Meetings East and West

Have you ever wondered what went on at union gatherings fifty years ago? The newly created National Defence Employees Association (NDEA) held two informal executive meetings in the first half of 1954. Little is known of the March session in Ottawa except for a list of attendees, which included a mysterious “Mr Liquor” – an apparent reference to a regular recruiting aid used by Ken Green and James Wyllie.

Sickness kept Secretary-Treasurer Ken Green away from the June meeting in Banff but not off the agenda. After much discussion, it was agreed that 70 % of his time should be spent in Ottawa and only 30 % on the road organizing. Brother Green was also given a 10 % raise on his starting salary of $4,800, a car allowance of 13 cents per mile and a per diem of $35. The Executive reasoned they should receive the same mileage and per diem to compensate for personal losses in leave or wages while on union business.

The Executive also wanted to end the practice of requiring superannuated federal employees to pay unemployment insurance. It was apparently up to the department whether or not these payments were to be made. This led to a decision to hold a “social convening” in October and invite government officials to a reception during which the Executive would attempt to persuade them to be kinder to the retired employee.

Such was the beginning of a long-term strategy in NDEA, and later UNDE, in which the union would sponsor many such meetings, purchase football tickets and otherwise frequently invite management representatives “into the tent.” Although such initiatives are frowned upon today, nobody could argue that a little “palm greasing” benefited the members greatly over the years.