F.O.L. POLICY Amalgamation Of Trade Unions

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31967, 19 April 1969, Page 44

F.O.L. POLICY Amalgamation Of Trade Unions

(Aetc Zealand Preus Association >

WELLINGTON, April 18.

A concerted effort towards amalgamation of unions will |l he undertaken by the Federation of Labour. Its annual confer- i; ence in Wellington was told today that amalgamation of kindred I unions was a long-standing policy, and that although amalgama- j tions had taken place, there were too many unions in the country.

A campaign would be undertaken at national and district levels to organise unions “on the lines of class and industry.” it was decided. The special conditions and problems of white-collar workers would be recognised. Before the conference was a remit by the Engineers' Union condemning fragmentation and seeking moves towards merging of some unions. Mr K. Douglas (Wellington Drivers' Union) said there were “too inanj’ little empires with their little kings " This resulted in interests being too loose-knit. For ex-; ample, the interests of the 12‘ Drivers' Unions in New Zealand districts would be better served by a national union. Mr A H Grant (Clothing Trades Union) was opposed to members being instructed as to which union they or anyone should belong to. ' Some small unions are effective. and this will be lost in amalgamation.'* he said. The smaller unions would be smothered by the affairs of the larger unions The Engineers' Union delegate. .Mr W. B. Richards, said that unions spent far too much time marshalling their forces at times of action. > Amalgamation would marshal the forces. Mr W. A. Martin (Seamen's Union) said he supported amalgamation, but the desire must come initially from rank-and-file members with,' perhaps, a lead from the federation , A Clerical Workers’ Association delegate. Mr D. G. Nolan, was concerned that if' the conference supported amalgamation on an industry basis, white-collar workers would be alienated from the federation. The whitecollar workers held the political power in the tradeunion movement. The proposed white-collar workers' union would contain 100,000 members. “We don t want to keep them outside the federation." Mr Nolan said VOTING AGE The conference supported lowering the voting age to 18 Two remits on the question were before the conference. one calling on the Labour Party to support votes at 18. The decision of the confer-

ence was: "That the F.O.L endorse the principle of low ering the voting age to 18 years.” The federation also decided to press for legislation to provide for Waitangi Day to be an additional public paid holiday. SHOPPING WEEK The federation is opposed to any attempt to extend the shopping week into Saturday having passed a remit by the Federated Shop Assistants Association declaring its sup port of the Monday-to-Friday week ‘and deploring any attempt to extend the shop ping week into Saturday." By passing other remits the conference decided that the federation press for the days following New Year's Day and Anniversary Dav to become holidays. It also reaffirmed its policy of introduction of a 35-hour . week. COMPENSATION The federation will seek amendment to the Workers' Compensation Act to provide greater compensation coverage to a worker proceeding to and from his home and place of employment. A remit to this effect had been submitted by the Waterside Workers' Federation. The conference also accepted a proposal that in the event of an accident, the injured worker receive weekly remuneration by way of compensation nnt less than the average gross amount of wages and allowances received during the three preceding months The federation will also urgently seek appropriate legislation to provide adequately for redundancy In industrial personnel.

Other remits adopted in- ■ eluded: ’ Recommending to the Joint Council of Labour that the 1 retiring age for old-age pen- ■ sions be 55. I That the unemployment benefit be based on a living wage to apply from the first week, and that legislation be I enacted to provide against I ) evictions and repossession I ■ concerning a worker receiv- | ) ing an unemployment benei fit. That medical services and ■ prescriptions be free.