COMMENT FROM THE CAPITAL FISH-HOOKS IN A BALLOT ON COMPULSORY UNIONISM

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34131, 19 April 1976, Page 12

COMMENT FROM THE CAPITAL FISH-HOOKS IN A BALLOT ON COMPULSORY UNIONISM

(By

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY)

WELLINGTON. April 18.—When the National Party regained power less than five months ago, the implementing of one of its proposals seemed simple and unequivocal.

The proposal was that, to the real feeling of the working population towards the continuation of compulsory unionism, a secret ballot would be held in which all workers would participate.

Since then the Minister of Labour (Mr Gordon) has reiterated his determination and given his assurance that this will be done. There is no mistaking the fact, however, that the proposal has produced even more fish-hooks than were anticipated. Union leaders regard it as a direct attack on their territory, and farLeft unionists view it as an invasion of their privileges. Inevitably it has been linked with “Muldoonism” — which is a convenient label of what, to its users, a close definition is unnecessary. Even Mr Muldoon’s re-

ported comments in London on the admission into N ew Zealand of extremist unionists have been given special emphasis by anti-ballot people here. When unionism was made compulsory in this country, 1 it was argued that it would weaken the extremists and strengthen the bargaining power of the wage-earners. This may have happened generally, but there is evidence that in some unions it has merely strengthened the position of the extremists. A counter theory maintains that the great bulk of dues-paying unionists evince no interest, leaving the larger union in the old, familiar hands of the oftenimported worker who has always viewed his industry as a class battlefield. The answer to this, of course, is i that the worker who pays his union dues and shows no other interest in his union has only himself, or herself, to blame if compulsory unionism is not working efficiently. In addition to union resistance, Mr Gordon now has some indication that employers may make it difficult for him to obtain lists of employees. These lists are essential to ensure that the ballot will be carried out by all workers. Mr Gordon said this week that, if employers hold out, the Government will legislate to force them to hand over the names of employees. The Government will seek the co-operation of employers. But if that is not forthcoming there will be “a little gentle persuasion”. If this fails, legislation will follow. It seems a pity that this gauntlet has been tossed down at this stage. Some workers might form the impression that “if both employers and unions are against it, this idea may not be too bad.” Others may be persuaded to take the line of least resistance and not vote at all, as they nave not bothered to attend union meetings. As in Parliamentary elections, a citizen’s right to withhold his vote if he chooses is implicit. There would be no merit in making it an offence, as they do in general and local elections in Australia, for a person to withhold his vote. Mr Gordon is sure that the first union ballots will be held by Christmas, though he confirms that no start has yet been made on the legislation. He is sure that membership of the unions in the first ballots will remain ccmpulsory. He believes that the Seamen’s Union would probably be the first to vote. This is simply because the Ministry of Transport has a roll of ' union members, and there would be no problem in getting the ballot papers 1 out. Other industries, he said, would provide problems. , These could entail shop assistants and hotel workers — and the main problem would be that of , turnover. Individual hotels have had an annual staff ' turnover rate of up to 450 per cent — which made it

i difficult to provide an up-to- • date membership roll. Mr Gordon sees the need I to organise the ballot among : freezing workers at peak killing times in both islands. : The Registrar of Industrial . Unions would compile the I rolls and once this was I done, the ballot would pro- ; ceed. Mr Gordon regards as iroI nic that most of the claims • that the ballot was a chal- ■ lenge to the Federation of : Labour itself, came from its president (Sir Thomas Skin- ; ner). Mr Gordon believes the ballot should be ■ supported by the F.O.L be- ' cause, whatever else it does, it must liminate some of the giey areas of support ’ for compulsory unionism Other reaction he regards as more heartening. Some unions were already taking steps to improve their membership coverage, to get out more information to the full range of membership, and to ipush for better welfare, legal and holiday services. He believes that this increased union interest has followed directly upon the National Government's determination to push the ballot through this time. He is unhappy about the employer’s feeling that the ballot will “rock the boats.” Mr Gordon has always believed that employers, or their management representatives. should have a closer link with the workers — that they should talk to them more and discuss matters with them more. The proposed advocacy service. Mr Gordon explained, will not be a Government body. It will be controlled by the Industrial Relations Council and will be completely independent of either the State or the Labour Department. He thought that most of the advocates would come from the trade union movement, the rest from the personnel departments of large companies. The idea would be to strengthen the link between labour and management for the common good. He thought that it would not be difficult to recruit “bright young men” as advocates — particularly as a few years in the service would be ideal training for promotion. Easter monster The Loch Ness monster put in a timely appearance at the start of the holiday season when two local policemen said they had sighted a mysterious object they believe to be the monster in the Jake. Constable Sandy Gray said, “A couple of hundred yards away from us there was a great commotion, like a pot of boiling water. We saw two fins like the sails of a boat, about 25 feet apart, with a wake behind them. Whatever caused it must have been mighty large.”— Loch Ness. Dakota disaster President Ford has declared parts of North Dakota a major disaster area because of extensive damage to public and private property by floods since March 18. — Washington.

Across 1— To encourage debts is false. (8) 5— Tribe from a Celtic land. (4) 9 —Same shape used in dressmaking. (4) 10— Being so may make one react rashly. (8) 11— Name for a can. (5) 12— First forms. (7) 13— Valley requiring aid for development? (9. 4) 18— Sound proof of what a performer can do. (8) 19 — A politician’s current measures. (4) 20— Keep away from others. (7) 21— Make a financial return. (5) 22— Lay hold of Kate, perhaps. (4) 23— A desert’s transformation vindicated. (8) Down 2— Act as chairman but show partiality in advance? - (7) 3 — A walker or a climber, perhaps. (7) 4— Dangerous antagonists found waiting at the beauty parlour? (4, 9) 6— A shade less intense. (7) 7— A coin is newly minted in Cyprus. (7) 8 — A number, for example, finish the inscription. (6) 13 — His work increases day by day. (7) 14— A key man employs it as a hanger-on in the security business. (7) 15— They won’t top the bill in any form. (6) 16 — No expert, but someone of a mature disposition. (7) 17— Pay for in full. (7) (Solution tomorrow) Saturday’s solution Across: 1, Aspire; 4, Dogged; 9, Shooting pains; 10, Riposte; 11, Scale; 12, Issue; 14, Prude; 18. Acres; 19, Orpheus; 21, Private source; 22, Sweets; 23, Newton. Down: 1. Assert; 2, Prompt service; 3, Rites; 5. Opposer; 6, Grin and bear it; 7, Dashed; 8, Under; 13, Upstart; 15, Campus; 16, Cover; 17, Astern; 20, Prone.