F.O.L. Circular To Affiliate Unions

Press, Volume C, Issue 29669, 13 November 1961, Page 15

F.O.L. Circular To Affiliate Unions

(New ZeeteM Prwa Asaoetatton) WELLINGTON, November 12. The attitude of New Zealand governments to unionism may be brought to the notice of the International Labour Organisation if unionists take the hint offered them in circulars now being sent out by the Federation of Labour.

The circular is to inform affiliates of union practices in other countries, and also to advise of the effect* of uni® registration under the Incorporated Societies Act. “It would not be out of place for affiliated unions to forward remits to the 1962 Federation of Labour conference directing the national executive to have placed before the workers’ group a*, future International Labour Organisation sessions the policy of New Zealand government* in respect of volun. •ary unionism on the one hand, and compulsory arbitration on the other,” says Mr K. McL. Baxter, the Federation of Labour’s secretary, in the circular. This contains details of the International Labour Organisation conventions ratified by many nations (but not by New Zealand), and details of practices in Sweden, Norway. France, Austria, Denmark. West Germany, and the United States. The International Labour Organisation conventions reject compulsory arbitration, but concede the right of

unions to withdraw their labour power and to protect themselves, says the circular. On tfce question of the Incorporated Societies Act, the circular says it would give unions power to hold property and deal with employers without losing the right to strike, as they must under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act.