SCOPE DEFINED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 16

SCOPE DEFINED.

FOREMEN AND UNIONS. NOT COVERED IN AWARDS. MINISTER STATES OPINION. (By Tfilegraph.—Parliamentary Reporters WELLINGTON", Friday. When interviewed to-day 011 the subject of compulsory unionism, the Minister of Labour, Hon. T. Armstrong, expressed the opinion that unless an award made provision for the inclusion of managers or foremen the compulsory unionism clause of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act did not apply.

"I am surprised," the Minister added, "that there has been any suggestion that managers or foremen should be forced into unions. It is very doubtful whether many unions desire them to be members, or would even admit them."

Mr. Armstrong said he had noticed from newspaper reports that a great deal of misunderstanding existed concerning the provisions or section 18 of the Act, which provided for compulsory unionism. It seemed to him that an endeavour was being made to place an interpretation on the Act which was never intended.

"Section 18 requires all workers who are subject to any award or industrial agreement to be members of the industrial union or trade union bound by that award or industrial agreement," said the Minister. Sub-section I states that it shall not be lawful for any employer bound by an award to employ, or continue to employ, any adult person who is not for the time being a member of an industrial union of workers bound by the award, or who is not a member of a trade union which was registered as such before May 1, 1930, and which is bound by the award.

"It has been stated that this subsection, relates to all employees in industry, whether covered by the award or not. My interpretation" is that it applies to those persons in the industry whose conditions of employment are prescribed by the particular award. Unless the award makes provision for managers or foremen, the compulsory unionism provisions do not apply. It should be pointed out that it is not usual to cover managers or foremen in awards. There are exceptions, such as the grocers' assistants' award and the dairy factory managers' award. In large establishments, however, managers and persons in control are not covered by awards or industrial agreements."