Dear Editor,

Sunday Stabroek carried a most erudite exposition on the case history and related decisions regarding the legality or otherwise of the Agency Shop (‘The Agency Shop was illegal,’ August 29) .  It was a useful learning exercise, but for some of us willing to learn more it would be good to be advised on the following.

From the relevant text, one gleans that the Agency Shop derives from an agreement between employer and representative union.  Presumably in the history of trade unionism in this country, there may have been more than one instance of such an agreement being reached and implemented.  Are there in fact other examples than those involving the GPSU?

Next, would it be reasonable to ponder in the case of the explicit illegality of Agency Shop, the extent of culpability (if any) placed on the employer who effects the deduction of fees vis-à-vis that of the union to whom the fee is transmitted?

Grateful for the expert advice.

Yours faithfully,
E B John