§ 42. Mr. ARCHDALEasked the Secretary of State for War if demobilised soldiers are not allowed to work at Tallaght Aerodrome, close to Dublin, unless they join the Transport Workers' Union or one of its branches, and if that body charges demobilised soldiers 10s. 6d. as fee because they have served, the ordinary fee being 2s. 6d.?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Major-General Seely)Difficulties have arisen at the aerodrome through the refusal of union men to work with non-union, but I am informed that no pressure is brought to bear on the latter to join the Transport Workers' Union, if they prefer to join some other recognised union. I am further informed that no distinction is made as regards fees for admisson or re-admission to the Transport Workers' Union between ex-soldiers and other men.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWere sixty or seventy demobilised soldiers requested by the Transport Workers' Union to join that union, and did the chief engineer call up the men and tell them that they must join or they would be discharged?
§ Major-General SEELYThere is always difficulty in securing the co-operation of 1579 those who are in a union and those who are not. In this case, so far as I can ascertain, the best steps have been taken.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIf the discharged men would form a union of their own, would not that get over the difficulty so far as the Air Department is concerned?
§ Major-General SEELYIf it is any recognised union all difficulties cease.