BIG INCREASES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1937, Page 8

BIG INCREASES.

UNION MEMBERSHIP.

WHAT RETURNS DISCLOSE.

EFFECT OF LEGISLATION.

Ever since the Labour Government was elected in November, 1935, the membership of unions throughout the Dominion lias been on the upgrade, and to-day labour industrial organisations are in a. stronger position than ever before. The industrial legislation introduced by the (iovernment in its first session revived interest in union activities to a very marked degree, but the greatest factor in the growth of the movement was the measure which dictated that workers in industries covered by awards or agreements must join up with their respective unions.

Compulsory unionism meant little to the larger unions, which maintain their membership no matter what the economic conditions of the country may be. but to the craft unions it has meant fresh life blood. That this is no idle statement is borne out by returns which union secretaries in Auckland have furnished to the Labour Department setting out the strength of their organisations at December 31 last.

From 425 to 3000 Members.

Unions which during the days of the depression, when compulsory conciliation and voluntary arbitration was' the order, struggled along with the aid of a few staunch adherents, to-day have developed into, relatively speaking, quite strong organisations. A case in point is that of the Auckland Drivers' Union, which at December 31, 1935, had no award in force, and had a roll number of 425. In recent times this organisation has secured an award once more, and its membership at the beginning of the New Year stood at 2657. And the membership is still increasing. To-day it has topped the 3000 mark, and the secretary (Mr. C. Lindsay) estimates that there are a further 500 members still to be brought into the fold.

Another organisation which has reaped the fruit of compulsory unionism and intensive organisation is the Carpenters and Joiners' Union, which at December, 193.'), had a membership of 650 only. This number has grown to 2227, despite the fact that there has been a strict purging of the rolls to eliminate doubtful and unfiuancial members. Previously the organisation in the country districts was not extensive, but at the present time the union has 23 branches. Voluntary Membership. Apart from the old unions strengthening their position, many ne"w unions have been formed. , One of the largest is the Clerical Workers' Union, which, although still waiting for an award in the Auckland district, has built up a membership of 1500. This position has been achieved by members of the profession joining up voluntarily, and it seems likely that the figure will be doubled when award conditions are secured and membership of the .union automatically becomes compulsory. The union has conciliation proceedings fixed for February 17 next, and the nature of its ramifications may be gauged from Che fact that 2050 employers nave been cited as parties to the dispute. . - s

At December 31, 1935, there were 101 unions with a. membership of 21.661 in the northern industrial district, and the indications are that the latter figure will be found to be more than doubled and possibly trebled, when the next report of the labour Department is made available. Although it has not been possible to secure all the returns of the Auckland unions, a glance at some typical instances of membership increases is of interest. A list compiled at random this morning ls as follows — S£. |p- a Carpenter* * ~=;! -?,'.IL Clerical Workers ....'."" iijJ, Tiinlwr Workers . V • ~ZZ J.fM) Storenion. Packers'"" an<i " r<ocal Body Labourers .." &,' VflSu Brick and THe Workers ?ui 43V Cleaners and Caretakers . . 131 37J Dairy Employees 104 17Q Plasterers o? £!* Pain d tPr«" DdOther - L,l,><i " e " , "Sβ plumbers .......:;:::;;:; «g« Talloresses and Clothing <»PP™x.) Fur^e 88 .:::::::::::::;; General Position Reflected. The figures quoted give a true reflection of the general position of unions in Auckland to-day, and it seems reasonable to suppose that similar increases will be reported in other centres. A ttle ever twelve months ago there were 0 unions registered in the Dominion, d their membership stood at 80,929 is difficult to hazard a guess as to at the total wiH be when the Depart!iit furnishes its report, but at a convative estimate 'the aggregate should doubled.

Stockley. in Wiltshire, has no church, poet office, school, or public-house for its population of 09. One-third of the inhabitants are drawing the pld-age pension.