HC Deb 19 July 1926 vol 198 cc888-91
55. Captain P. MACDONALD

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the trades unions which imposed penalties of fines, expulsion, or refusal or benefit to their members on account of their action during the general strike; what were the numbers affected in each case; what were the amounts of the fines; whether these penalties have now been withdrawn; and, if not, what action he proposes to take to see that no victimisation takes place?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)

I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving details of 37 cases reported to my Department where trade unionists were said to have been threatened by their union, or branch of their union, with penalties of fines, expulsion or refusal of benefit. In the majority of the cases the threat has been withdrawn, usually on instructions from the executive of the union. Some of the complaints arose from misunderstandings, and these have been cleared up; in the cases still outstanding my Department is in communication with the unions concerned.

Mr. J. H. THOMAS

Is the Railway-men's Union included?

Mr. BETTERTON

Yes, Sir. In the case of the Railwaymen's Union, eight cases were reported to the Ministry of Labour, the complaint being that these men had been expelled by branches subject to the decision of the executive of the union. The present position is that the executive of the union decided that the men should not be deprived of benefit or expelled from the union, and instructed the branches to this effect.

Commander WILLIAMS

Where a member refuses to pay, is the union legally entitled to deprive him of the whole of his benefit and turn him out of the union?

Mr. SPEAKER

That question should be put on the Paper.

Mr. MACLEAN

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many of the cases included in the list are outstanding?

Mr. BETTERTON

Yes, Sir. Of the 37 cases to which I have referred, 21 have been settled, and 16 are now outstanding.

Mr. J. JONES

If a member of a trade union disobeys an order of his executive council, and if at the same time a member of the legal fraternity does something un-

CASES arising out of the GENERAL STRIKE reported to the MINISTRY OR LABOUR where TRADE UNIONISTS were said to have been threatened by their BRANCH WITH PENALTIES OF FINES, EXPULSION OR REFUSAL OF BENEFIT.
Union. Number of Men involved. Action of Men during General Strike. Action of Trade Union. Present Position.
National Union of Railwaymen. 8 Remained at work or returned to work during the strike. Expelled by branches, subject to decision of Executive of Union Out-of-work pay also withheld in two cases, and Union contributions refused in one case. Executive of Union decided that men should not be deprived of benefits or expelled from Union and instructed the branches to this effect.
Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. 3 Returned to work during the strike. Out-of-Work pay said to be withheld by branch whilst men on short time following the strike. Out-of-work benefit to all members temporarily suspended since 29th May by decision of Executive of Society. No benefits withheld by branch from the three men concerned, who, in fact, received benefits from branch subsequent to 29th May to which they were not entitled under the Executive's decision.
Transport and General Workers' Union. 9 In six cases, the men remained at work or returned to work during the strike; in one case, the man joined the Special Constabulary; in one case the man was a volunteer motor driver, and in one case, the man assisted his son on a motor lorry. In two cases, the men were expelled by the branches concerned; in five cases a shop steward refused to accept Union contributions; and in two cases strike benefit was withheld by the branches concerned. The five cases of refusal to accept Union contributions, for which the branch were not responsible, have been adjusted. In the other cases the Department is in communication with the Union.
Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers 6 Remained at work or returned to work during the strike. Fines varying from 21s. to 31s. 6d. have been imposed by the branches concerned. In two cases, the fines have been remitted by the Union; in the other cases the Department is in communication with the Union.

professionally correct, is he not subject to penalties?

Mr. SPEAKER

That question should be put down on the Paper.

Captain MACDONALD

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say up to what date that information applies?

Mr. BETTERTON

Up to Saturday last.

Mr. JONES

Lawyers can blackleg, but workmen must not!

Following is the statement referred to:

Union. Number of Men involved. Action of Men during General Strike. Action of Trade Union. Present Position.
Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers. 1 Being unemployed he worked as a volunteer during the strike. Fine of £5 imposed by branch. The Department have been in communication with the Union and have informed the man of the procedure to be adopted under the Rules of the Union for appealing to the Executive against the decision of the branch.
Amalgamated Society of Woodcutting Machinists. 3 Remained at work during the strike. Fine of £1 imposed by District Committee. The Department is in communication with the Union.
Electrical Trades Union. 2 Remained at work or returned to work during the strike. Expelled from Union by branch. In one case, the Executive has instructed the branch to cancel the expulsion; in the other case the Department is in communication with the Union.
Coal Trimmers' Union. 1 Served as Special Constable during the strike. Strike benefit withheld by Union. Strike benefit subsequently paid, as the man received no pay for duties as Special Constable.
Constractional Engineering Union. 1 Served as Special Constable during the strike. Strike benefit withheld by Union. Strike benefit subsequently paid, as the man received no pay for duties as Special Constable.
Yorkshire Miners' Association. 2 Served as Special Constable during the strike. Strike benefit withheld by Association. The Department is in communication with the Association.
National Amalgamated Society of Operative House and Ship Painters and Decorators. 1 Remained at work during the strike. Fine of £2 5s. imposed by branch. The Department is investigating the case.