The Detroit times., 1909-01-07
LAKE ENGINEERS
REFUSE To SIGN
CONTRACTS
THEY ARE HOLDING OFF OWING
TO THE OPEN SHOP PLAN
WANT TO MAINTAIN THEIR OR
GANIzATIoN.

CLEVELAND, Jan. IA number Of
engineers have notified vessel mana
gers that they would not sign open
shop contracts for next season and II
could not be learned that any more
men had accepted terms for 1909 under
that plan. A few of the local owners
sent contracts to their engineers last
week but the men that were heard
from said they were not ready to make
arrangements for next season.
Oficials OF the Engineers associa-
ton say that they don't want it under
stood that they have any fight with
the vesselmen and that In refusing to
make terms for next season at this
time they are only trying to keep
their own members in line.
Regarding the open shop policy an
Official of the association made the
following statement: THE position
of the engineers is that the members
Of the association will be glad to ac-
cept employment on the same boat or
a better one for next season II there
is a vacancy and II employed will per-
form the duties as engineers in ac-
cordance with the laws governing the
steam vessel inspection service, but
We will not sign the contracts.
1--WE believe we have the right ID
MAINTAIN an organization such as we
have in the NJ. f.. B. A. for had Il
not been for it We would not be now
recognized as officers and the en-
rloyers would have paid any rate OF
wages that suited them. Consequently
we could not have cared for the sick
and distressed aor could we and our
families have so many Of the material
comforts of life thus cutrailing' our
service TO society.
Contracts are unnecessary as be-
tween the employer and the marine
engineer. The offer of employment by
an owner or his representatives, the
acceptance OF the same by an en-
gineer and the continuance of en-
ployment as long as mutually agree
able is all that should be required.
An engineer has no right TO wrong
fully serve S such, but he has the
right to nominate the conditions UNI
der which he viii serve provided they
the equitable and legal. He also has
the right to refuse to sign any con-
tract other than the ship articles aud
can legally and morally refuse to
serve under an alleged contract that
has been entered into through coer-
cion or presentation. An en-
ployer has no more legal or moral
right to expect or to require an en-
gineer to take a boat out with an In
competent. insufficient or Indifferent
crew than he has to require an en-
eineer TO take a bot out with her
boilers or engines in an unsafe or
improper condition.
"The attitude of the members OF
our organization toward employers
and the public has been fair and man.
ly and every agreement has been kept
and our duties to all have been non
estly and faithfully performed.
''urO organization has never been
affiliated with other bodies Of organ
lied labor, nor insisted on the impo-
sition OF unfair conditions, but on the
contrary we have done all In our
power TO make possible the success
and the continued operation OF the
vessels on which we are employed
during the season OF navigation.
THE possession Of license as ma
rine engineer under the laws OF the
United States places on us RESPONSE
bilities toward the public. designates
us az officers and should entltle us TO
some consideration, and our dignity
az men, our usefulness as officers or
steam vessels are impaired by the
offer by employers or acceptance by
members Of contracts which by their
terms place us in direct antagonisn
not only with our subordinates, but
also with all branches OF organized
labor. including Our brother engi.
neers.
1--WE will therefore steadily adhere
TO the principles OF unity and friend
ship and solemnly pledge our honor
never 70 deviate therefrom. but be
guided by what appears TO be the best
interest OF all memoirs OF the NJ. l..
3. A.
The opportunity Of an engineer to