Mr Bolger opposes fewer unions

Press, 16 November 1981, Page 9

Mr Bolger opposes fewer unions

PA’.. Wellington Because of the “political colour” now becoming apparent at the top level of New Zealand trade unions it would probably be undesirable to see fewer unions, says the Minister of Labour. Mr Bolger, answering a question , after his address to the Employers’ Federation in Wellington, said conventional wisdom stated that it was desirable to consolidate trade unions. He said people pointed to the West German experience of having only a few big unions, but he did not believe it was relevant to New Zealand. “We have a less disciplined approach, whether you like it or not.” Two of New Zea-

land’s “most active” Communists held senior positions on the Federation of Labour, • while in recent weeks another Communist had recently become secretary of the Wellington Trades Council. “To consolidate trade unions carries an identifiable risk,” he said. He wanted to examine amending the Industrial Relations Act to allow for the establishment of “plant unions,” one union per fac- . tory. Mr Bolger said many advocated the withdrawal of the Government from industrial relations, but it was less clear how this would be achieved.