“Summit” Talks On Industrial Unrest

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27688, 18 June 1955, Page 7

“Summit” Talks On Industrial Unrest

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 17. Britain has begun her own talks “at the summit” on the main domestic issue of today —industrial unrest. They began when Sir Anthony Eden invited members of the general purposes- committee of the Trades Union Congress to Number 10 Downing Street for an informal discussion over a cup of tea; they will be continued at a furthei' meeting and when Sir Anthon Eden meets representatives of the British Employers’ Federation. Subsequently it is expected there will be discussions by a national joint advisory council on which are represented employers, unions and nationalised industries.

Sir Anthony Eden’s summoning of the T.U.C. representatives is said to have been unexpected. There is general agreement by the newspapers that his action is not only timely and necessary, but attuned to the national mood insisting that steps must be taken to end unofficial and inter-union strikes, and that calls for a fresh approach to industrial relationships to be worked out.

But one thing which has been made clear is that the Government itself is not thinking of introducing soon legislation designed to make strikes more difficult. It wants the T.U.C. to try to resolve strikes arising from inter-union disputes. It also wants employers to make a contribution towards improving industrial relations and to contemplate a trend towards profit sharing or copartnership, to which Sir Anthony

Eden has already referred in the House of Commons. The Government hopes both sides will advance proposals which will be aimed not only at reducing industrial unrest, but also at maintaining full employment with expanding production, exports and national wealth. The talks which Sir Anthony Eden has initiated have begun in the foreground of considerable public discussion on industrial unrest, particularly in the newspapers. Among many matters to which attention is being directed are: the role of the T.U.C., and the possibility or desirability of a secret ballot by unions before a decision to strike. There is general agreement that the trade union movement in Britain is bigger an(d more powerful today than ever before but that it is powerless to prevent its various sections taking action that could wreck national prosperity. Leaders of the T.U.C. can give advice to an affiliated union; they can bring a certain amount of influence to bear. But they cannot Insist on their advice being accepted, for each individual union is determined and is free to follow a policy of its own. The influence of the T.U.C., in the words of the Labour correspondent of "The Times,” depends less on constitutional powers than on a moral authority that is based on prestige and precedent.

In spite of this limitation It is accepted that the T.U.C. is the body primarily looked to for action to solve problems of inter-union rivalries. Among the actions being suggested to overcome disputes is the establish-

ment of an Industrial high court to which the Government could reCi deferences when it felt justified fiTdoßß sc on grounds of public intere-J; So far the idea has foundNor does it seem that V willing to contempt? Jte . J'-£!*, on a decision to stri)<’fte Vn of reasons which indit >de a ji..,is<bat it would make a “I M i ? olltlcailm7’ ne ” of every union. ‘•• —ha v The discussions f regun Sir Anthony Eden and thowe bejnjiconducted publicly are all part? of a great debate to evolve new to cope with changed conditions. The background is perhaps summed up by Mr Tom O’Brien, a member of Parliament, vice-chairman ot the T.U.C.. and a farmer chairman, who has called for a reorientation ot ideas to current developments. “The workers,’’ he has said, "no longer cry out for the right to live and to be housed in decency; for protection against Injury, illness and unemployment, and the rest. AU these things we have accomplished. “Now workers rightly press for a better life, more holidays and higher educational opportunities—a standard of life to enjoy modern facilities such as TV sets, motor-cars, and refrigerators,” he said.