The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-10-01
INSURANCE BY UNIONS
CIgarmakers Have comprehen-
sive Plan of Benefits.
THE RAILWAY BR0THERHooDs

Four Principal Organizations insure
| Members at Cheaper Rates Than the
Old Line companies-Avsrass Cost
Per $1,000.
discussing trades union inSura nee in
| the Typographical Journal. Don c. D.
Moore presents the following interest
| ing data:
| The Cisarmakers' union Is one of
the most interesting Of all the unions
for study in the working of labor IN
ION insurance. The union has been in
existence since 1864 and began paying
sick and death benefits in 1881. tweu-
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 aud out of work
the organiza ton provides for strike
benefits and maintains Il loaning fund
for travelling members. which amount
ed in 1906 to $oO.G5O.
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 Beneft.-A member
who for two years has paid his dues
Is entitled to receive during unemploy-
ment So weekly for six weeks. After
AIN fntermission 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 availab bic figures,
was S23.Oll. or an average cost of 60
cents per member per year.
Sick Ecnetit.-A member who has
paid bis dues for an entire year has
the right to receive IS 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 ORA wn. The sick benefits paid in
1906 amounted to $l62.9O5. or $3.50 per
capita.
Death Renetit.-The death benefits
are graded according TO length Of mem
bership. If the deceased has been a
member for five years $500 is paid. for
ten years 500 and fifteen years $500
An Interesting feature of this part of
the system is that if IL member be to-
tally disabled. losing. say. his eyeS!cht
or the use OF both bands. he receives
a lump san equal To the amount his
family would receive in case OF his
death. The cost of the cigarmakers'
death aud 6iSH hiiity benefits during
1906 was $lS:t.3l4. or S4.0S per capita.
The organization has been contem-
plating the addition To the above Of IN
old age pension feature. The union
had Oh hand at the close %; 1906 STA
5E;. or about SIG per capita. which
would seem to insure financial sta
bi.ity.
The railway brothcrhoodS 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 Or
death and disability Insurance more
than othc" kinds. and they provide it
generally in the form OF Il compulsory
miuimum With an optional addition.
The respective amounts in the four
principa! brotherhoods are:
Compulsory Optional
minimum. addition.
Brotherhood OF Locomo-
tive Engineers ........ $500 $500
Order nj Railway Con-
Z,U
Brot helhood of Locomo-
tive FIrenen ........... 1850 l,5O5
Brotherhood OF Railway
IralniHen ................ 500 $50
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 brotherhoudS 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
Rate Of Casualty !
union. company. !
Engineers -............... Sl1.So $3.50
Conductors ............... 100 LIB