Freezing Workers To Form National Union

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29238, 23 June 1960, Page 17

Freezing Workers To Form National Union

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WELLINGTON, June 22. Delegate* from freezing wMtan* throughout N«w J? I **,? P* lliljwiT — <• e«tebli>h a New ZcoMa* freezing workers’ asJir embracing all district aniens. The decision was -gde at a “unity” conference called by the Federation of labour in Wellington. A New Zealand body already -xjjts, but it has, so far, embraced only the South Island unions, the N - or th Island unions being organised in a number of district unions and confederations of smaller unions The conference also agreed to Hie establishment of four district industrial unions throughout the country. This means that Patea, Wanganui and Tomoana, organised u the Wellington-Taranaki assopatwo since 1951, and Whakatu out on >ts own, will join the six branch unions that make up the present Wellington district union Toolkit, the president of the fO-L (Mr F. P. Walsh), said he was more than satisfied with the results of an "excellent” conference. “The spirit of unity among the freezing workers, as a result of the recent dispute, has never been better,” he said.

It is believed, however, that these decisions were not reached without hot discussion, especially from the Auckland delegates who I N Ot c 2 nv , mced of the benefits of a New Zealand association and who were more in favour of North and South Island associations, such as the waterside workers nave.

At one stage the Auckland delegation of four executive members threatened to leave the conference when they discovered that two other Aucklanders were there representing sheds at the invitation of the F.0.L., but without executive approval. This matter was settled and the shed representatives remained as observers. Auckland has still not indicated that it will definitely join a national body and, in fact, did not vote when the matter was tested Whatever the final decision of the conference, it is understood that the matters will still have to be referred back to the individual sheds for final approval. In many cases this will not be before January, 1961, when the sheds have their peak membership. The conference also passed s “motion of gratitude” to the F.O.L. for its handling of the recent freezing industry dispute and placed on record its appreciation of the Table manner" in which Mr Walsh conducted the dispute The conference will continue tomorrow.