worker
to do the work.
In my opinion, the employer is
covered by the law to cover any
additional cost in making any re
pairs for his vessel to keep it in a
sea-worthy condition and that
when the shipping commissioners
insist on logging men part of their
bonuses, they are out of line and
it is not legal.
In one instance, a seaman was
logged $28.0.00 for taking oS. U
days. It certainly does not seem
to me that the employer would
have had tOs pay a man $280.00 to
replace an Able Seajnan to paint
the side for 1J days.
This is one case that looks' to
me like a flagrant violation of the
l^w. And another point that must
be borne in mind is that the area
bonus is an additional compensa
tion for the hazard encountered by
the seaman in doing his duty and
has no bearing whatsoever on the
maintaining of ship's gear while
the yesel is in port.
There seems to be several opin
ions here in Washington on the le
gal status of the C.G. in giving out
the order that they have given to
the shipping commissioners and it
is my opinion thaf if we cannot
get this mess strfightened out, y/.e
will have to take the case to court.
This involves a great deal of the
searni<^ti's earnings h is cer
tainly the Union's duty to protect
their members.
(Report of May 10)
AjLF is holding, a celebration in
, ,, , ( Washington on May 21, 1943 at
seaman sued to collect bonus as Consti^tW Hah, on the part that
part of his wages and the case was
based under a Greek fo-v. The
court ruled that under the Greek
law, seamen's bonus is part of his
wages and the C.G. have notified
all shipping comtnissioners to. de
duct bonuses as part of wages
when seameo are being logged.
In the passage of the Seamen's
Act, better known as the LaJE^hette
Act, the employers' position was
that when their vessels are in port.
tho AFL members are taking in
this war. They have requested
that the SUE and the Seafarers
Isend some of their members who
have been torpedoed to take pact in
this, celebration. We ah know the
campaign that Capt. Eddie Rick-
onBacker h^, been, carrying on
against organized labor, this is tdie
AJFL'a 3ns.wer to his, malarltey.. AU
our agents within the immediate
vicinity of Washington should
contact the membership and see
if we can get some of our mem
bers to attend this gathering.
Chinese Exclusion Act:
The first convention of the AFt
in 1881 "Declared 30 years of ex
perience- of the Pacific Coast with
Chinese labor had proved their
competition with white labor was
the greatest evil with which a
country could be afflicted; that
publicity as to its true character
be" disseminated throughout the
country and Congress be urged to
enact an exclusive act."
In 1882 the legislative commit
tee of the AFL reported monster
demonstrations everywhere against
Chinese immigration. Bill passed
by Congress was not satisfactory
and had been made inoperative on
the Pacific Coast by a government
official and Judges of California.
Through the efforts of the AFL,
Congress enacted laws which pro
hibited the Chinese from entering
the United .States for the purpose
of competing with American La
bor. We all recall the Dollar Line
and other S.S. companies' strong
fight against the unions in the use
of Chinese seamen on board Am
erican ships. This is not ancient
history to the American seamen.
On February 17, 1943, Con
gressman Kennedy introduced H-R.
1882, to grant to the Chinese
rights.. of entry to the United
States and rights to citizenship. On
March 26, 1943, Congressnjan
Magnuson introduced H-R 2309
to amend the Immigration Act of
1924, as amended, to provide that
aliens who are subjects of China
shall be admitted into the United
States under such act. On April
7, 1943, Congressman Dickstein
introduced H-R 2428, to repeal
the Cliinese exclusion Act.-
The American seamen are CQja-
tributing more towards the war
effort than any other group of
workers in the United States. The
job that they are doing is to keep
up the American standards of liv
ing today, and with the purpoce
of retaining these conditions after
the war.
It is not their intention to do
this job today and find out that
tomorrow or thereafter, John .Ship
owner can discharge all American,
crews when his vessels arrive at f
Chinese port and hire a cqtnplete
Chinese crew at a monthly wage
{Continued on Page 4)
LUIGJ GALLO
Your seamen's papers are in
hands of $0,1 C. $erenholtz, 312
Equitable BIdg., Baltimore.
JOSEPH D. BLAKE
ALBERT BROOKS
WILUAM BUTLER
WILLIAM Q. C^||.
Please communioate wiilv SoU.
Berenholtz, 312 Equitable BIdg.,
Baltimore.
?.
Vi
•411
http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html
THE SBAFARERS^ LOG
'l.l ' ' I li .III'' Ml I'll'"
Eage HKW
k/'
WHArS DODIQ
Around the Ports
MOBILE
April 14, 1543
Editor Mobile Press Register,
Mobile, Alabama.
Dear Mr. Editor:
I have been observing your ed
itorials very keenly ever since the
elections last Fall, and it is very
obvious who is dictating the poli
cy of your FREE public.ations.
Your paper just reprints the words
of a Capt. Rickenbacker.
We know that he survived some
days on a life raft some where in
the Pacific Ocean recently, natur
ally that gives him the right to
tour the country knocking off
thousands of war workers in war
plants, delaying and holding up
the work in the plants and retard
ing the War effort, preaching
about absenteeism.
Why doesn't Capt. Rickenback
er address Congress and tell Con
gress how unpatriotic Absenteeism
is in War time. I don't think the
Congressmen get docked when
they are absent.
Mr. Editor we have Seamen of
the merchant marine, the most vi
tal unit of men in the war effort
in the country today, these men
are being torpedoed and shelled by
enemy submarines every day and
drifting around on life rafts for
months. In my opinion these men
are really patriots, these men have
a job to do and they are doing it
without any fanfare or ballyhoo,
but I don't suppose you will agree
l'\ with me as they don't represent
p/ some monopolistic group.
Your paper .condemns any in
crease in wages for the man that
have to work for a living, but on
the other hand you also condemn
a ceiling on high salaries, as the
President ordered some time ago.
Now Mr. Editor, if that is not
the height of reactionary incon
sistency, then fake the velvet mop.
In your March 31st, 1543 edi
tion of the Register you gave Par
ticular space in the editorial to
blasting all union representatives
as racketeers, burning up precious
rubber and gasoline going from one
city to another, browbeating free
American workers into unions so
their pockets can be picked for
more dues. And the poor sailors,
soldiers and marines on furloughs
have to walk.
Mr. Editor, do you know that
union representatives, like every
body else in the country, have to
prove to. the ration boards that
they do essential driving to obtain
B. or C. ration cards.
You may not know it, but
when any labor representative
keeps grievances in the plants to
a minimum and keep the men on
the jobs,, they are essential to the
war effort. With all the vicious-
ness the men have to contend with
now from the Boss, you define
these people as racketeers. I pre
sume you know it but you keep it
concealed that all boni-fide labor
organizations have a constitution
and by-laws that's been ratified
by the rank and file of the organi-
W zation. These representatives that
you refer to as racketeers have to
adhere to these by-laws the same
as any other member in the or
ganization in the performance of
their duties. So you see, you just
can't term collecting dues under
these conditions illegitimate in any
sense of the word.
Mr. Editor, you remember some
years back during the Republican
regime that all the fat mail con
tracts were dished out to the large
corporations without being put out
on bids. You remember that I
presume.
You, no doubt, will call that
method of accumulating money
legitimate? But in my opinion that
is typical racketeering. During
the last World War this same ele
ment, from 1917 to 1920, embrac
ed the opportunity while the back
bone of the land was overseas, to
steal the country away from the
people; and it took the people
twelve years to get it back from
them.
Again we are confronted with
the same predicament, this same
element is trying to steal the coun
try away from the people the same
way that they did in 1917 to 1920.
Well, let us wait and see how well
they are going to do the job this
time. The people of the country
are more wise to this minority
group how than they were in the
last war, so you see you just can't
tell yet.
Mr. Editor it may pay you bet
ter to contribute a little effort to
winning this war instead or pro
longing the war. You consistently
keep blasting Labor organizations
for what?
Remember one thing, Mr. Edit
or, the laboring class is the back
bone of the country and his labor
organizations is the only protec
tion and the only bulwork against
the vicious industrial giants. He
realizes it rtiore every day of his
life, with all your reactionary ed
itorials he still realizes it, and I
don't tlrink he is going to be fool
ed so easy this time.
Very truly yours,
OLDEN BANKS, Agent,
Seafarers' International Union;
of North America,
Mobile, Ala.
NEW ORLEANS
Once again the old war cry, pre
paration plus. After all, the lads
sailing the ships are to be allowed
a little confusion while on the
beach. After all, when the brains
of the Nation can not make up
their minds, who will blame old
John Work-Ox from being slight
ly befuddled. From what the pa
pers say it seems that the draft
boards themselves are determined
to induct everyone into the army
including themselves. These local
boards are so mixed up that I un
derstand they are going to devote
all their time from now on trying
to unravel the point system so that
they can eat.
All the above is just a prelude to
the fact that if these boards can't
get straight, who are we to expect
the RMO to get on and stay on
the beam. On one ship they say
do this, next ship do that. One of
the palatial rust pots came side
winding up the river and when we
interviewed everj'onc in town and
got the right to take our special
little armed guard to the packet,
we found a note from the above
board telling the men that they
were entitled to six days ashore
provided they contacted the local
RMO office. Some of these men
had been aboard the ship for as
high as three years, still they were
to be allowed six days and this,
mind you, 4f they contacted the
RMO. We took our usual peek in
the crystal and told the boys that
some one was making a slight mis
take and not to even accept the
pretty little cards. That after all,
the man with the long grey whisk
ers had said up to thirty days, that
if you sailith and returnith you
shall be allowed two days for each
week. I contend that no local of
fice can change this ruUng, we will
know soon.
Did I tell you guys about the
lad that sailed strictly NMU since
it first smellcd up the waterfronts?
This lad would argue all day that
it was the only seaman's union. He
advanced to the lofty rating of
third engineer and was shipped
aboard a SIU ship for his second
trip on his ticket. Now our hero
girded his loins (whatever they
are) and prepared to do or die for
the NMU. When the ship headed
to sea to his surprise the men on
watch did their work and, in fact,
helped him a little. He though
that this was wrong as his NMU
boys didn't do that. So for six
months our hero of Currenski sat
around and argued the relative
merits of the unions. When the
overtime was checked he told all
hands that we would never collect
that. When work was to be done
all hands were present and did it.
When drinking was to be done all
hands did that, too, no bum argu
ments allowed. The upshot was,
on payoff the ex-disciple of "no
coffee time" stated that from now
on he would sail strictly SIU. A
few days after being in port he
brought his kid brother to the hall
and asked if it would be posible for
I the lad to get a book. Laid the
i money on the line for the boy's
book when he passed a committee
and stated that he was also going
to convert his other brother, who
is sailing A.B. in the NMU.
Steady as she goes.
ARMY.
MONEY DUE
Charity Racket
{Continued front Page 1)
to scream^ that they were being
smeared. Senator George L. Aiken
of New Hampshire replied prompt
ly, "I know it is true." He then
added that he has in his possession
the photostat of a confidential or
der signed by William Radner,
WSA general' counsel, informing
shipowners that their contributions
to the USS "nwy be included in
the overhead expense of the agents
in calculating any adjustment of
compensation imder provisions of
sections 10 and H of General Or
der No. 12.
And all this was printed in the
shipowners' mouthpiece. The Jour
nal of Commerce for April 30.
Crew cf John Davenport have
$125 port attack bonus due. Collect
at Eastern S.S. Company, Pier 25,
North River, N.Y.C.
» • •
Meal money for Stewards Dept.
on Richard Henry Lee, being paid
by Calmar Line, 25 Broadway,
N.Y.C.
* * *
Crew of S.S. Beauregard have
Russian bonus money due from
Amtorg Co., 210 Madison Ave.,
N.Y.C.
Crew of S.S. Jean have 12 hours
overtime coming. Collect at Bull
Line, 115 Broad St, N.Y.C.
* ^ *
Crew of S.S. William Moultrie
who paid off April 2, 1943, have
overtime money due. Collect at
Robin Line Office, 39 Cortland St.,
New York City.
* » »
J. S. BULLOCK
H. L. MILSTEAD
Division of wages for missing
man on 12-4 watch. City of St.
Louis, can be collected at Water
man office. Mobile.
» • *
Crew of Robin Gray can collect
$125 attack bonus money at office
of Seas Shipping Co., Inc., 39 Cort-
landt Street, New York. MWEB
ruled Tillbury is within Port of
London.
» » »
Crew which made the last trip
on the S.S. Daniel Huger, have $125
port attack bonus money coming.
Collect at office of Mississippi Line.
The crews that made the last trip
on the S.S. Marina, S.S. Cape Heii>
lopen, S.S. Thomas Ruffin and
S.S. William Rawie were paid off
with 40^ bonus instead of 100%
for the part of the voyage between
Panama and Cape Horn. They cani
now celleet the 50% additional
money from the Bull Line office in
New York City.
* » »
The crew whiph made the last
trip on the S.S. Joseph Huges have
bonus money coming. Collect at
Bull Line, New York City.
» » »
Crew making the last trip on
S.S. Tristram Dalton have $125
port attack bonus money coming.
Collect at Bull Line, t15 Broad
Street, New York City.
»
Deck Department of the Alcoa
Polaris have overtime coming. Col
lect at 17 Battery Place, New York
City.
*
Stewards Dept. on S.S. Richard
Bassett have overtime coming.
C. Albiny 114 hrs.
(Also Division of Wages
For 1 month and 4 days)
Everett* Hickman 68 hrs.
Robert Moore 24 hra.
96 hrs. S. Brown
P. Marshall
C. Johnson .
^(X^/z hrs.
8 hrs.
(Also Division of wages
for 1 month and 4 days)
Colect Bull Line office, 115 Broad
Street, New York City.
Out of the Focsl
by
S- a.. J
The Agents Conference is going to be held in. New York for the
first time. We hope they all manage to have a good time while here.
The brothers will have a chance to meet all the Agents of the Branches
in New York on Wednesday, May 26. Get to know your officials and
make suggestions for the improvement and progress of our organiza
tion.
AAA
We made a visit to the three places where you may find SIU men,
the Alhambra Bar, the Somerset and the Seamen's Club on 43rd Street.
At the Somerset we ran into Henry Armstrong just back from a long
trip and Worthmore (Pete) Dobson telling us he had a job as 1st As
sistant. We were glad to see Sulo (So Sorry) Saari get back safely. So
Sorry was good enough to take us to "Sons of Fun," the Olsen and
Johnson spectacle.
AAA
Percy Cranford lost one of his fingers on an Alcoa ship and big-
hearted Dawson offered him $35.00. Why, even the Calmar Line would
offer a lot more money for that kind of injury. Dawson must think
the Banana Boat is still arriving in New York with a bunch of "Pine
apples" aboard. Royal Dryden got married in London. Paul Jones i?
anxious to get his girl into the United States.
AAA
Harry Morea was 27 months in the Foreign Legion. Staff Sergeant
Daniel Bourne dropped into Headquarters to say Hello. Stephen Sil-
kotch is out of the Army and an active seaman again. Nelson Mc-
Gillis is trying hard to get out of the Army and Headquarters is doing
everything to help him. The seamen at Gladstone, New Jersey, wish
to thank the TAM Q SHANTER CLUB of Kearney, for the many
courtesies they extended them. They deeply appreciate their entertain
ment and food given them. Kris Hurst is having a good time in Win
ston-Salem with Forest Gilbert. Jean Jadot has joined the Navy ami
Raymond Sexauer has joined the Air Corps. We wish them God speed.
ATLANTIC AND GULF SHIPPING FOR
APRIL 19 TO MAY 1
DECK ENGINE STEWARD TOTAL
SHIPPED 279 290 206 7^
REGISTERED 270 273 126 669
ON HAND ^ 191 190 116 497
IS
/
Mi
4ii'i
.li
/I
http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html
Page Four fHE SEAFARERS' LOG Friday, May 14, 1943
REPORT FROM
Washington
Decision On New England Case
"
fS.
Ilf
I
m
ft
li
li-
(Confhtued from Page 2)
that the average American seaman
would pay for a round of drinks
for his shipmates along the Em-
barcadero.
There is no 'denying the fact
that the Chinese are putting up a
splendid fight against the armed
forces of Tojo, but does that give
/them the right to come to the
United States to compete with Am
erican Labor? Or does that give
John Shipowner the right to fire
all American crews and hire Chin
ese in their places? Wlty should
this right be limited only to Chin
ese? Are not other Congressmen
also going to introduce other leg
islation to allow all the citizens of
the other allied nations to come
into the United States to compete
with American labor? It seems to
me that this business of the FOUR
FREEDOMS is being over played
by some of our ptfiiticians. There
is a continual harping by some of
our legislators and some of the
new dealers that we must feed and
free the whole world. It sounds to
me like an INTERNATIONAL
WPA.
Winston Churchill seems to dif-
ifer on the interpretation that some
of our leaders have set up on the
FOUR FREEI3OMS, he has stated
that he is not going to relinquish
" any of the jurisdiction of the Brit
ish Empire, or give any of their
-colonies away by vote or other
•wise. The only way that the Brit
ish Government is going to relin
quish any of their colonics will be
by their government being over
thrown by force, and the tenacity
of John Bull will show its might
by a long drawn out war of ex
termination to any nation or group
of people who might be inclined
to challenge tire might of the Brit
ish Empire.
The people of the United States
In electing representatives to the
Congress do so with the intention
that these people are to represent
the interests of the people of Am
erica first, but it seems that some
of them arc of a very gullible na
ture, and arc easy victims to hard
luck stories and make an easy
touch. Or else they are not ruled
by historical facts, sane reasoning,
or are emotional inclined to ride
politically on the waves of public-
"•fty given to certain representatives
of some of our allies in this coun
try.
If the legislation that has been
introduced in Congress by the
gentlcm-cn who were elected to
look after American interest first,
should pass, it means that within
a few years there will be no more
American seamen employed on
board the merchant ships, that
arc being paid for . by the income
taxes of the American public.
We must fight this legislation
to the bitter end.
1^; • 1 ' Maritime War
Emergency Board:
L. Coffin, Patrolman, SIU, N.Y.,
S.S. John Davenport was in the
port of Algiers. Ships guns were
used against the enemy. Board has
ruled crew Is entitled to attack
bonus. (Master failed to enter into
log book that attack took place).
J. Flanagan, SIU Agt., Balti
more. Agent sent in report that
S.S. Lou Gehrig was in Oran. Board
ruled no attack bonus payable as
per ij^jE^mation th^ had re,-,
ceivecT there was no attack, on that
di.£e.
Crew of the Benjamin Harrison
were repatriated on the S.S. Shaw
nee, now an Army Transport.
Crew were ordered to work and
were detailed to stations in the gal
ley and elsewhere by Maximilian
Elser, Jr., Major TC. Under the
board's decision crew are entitled
to wages for every day that they
worked, but not double bonus.
M. Weisberger, Agt. SUP, N.Y.
Crew of the Matthew Luckenback
who were being repatriated on the
"Royal Ulsterman" and were in
the vicinity of Glasglow are en
titled to a bonus.
On the S.S. Ambrosia Burnside
in Oran, Board contends that crew
are not entitled to attack bonus,
claiming that the information that
they have there was no attack in
that port on date presented.
It is important that all ships'
crews keep some kind of data on
when these attacks took place,
when there are in any areas where
in there is an attack. It must also
be borne in mind that if the ships
are alongside of a dock, or an
chored, and the attack took place
in the near vicinity of the town,
they have a good claim for an at
tack bonus.
Last week the board ruled that a
vessel that was tied up in Tillbury
docks, crew was entitled to a bonus
for an attack that took place in
London. This port of Tillbury is
around 39 miles from London, and
is on the Thames river. Crews
should take the time and date of
any 'attacks in the vicinity that
they are in whenever there is an
attack. If possible get newspaper
clippings from the local papers of
any attacks that may have occured
when their vessel is in the attack
vicinity.
SEAMEN RETAIN
JONES ACT RIGHTS
WASHINGTON, D. C.:—Mer
chant Mamen serving aboard ves
sels operated either directly or
through agents of the War Ship
ping Administration were return
ed to the status of private em
ployes under the provisions of a
bill signed last week by President
Roosevelt.
Formerly seamen serving on
WSA owned or operated vessels
technically became government
employes and surrendered many
rights as private employes in ex
change for less desirable protection
under the Federal Employes Com
pensation Act. Under the new law
seamen sailing WSA ships continue
to have the right to sue the ship
owner as provided by the Jones
Act.
(Conimtted from Page
were held secretly and swiftly with
only the shipowner (in the person
of referee Coit) presenting full
and complete arguments. At that
time the SIU sent the follow peti
tion to the regional board:
1. The maladjustment principle
was inaccurately applied. Referee
Colt states that a comparison of
the weighed average monthly earn
ings for January 1, 1941 and May 1
1942 indicates ̂
Since when is the base of the for
mula computed on "take-home
wages". It is the average hourly
straight time rate tiiat ie used as
the base for computation of earn
ings. The earnings used by the
referee include overtime payments.
Also by a "proper" selection of the
months of January—an off season
montli—and May—an on season
montli—the referee was able to find
a 23.1% increase. There are lies,
damn lies, and Referee Coifs stat
istic!?.
2. These employees are not com
mon laborers. Referee Coit is ap
parently not acquainted with hte
maritime Industry. JHowever, for
reasons unstated he concludes that
tliese employes are common labor
ers. He has badly overlooked tiie
fact that to do the work of these
employees it is necessary to obtain
a federal license and to have serv
ed either at sea or on Inland,water
for a period of time, before being
properly qualified, from 6 to 18
months. The Union contends that
they know of no common laborer
working for a machine shop or a
public utility company who must
meet these qualifications. No def
inition by the Bureau of-Labor of
a common laborer has ever Includ
ed seamen.
3- The data used by the referee
to siiow common labor rates were
umeliable and Inaccurate. Referee
Coit, having arbitrarily classified
these men a.s common laborers,
then strains to find some basks of
comparison. He requested the Re
search Department at the National
War loibor "Board to procure for
him common labor rates In the
area. The Research Department
wa.s unable to obtain data that was
less than two years old and .so in
formed him. Despite the fact that
he had been told the data was un
reliable and inacurate, nevertheless;
Referee Coit persisted in the use
of these phony data. The data he
did use represents common labor
lates paid by two public utility
companies and by two iriachlne
shops. The Union is at a loss to
understand the comparison bewteen
tlie work of a seaman and the com
mon laborers in these two distinct
industries. If the referee Insists
upon calling these men common la-
borer.s, then why has he overlooked
the rates paid in munitions plants
in tlie area and limited him.seif to
public utilities and machine .shops?
In summary, therefore, we sub
mit that for the reasons cited the
Union be given an opportunity to
appear before a hearing officer of
the Bo.ston Regional "'War Labor
Board along with representatives
of the Company in order that this
case may be properly and fairly
considered.
The union never even received
the courtesy of a reply from the
board. It was only after the case
had been disposed of that the SIU
received a curt notice that referee
Coit's findings had ben upheld
100%.
Now a new appeal has been pre
pared and forwarded to the Na
tional War LaK'^Soard in ^(Wash
ington, D. C. It is hoped that here
finally the seamen may at least re
ceive a decent hearing before their
case is disposed of.
What decision the National
Board will make is hard to predict*
but one thing is now clear, the Re
gional Board conducts its hearingt
in the most irresponsible manner
and is obviously influenced by the
employers and indifferent to the
living standards of the seamen*
The very manner in which the
board is constituted (labor having
but 2 votes out of 6) means that
union men have 2 strikes on them
from the first.
Durhig the pa»i*fcw luontbs the
entire WLB structure throughout
the country has lost the confidence
of labor. Just multiply the New
England decision by 1,000 coast to
coast and you can understand why.
B. Le Blano
E. Beckwith
James Gay
Charles Fabir
J. H. E. Morin
. P 8797
..P8411
P6^
Seafarers Defeats Local WSA
{Continued from Page 1)
and stable labor relations.
On May 5 th, I appeared before the U. S. Shipping Commisioner
Daly as the representative of two members of my uifion, one was de
moted and the other who was protesting an overcharge on a log. These
men were from the S.S. Ironclad, operated by the Waterman Steamship
Company. Present was Mr. Anthony Blasi, Associate Attorney for the
WSA, who said he represented the government and was present to pre
vent improper expenditure of money by the operator. This meant that
in reality the WSA was representing the Waterman Line. For the gov
ernment to inject itself in this manner means that it becomes a partisan
of the shipowner in the normal functioning of the collective apparatus.
It means that new and additional machinery has been injected into the
procedure of collective bargaining and this w* specifically forbidden
when our contrcts were frozen.
Section Til, Subsection (3) of the Statement of Policy reads, "It
is understood that all disputes will be settled through the regular ma
chinery now in existence under the ct>llective bargaining agreements
between the unions and the steamship operators."
This paragraph obviously forbids the establishment of new pro
cedure and machinery for the settlement of disputes heard before the
Commisioner in the normal course of our bargaining with the operator.
Moreover, should the WSA be allowed to inject itself into logging dis
putes, it would be a short step for it to inject itself into overtime dis
putes at regular sign-offs, and before long normal bargaim'ng relation
ship between the union and the operators would be completely des
troyed and the Statement of P<fiicy woiJd be a scrap of paper.
I am certain that it is your intent to fully observe the letter afii
spirit of the Statement of Policy, just as it is the intent of this union.
1 would "appreciate it, therefore if you would clarify this matter at
once so that we may proceed with this cose which has been suspended
pending your dedsibn.
JOHN HAWK;
Secretary-Treasurer
Atlantic and GrJf District
Seafarers International Union
Of North America f
John Hawk, Secretary- Treasurer
Seafarers Intemation Union ;
2 Stone Street, '
New York City
Reurtel May 6 to the Administrator copy to Deputy Admiiilstra-
tor Macauley proceeding before shipping commissioner effecting mem
bers of your union from S.S. Ironclad operated by Waterman, you are
correct in your understanding of the Statement of Policy in this con-
nc-ction.
Under die General Agency Agreement the steamship operator is
obligated to handle matters of this character including the furnishing
of attorney if necessary. Such being the case no participation in the
proceeding by any other representative of War Shipping Administration
is necessary or authorized. It is not believed that the associate attorney
for War Shipping Administration intended to participate in the pro
ceeding and to remove all doubt in anyone's mind he has been instruct
ed to ascer^in that the controversy is submitted to the shipping com
missioner in such a manner as to effect a final settlement of the claims
and to afford the general agent a proper basis for reimbursement, and
thereafter to confine his appearance to that of an observer.
HUBERT WYCKOFF J
War Shipping Administration -
Washington, D. C i
4
5 I
a|
pr'.
I'l d-;
Wii^'
,"11
http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html
OFFICIAL ORGAN OP THE ATLANTIC AND GULP DISTRICT,
^ SEAFARKBS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA
VOL. V. 280 NEW YORK. N. Y., FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1943 No. 10
M:
Seafarers Defeats hocal WSA
Bureaucrat's Move To Handle
v.
Beef For Waterman Line
Last week the New York WSA bureaucrats attempted to move in
on a hearing before the New York port commissioner involving a dis
pute bet wen our union and the Waterman Steamship Company. Brother
John Hawk immediately disrupted the hearing when he refused to
proceed with the union's case as long as the WSA participated in the
hearing. He got in touch with Washington, demanding that the State
ment of Policy be enforced and the union left free to deal with the
shipowners directly and without WSA interference. Within 24 hours
the local WSA official was instructed to withdraw from the case and
sit only as an observer.
This was a signal victory for the union, for had the WSA par
ticipated in this hearing unchallenged, all sorts of precidents would
have been set for future interference with our union contracts.
The following exchange of telegrams between Brother Hawk and
Hubert Wyckoff explain tlu: situation in detail:
May 6, 1943
Admiral E. S. Land, Administrator
War Shipping Administration
Washington, D. C.
(Copy To Capt. Edward Macauley, Commissioner)
In the past the dealings between the Atlantic and Gulf District of
the Seafarers International Union and the operators-of contracted lines
has been conducted within the framework of the Statement of Policy and
labor relations have been on a workable basis. However, a violation of
the Statement of Pcdicy has developed in New York, and if this viola
tion is not checked at once it may serve W undermme tTie Statement
{Contitnicd OIP Pag<t 4)
Editorial
However much certain labor leaders and boss politicans may
try to distort it, the issue in the coal fields is not John L. Lewis.
The issue is a living wage for the miners.
But in a broader sense it is even more than that—it is a ques
tion of a living wage for all American workers. For the infamous
Little Steel Formula, which freezes wages while prices and profits
soar, not only shackles the miners, but the auto workers and the
steel workers and the seamen as well.
The miner's struggle against the WLB, "a court packed
against labor," is all labor's struggle. A miners' victory over the
WLB and the Little Steel Formula, would be a victory for all
union men from coast to coast.
We rcpsat, the issue is not John L. Lewis, but the right to
collective bargaining in order to win decent wages and working
conditions.
Shipowners Work
Charity Racket
John Shipowner is right in there
Etching, trying to make the pub
lic think that the closest thing to
his heart is the health and welfare
of the seamen. He has even been
ynaking .lavish donations to the
phoney United Seamen's Service in
order to impress all with his hu
manity and patriotism.
Some people might have been
taken in by the act, but not the
Kamen. They knew from bitter
experience that those babies just
don't let go of a nickel unless they
have to. This week the mystery of
the shipowners' concern for the
seamen was cleared up—all dona
tions for seamen's welfare is charg
ed to the government on a cost
plus system. It doesn't cost the
dfciipowncr a single red cent of his
war profits!
When this was first exposed in
"Washington the shipowners began
{Continued on Page 3)
SECURITY WATCH
NEGOTIATION
Negotiations arc now being car
ried on with the Waterman, South
Atlantic and Mississippi Steamship
Companies in the POrt of Mobile
for the purpose of establishing se
curity watches.
These negotiations are expected
to be brought to a successful con
clusion within the next 24 hours.
District WLB Upholds Phoney
Decision On New England Case
The Boston Regional War Labor Board has voted 4 to 2 that men sailing the scows
operated by the New England line are not entitled to any wage increases, even though
the union proved beyond doubt that they were working under a sub-standard scale.
The majority of the Board upheld in every detail the finky decision handed down
in March by referee Robert S. Coit when he denied wage increases under the Little Steel
* Formula. To begin with the unioa
mi_ IbiT* A _i rg-ig "VSrY based its petition for increases
JL A TT 1 dWw on the fact that the New England
men were^ being paid sub-standard
wages. Even the WLB's Little Steel
Formula allows for increases in
cases of substandard conditions.
Coit, however, twisted the unions'
case and used the infamous fw-
mula to deny all of the SIU de
mands.
When the case was first refered
to the Boston Regional Board the
union objected to the procedure
for it knew that the Board was
under the influence of the slup
owner. At that time Secretary-
Treasurer John Hawk sent the fol
lowing telegram to William Davis:
MP. William H. Davis, Chairman
National War Labor Board
Washington, D. 0.
We have had no answer .to-.our
letter of March 26, 1943, concern-
ing case number 956, in the mat
ter of New England Steamship
Company and Seafarers' Interna
tional Union. Wo requested that
this case be referred to the Mari
time Panel of the National War
Labor Board. Wo have now in
directly learned that the case haa
been referred to the Boston War
Labor Board. We wish to state
that past experience has shown
that a fair hearing in matters
pertaining to th^ New York, New
Haven and Hartford RailroaA
owners of the New England
Steamship Company, can not be
had in New England or New York
where its influence is so far
reaching; the situation calls for
a hearing in Washington removed
from this atmosphere. In faimesa
this request should be granted.
Seafarers International Union
Of North America
JOHN HAWK,
Secreta ry - Treasu rer
But in spite of this appeal, the
SIU case went to the regional
board upon the direction of the
national board. ITie union then
asked that it be allowed to appear
before the board to present its
case. Here again the seamen were
double crossed and the hearings
{Continued on Page 4)
Agents Conference
A conference of all" Agents of
the Atlantic and Gulf District of
the SIU will open in New York
City Wednesd.ay morning at 10
A.M., May 26.
The next issue of the Log will
carry full details on the work of
the conference.
• vY'-.;
' ff. iV
N
yi-\ V',
http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html
W3
Page Tw© KE SEAFA Pv
liV ••
W
SEAFARER S LOG
Published by the
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Atlantic and Gulf District
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
HARRY LUNDEBERG ------ President
110 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif.
JOHN HAWK ------- Sccy-Treas.
2 Stone Street, New York City
MATTHEW DUSHANE - - - Washington Rep.
424 Sth Street, N. W., Washington, D. C.
Directory of Branches
BRANCH ADDRESS PHONE
NEW YORK 2 Stone St
Dispatcher's Office BOwIing Green 9-8346
Agent BOwIing Green 9-3437
BOSTON 330 Atlantic Ave.... Liberty 4057
BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St Calvert 4539
PHILADELPHIA 6 North 6th St Lombard 7651
NORFOLK. 25 Commercial PI Norfolk 4-1083
NEW ORLEANS 309 Chartres St ...Canal 3336
SAVANNAH 218 East Bay St Savannah 3-1728
TAMPA.,..; 423 East Piatt St Tampa MM-1323
MOBILE 55 So. Conception St Dial 2-1392
PUERTO RICO 45 Ponce de Leon Puerto de Tlerra
GALVESTON 219 20th Street Galveston 2-8043
FT. LAUDERDA1.E 2021 S. Federal Highway..
PUBLICATION OFFICE:
ROOM 213, 2 STONE STREET
New York City BOwling Green 9-8344
I. OI\
^ASHirVGTOIV
• BV MATT+I6W DuSHAMfeeL
Two SIU Ships Account For
15 Planes: Win Citations
The S.S. William Moultrie and the S.S. Virginia Dare
both fully manned by SIU crews, are probably the two
outstanding merchant ship gladiators of this war. Between
them they shot down 15 Nazi planes, damaged many more,
and drove oflF innumberablc Nazi subs and surface raiders.-
Both ships and their crews were
commended by the authorities and
received extensive write-ups of
their exploits in London and New
York papers.
On Sunday, March 21, the Lon
don newspaper News of the World
carried a front page story on the
Moultrie. Here is what it said:
"An Allied convoy has crossed
the Atlantic after being under al
most uninterupted attack from
U-Boat packs and planes for a
whole week. A Liberty ship named
the William Moultrie, carrying a
valuable military cargo, had shot
down eight German planes and
damaged 12 others during a com
bined air and U-boat attack on the
convoy.
"On one occasion enemy raiders
came over in great force, but three
bombers were shot down, and six
Others damaged. In a similar at
tack next day three more planes
were shot down and six moie dam
aged. On two other occasions
single planes were shot down.
"One submarine was driven off,
and at another time a torpedo rac
ing towards the ship was exploded
by a direct hit from the William
Moultrie before reaching its tar
get."
The newspaper then paid high
tribute to both the merchant and
gpn crews.
The S.S. Virginia Dare received
tribute in the April 21 issue of the
JV. Y. Times. "She was a new Lib
erty ship," wrote the Tijncs, "the
Virginia Dare, on her maiden voy
age, She must have seemed a help
less target to the seven enemy
bombers, including at least two
German Junkers-88s, that tried to
sink her. Yet the Virginia Dare
and her "green gun crews' shot
down the seven bombers and her
cargo of war goods got through.
"The Navy today revealed how
the relatively vulnerable merch
antman picked off the seven enemy
planes in two days with warship-
like precision. As far as has been
reported, it is one of the best rec
ords for a ship of her type against
aircraft attacks, and it won Navy
citations for 'outstanding bravery,
cooperation and d e V o ti o n to
duty'."
The crews of both the Moultrie
and Virginia Dare have returned
to port and their Orews are now
preparing to ship out again. It is
these merchant heros that the
RMO would draft into the army
if they refuse to sign the fink
cards.
Well, they didn't sign the fink
cards and they continue to deliver
the goods as union men.
Florida Closed Shop Bap
Submited To Electorate
TALEAHASSEE, Fla. — The
Florida House concurred with the
Senate in a proposed constitutional
amendment which would outlaw
labor's closed-shop contracts in the
state.
The p ro p o s e d constitutional
amendment will be submitted to
the voters in the 1944 general elec
tion. If approved, Florida will be
come the first state to abofish the
closed shop by .constitutional
amendment.
(Pvcport of May 3)
Wod'time War
Emergency Board:
J. Volpian, SIU Patrolman,
N.Y.: S.S. Robin Gray berthed at
Tillbury docks, London, was
bombed—^Board ruled men entitled
to attack bonus. S.S. Robin Gray
passed line between Cape Trafal
gar and Cape Spartel at Gibralter
and anchored. Board ruleil men
entitled to only one bonus, provid
ed vessel did not enter any other
area in Mediterranean. If vessel en
tered any other area in Mediter
ranean and then passed through
the Straits of Gibralter, men would
be entitled to two other bonuses.
J. Hawk, Sec.-Treas., SIU: S.S.
Tristran Dalton: While laying at
anchorage at Oran, general alarm
was sounded, port was bombed.
Board has ruled that crew are en
titled to attack bonus.
J. Flanagan, SIU Agt., Balti
more: S.S. Lou Gehrig: Vessel was
in Oran and crew claimed port at
tack bonus. Board is investigating
and checking with Naval author
ities as to attack. The crew of the
Benjamin Harrison, while being re
patriated on the S.S. Allen A. Dale,
were in Oran, ^an attack occured
on that date and the Board ruled
both crews were entitled to attack
bonus. In the case of the Gehrig,
the time element will determine
when the attack occured. Crew of
Gehrig should recheck on when
they arrived in Oran and when
their vessel left port. It is import
ant for all ships' crews to check
on their arrival and departure
times.
M. Weisberger, Agt. SUP, N.Y.:
S.S. Ambrosia Burnside was in
Oran when' city was attacked.
Board's policy is that when the
town or locality is attacked, bonus
is payable to crews in the harbor.
It is not necessary for the .ships to
be attacked. S.S. Matthew Luck-
cnback crew . were on board the
S.S. Ulsterman being repatriated.
Crew is entitled to attack bonus
if in the area when English Coast
was being attacked. Board is check
ing with the Navy for more infor
mation. Expect a favorable de
cision.
Coast Guard:
Shipping Commissioners have
been logging ships' crews and in
cluded in the logs are bonuses. The
C. G. base their legal right on "a
court decision of tlje "LAKOS vs.
SALIARTS" FEDERAL REGIS
TER 2nd SERIES. XU PAGES No.
441-4.40." In this case, a Greek
there is certain work that must bc-
done in order to make the vessels
sea worthy and if the crews are
not on board to do this work, ves
sels would not be in a sea-worthy
condition to- proceed on their voy
age.
Congress took into consideration
the argument that the employers
had presented and enacted as part
of the law a clause that gave the
employer the privilege to log mem
bers of ships crew who do not
carry out their duties while in port.
This part of the law gives the
employer the privilege to log any
seaman TWO DAYS for every
day that the seaman absents him
self from work while in port. It
also gives the employer the right
to employ someone in the place of
the absent seaman to do any work
that is necessary to make the ves
sel sea-worthy. If it costs the em
ployer more than two days wages
to do this work, they can log the
seaman the cost to cover wages
that they have paid to the worker
to do the work.
In my opinion, the employer is
covered by the law to cover any
additional cost in making any re
pairs for his vessel to keep it in a
sea-worthy condition and that
when the shipping commissioners
insist on logging men part of their
bonuses, they are out of line and
it is not legal.
In one instance, a seaman was
logged $28.0.00 for taking oS. U
days. It certainly does not seem
to me that the employer would
have had tOs pay a man $280.00 to
replace an Able Seajnan to paint
the side for 1J days.
This is one case that looks' to
me like a flagrant violation of the
l^w. And another point that must
be borne in mind is that the area
bonus is an additional compensa
tion for the hazard encountered by
the seaman in doing his duty and
has no bearing whatsoever on the
maintaining of ship's gear while
the yesel is in port.
There seems to be several opin
ions here in Washington on the le
gal status of the C.G. in giving out
the order that they have given to
the shipping commissioners and it
is my opinion thaf if we cannot
get this mess strfightened out, y/.e
will have to take the case to court.
This involves a great deal of the
searni<^ti's earnings h is cer
tainly the Union's duty to protect
their members.
(Report of May 10)
AjLF is holding, a celebration in
, ,, , ( Washington on May 21, 1943 at
seaman sued to collect bonus as Consti^tW Hah, on the part that
part of his wages and the case was
based under a Greek fo-v. The
court ruled that under the Greek
law, seamen's bonus is part of his
wages and the C.G. have notified
all shipping comtnissioners to. de
duct bonuses as part of wages
when seameo are being logged.
In the passage of the Seamen's
Act, better known as the LaJE^hette
Act, the employers' position was
that when their vessels are in port.
tho AFL members are taking in
this war. They have requested
that the SUE and the Seafarers
Isend some of their members who
have been torpedoed to take pact in
this, celebration. We ah know the
campaign that Capt. Eddie Rick-
onBacker h^, been, carrying on
against organized labor, this is tdie
AJFL'a 3ns.wer to his, malarltey.. AU
our agents within the immediate
vicinity of Washington should
contact the membership and see
if we can get some of our mem
bers to attend this gathering.
Chinese Exclusion Act:
The first convention of the AFt
in 1881 "Declared 30 years of ex
perience- of the Pacific Coast with
Chinese labor had proved their
competition with white labor was
the greatest evil with which a
country could be afflicted; that
publicity as to its true character
be" disseminated throughout the
country and Congress be urged to
enact an exclusive act."
In 1882 the legislative commit
tee of the AFL reported monster
demonstrations everywhere against
Chinese immigration. Bill passed
by Congress was not satisfactory
and had been made inoperative on
the Pacific Coast by a government
official and Judges of California.
Through the efforts of the AFL,
Congress enacted laws which pro
hibited the Chinese from entering
the United .States for the purpose
of competing with American La
bor. We all recall the Dollar Line
and other S.S. companies' strong
fight against the unions in the use
of Chinese seamen on board Am
erican ships. This is not ancient
history to the American seamen.
On February 17, 1943, Con
gressman Kennedy introduced H-R.
1882, to grant to the Chinese
rights.. of entry to the United
States and rights to citizenship. On
March 26, 1943, Congressnjan
Magnuson introduced H-R 2309
to amend the Immigration Act of
1924, as amended, to provide that
aliens who are subjects of China
shall be admitted into the United
States under such act. On April
7, 1943, Congressman Dickstein
introduced H-R 2428, to repeal
the Cliinese exclusion Act.-
The American seamen are CQja-
tributing more towards the war
effort than any other group of
workers in the United States. The
job that they are doing is to keep
up the American standards of liv
ing today, and with the purpoce
of retaining these conditions after
the war.
It is not their intention to do
this job today and find out that
tomorrow or thereafter, John .Ship
owner can discharge all American,
crews when his vessels arrive at f
Chinese port and hire a cqtnplete
Chinese crew at a monthly wage
{Continued on Page 4)
LUIGJ GALLO
Your seamen's papers are in
hands of $0,1 C. $erenholtz, 312
Equitable BIdg., Baltimore.
JOSEPH D. BLAKE
ALBERT BROOKS
WILUAM BUTLER
WILLIAM Q. C^||.
Please communioate wiilv SoU.
Berenholtz, 312 Equitable BIdg.,
Baltimore.
?.
Vi
•411
http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html
THE SBAFARERS^ LOG
'l.l ' ' I li .III'' Ml I'll'"
Eage HKW
k/'
WHArS DODIQ
Around the Ports
MOBILE
April 14, 1543
Editor Mobile Press Register,
Mobile, Alabama.
Dear Mr. Editor:
I have been observing your ed
itorials very keenly ever since the
elections last Fall, and it is very
obvious who is dictating the poli
cy of your FREE public.ations.
Your paper just reprints the words
of a Capt. Rickenbacker.
We know that he survived some
days on a life raft some where in
the Pacific Ocean recently, natur
ally that gives him the right to
tour the country knocking off
thousands of war workers in war
plants, delaying and holding up
the work in the plants and retard
ing the War effort, preaching
about absenteeism.
Why doesn't Capt. Rickenback
er address Congress and tell Con
gress how unpatriotic Absenteeism
is in War time. I don't think the
Congressmen get docked when
they are absent.
Mr. Editor we have Seamen of
the merchant marine, the most vi
tal unit of men in the war effort
in the country today, these men
are being torpedoed and shelled by
enemy submarines every day and
drifting around on life rafts for
months. In my opinion these men
are really patriots, these men have
a job to do and they are doing it
without any fanfare or ballyhoo,
but I don't suppose you will agree
l'\ with me as they don't represent
p/ some monopolistic group.
Your paper .condemns any in
crease in wages for the man that
have to work for a living, but on
the other hand you also condemn
a ceiling on high salaries, as the
President ordered some time ago.
Now Mr. Editor, if that is not
the height of reactionary incon
sistency, then fake the velvet mop.
In your March 31st, 1543 edi
tion of the Register you gave Par
ticular space in the editorial to
blasting all union representatives
as racketeers, burning up precious
rubber and gasoline going from one
city to another, browbeating free
American workers into unions so
their pockets can be picked for
more dues. And the poor sailors,
soldiers and marines on furloughs
have to walk.
Mr. Editor, do you know that
union representatives, like every
body else in the country, have to
prove to. the ration boards that
they do essential driving to obtain
B. or C. ration cards.
You may not know it, but
when any labor representative
keeps grievances in the plants to
a minimum and keep the men on
the jobs,, they are essential to the
war effort. With all the vicious-
ness the men have to contend with
now from the Boss, you define
these people as racketeers. I pre
sume you know it but you keep it
concealed that all boni-fide labor
organizations have a constitution
and by-laws that's been ratified
by the rank and file of the organi-
W zation. These representatives that
you refer to as racketeers have to
adhere to these by-laws the same
as any other member in the or
ganization in the performance of
their duties. So you see, you just
can't term collecting dues under
these conditions illegitimate in any
sense of the word.
Mr. Editor, you remember some
years back during the Republican
regime that all the fat mail con
tracts were dished out to the large
corporations without being put out
on bids. You remember that I
presume.
You, no doubt, will call that
method of accumulating money
legitimate? But in my opinion that
is typical racketeering. During
the last World War this same ele
ment, from 1917 to 1920, embrac
ed the opportunity while the back
bone of the land was overseas, to
steal the country away from the
people; and it took the people
twelve years to get it back from
them.
Again we are confronted with
the same predicament, this same
element is trying to steal the coun
try away from the people the same
way that they did in 1917 to 1920.
Well, let us wait and see how well
they are going to do the job this
time. The people of the country
are more wise to this minority
group how than they were in the
last war, so you see you just can't
tell yet.
Mr. Editor it may pay you bet
ter to contribute a little effort to
winning this war instead or pro
longing the war. You consistently
keep blasting Labor organizations
for what?
Remember one thing, Mr. Edit
or, the laboring class is the back
bone of the country and his labor
organizations is the only protec
tion and the only bulwork against
the vicious industrial giants. He
realizes it rtiore every day of his
life, with all your reactionary ed
itorials he still realizes it, and I
don't tlrink he is going to be fool
ed so easy this time.
Very truly yours,
OLDEN BANKS, Agent,
Seafarers' International Union;
of North America,
Mobile, Ala.
NEW ORLEANS
Once again the old war cry, pre
paration plus. After all, the lads
sailing the ships are to be allowed
a little confusion while on the
beach. After all, when the brains
of the Nation can not make up
their minds, who will blame old
John Work-Ox from being slight
ly befuddled. From what the pa
pers say it seems that the draft
boards themselves are determined
to induct everyone into the army
including themselves. These local
boards are so mixed up that I un
derstand they are going to devote
all their time from now on trying
to unravel the point system so that
they can eat.
All the above is just a prelude to
the fact that if these boards can't
get straight, who are we to expect
the RMO to get on and stay on
the beam. On one ship they say
do this, next ship do that. One of
the palatial rust pots came side
winding up the river and when we
interviewed everj'onc in town and
got the right to take our special
little armed guard to the packet,
we found a note from the above
board telling the men that they
were entitled to six days ashore
provided they contacted the local
RMO office. Some of these men
had been aboard the ship for as
high as three years, still they were
to be allowed six days and this,
mind you, 4f they contacted the
RMO. We took our usual peek in
the crystal and told the boys that
some one was making a slight mis
take and not to even accept the
pretty little cards. That after all,
the man with the long grey whisk
ers had said up to thirty days, that
if you sailith and returnith you
shall be allowed two days for each
week. I contend that no local of
fice can change this ruUng, we will
know soon.
Did I tell you guys about the
lad that sailed strictly NMU since
it first smellcd up the waterfronts?
This lad would argue all day that
it was the only seaman's union. He
advanced to the lofty rating of
third engineer and was shipped
aboard a SIU ship for his second
trip on his ticket. Now our hero
girded his loins (whatever they
are) and prepared to do or die for
the NMU. When the ship headed
to sea to his surprise the men on
watch did their work and, in fact,
helped him a little. He though
that this was wrong as his NMU
boys didn't do that. So for six
months our hero of Currenski sat
around and argued the relative
merits of the unions. When the
overtime was checked he told all
hands that we would never collect
that. When work was to be done
all hands were present and did it.
When drinking was to be done all
hands did that, too, no bum argu
ments allowed. The upshot was,
on payoff the ex-disciple of "no
coffee time" stated that from now
on he would sail strictly SIU. A
few days after being in port he
brought his kid brother to the hall
and asked if it would be posible for
I the lad to get a book. Laid the
i money on the line for the boy's
book when he passed a committee
and stated that he was also going
to convert his other brother, who
is sailing A.B. in the NMU.
Steady as she goes.
ARMY.
MONEY DUE
Charity Racket
{Continued front Page 1)
to scream^ that they were being
smeared. Senator George L. Aiken
of New Hampshire replied prompt
ly, "I know it is true." He then
added that he has in his possession
the photostat of a confidential or
der signed by William Radner,
WSA general' counsel, informing
shipowners that their contributions
to the USS "nwy be included in
the overhead expense of the agents
in calculating any adjustment of
compensation imder provisions of
sections 10 and H of General Or
der No. 12.
And all this was printed in the
shipowners' mouthpiece. The Jour
nal of Commerce for April 30.
Crew cf John Davenport have
$125 port attack bonus due. Collect
at Eastern S.S. Company, Pier 25,
North River, N.Y.C.
» • •
Meal money for Stewards Dept.
on Richard Henry Lee, being paid
by Calmar Line, 25 Broadway,
N.Y.C.
* * *
Crew of S.S. Beauregard have
Russian bonus money due from
Amtorg Co., 210 Madison Ave.,
N.Y.C.
Crew of S.S. Jean have 12 hours
overtime coming. Collect at Bull
Line, 115 Broad St, N.Y.C.
* ^ *
Crew of S.S. William Moultrie
who paid off April 2, 1943, have
overtime money due. Collect at
Robin Line Office, 39 Cortland St.,
New York City.
* » »
J. S. BULLOCK
H. L. MILSTEAD
Division of wages for missing
man on 12-4 watch. City of St.
Louis, can be collected at Water
man office. Mobile.
» • *
Crew of Robin Gray can collect
$125 attack bonus money at office
of Seas Shipping Co., Inc., 39 Cort-
landt Street, New York. MWEB
ruled Tillbury is within Port of
London.
» » »
Crew which made the last trip
on the S.S. Daniel Huger, have $125
port attack bonus money coming.
Collect at office of Mississippi Line.
The crews that made the last trip
on the S.S. Marina, S.S. Cape Heii>
lopen, S.S. Thomas Ruffin and
S.S. William Rawie were paid off
with 40^ bonus instead of 100%
for the part of the voyage between
Panama and Cape Horn. They cani
now celleet the 50% additional
money from the Bull Line office in
New York City.
* » »
The crew whiph made the last
trip on the S.S. Joseph Huges have
bonus money coming. Collect at
Bull Line, New York City.
» » »
Crew making the last trip on
S.S. Tristram Dalton have $125
port attack bonus money coming.
Collect at Bull Line, t15 Broad
Street, New York City.
»
Deck Department of the Alcoa
Polaris have overtime coming. Col
lect at 17 Battery Place, New York
City.
*
Stewards Dept. on S.S. Richard
Bassett have overtime coming.
C. Albiny 114 hrs.
(Also Division of Wages
For 1 month and 4 days)
Everett* Hickman 68 hrs.
Robert Moore 24 hra.
96 hrs. S. Brown
P. Marshall
C. Johnson .
^(X^/z hrs.
8 hrs.
(Also Division of wages
for 1 month and 4 days)
Colect Bull Line office, 115 Broad
Street, New York City.
Out of the Focsl
by
S- a.. J
The Agents Conference is going to be held in. New York for the
first time. We hope they all manage to have a good time while here.
The brothers will have a chance to meet all the Agents of the Branches
in New York on Wednesday, May 26. Get to know your officials and
make suggestions for the improvement and progress of our organiza
tion.
AAA
We made a visit to the three places where you may find SIU men,
the Alhambra Bar, the Somerset and the Seamen's Club on 43rd Street.
At the Somerset we ran into Henry Armstrong just back from a long
trip and Worthmore (Pete) Dobson telling us he had a job as 1st As
sistant. We were glad to see Sulo (So Sorry) Saari get back safely. So
Sorry was good enough to take us to "Sons of Fun," the Olsen and
Johnson spectacle.
AAA
Percy Cranford lost one of his fingers on an Alcoa ship and big-
hearted Dawson offered him $35.00. Why, even the Calmar Line would
offer a lot more money for that kind of injury. Dawson must think
the Banana Boat is still arriving in New York with a bunch of "Pine
apples" aboard. Royal Dryden got married in London. Paul Jones i?
anxious to get his girl into the United States.
AAA
Harry Morea was 27 months in the Foreign Legion. Staff Sergeant
Daniel Bourne dropped into Headquarters to say Hello. Stephen Sil-
kotch is out of the Army and an active seaman again. Nelson Mc-
Gillis is trying hard to get out of the Army and Headquarters is doing
everything to help him. The seamen at Gladstone, New Jersey, wish
to thank the TAM Q SHANTER CLUB of Kearney, for the many
courtesies they extended them. They deeply appreciate their entertain
ment and food given them. Kris Hurst is having a good time in Win
ston-Salem with Forest Gilbert. Jean Jadot has joined the Navy ami
Raymond Sexauer has joined the Air Corps. We wish them God speed.
ATLANTIC AND GULF SHIPPING FOR
APRIL 19 TO MAY 1
DECK ENGINE STEWARD TOTAL
SHIPPED 279 290 206 7^
REGISTERED 270 273 126 669
ON HAND ^ 191 190 116 497
IS
/
Mi
4ii'i
.li
/I
http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html
Page Four fHE SEAFARERS' LOG Friday, May 14, 1943
REPORT FROM
Washington
Decision On New England Case
"
fS.
Ilf
I
m
ft
li
li-
(Confhtued from Page 2)
that the average American seaman
would pay for a round of drinks
for his shipmates along the Em-
barcadero.
There is no 'denying the fact
that the Chinese are putting up a
splendid fight against the armed
forces of Tojo, but does that give
/them the right to come to the
United States to compete with Am
erican Labor? Or does that give
John Shipowner the right to fire
all American crews and hire Chin
ese in their places? Wlty should
this right be limited only to Chin
ese? Are not other Congressmen
also going to introduce other leg
islation to allow all the citizens of
the other allied nations to come
into the United States to compete
with American labor? It seems to
me that this business of the FOUR
FREEDOMS is being over played
by some of our ptfiiticians. There
is a continual harping by some of
our legislators and some of the
new dealers that we must feed and
free the whole world. It sounds to
me like an INTERNATIONAL
WPA.
Winston Churchill seems to dif-
ifer on the interpretation that some
of our leaders have set up on the
FOUR FREEI3OMS, he has stated
that he is not going to relinquish
" any of the jurisdiction of the Brit
ish Empire, or give any of their
-colonies away by vote or other
•wise. The only way that the Brit
ish Government is going to relin
quish any of their colonics will be
by their government being over
thrown by force, and the tenacity
of John Bull will show its might
by a long drawn out war of ex
termination to any nation or group
of people who might be inclined
to challenge tire might of the Brit
ish Empire.
The people of the United States
In electing representatives to the
Congress do so with the intention
that these people are to represent
the interests of the people of Am
erica first, but it seems that some
of them arc of a very gullible na
ture, and arc easy victims to hard
luck stories and make an easy
touch. Or else they are not ruled
by historical facts, sane reasoning,
or are emotional inclined to ride
politically on the waves of public-
"•fty given to certain representatives
of some of our allies in this coun
try.
If the legislation that has been
introduced in Congress by the
gentlcm-cn who were elected to
look after American interest first,
should pass, it means that within
a few years there will be no more
American seamen employed on
board the merchant ships, that
arc being paid for . by the income
taxes of the American public.
We must fight this legislation
to the bitter end.
1^; • 1 ' Maritime War
Emergency Board:
L. Coffin, Patrolman, SIU, N.Y.,
S.S. John Davenport was in the
port of Algiers. Ships guns were
used against the enemy. Board has
ruled crew Is entitled to attack
bonus. (Master failed to enter into
log book that attack took place).
J. Flanagan, SIU Agt., Balti
more. Agent sent in report that
S.S. Lou Gehrig was in Oran. Board
ruled no attack bonus payable as
per ij^jE^mation th^ had re,-,
ceivecT there was no attack, on that
di.£e.
Crew of the Benjamin Harrison
were repatriated on the S.S. Shaw
nee, now an Army Transport.
Crew were ordered to work and
were detailed to stations in the gal
ley and elsewhere by Maximilian
Elser, Jr., Major TC. Under the
board's decision crew are entitled
to wages for every day that they
worked, but not double bonus.
M. Weisberger, Agt. SUP, N.Y.
Crew of the Matthew Luckenback
who were being repatriated on the
"Royal Ulsterman" and were in
the vicinity of Glasglow are en
titled to a bonus.
On the S.S. Ambrosia Burnside
in Oran, Board contends that crew
are not entitled to attack bonus,
claiming that the information that
they have there was no attack in
that port on date presented.
It is important that all ships'
crews keep some kind of data on
when these attacks took place,
when there are in any areas where
in there is an attack. It must also
be borne in mind that if the ships
are alongside of a dock, or an
chored, and the attack took place
in the near vicinity of the town,
they have a good claim for an at
tack bonus.
Last week the board ruled that a
vessel that was tied up in Tillbury
docks, crew was entitled to a bonus
for an attack that took place in
London. This port of Tillbury is
around 39 miles from London, and
is on the Thames river. Crews
should take the time and date of
any 'attacks in the vicinity that
they are in whenever there is an
attack. If possible get newspaper
clippings from the local papers of
any attacks that may have occured
when their vessel is in the attack
vicinity.
SEAMEN RETAIN
JONES ACT RIGHTS
WASHINGTON, D. C.:—Mer
chant Mamen serving aboard ves
sels operated either directly or
through agents of the War Ship
ping Administration were return
ed to the status of private em
ployes under the provisions of a
bill signed last week by President
Roosevelt.
Formerly seamen serving on
WSA owned or operated vessels
technically became government
employes and surrendered many
rights as private employes in ex
change for less desirable protection
under the Federal Employes Com
pensation Act. Under the new law
seamen sailing WSA ships continue
to have the right to sue the ship
owner as provided by the Jones
Act.
(Conimtted from Page
were held secretly and swiftly with
only the shipowner (in the person
of referee Coit) presenting full
and complete arguments. At that
time the SIU sent the follow peti
tion to the regional board:
1. The maladjustment principle
was inaccurately applied. Referee
Colt states that a comparison of
the weighed average monthly earn
ings for January 1, 1941 and May 1
1942 indicates ̂
Since when is the base of the for
mula computed on "take-home
wages". It is the average hourly
straight time rate tiiat ie used as
the base for computation of earn
ings. The earnings used by the
referee include overtime payments.
Also by a "proper" selection of the
months of January—an off season
montli—and May—an on season
montli—the referee was able to find
a 23.1% increase. There are lies,
damn lies, and Referee Coifs stat
istic!?.
2. These employees are not com
mon laborers. Referee Coit is ap
parently not acquainted with hte
maritime Industry. JHowever, for
reasons unstated he concludes that
tliese employes are common labor
ers. He has badly overlooked tiie
fact that to do the work of these
employees it is necessary to obtain
a federal license and to have serv
ed either at sea or on Inland,water
for a period of time, before being
properly qualified, from 6 to 18
months. The Union contends that
they know of no common laborer
working for a machine shop or a
public utility company who must
meet these qualifications. No def
inition by the Bureau of-Labor of
a common laborer has ever Includ
ed seamen.
3- The data used by the referee
to siiow common labor rates were
umeliable and Inaccurate. Referee
Coit, having arbitrarily classified
these men a.s common laborers,
then strains to find some basks of
comparison. He requested the Re
search Department at the National
War loibor "Board to procure for
him common labor rates In the
area. The Research Department
wa.s unable to obtain data that was
less than two years old and .so in
formed him. Despite the fact that
he had been told the data was un
reliable and inacurate, nevertheless;
Referee Coit persisted in the use
of these phony data. The data he
did use represents common labor
lates paid by two public utility
companies and by two iriachlne
shops. The Union is at a loss to
understand the comparison bewteen
tlie work of a seaman and the com
mon laborers in these two distinct
industries. If the referee Insists
upon calling these men common la-
borer.s, then why has he overlooked
the rates paid in munitions plants
in tlie area and limited him.seif to
public utilities and machine .shops?
In summary, therefore, we sub
mit that for the reasons cited the
Union be given an opportunity to
appear before a hearing officer of
the Bo.ston Regional "'War Labor
Board along with representatives
of the Company in order that this
case may be properly and fairly
considered.
The union never even received
the courtesy of a reply from the
board. It was only after the case
had been disposed of that the SIU
received a curt notice that referee
Coit's findings had ben upheld
100%.
Now a new appeal has been pre
pared and forwarded to the Na
tional War LaK'^Soard in ^(Wash
ington, D. C. It is hoped that here
finally the seamen may at least re
ceive a decent hearing before their
case is disposed of.
What decision the National
Board will make is hard to predict*
but one thing is now clear, the Re
gional Board conducts its hearingt
in the most irresponsible manner
and is obviously influenced by the
employers and indifferent to the
living standards of the seamen*
The very manner in which the
board is constituted (labor having
but 2 votes out of 6) means that
union men have 2 strikes on them
from the first.
Durhig the pa»i*fcw luontbs the
entire WLB structure throughout
the country has lost the confidence
of labor. Just multiply the New
England decision by 1,000 coast to
coast and you can understand why.
B. Le Blano
E. Beckwith
James Gay
Charles Fabir
J. H. E. Morin
. P 8797
..P8411
P6^
Seafarers Defeats Local WSA
{Continued from Page 1)
and stable labor relations.
On May 5 th, I appeared before the U. S. Shipping Commisioner
Daly as the representative of two members of my uifion, one was de
moted and the other who was protesting an overcharge on a log. These
men were from the S.S. Ironclad, operated by the Waterman Steamship
Company. Present was Mr. Anthony Blasi, Associate Attorney for the
WSA, who said he represented the government and was present to pre
vent improper expenditure of money by the operator. This meant that
in reality the WSA was representing the Waterman Line. For the gov
ernment to inject itself in this manner means that it becomes a partisan
of the shipowner in the normal functioning of the collective apparatus.
It means that new and additional machinery has been injected into the
procedure of collective bargaining and this w* specifically forbidden
when our contrcts were frozen.
Section Til, Subsection (3) of the Statement of Policy reads, "It
is understood that all disputes will be settled through the regular ma
chinery now in existence under the ct>llective bargaining agreements
between the unions and the steamship operators."
This paragraph obviously forbids the establishment of new pro
cedure and machinery for the settlement of disputes heard before the
Commisioner in the normal course of our bargaining with the operator.
Moreover, should the WSA be allowed to inject itself into logging dis
putes, it would be a short step for it to inject itself into overtime dis
putes at regular sign-offs, and before long normal bargaim'ng relation
ship between the union and the operators would be completely des
troyed and the Statement of P<fiicy woiJd be a scrap of paper.
I am certain that it is your intent to fully observe the letter afii
spirit of the Statement of Policy, just as it is the intent of this union.
1 would "appreciate it, therefore if you would clarify this matter at
once so that we may proceed with this cose which has been suspended
pending your dedsibn.
JOHN HAWK;
Secretary-Treasurer
Atlantic and GrJf District
Seafarers International Union
Of North America f
John Hawk, Secretary- Treasurer
Seafarers Intemation Union ;
2 Stone Street, '
New York City
Reurtel May 6 to the Administrator copy to Deputy Admiiilstra-
tor Macauley proceeding before shipping commissioner effecting mem
bers of your union from S.S. Ironclad operated by Waterman, you are
correct in your understanding of the Statement of Policy in this con-
nc-ction.
Under die General Agency Agreement the steamship operator is
obligated to handle matters of this character including the furnishing
of attorney if necessary. Such being the case no participation in the
proceeding by any other representative of War Shipping Administration
is necessary or authorized. It is not believed that the associate attorney
for War Shipping Administration intended to participate in the pro
ceeding and to remove all doubt in anyone's mind he has been instruct
ed to ascer^in that the controversy is submitted to the shipping com
missioner in such a manner as to effect a final settlement of the claims
and to afford the general agent a proper basis for reimbursement, and
thereafter to confine his appearance to that of an observer.
HUBERT WYCKOFF J
War Shipping Administration -
Washington, D. C i
4
5 I
a|
pr'.
I'l d-;
Wii^'
,"11
http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html