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APPENDIX III

A Note on Trade Unions


THE foregoing suggestions in this pamphlet represent only one example of the constructive efforts made by Trade Unions in the interests of the social well-being of the people.

Perhaps the most characteristic feature of trade unionists is their unselfishness; the results of their work are enjoyed not only by themselves but by millions of others who do not contribute a penny towards their efforts.

The Minister of Labour, Sir Henry Betterton, recently pointed out in the House of Commons that Collective Agreements in this country cover nearly ten million workpeople. There are just under four million contributing trade unionists. Thus, six million people are working under Agreements that have to be maintained by trade unionists.

It is not only wages and hours of labour that Trade Unions deal with. Their work for the improvement of conditions in workshops, docks, mines, factories and offices benefits everybody concerned. During the past 30 years we have investigated and had scheduled numerous industrial diseases; we have secured not only Workmen's Compensation, but special provisions in connection with employment in dangerous trades for the protection of the workpeople's health; we have carried on a perpetual warfare against bad workshops and bad employers; by our efforts, we have influenced not only the development of legal protection, but also the actual lay-out of buildings and workshops. Amenities have been introduced that were never dreamt of a few years ago.

The trade unionists have sacrificed time, money and effort to minimise sweated labour and to establish Trade Boards.

Yet thousands working under the protection of the legal minimum wage have never realised what it has cost to bring this about. If they did, every person working under these Trade Boards would willingly contribute to the Unions and help, not only to maintain the present standards, but to improve them.

The trade unionists have distributed millions of pounds since the War and during the present terrible depression. No other voluntary organisation can show such a contribution per member, in proportion to income, to help their fellow workers in distress.

There are a 101 other activities. They are not sensational and do not get in the Press, but it is certain that if we could, as the Americans say, "get over" the details of our work to all the people, the Unions would double their strength. One only hears about them in the Press when there is a strike or some public turmoil but, as all those in touch with the daily life of the Unions know, that is the smallest side of our work.

I take this opportunity, therefore, to ask all those who read this pamphlet to consider their obligation towards their fellow workers.

I would ask parents to teach their children never to become mean and take what others have won without contributing to the common pool of money and effort.


                                                                                                                       ERNEST BEVIN