Govt ballots ‘will reap the whirlwind’

Press, 16 August 1978, Page 14

Govt ballots ‘will reap the whirlwind’

PA Auckland A closed shop policy will apply in New Zealand industrial relations in six to eight months if the Government continues with its ballot on voluntary unionism, says the president of the Federation of Labour (Sir Thomas Skinner). The future of the Industrial Relations Council was : now in doubt after the Govj ernment caucus decision to •proceed with 14 ballots, he isaid. Earlier last week union and employer representatives on the council unanimously called for an immediate moratorium on the ballots while they studied F.O.L. proposals on the issue. Sir Thomas said yesterday that the closed shop would weaken the structure of some unions, but strengthen others.

It was F.O.L. policy not to work with or service industries employing nonunionists, and this would be implemented. The F.O.L. was preparing for this now, he said. The transport unions had already expressed their opinions on this in no uncertain terms. “I would say we’re heading for a complete breakdown in industrial relations,” said Sir Thomas. He said that pressure for voluntary unionism came only from “disgruntled outsiders who had never taken an interest in the trade union movement.” “These people think they can reap the benefit without subscribing or paying in any contributions. What they will reap will be the whirlwind.” Sir Thomas said. Nobody in the Government realised the implications of the present policy. The Government was com-

, posed mainly of anti-worke people, with no experience lof industrial relations. Ex -I perts up and down New : Zealand had advised the i Government against its disastrous course, and the only i explanation it could give is that it was in its manifesto. Sir Thomas said New Zealand was reaching a dan i.gerous situation when over seas visitors were checked ' for their political beliefs. If j these happened to be coni'trary to the Government s i they were not given passi,ports. >! “The next step will be i that certain trade unionists • I will be debarred from enterping the country and, with i the legislation for the taprj ping of telephones and keepI ing secret dossiers on '.people’s private lives, the 'end result must be a State I dictatorship in which free • Ipeople will have no place.”