Trans-Tasman national nnionism

Press, 16 August 1980, Page 6

Trans-Tasman national nnionism

PA Canberra Trade unions in Australia and New Zealand could coordinate action against multinational companies if the two countries moved closer together economically.

The secretary of the federation of Labour (Mr K. G. Douglas), said yesterday that closer economic links with Australia would lead to stronger international trade union links. Such links would extend to support for unions in countries where trade unions did not enjoy the freedoms associated with unionism in Australia and New Zealand,. he said. - ' " !

"I have no argument witji either low costs or efficiency. But what must be considered is that the financial cost of such imports often relates to wage rates based upon a den-

ial of trade union rights, poverty, malnutrition and gross economic and social inequalities.”

Mr Douglas told an Australian National University seminar on Australia-New Zealand economic issues that as the shift to closer economic co-operation implied closer integration into a transnational economy, it meant a shift to transnational unions.

Mr Douglas warned that industrialists and others working towards greater Tasman economic co-operation could not count on playing Australian workers against those in New Zealand or vice versa.

“There will not be any diL ferences in. attitude between the F.O.L. and'the Australian Council of Trade Unions,” he said. “We will ensure there is a . harmony of approach from the unions.”