Requirements For Union Posts

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 10

Requirements For Union Posts

“In top administration of unions in Canterbury there is no job for industry bludgers, stepping-stone experts, opportunists, or office chair addicts,” said the new full-time secretary of the New Zealand Rubber Workers Association (Mr T. Fletcher). He was addressing the annual meeting of the Christchurch branch of the association.

Mr Fletcher said there wis no place in Canterbury unionism for old men without incentives or dedication. He said he could remember a dedicated union organiser in Central Otago who covered his area by hobnail boots in 1922. t „ Mr Fletcher said that if trade unionists could be educated to put a hand in their pocket for trade union dues as quickly as they did in a hotel bar, T.A.8., or racecourse they would get a surer and better dividend. The days were past when workers could expect good

service and sound union administration on a cheap union ticket. “The present trend in New Zealand is that union dues are too cheap,” said Mr Fletcher. “Unions must be prepared to go into the labour market and buy the best brains they can afford. “They must follow the lines of employers in going to the auctions and hiring the best brains available. If those hired fall down on the job when hired and don’t meet requirements and desires of the employers they are soon put of a job.”