These men dedicated their lives to freedom and the end of union corruption. They fight with the weapon of truth.
This photo was taken after the 2nd meeting with the U.S. Congress Committee on Union Corruption.
On the far left is probably the Pro-Democracy Group's attorney, then there are: Kenneth G Welch; John Schalestock; Jan Leja; (the man in the khaki pants is UNKNOWN); Jeff Hutchinson; Name UNKNOWN but he was Radio Officer on Matson's flagship, "SS R J Peiffer" and finally Walter Shultz.
If anyone can supply the names of those I cannot remember, let me know.
This is an example of the Union corruption that Rae and others like Jan Leja, John Shalestock, and others found themselves against. R/O Jan Leja said "graft and corruption prevalent in this union, a trade union where its members are treated as serfs, and union money used as a personal bank account of the officials."
Ruddy Radio Electronics Officer Defense Fund: Ruddy was a deceased radio operator who left the union approximately $500,000-$600,000 to defend a change in Federal law for the elimination of the radio operator on merchant ships. The membership at the union meetings demanded an accounting of funds spent. The officials refused to open the books. Furthermore, a $1,000 assessment was placed on the membership for the Radio Electronics Officers Defense Fund. The declarative statement by the ARA leadership was "you will not be allowed to sail unless you pay $1,000 to us." I recognized this to be extortion. The explicit threat was "you don't pay us, no job." Moreover, other statements by the leadership implied successful ownership of one U.S. Senator through use of money and power. They became very bold about this.
I will be forever grateful to Rae and the above defenders of union democracy and people who take a stand against the racketeers that were so common in organized unions. They may have lost their court case, but Captain Tim Brown won his and it started a "clean out" of the corruption in the maritime unions.