LABOURERS IN S.I.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30763, 29 May 1965, Page 19

LABOURERS IN S.I.

One Union “In Sight”

A general labourers’ union covering the whole of the South Island was now in sight, said the president of the Canterbury-Otago General Labourers’ Union (Mr G. Brady) and its secretary (Mr L. B. Swan) in a joint statement.

Mr Brady said that the annual meeting of the Canter-bury-Otago union yesterday decided to make all possible moves to amalgamate the Canterbury-Otago union and the Southland union. The Southland union’s executive, he said, had already approved of the amalgamation of the two unions.

Messrs Brady and Swan will attend the annual meeting of the Southland union on June 8 to discuss amalgamation. “The question of amalgamation will be put to the Southland members at their annual meeting for approval,” said Mr Swan. “If it is approved, a ballot will be taken of members in the Southland district.” Mr Swan said that the general labourers’ unions in the South Island had about 5500 members. An amalgamation with Southland would be a forerunner of amalgamation with union members in Nelson, Marlborough, and the West Coast.

Since Canterbury and Otago amalgamated 12 months ago, said Mr Swan, new branches had been opened at Temuka, Timaru, Aviemore, and Benmore. Representatives had been appointed at Balclutha, Alexandra and Wanaka.