No George Wards in transport
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On Boxing Day I took time off from enjoying myself to think about one or two business related matters. One, would you believe it, was this closed shop business.
Very few operators of my acquaintance are concerned one way or another; there are no George Wards or Grunwicks on the transport scene so far as I can tell. In or out of the union, it seems to matter little to the boss.
There must be a snag, I thought — well there always is. I believe I've found it: it's money.
I think I've got this right. Once a closed shop is agreed, everybody must be in the appropriate union. The union sets its own subscriptions; in theory that means the members. Well, at least those members who attend meetings, and there are many committee channels, have a say.
Now, I ask, what is there to stop the minority who attend meetings bumping up the subs by 25, 50 or even 100 per cent at regular intervals?
Short of the moderates turning out in force, nothing. If they refuse to pay dues for three months most unions will give them the big elbow and in a closed shop situation that means redundancy or in "old money" — the sack.
Heads they win, tails you lose.