WORKERS’ PART IN INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24750, 15 December 1945, Page 6

WORKERS’ PART IN INDUSTRY

* CONTROL EXTENSION ADVOCATED RESOLUTION BY TRADES COUNCIL The retention of manpower appeal committees to which any worker could appeal for a hearing if ‘dismissed was advocated by the Canterbury Trades Council after a discussion on Thursday evening. “It has been reported to the council that various employers have stated their desire to dismiss some employees in order that others may be disciplined," said a statement issued by the council. “This threat has been made, notwithstanding that the workers of New Zealand have, in their reduced numbers, greatly increased production. The increased industrial output of the war years should be a sufficient answer to any critic of the workers. “The council feels that the Government should retain in existence a manpower appeal committee to which any worker could appeal for a hearing In the case of dismissal. The decision of such a committee should be made binding on employer and employee alike. The workers have accepted, as a war measure, the emergency regulations, which in the main, have been used to the advantage of the employers of New Zealand. The workers have been compelled to remain in their various employment, sometimes at a severe loss, both financially and in opportunity for advancement.

"The employers should recognise that we should promote an orderly and fundamentally fair retransfer of members of the armed’ forces to civilian life and employment. This retransfer should mean, to some extent, control of labour and also control of trade and industry. “We would impress upon the Government that it must be a cardinal principle that neither the control of labour nor the control of industry can be entrusted to any authority, least of all that of individual employers, without the active participation of representatives of labour and industry; and, to that end. the Government should foster in industry worker participation in control.” \ ■■ i in ——■ German Plunder in Italy.—The Germans removed from Italy more than 88,000.000.000 lire (about £220,000.000’ worth of industrial machinery and raw materials after September 8, 1943, the date of the Italian surrender to the Allies, states the Italian News Agency. The figure is based on estimates presented by industrial concerns.—Home, December 13.