“Union Shop” Agreements To Be Allowed

Press, Volume C, Issue 29537, 12 June 1961, Page 14

“Union Shop” Agreements To Be Allowed

(New Zeamna Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 11. The Government would allow “union shop” agreements when compulsory unionism is abolished in the coming session of Parliament, the Minister of Labour, Mr Shand, said today. This would mean that an employer would agree not to employ a worker who did not join a union. The union would agree to accept the worker as a member of the union. Mr Shand said the proposed legislation would enable employers and trade unions to negotiate “union shop” agreements in conciliation.

The legislation will allow the Arbitration Court to make “union shop” provisions if a union satisfies the Court that a majority of workers if) an industry want a “union shop." If there is not agreement or evidence of a majority preference for a "union shop" clause the Arbitration Court will be empowered to grant a "preference to unionists” clause. Mr Shand gave these details in a statement setting out the Government’s policy on compulsory unionism. He said legislation was being drafted and would be referred to the Parliamentary Labour Bills Committee after it is introduced in the House of Representatives. The committee will then hear any submissions from interested organisations or individuals.

Mr Shand last week agreed to receive written submissions from the Federation of Labour and the Employers’ Federation and discuss the bill with them before it is introduced. Mr Shand said consideration was being given to introducing a provision in the legislation to give a limited right to employers to apply for exemption from the “union shop” provisions if they could produce evidence that a majority of employees had pressed for such exemption. Such union .shop provision

would rest on the agreement of the parties or the wish of the majority of workers involved, and it would be left to the parties not the Labour Department to enforce such provisions. The Minister said that it was important to give reasonable time for transition from one system to another, and it was proposed that existing awards and industrial agreements should continue in force until new awards had been negotiated. Eighteen months at most would be allowed for the changeover, said Mr Shand