Compulsory Unionism And Farm Workers

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29336, 15 October 1960, Page 16

Compulsory Unionism And Farm Workers

The New Zealand Workers’ Union has long been pressing for an amendment of the Industrial Conciliation and' Arbitration Act providing for compulsory unionism for farm workers. Farm workers ait present have no union award under this act, but are covered under extension orders of the Agricultural Workers’ Act.

This information was given yesterday by Mr W. A. Dempster, South Island secretary of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, in answer to a current correspondence on farm workers in letters to the editor of “The Press.” One correspondent, “Wondering,’.’ has asked why there is nd farm labourers’ union "when unionism is compulsory, for other workers.”

• An agricultural section of the New Zealand Workers’ Union was in existence, and inquiries for membership were welcomed, but membership itself was not compulsory, Mr Dempster said. “The New Zealand Workers’ Union has, over the years, worked strenuously to improve the conditions and rates of pay for the farm worker, but as membership of the agricultural section is not compulsory, the lack of financial membership leaves us with very little bargaining power,” Mr Dempster said.

“The only medium open to us in bargaining for conditions and rates of pay is in conciliation with farmers’ representatives, who do not agree to compulsory union membership.

“We realise in answer to other queries that it "is necessary to legislate for the poor employer, and we are not blind to the fact that among the farming com-

munity there are a number of excellent employers who treat their employees like human beings—housing and paying them satisfactorily.” The employer-employee relationship, which was so personal on farms, made organisation of farm workers much more difficult than that of 'other workers, said Mr Dempster. “But our union will continue to press tor the I.C. and A. Act to be amended to provide tor compulsory unionism covering farm workers, and we will then be in a much better position to negotiate, and bring all farm workers’ conditions up to the standard set by the employer of ‘Sebago’—who is evidently not doing too badly as a landlord alone.

“But everyone cannot be farmworker/landlords most farm workers are in the category of ‘Country Girl,’ ” said Mr Dempster. “Horse racing and - hotel drinking are open to all sections of the community, and surely one does not have to be a wowser. to have the right to earn a decent living.”