http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/800a392e0746e55df2fe58ee304617ec.PDF 48d4f4179846e35fab0a3b9878682335 PDF Text Text «• SECURITY IN UNITY VOL. V. .UT ^J^^ARERS JOQ OFFICIAL CROAK OF THE ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT, 1 SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK, N. Y.. FRIDAY. AUGUST 20. 1943 No. 21 Crew Gets $7,000 Overtime; Our Working Rules Are Upheld WYCKOFF'S SABOTAGE BACKFIRES; SOUTH ATLANTIC UNE PAYS THROUGH THE NOSE The South Atlantic Steamship Line must pay 18 SIU men 90 cents an hour overtime for over 7500 hours! This was the de­ cision handed down this week by a U. S. Conciliation Service Referee, Bryce Holcombe, who had been appointed to settle the dis­ pute between the union and the company over the breaking of watches on the S.S. Schoharie when she was waiting for a convoj^ but was not in port. This was an extremely important victory for the union, not only because of the money involved and because it smashed the shipowner attempt to chisel our contract, but because it gave sharp answer to Mr. Hubert Wyckoff of the Wai^ Shipping Administration who sabotaged a security wztch^s^y, Atlantic Steamship Line agreement negotiated between the SIU and the operators. Savannah, Ga. Last May the union negotiated security watch agree­ Gentlemen: ments with the Mississippi, Waterman and South Atlantic In joint conference July 9th, Lines—^such agreements designed to meet war time condi­ 1943, at New York, N. Y., your undersigned representatives have tions which required security weu. this week he was instru- mutually agreed that pursuant to watches for ship safety in mental in forcing the South At­ Section 5 of the Labor Agree­ port. In order to conform lantic Steamship Company to pay ment which exists between the with the rules laid down in through the nose in order to in­ above named Company and the Security Watch Agree­ dulge his anti-union bias. And Union, the Director of the U. S. Hubert Wyckoff is also going to Service shall appoint ment, the Union agreed to be responsible for many thous­ Conciliation a referee, whose decision shall be amend certain working rules and dollars more that will be paid final and binding for the settle­ regulating breaking watches indirectly by the government be­ ment of the Union's wage claim in all ports. This agreement, cause he sabotaged the security for twenty (20) or less of the Company's employees, who serv­ negotiated in collective bar­ watch agreement. Mr.^ Bryce P. Holcombe, Com­ ed aboard the SS "SCHOHARIE" gaining between the union missioner, U. S. Conciliation Ser­ —said twenty (20) seamen were apd the operators, was- set vice, was the referee in the dis­ paid their regular wages March aside in a high handed and pute between the Union and the 12th, 1943. bureaucratic manner by Mr. South Atlantic Line. His analysis The parties herein named have pointed Bryce A. Holcombe, to act as such arbitrator. The Union states that the fol­ lowing ratings are involved in this proceeding: Able Seamen, Ordinary Seamen, Oilers, Watertenders and Firemen. THE ISSUE Under date of January 9th, 1941, the Seafarers' International Union of North America, herein­ after referred to as the Union, and the South Atlantic Steam­ ship Line, hereinafter referred to as the Company, entered into a sole bargaining agreement. This agreement is still in force. Specifically, the claim of the Union is that the members of the crew of the SS SCHOHARIE with the ratings heretofore set forth are entitled to overtime payment for work performed outside of their regular watches when the aforesaid vessel was detained at. . . . awaiting convoy. It bases its claim upon the existing agreement, which has heretofore been referred to, while the Company contends that it has abided by all the conditions of said agreement that the claim of the Union is unwarranted and should be rejected. It was agreed by the parties that the matter would be sub­ mitted upon brief. and decision is so lucid and em­ agreed that they would separate­ inently fair and impartial that ly submit to the U.S. Conciliation When Wyckoff pulled this fast we herewith print it in its en­ Service a written brief within one the Union said, "OK, if that tirety (eliminating port names the next few days. The Service Is the way you want it we'll slop and dates). shall render its decision based trying to reach any special agree­ ments for war time and demand PRELIMINARY STATEMENT upon the Labor Agreement and enforcement of our collective A dispute having arisen be­ the briefs submitted by the par­ bargaining contracts as they tween the parties whose names ties. stand." Bryce A. Holcombe. appear in the above caption, the Commissioner of U. S. Because Mr. Wyckoff was a following agreement was entered Conciliation Service. smart guy. because he thought he into; was successfully chiseling the New York, N. Y., (Holcombe's Report continues) seamen, the South Atlantic Line July 9th, 1943. must now shell out close to $7,000 Seafarers' International Union In accordance with the terms in overtime on one ship. And this 2 Stone Street of said agreement, the Director, is only the beginningi New York, N. Y. U. S. Conciliation Service, ap­ There are any number of skip­ pers, not only on the South At­ lantic Line ships, who thought they had the Union over the bar­ rel and they have been sticking the men with overtime work without paying for it. They are going to be called to line—and quick. The Journal of Commerce has a new mari­ type which marshalls overwhelming evidence • Wyckoff no doubt sold his su­ time editor. Ordinarily this would be an event to prove that while union men may mean well, periors the idea that he was sav­ of little interest to the seamen, but on this oc­ they aren't quite bright and for their own weling the government thousands of fa^-e the Shipowners must lead them around casion it is something to note. dollars by chiseling the seamen One of the requisites for getting a job as with a ring in their nose. out of their security watch agree­ The new Journal of Commerce maritime maritime editor op the Journal of Commerce ment. But the result has been is the ability to write about unions in such, a editor, one Stanley Ferguson by name, appears just the reverse. The operating manner that they appear as a bunch of gang­ to be of the latter school. This week he wrote costs are going to be much high­ sters intent upon blackmailing the shipowner a long editorial on the question of unemploy­ er now than they would have out of his hjrd earned, pityfully small profits, ment benefit for seamen. He assured his read­ been had the security watch and in raping his wife and daughter when his ers that the shipowners have always been in agreement been allowed to oper­ favor of such insurance for the men, and in back is turned. ate, The Journal of Commerce has had two the present Congressional hearings on the sub­ Mr. Wyckoff, the labor rela­ types of maritime editors in the past. One type ject they are bucking such legislation only tions Director of the JWSA is the is of the blood-and-guts school of journalism because the unions are demanding that the shining example of a labor-hating and attacks the seamen and the unions with a hiring hall be designated as the registration small-time bureaucrat who forthrightness that would do justice to Pegler. headquarters for the men — such a demand counts no cost too great if it reThe other type is the scholarly and objective (Continued on Page 3) suits in a blow at the Unions. WyckoflF. Journal Of Commerce Gets A New Maritime Editor—Same Scab Line • STATEMENTS OF FACTS The claim for overtime pay is asserted on behalf of eighteen (18) members of the crew of the SS SCHOHARIE; said voyage being from the . . . to . . . and ... At. . . the vessel was detain­ ed awaiting convoy. At these places, • where the vessel was an­ chored to await convoy, th^ Mas­ ter broke watches and the crew were required to work eight (8) hours a day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CONTENTION OF THE UNION The Union in support of its position states that when a ship is ready to leave port the watches are set; that when these watches are set they are, under the terms of the agreement not to be bro­ ken, that is, they are not to be set aside either to suit the con­ venience of the Master, until the vessel arrives "in port". The Union points out that there are times when there may very well be a temptation to break watches; that such an instance may occur where the ship arrives near a port and for some reason drops anchor; that under such circumstances the crew might desire that watches be broken and the "in port" working rules put into effect in order that they might go ashore; that this might conflict with the Master's plans, and, of course, the men would have no right to have watches broken; that, conversely, in a similar situation, the Master might desire to break watches in order to get more work done. The Union contends, however, that the Master under the terms of the agreement would not be free to break watches. This, the Union alleges, is what the Master did in the instant case. The Union aserts that the Mas­ ter, sensing that the enforced an-_ chorage might last for an indefin­ ite period of time broke watches in order to get more work out of the men, working them between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. instead of maintaining the watch­ es as they had been set; that by keeping watches he could not have had the seamen, especially on watch 3 do certain types of work without the payment of (Cotttinued on Page 4) V .t;> Miiii . ' 'Mi.'itl ' Jii -Tfl-'-r'rV*:f-t' �rK£:i^»£ AFAR EES ' Page Two 111'I SEAFARERS LOG Published by the 15?. SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNIGIi 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 ------- Secy-Treas. p. O. Box 25, Station P., New York Gty MATTHEW DUSHANE - - - Washington Rep, 424 5th Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. Directory of Branches BRANCH ADDRESS PHONE NEW YORK (4) 2 Stone St „ „ Deck & Engine Dispatcher. .BOwlingr Green 9-3430 Steward Dispatcher BOwling Green 9-6786 Agent BOwling Green 9-3437 BOSTON (10) ..330 Atlantic Ave Liberty 40S7 BALTIMORE (2) 14 North Gay St Calvert 4539 PHILADELPHIA « North 6th St Lombard 7651 NORFOLK 25 Commercial PI Norfolk 4-1083 NEW ORLEANS (16)... 309 Chartres St Canal 3336 SAVANNAH 218 East Bay St. Savannah 3-1728 TAMPA r..:.:.r........423 East Piatt St MOBILE PUERTO RICO GALVESTON FT. LAUDERDALE 55 So. Conception St 45 Ponce de Leon ;219 20th Street. 2021 S. Federal Highway. •w "w Tampa MM-1323 Dial 2-1392 Puerto de TIerm Galveston 2-8043 .Ft. Lauderdale 1601 PUBLICATION OFFICE; ROOM 213, 2 STONE STREET New York Gty BOwling Green 9-834d Dushane On WLB Biggs Organizes Maritime Panel Florida Fishermen Matthew Dushane, Washington Representative of the SIU=SUP, has been appointed official AFL member of the newly created maritime panel of the National War Labor Board. The Panel has been created to study and make recommendations to the WLB on disputed cases and voluntary wage adjustment cases involving all personnel employed on all ships. Chairman of the Panel is Prof. E. M. Morgan, acting dean of Harvard Law School, and Burton Oppenheim, deputy executive di­ rector of the WLB will serve as vice chairman. Bjorne Hailing, Washington Representative of the NMU will serve as the CIO member on the panel. i t: •. ir • ii'S' 111 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. —For the first time in history, Florida fishermen are organized under the aegis of the American Feder­ ation of Labor and are assured a living wage for the present. There are more than 450 com­ mercial fishermen in the new lo­ cal, which is a branch of the Sea­ farers International Union of North America. The organization work was done by Matt Biggs of New Orleans, international rep­ resentative of the SIU. The fishermen recently tied up their boats and refused to leave the docks until the price of grouper had been raised. The wholesale price had dropped from 8 to 6 cents a pound. So, finding individual action as useless as individual action al­ ways is, the fishermen barkened to the words of Biggs. Now most of the boats are on the job and the price of grouper has returned to 8 cents. Like an oldtime Sun­ day school book,,this story has a —MORAL: ORGANIZEI" J. B. Bryan, president. Pacific American Shipowners Associa­ tion; San Francisco, Calif.; and Edward J. Barber, president of the Barber Steamship Lines, New York City, wiU be the industry representative on the panel. Edward J. Neary, United Fruit The panel, which started ses­ Co., New York City; Willard A. sions at its headquarters at the Kiggins, A. H. Bull Steamship WLB on Monday, will make Co., New York City; T. N. Cook, findings and recommendations to Ocean Steamship Co., New York be filed with the NWLB which City; Philip Iglchart, Grace will make final determination of Lines, New York City; WiUiam all cases. Applications for volun G. Mull ins, American Merchant tary wage and salary adjustments Marine Institute, New York City, will be referred directly to the and Baired Tewksbury, Midland panel by the regional War Labor Steamship Co., Cleveland. Boards. Labor: ^ Frederick M. Myers, National Maritime Union (CIO); The board's order. creating the' Harry Martin, Masters, Mates, commission stated that the panel and Pilots (AFL); J. H. Blake, may sit as a three-man tri-partite Marine Engineers' Beneficial As­ panel, provided its tri-partite sociation (CIO); Harry Morgan, character is retained. American Communications Asso­ The following alternates were ciation (CIO); John Evans, In­ also announced by the WLB to- land Boatman's Union of the Pa­ flay: Industry; Chester W. Wil- cific (ClIO); John R. Owens, In­ letts, Great Lakes Towing Co ternational Longshoremen's As­ Cleveland; Captain O. Slack Bar- sociation (AFL), and Andrew Mc­ i-ett, Barrett Lines, Cincinnati; Donald, Radio Officers' Union. LOG Friday, August 20, 1943 ^ fR€POT?T OI\ -"^^ASHirVGTOIV JBVMATTJIWJJUSHAM^ LEGISLATION: C o ntinuation to be subject to revocation by any of the fight that was led by An­ ships officer at any time for any drew Furuseth for s e a m e n's reason or no reason, such revo­ rights, and the action that was cation being an absolute black taken at the conventions of the list and exile from the calling. American Federation of Labor. Not even the shipoAvner had the power -to return or replace it. 1909 19IQ Re-endorsed biU abolishing in­ voluntary servitude of American Condemned attempt to amend Seamen in foreign ports and pro­ New York pilotage law; Con­ hibiting under and unskilled demned "WELFARE PLAN" of manning of American Vessels. the Steel Trust. Urged Congress Nine thousand sailors, marine to make the seamen a free man, firemen and cooks had been com­ give him the right to help him­ pelled to struggle against condi­ self and improve the safety of tions sought to be imposed on travel at sea.'^his petition des­ them by the vessels' owners on cribing the status of seamen was the Great Lakes, who had declar­ endorsed: To those who govern ed for the so-called "OPEN nations, to those who make laws, SHOP" and almost immediately to humanitarians, democrats. had opened employment agencies Christians and friends of human tlirough which aU seamen were freedom everywhere, do we, the employed after renuciation of seamen, the yet remaining bond­ membership in any union. men, humbly, yet earnestly sub­ The ship owners in a large mit this< our petition that we may number of instances made it a be made free men and that the condition of employment that the blighting disgrace of bondage be men already employed, or seek­ removed from our labor, which ing employment, must make af- once was considered honorable, fadavit that they are not now, which is yet needed in the world nor will they be, affiliated with of commerce, and which has been any organization of labor while held to be of great importance to earning their bread as seamen. nations with sea coasts to defend. Still feeling that men might be Existing Maritime Law, except in willing to make such illegal af­ the domestic trade of these U. S., fidavits in order to continue in makes of us the property of the employment at times when em­ vessel on which we sail. We can­ ployment in other vocations was not work as seamen without sign­ scarce and difficult to obtain, and ing a contract which brings us' that, after all, they needed some under this law. stronger and, in their opinion, more enduring means of absolute The contract is fixed by law or control over seamen, they sent authorized, by governments. We special representatives to Great have nothing to do with its terms. Britain with a view of investi­ We either sign it or we sign it gating and, if suitable to their not and remain landsman. When purpose, employing a system signing this contract we surren­ which had been used by the ship­ der our working power to the will of another man at all times owners of that cDuntry. while the contract runs. We may These representatives returned not leave the vessel, though she and evidently reported that the is" in perfect safety. We may not English Shipping Federation Lim­ without the master's permission ited had been the means in that go to a mother's sick bed or fu­ country of depriving the seamen neral, or attend to any other of such hope and faith as, for a duties of a son, a brother, a long time, was sufficient to pre­ christian or a citizen. If the own­ vent any efficient organization er thinks he has reason to fe^ amongst them. At the same time that we desire to escape, he may, reducing the wages to such fig­ without judicial investigation, ures that it has been found in­ creasingly impossible to induce cause us to be imprisoned for white men to ship, and as- a re­ safe keeping until he shall think sult, 65,000 Chinese and Lascars it proper to take us out. If we arc now employed on British ves­ have escaped, he may publish our personal appearance along with sels. The Lake Carriers Associa­ a reward for our apprehension tion determined to adopt this and return. He may through system and impose it upon all its contracts between nations cause maritime employees. the peace officers and police to The ihain features, of it are: A aid him in recovering his prop­ certificate of membership' in the Shipping Federation, Limited, erty. Tbe paptain may change, containing an agreement in writ­ the owner-may change, we are ing to serve under any terms and sold with the vessel, and so long conditions imposed by the ship­ as the flag does not change there owners; a registration of name, is nothing except serious illness age, personal appearance, signa­ or our masters pleasure that will ture, if any visible personal pe­ release us from the vessel. The culiarities, such as birthmarks, master, acting for the vessel, may scars or other still more effective release himsejf and the vessel by paying a few dollars, with no al­ means of identification; an in­ dustrial passport, the holder of ternative. which is to be thus identified, He that owns another man's and a system of character mai-ks, labor power owns his body, since such as the master of a vessel the two cannot be seperated. We may choose to give, and upon stand in the relation to the vessel which future employment or non as a serf did to the estate, as the employment is to depend. In slave to the master. When serf­ fact, it was decidedly more vi­ dom was abolished in Western cious than even the English sys­ Europe, we were forgotten by the tem in that the Lake book was liberators and our status remain­ ed. When the slaves of the U.S^ and Brazil were emancipated our, status continued. When serfdona was abolished in Russia nd change came to us. We now raise our mancied hands in liumbls supplication to restore, to us our rights as brother men, to our laibor that honor which laelonged to it until your power, expressing itself through your law, set upon it the brand of bondage in the interest of cheap transporation by water. We respectfully submit that this serfdom of the men in our calling is of comparatively mod­ ern origin. Earlier maritime law bound while in strange countries and climes the seamen to his shipmates and his ship, and the ship to him, on the principle of common hazard. In his own coun­ try he was free—^the freest of men. We further humbly submit that, as the consciousness of the seamen's status penetrates through the population, it will be impossible to get free men to send their sons into bondage or' to induce free men's sons to ac­ cept it, and we, in all candor, re= mind you that you, when yoii travel by water, expect us—^the serfs—to exhibit in danger the highest qualities of free men, by giving our lives for your safety. At sea the law of common haz­ ard remains; there must be dis­ cipline and self-sacrifice, but in any harbor where the vessel and you are safe, we beseech you, give to us that freedom which you claim for yourself and which you bestow upon others, to the end that ^ we may be relieved, of that bitterness of soul that is the heavy burden of him who knows and feels that his body is not his own. I 1911 Urged passage of bill freeing seamen, and we hope and trust that the importance to the na­ tion, to the traveling public and to seamen employed is now suf­ ficiently well understood to stop further opposition and to pass ai just and to-long delayed measure. 1912 Seamen's bill passed the House. It restores freedom to the sea­ men; it provides a standard of skill for seamanship. It is draft­ ed with the design of equalizing the operating expenses of foreign vessels and American vessels. It will tend to build up the Ameri­ can Merchant Marine without subsidies or subterfuge. It will encourage the American to fol­ low the sea as a profession. Tt will provide in a much greater measure improved conditions of life on board ship for seamen. Its safety provisions wiU, to a con­ siderable extent, increase secur­ ity of life and property at sea. Above all and of vastly most im­ portance, it will abolish the last provisions in our statutory law for compulsory labor within the jurisdiction of the U. S. Seamen will no longer be deprived of their individual liberty, or be • compelled to suffer hardships and wrongs beyond what are natur­ ally inherent in their dangerous, hazardous "calling. {Contimied on Page 3) �'*5''fsSW/' j- •' • ;•'•• V Friday, August 20, 1843 THE ilEAFARERS WHAT'S DOING Around the Ports LOG Page Three 1 Washington Report {Continuei from Page 2) 1913 After many years of persistent endeavor we seciued the passage of the seamen's bill by Congress, March 2, 1913—but were astound­ ed to leam the President in the closing hours of that body had permitted the bill to die«by ap­ plying what is known as the "POCKET VETO" on the plea that it would interfere with "TREATY RIGHTS." The bill was again passed by the Senate and it is our firm conviction the House will pass it without amendment at an early date. Iramediate passage by the House and its approval by the President urged. , 1914 Insisted on passage of the sea­ men's bill, and urged the imme­ diate writing of letters to mem­ bers of Congress by citizens of their respective home districts. Urged Congress to so change our registration laws that any ves­ sel rated in the highest class of any responsible classification so­ ciety may be registered as an American vessel to sail in any trade, provided that she be com­ pelled to carry citizens of the U. S. as licensed officers. Absence of any standard of efficiency in the men employed is the direct causes of such man slaughter at sea as occured in the wrecks of the TITANIC, VOLTURNO, MONROE, EMPRESS OF IRE­ LAND and many others. We therefore call on Congress to pass the seamen's bill and for its im­ mediate signing by the Presi­ dent. The shipowners had op­ posed the bill ostensibly on the ground that it would be neces­ sary to change .sixteen treaties if it became law. pretty much of a shame to see a these ports and have them stand­ crew sail a ship when the orig­ ing by to take over when the We note in local publications inal crew got off in protest be­ union crew refuse to sign on. that some Congressmen and Sen­ cause of something that was de­ Well, I guess that I have bent ators are going to introduce a bill trimental to them. However, the your ears long enough, but in calling for the death penalty for men that sailed these two ships parting let me ask you this, when any one responsible for deliver­ were informed by the members you are on the beach come to ing defective material to our on the beach just what the score the halls on Monday night and armed forces. We, of course, are was, but the ship stiU sallfB. A by doing this we will be able to wholeheartedly in- accord with couple of our members out of the have meetings, ^d at the meet­ this, but if such a bill becomes two crews that got off were not ings you will be able to find out the law of the land the first ones in sympathy. One in particular just what the score is on matters to be prosecuted under it should wanted to throw in his book as pertaining to you and your union. Dushare, Agent of the NMU, will HARRY COLLINS. Agent get the Secretary's job in the be the RMO. If ever defective he staled that there was a war , material existedj we would like going on and he was pretty weU USS when it opens. That is if it to know what is more so than fed up with this kind of Malarky. does. We are waiting any day GALVESTON those so-called trained men this Well, when you consider the now for them to start a drive for outfit sends aboard ships. After length of time that this man is in Well, the sweater boys of the old and discarded clothes for the spending somewhere in the the Union, and the. lack of knowl­ NMU have arrived in town. The destitute seamen. With the neighborhood of $2,000 to teach edge as to the principles of other day they were around pass­ money we are making today, we these boys how to dance, and Unionism, wellj maybe you can ing out the convention Pilot and sure need old and discarded sing old Glory, they are eventu­ overlook his feelings, but my an­ there sure was a bunch of paper clothes. I hear that the Komally given berths on ships with swer to this is, that if the men to pick up from the streets. They rades believe in free love, I won­ the instructions that if they don't on the beach will miss a few have been trying to get a foot­ der if that is the inducement that know what the score is, the old- drinks on Monday night and at­ hold in the city of Galveston ever Curran is using to get the Ad­ timers will teach them. Of course tend a meeting, possibly they will since 1937, but to date no dice. miral to put haybags on the ships, *the oldtimers have no alternative, be in a better position to under- And the gazoonies in their sweat­ in lieu of good working condi­ for as a measure of protection stand that the m.ajority and their ers did not make an impression tions. And the boys would be all for them and the ship, they find opinions are always superior to the on the natives what-so-ever. The taken up with their love affairs, themselves obliged to do so. So opinion of one individual and people of this town are wise to they would not mind the cheekthese boys' real training period that the majority must always the fakers. The town is getting off system, that is being pushed becomes effective when they ac­ rule. back into shape again after the down their necks. The writer is given to under­ hurricane, and we are still doing tually join a vessel. Ask some of It is almost cotton picking them where they learned sea­ stand that the old shark chaser business at the same old hall. time here in the vaUeys and manship and invaribly they an­ Casey Jones is now gracing the Have a new ship out in a few plains of Texas. I understand swer ABOARD THE SHIP THEY deck of one of the Palatial Bull days for Waterman. Some time that Harry-the-Bridge organized SAILED ON. Hence we call this liners in the capacity of Chief ago we had in this port what was the sheep shearers of Calif. (How ruthless spending of taxpayers' Steward. However, we do hope called the Ladies Merchant Ma­ about you Joe, getting the cot­ money an oUt-and-out act of sa that his experiences on the Car- rine Aux. They collected some ton pickers organized into the Ships sailing under the control of the War Shipping Administra­ botage, which, of course, nothing nabuUe of the Cuban Distillery money and would go out to the fold of Mustache Joe?) tion which do not have ship's will not be repeated at this time Marine Hospital and give some shall be done about. Well, time is wasting, as in doctors aboard henceforth will be Another important gathering as we have very reliable infor­ of the boys a pack of smokes, every paper that I pick up, "Hey stocked with a revised rm'nimiiTn at Washington by the biggies of mation that Casey blinded 2 then the NMU and the USS came Rube, give up your horse, the standard supply of drugs and the WSA agreed with our con­ sharks that were after him. (We into the picture. They promised merchant marine needs seamen, medical supplies prescribed by tention that the Liberty ship was wonder where he got the mud to one woman the big job of run­ why follow the plow all day, the U. S. Public Health Service. a very obsolete type of carrier kick in their faces). ning the USS. She fell, hook, when you can get some of this The revised edition of "Ship's and that it would be impractica This RMO business is getting line and sinker, nothing was too gravy, that some of the newspa­ Medicine Chest and First Aid at to use in post war competition rather serious these days. I call­ good for the boys. She was per columnist brag about." We Sea," published by the Health Also for other reasons, it was a ed them 12 times for AB's and finally pushed aside, and out of in the SIU are doing fine, mighty Service, lists 99 standard articles damnable contraption at best, finally at the end of two weeks I the picture of being the big shot fine, although we do not have and how to use them. The list but decided for expediency's sake had to circle the skid road and of the USS at a big salary of any fellow travelers in Washing­ includes a wide variety of recog­ to keep on building them any­ get enough AB's to sail the ship which she was promised, the ton or any members in the rightnized medical supplies. Fortyhow. Well, just so, long as these myself. Of course, they sent me Aux. broke up. They had some hand pocket of the C.P. We fight six of the prescribed items, such fannie sitters don't have to sail some men, but they only worked dough in the bank, some of the for what we get, if you don't as phenobarbital, sulfanilamide them and live on them. We will long enough to get the price of good ladies were in favor of think so—compare wages, work­ and sulfathiazole, are listed as have to take the consequence a bottle. It is reported here that turning the dough over to the ing conditions, yes, overtime "drugs", while the remainder, SQ be it. they are recruiting rated men in NMU but to date, as far as I can where there is- no security such as adhesive plaster, ice bags, Captain O'Sullivan of the New York and giving them learn, there were some ladies watches.' We got 'em Joe, and hemostats and tongue depressors, crews' quarters committee gave standby pay and when they have who knew all about the NMU we did not get them under false are under the "surgical and gen­ me his solemn promise he would a ship in a port that they are go­ and -the money is still in the colors or deceive the men in the eral supplies" category. send me a communication which ing to put the WSA rider No. 64 bank. SIU. Although WSA operated ships would certify the ships Hospital on and ship these rated men to It is rumored around that E. R. WALLACE. Agent almost always travel in convoy, for the crews use until such which always affords doctors, the time as the so-called plan 10 was Administration is now in the put into effect on ships sailing midst of a training program from this area. However, I have which will eventually provide not as yet received same. If he pharmacist's mates aboard all daesn't do something about re­ merchant ships. In addition, all lieving the conjested situation qn officers are required to pass aa those Liberty ships he will be extensive first aid course. obliged to allot more space for In its order to General Agents, the Hospital, as that is where (Continued from Page 1) the WSA stated that the items it most of the crew may wind up. being a request for "special favors". This is ing (that's right, nothing) that would jeopar­ listed as standard were consid­ Shipping for the time being being resisted by,the shipowners who "neither dize their hiring halls. The hiring haUs are ered minimum for the protection has approached normal, and ~wc asked special favors nor opposed a sound and the very foundation of union security in mari­ of the crew. Agents will be per­ haven't shipped any from RMO, equitable plan." time, and if they are to be undermined as the mitted to add additional items but hang onto your life belts He then attacks SIU Washington Repre­ price of unemployment insurance — then we which they consider advisable. anyhow. sentative Matthew Dushane for betraying la­ don't want that insurance! JOSEPH FLANAGAN. bor by threatening to reject unemployment For reasons of efficiency and job security Agent compensation if this "special favor" was not the union halls should be designated the regis­ included in the plan. tration point for men applying for compensa­ All of Mr. Ferguson's high class journalism tion. This is not asking "special favors," it is PHILADELPHIA McLAUGHLIN: You have 8 deceives no one, least of all the seamen. We the minimum requirements of men determined hours overtime coming from the know that the shipowners have always op­ to maintain their gains and security. Well, here we go again, doing Robin Line. posed unemployment insurance for the men The seamen deserve unemployment com­ business at the same old place as Any members of crews of fol­ because it means a few pennies out of their pensation — being one of the few groups of usual. We have had two ships in lowing vessels at time of attack, swollen pockets. We know that any fair com­ workers in this country not now covered by here in the last ten days, one was should collect $125 attack bonus pensation will only be passed literally over such insurance. But in obtaining it, they don't a Robin Line ship and the other from companies: Benjamin Latheir fat protesting bodies. intend to jeopardize the hiring hall they fought a Waterman. They both signed trobe. Robin Gray. Panama City, And as for Dushane betraying the interests so long to obtain. on a crew from the RMO an4 Richard Henry Lee, John Daven­ of the men—Dushane said at the House Com­ Mr. Ferguson's concern for the rights of sailed with the WSA rider No. 64 port. Pan Gulf, Kofresi. John mittee hearings that the seamen wanted noth- the seamen is touching, but transparent. attached to the articles. It seems Sevens. Francis Marion. BALTIMORE Increased Medical Aid Abroad Ships Journal Of Commerce Gets A New Maritime Editor—Same Scab Line MONEY DUE .. V. �Page Four THE SEAFARERSLOG Friday. August 20. 1843 i: {'• |il^|l-1 ii'' I . •i i Crew Gets $7,000 Overtime sel is secured at the cargo ition set forth in the agreement pany has already paid aU avaU- incidental to the real purpose. {Continued from Page I) berth. This is to mean wh6n are to be foimd in Section 20, Ar­ able seamen entitled to this over­ Indeed, the Union asserts that overtime, inasmuch as the agree­ the finished with the engines ticle No. 3 of the agreement, time, and that in cases where the the breaking of watches was for ment provides that watches can­ bell is rung." men were required to work be­ the purpose of getting "more which reads as follows: not be required to do certain "Art. 4= Section 3= Breaking fore 8 a.m= they were compen= work put of the men=" types of work, such as mainten "Selling Walches. Sea watch sated at the overtime rate, and Watches. In aU ports when ves­ ance work, etc., except between es shall be set not later then that they also received overtime The Company also stresses the sel is alongside of a' dock the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. watches shall be broken if the noon on sailing day. When the pay for painting accommodations, fact that the agreement was a The Union asserts that to es­ vessel sails before noOn watch­ etc. peace time arrangement, and that tablish a principle which would schedule stay of vessel will ex­ es shall be set when all lines the circumstances of this case ceed twenty-four (24) hours, permit the Master to deny over are on board and vessel is all The Company further states were brought about by war time When, scheduled stay of vesse! time for work which members 0: clear of dock. that the Security Watch Agree­ conditions. In the opinion of this will be less than twenty-four the crew performed outside o: "(a) When the watch below ment was submitted to the War referee this of itself does not (24) hours, watches shall be the hours which fell within their i^ called out to wofk they shal! Shipping Administration, but was authorize or warrant the Com­ v/atch, would be to destroy the maintained. be paid overtime for work per­ not approved; that subseauently pany in failing to live up to the "When a ship is anchored or existing agreement, the ultimate formed during their watch be­ the Union contended that inas­ terms of the agreement. The effect of which would be that the tied up to a buoy for the pur­ low." much as its agreement on the agreement was reached as a re­ pose of loading or unloading seamen would feel that they need overtime claim was a concession sult of negotiations between the cargo, watches shall be set and From all of which the Union for having negotiated the Secm*- Company and the Union, and not be bound by the terms of the broken the same as if the ship insists that since on the occasions agreement siiice the Master felt ity Watch Agreement, such agree­ any change in its terms can be is alongside a dock." for which overtime pay is claim­ ment on the overtime pay claim made only by' mutual agreement and acted as though not bound by its terms; that under such cir The Union contends that the ed, the vessel was not "in port" was no longer binding. of the parties. cumstances the seamen would above provisions conclusively re­ within the meaning of that term The Company, asserts that the In its opinion in the case of the take the position that they were quire that a ship in order to come as defined in the agreement, existing agreement with the at liberty to break watches any within the designation "in port" watches should not have been Union is a peace time arrange­ Tennessee Coal, Iron and R. R. time they desired and the whole must enter the port with the broken, and the members of the ment and that the circumstances Co. and the CIO Mine, MiU & stability of the Maritime industry definite purpose of loading or im- crew are entitled to overtime for of this case were brought about Smelter Workers Union, the Na­ would be set at naught. loading cargo, or in lying along­ all time they were required to be by war time conditions, inasmuch tional War Labor Board had the on duty outside of their regular as a vessel would not lie at an­ following to say: The Union further insists that side the dock; that at none of the watches. chor in the various ports for any "It cannot be too strongly when new situations arise which ports involved in this dispute was lengthy period of time in com­ emphasized that by insisting CONTENTIONS OF THE may call for different treatraent, the ship alongside dock, nor in mercial trade. upon the sanctity of contract in such new situations can be met fact was there any loading or un­ COMPANY loading of cargo which is the labor relations the Board is only by mutual consent of the The Company admits that at The Company further contends acting as the best friend bl parties—the Company and the conclusive test as to the purpose that the vessel was neither "in both labor and industry. Un­ Union, and until changed by mu­ in entering port; that it is clear all places where the vessel was port" nor at sea and that the tual consent, the existing agree­ that the ports in this case were anchored to await convoys the existing agreement fails to define less parties to collective-bar­ simply temporary and/or con­ Master broke watches, and the gaining can depend mutually ment must be lived up to. working conditions under such a upon the terms of their written Referring specifically to the venient places of refuge which crew worked eight (8) hours a situation, and that, therefore, the agreements, there is little value agreement the Union in its brief were contr^olled by the expedi­ day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. general working rules should ency of the situation; that the in the collective - bargaining points out that Able Seamen and The Company asserts that while apply. mere fact that the stay in some process. Labor relations which Ordinary Seamen are governed the vessel was not "in port" as cases was protracted to as much will redound to the benefit of The Company further makes by Article No. 3, which is en­ defined in Section 12, Article No. as two months or over only fur­ employer, employee and the reference to the fact that by titled "Deck Department" "Base 3, of the agreement between the country can best be promoted Rate" and "Working Rules Deck ther emphasizes the fact that the Company and the Union, never­ breaking watches the Master ports were not entered for the by living up to contract obli­ benefitted th^crew to the extent Department" and that Oilers, theless its position is fully cov­ gations. A contract which may Watertenders and Firemen are purpose of loading or unloading ered under Section 3, Article 2 that they worked only forty-four be breached at will rests upon governed by Article No. 4, en­ cargo. of the agreement, the pertinent hours per week, instead of fiftya foundation of shifting sands." six (56) hours. titled "Engine Department The Union insists that the fore­ part of which is as follows: Wages." going provisions of the agreement The undersigned referee is of DECISION "Article No. 2. Section 3. preclude any contention on the the opinion and so decides'that It refers to various provisions Members of all departments of the agreement which it con­ part of the Company that the shall perform the necessary and In reaching his decision in this when the SS SCHOHARIE was at anchor awaiting convoy at tie tends supports its claim. Its first ship was "in port", and tljat such customary duties of that de­ matter the undersigned referee provisions also describe the terms various places heretofore men­ reference is to Article No. 2, Gen­ partment. Each member of aU has given careful study to the which control after the ship is tioned, she was not "in port'' as jriefs of the parties outlining eral Rules, Section 12, page 3, departments shaU perform only defined in the agreement; that their respective views with ref­ which defines "Port Time." This "in port". the recognized and customary Section reads as follows: The Union further contends duties of his particular rating. erence to the proper interpreta­ the,Master was not authorized or tion of the contracts in the light empowered to ireak watches and "Port Time. The words 'in that the terms which "control from The hours of labor for aU mem­ of the facts presented. that those members of the Deck port' shall mean the time a the time the ship originally sails bers of the ship's crew not on Department and the Engine De­ On its face the agreement is watch as required by law, or vessel is at its dock and proper- until its final destination is reach­ partment represented by the clear and precise in its terms. It , ly secured, or from the time ed er until it comes "in port" their ratings, shaU be from 8 states as emphatically as the Eng- Union are entitled to be paid the anchor was dropped in any within the meaning of the defin- a.m. to 5 p.m.; any work out­ ish language can make it when overtime rates for the work side of these hours and on Sat­ safe port, during the trip for which they performed which was urday afternoons, Sundays and watches "shall be set", when the purpose of loading or un­ outside of the hours which or­ watches "shall be broken", and Holidays shall be paid for at loading cargo or awaiting a defines what the words "in port" dinarily fell within their respec­ the regular rate. • • • " , berth; until the raising of an­ tive watches. shall mean. chor, or casting lines off dock." The Company further asserts BRYCE C. HOLCOMBE, The only time the Master is that in compliance with Section It is the Union's , contention permitted, under the agreement, Referee 3 of Article 2, overtime at regular that, this general rule is to be to break watches is when the ves­ Done at New Orleans, La. CHARLES RUSH rates was paid to all seamen for read in conjunction with the J. V. NOVITSHI all work on Saturday afternoons, sel is "in port", that is "at its this 14th day of August, 1943. specific rules for the two depart­ dock and properly secured", or Sundays and Holidays and all ments. These sections of the P. E. GUSSEL anchored "in any safe port" * • • E. BARCUMBE time in excess of 8 hours per day. agreement are as follows: for the purpose of loading or dis­ S. M. BROMBEG The Company states that the charging cargo or awaiting berth, "Art. No. 3. Section 19. Break­ J. BRUNNELL voyage ended and the crew was until the raising of anchor, or ing Watches and Work in Port. D. BALLOCH paid off before a U. S. Shipping casting lines off dock." "(a) In all ports watches shall ARTHUR L. MANNING JAMES TIPPETTS Commission on at be broken alongside the docks JOHN R. SHEFFIELD which time no complaints was On none of the occasions when Your wife is very worried and immediately after ship is se­ ROBERT B. PEROICH registered; that subsequently the he Master broke watches and wants to see you. She is sorry cured, except in those ports AXEL J. PEDERSON Union claimed that watches placed the men on port time, for for what happened. Flanagan where stay of vessel will not JAMES A. MASTIN should not have been broken as which the Union is claiming over­ says it is OK. exceed 24 hours, there watches NICHOLAS DIESSO the vessel was not "in port" as time, was the vessel "at its dock 'may run consecutively. Any TOLLIVER H. WILLIAMS defined by Section 12 of Article and properly secured, or • * * in work performed on watch be­ FRANKLIN A. HOOKER No. 2 of the agreement; that later any safe port, • * • for the pur­ low will be overtime. Any part STANLEY J. COOPERSMITH on representatives of the respec­ pose of loading or unloading car­ PHILADELPHIA •. $21.25 of a watch between midnight NOAH J. NIMS tive parties met and negotiated a go or awaiting berth * * *'" ' S. S. GRACE ABBOTT ... 12.00 and 8 a.m. shall constitute a ROBERT L. INDVIK Security Watch Agreement; that The Company argues that the A. B. BLALOCK 12.00 complete watch. WILLIAM G. TANNER at this meeting the Company men benefitted by the breaking B. L. ROGERS 6.00 "(b) In port the hours of la­ ROBERT L. HARDMAN agreed to pay 975'hours overtime of watches to the extent that M. L. RILEY 6.00 bor shall be between the hours HENRY J. WITT to the Deck Department for the their hours of work were reduced J. FLANNERY 5.00 of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. All work ALFRED A. AMBOZAK time the vessel was anchored at from 56 hours per week to 44 MICKEY QUINN 5.00 -performed after 5 p.m. and be­ WILLIAM J. HARPE , inasmuch as it hours per week. It ik not assert­ S. S. SAMUEL GRIFFIN.. 5.00 fore 8 a.m. shall be overtime. ALVIN J. CHAPPELLO was established that the Master ed that the breaking of watches J. PIRES 4.00 "Art. 4. Section 1. Setting JOHN GRECU had restricted one-half of the was for the exclusive benefit of Hi WESTFALL 3.00 Watches. GENE H. WISNER deck crew- to the vessel for se­ the crew so that it must be as­ V.SMITH............... 3.00 "On day of arrival, watches HOMER L. NANCE curity purposes each night, and sumed that whatever benefit ac­ shall be broken when the ves­ PHILLIP TUMILTY in fulfiUment thereof the Com­ crued to them must have been TOTAL $81.25 Honor Roll � 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. BCC The name(s) and email address(es) of the person to whom the email was blind carbon copied. 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Title A name given to the resource August 20, 1943 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 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. V, No. 21 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Description An account of the resource Headlines: CREW GETS $7,000 OVERTIME; OUR WORKING RULES ARE UPHELD JOURNAL OF COMMERCE GETS A NEW MARITIME EDITOR--SAME SCAB LINE DUSHANE ON WLB MARITIME PANEL BIGGS ORGANIZES FLORIDA FISHERMEN INCREASED MEDICAL AID ABROAD SHIPS Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 8/20/1943 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1943 Periodicals Seafarers Log