"Workers'Education Resolves Unrest'

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32361, 29 July 1970, Page 18

"Workers'Education Resolves Unrest'

Industrial unrest could be resolved where the trade union movement was realistically informed on the problems facing industry generally, a British expert on adult education said in Christchurch yesterday.

Dr E. M. Hutchinson, secretary of the British National Institute of Adult Education said that unless trade union leaders were themselves able to communicate properly and able to handle affairs outside their day-to-day working activities with the skills that were readily available to management then possibilities for successful negotiation were diminished.

“It is not informed opposition which management fears but that which is badly prejudiced and ill-informed,” Dr Hutchison said. New schemes of worker education in Great Britain sought the active co-operation of management in study courses taken to the worker "where he worked.” “We are negotiating with both management and the unions for the release of won kers from their jobs so that education can be given in the widest sense—not just related to vocational training,” said Dr Hutchinson. Public service headquarters in Great Britain had always been strong supporters of such schemes but private industry there and in many 'other countries had yet to face

■ up to the necessity of havling 1 : a well-educated and well-1 ■ informed work force. 1 Workers Educational Associations had helped in build-1 ’ ing up better communications i ■ among employees and between employers and their | ’ staffs, Dr Hutchinson said, i “Better informed and more I thoughtful men are far more i , likely to respond in a sensible i ; way to problems requiring i t study and background know-1 ; ledge.” i Dr Hutchinson agreed that' 1 as young people stayed at' school longer, and many went i on to higher education, the i i “reservoir” of those left to ; ’ take on responsibilities of tra-1 . ditiona! trade union leader-i , ship diminished. i i "It is this group that are

left that must take all opportunities possible to ensure that they are well informed. "Unless this is done unions will be deprived of responsible leadership." Governments then should take a particular interest in the need for higher education for those who did leave school early, as it was in the national interest that those who did eventually become trade union leaders were men who could make mature decisions according ' to their work. He cited the example of workers’ education schemes in Scandinavia directed specifically at the higher education of shop stewards and other union leaders. “When there is a high de-

gree of ability to communicate properly there is less chance of problems," he said. Dr Hutchinson has been brought to New Zealand by the British Council; during his stay, which began on July 19, he has delivered a series of lectures arranged mainly by university departments of extension studies. In 1947 he became the first secretary of the National Institute of Adult Education.

In addition to wide experience as a tutor and voluntary worker for the Workers’ Educational Association he has served at the Universities of British Columbia and Syracuse .as visiting professor. He has been president of the European Bureau of Adult Education since 1962.