The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-11-26


Members at Cheaper Rates Than the
Old Line ompanies-Averaee Cost
Per $1,000.
Discussing trades union insurance In
the Typographical Journal, Don G. d.
Moore presents the following interest
Ing data:
The Cigarmakers' union Is one of
the most interesting of all the unions
for study in the working of labor I'M
ion insurance. The union has been in
existence since 1864 and began paying
sick and death benefits in 1881, TWEEN
ty-eight years ago, and out of work
benefits in 1885. The membership of
the cigarmakers approximates that of
the International Typographical union,
or upward of $4,000. In addition to
the three forms of insurance-sick,
death and disability and out of work
the organizatio provides for strike
benefits and maintains a loaning fund
for travelling members, which amount
ed in 1906 to $50,650.
Applicants who are suffering from
any chronic disease or who are more
than fifty years of age receive no sick
benefits and not more than $50 death
benefits, but they pay only Is cents
weekly dues, or half the regular per
capita.
Out of Work Benefit.-A member
who for two years has paid his dues
is entitled to receive during unemploy-
ment So weekly for six weeks After
an intermission of seven weeks he
may again receive the same sum for
another six weeks, but not more than
$54 in any one year. The amount paid
out In 1906, the latest available figures
was $23,01l. or an average cost of &C
cents per member per year.
Sick Benefit.-A member who has
paid his dues for an entire year has
the right to receive So weekly during
his sickness. but not to exceed thirteen
weeks. No benefits are paid the first
week. and if the sickness is caused by
drunkenness or vice no benefit may
be drawn. The sick benefits paid in
1906 amounted to $162,9O5, or $3.50 pei
capita.
Death Benefit.-The death benefits
are graded according to length of mem
bership. If the deceased has been a
member for FIVE years 5000 is paid, fol-
ten years $3.50 and fifteen years $3.50
An interesting feature of this part OF
the system is that if a member be to-
tally disabled, losing, say. his eyesight
or the use of both hands, he receives
a lump sum equal to the amount his
| family would receive in case of his
| death. The cost of the cigarmakPrs
death and disability benefits during
1906 was $1S5,514, or $4.0S per capita.
| The orga niZation has been contem
| plating the addition to the above of ar
old age pension feature. The union
| had on hand at the close of 1906 STA,
| 506. or about $16 per capita. which
would seem to insure financial sta
bility.
The railway brotherhoods are also
an interesting field Of inquiry on the
subject of insurance. Following as
they do very hazardous occupations,
the railway workers feel the need OF
death and disability insurance more
than other kinds. and they provide ii
generally in the form of a compulsory
minimum, with an optional addition
| The respective amounts in the four
principal brotherhoods are:
Compulsory Optional
minimum. addition.
| Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Engineers .......... s., 500 IS, 0Ol
Order of Railway Con-
uucIOTS ..........t....... l,UVU I,Wt
| Brotherhood of Locomo-
| tive Firemen ............ 1900 1,50(
| Brotherhood of Railway
| Iralnmen ................ BOO S5t
| In this connection the cost of inSur-
ance to the members. compared with
the cost in private companies, should
be interesting to those who contend
| that labor unions cannot furnish in
surance as cheap as the companies
making it business. Following are
the figures showing the charge levied
by the brotherhoods and the rate of
| the casualty companies for the same
class of men at thirty-five years. the
rates being $1,000 insurance:
Rate of