Exemptions from unions

Press, 29 December 1980, Page 6

Exemptions from unions

PA Wellington Most applications for exemptions from union membership come from people in clerical jobs, according to a study in the “Labour and Employment Gazette”. Clerical workers have kept this position in the study which goes back to 1975, although their number of applications has dropped steadily. - ’ '' < The year ended March 31, 1975, brought 81 applications, but the corresponding period this year saw 45, as did 1979. Storemen and packers (25) and the engineering industry (24) are next on the list -or 1980. The numbers of ..those in these jobs not wanting to

i [be in their unions have risen slightly s ince 19751 Ten shop assistants applied for exemption in 1980, eight carpenters, seven manual semiskilled workers, and IS in other occupations. Religious 2 grounds have continued to dominate the reasons for applying for exemption. In 1980, 101 people applied on religious grounds. Of these, 59 were Exclusive Brethren, 19 Seventh. Day Adventists, and 23 others. The number of applications on reliigous grounds has fallen from 133 in 1975 to 96 last year,. The. Conscientious Objection committee in 1980 granted 122 certificates of exemption, no orders of exemption, and declined 29 applications. T •

; The most significant change is in the decline in granting orders of exemption since 16 in 1975. They peaked in 1978 at 18. then tell to six in 1979. A certificate is granted for a year and is renewable without reference to the committee. The holder pays the Consolidated Account an amount equal to the annual subscription to the union. With an order, which needs the applicant and the union to be/in agreement, the person Seeking ex-: emption pays the union an amount equal :to the union,: subscription. The union has to use this for its welfare fund or bther charitable purposes. ' - -.'