Promises Of Action By Unions Favoured

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29764, 6 March 1962, Page 12

Promises Of Action By Unions Favoured

( N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 5.

The refusal of the last annual conference of the Federation of Labour to endorse the principle of compulsory arbitration was the most progressive step it had ever taken, the president of the Federation of Labour (Mr F. P. Walsh) said on Sunday. Speaking at a conference of 60 delegates from the Wellington Drivers’ Union district, Mr Walsh also said that the promise of direct action from unions, especially transport workers, had been the major factor in obtaining successful conclusions to disputes conducted by the Federation of Labour in the last year.

Part of Mr Walsh's speech was released today by the secretary of the Drivers’ Union (Mr C. Bailey), who also released the text of resolutions passed by the con. ference concerning its attitude to the new voluntary unionism legislation which came into force last Thursday.

The union will refuse to work alongside non-unionists, the conference decided. The union will also, where necessary, “force” direct negotiations on matters affecting membership. The delegates assembled after holding on-the-job meetings throughout the Wellington industrial district.

Mr Walsh told them, that over the last 12 months the successful conclusion of disputes conducted by the Federation of Labour on behalf of its affiliates had in all cases been the direct result of the promise of direct action given by other unions, especially those in the transport industry. “Key To Disputes”

"Transport workers are the key to all disputes. Without them the trade union move-

ment could be defeated, but with them the Government and employers could not win.’ 1 he said. “The most progressive step taken by the Federation of Labour since its inception was the refusal of the last annual conference to endorse the principle of compulsory arbitration, as it gives the trade union movement a free hand to fight the employers, free from legal restriction. “In the same way the Federation of Labour submis. sions to the Labour Bills Committee on the abolition of compulsory unionism were not made cap in hand and the movement will actually grow in strength as a result of the changes,” he said. The conference, at which were present representatives of the Wellington Trades Council, waterside workers, tramway workers and the Northern Drivers’ Union as well as the New Zealand Drivers’ Federation, resolved that in the event of any group of employers refusing an unqualified preference clause in drivers’ awards the matter would be sent to the Federation of Labour for assistance.

If necessary the matter would be withdrawn from the ambit of the I.C. and A. Act and direct negotiations “forced upon employers."

The union has also decided that any ballots will be conducted by those appointed by the union in accordance with its own rules and not by the Labour Department. The delegates decided on the operation of a “union shop” policy regardless of in. dustrial legislation.