Union ballots begin

Press, 6 October 1977, Page 3

Union ballots begin

’ A Nelson The Government’s first ion ballot began yesterday .ernoon when individual ■ting papers were posted in ikaka to members of the olden Bay Cement Works’ Union. The Registrar of Industrial Jnions (Mr R. A. Quay) agreed to withhold posting; of the ballot papers until, [after the union’s monthly meeting, which was held at lunch-time yesterday. The union’s secretary (Mr J. Smith) said that the meeting was the last opportunity to explain to members what the wording of the ballot meant. “We asked the registrar to hold off posting the ballot papers until after the meeting, so we cannot be accused of influencing the vote,” he said. 1 He said that envelopes were addressed to 198 memibers of the union, but the number was reduced to 197 j after the discovery that one man had entered an adult' apprenticeship. j “He is under contract and so is not bound by our; award and consequently cannot vote,” Mr Smith said. j “However, he is a full [member of our union and a • good member.” Voters face the following, alternatives in their ballot [ paper: “I am in favour of the unqualified preference provision remaining in the collective' agreement ■ covering my work.” ! “I am opposed to the unqualified preference provision remaining in the collective agreement covering my work. The provision should be removed.” ' After the voter has ticked [one or other of the alternatives he posts his ballot [paper to the Takaka Post [Office where the postmaster [will deposit it in a ballot ibox. ! At noon on October 19, ■ the returning officer (Mr R. ■J. Cave) who is Nelson disi trict officer of the Labour i Department, will take the ‘ballot box to the Golden Bay cement works. Here the ballot papers will; ,be checked by Mr Cave and two union scrutineers. The result will be announced: about 2 p.m. “We will not get the same l number of returns through a postal vote as through a straight ballot-box vote,” Mr Smith said.