Move To Oust Union Executive

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30588, 3 November 1964, Page 1

Move To Oust Union Executive

A printed circular, calling for a special meeting to depose the present executive of the Canterbury-Otago-Southland General Labourers’ Union, had been distributed in Christchurch letter boxes, said the union’s secretary (Mr L. B. Swan) yesterday).

“The circulars call for a gnecial meeting of general labourers in the Trades Hall, for November 10, 1964, at 8 p.m..” said Mr Swan. “The circular, printed in red ink, says under the heading of business: “The calling of a special general meeting

of the Christchurch metropolitan area to pass a resolution that the executive of the union be removed from office,’” said Mr Swan.

Mr Swan said the circular was signed with the printed name of J. W. Graham, as convener of the proposed special meeting. The circular said: “It is in your interest to be there. Please tel' your neighbour.”

Advertisements similar In content to the distributed circulars had been published in Christchurch newspapers. Mr Swan said that Mr J. W. Graham was not a member of the General Labourers' Union. “No union business can be transacted at any meeting other than a duly authorised meeting, called in a manner

prescribed in the union’s rules,” said Mr Swan. “The special meeting advertised in the circular can have no legal standing. We want to let all bona fide members of our union know the true position. “This meeting is being called by a disgruntled exmember of the union,” said Mr Swan.

In a telephone interview last evening, Mr Graham said he had already spent £3O in having the circular printed and in advertising in Christchurch newspapers to “try to get justice.” Mr Graham said that he had distributed 2000 copies of his printed circular. “I have been denied the union’s mailing list,” he said, “so I have distributed circulars in private letter boxes, in

various working men’s clubs and in hotels.

“I am petitioning for a special meeting, according to the union rules. This petition will be signed by the required 30 members.”

Asked what his specific complaint against the union’s executive was, Mr Graham said: “I have been frustrated, humbugged and messed around.

“In all conscience, I cannot accept them as a union to represent me in any negotiations with my employers at the present moment.”

Mr Graham said that about a year ago he had been dismissed from a pipe manufacturing company in Christchurch. “The union would not help me then,” said Mr Graham, “and it has not helped me since.”