COMPULSORY UNIONISM

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29380, 6 December 1960, Page 18

COMPULSORY UNIONISM

Dairy Workers’ Attitude

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 5.

The dairy industry would be disrupted throughout the country if there was any attempt to work non-union labour in dairy factories under the National Government’s proposed voluntary unionism. This was said today by Mr S. Wheatley, national and Auckland branch secretary of the New Zealand Dairy Workers’ Union. •

It mattered little to the dairy workers whether the law on compulsory unionism was amended or not, said Mr Wheatley. Unlike a number of other unions, the dairy workers effected membership by a system of worker delegates in the various factories.

“We will continue this system. In the event of change in the law, and should any person contemplate working in a dairy factory and hesitate to join the union, our reaction will be immediate and determined,” he said. “We have demonstrated our determination to obtain better wages and conditions for our members in the past irrespective of the nature of the political party in office.” continued Mr Wheatley. "We will continue along the same lines in the future. And if a dairy factory employer is considering the employment of nonunion labour desirable he will be well advised to pause and reflect.

“This is a vulnerable industry and such an attitude will only lead to fighting out the issue in the factories with all the consequent disruption attendant upon such methods.” said Mr Wheatley.