Stoppages, go-slows urged by Mr Knox

Press, 7 May 1983, Page 1

Stoppages, go-slows urged by Mr Knox

Wellington reporter

Steadfast national industrial action was asked of delegates leaving the Federation of Labour’s annual conference yesterday.

“Do not be turned away,” said the federation’s president, Mr W. J. Knox, in a militant closing address. “If you do you can forget about the trade union movement.” He exhorted delegates to organise their members to follow a policy of stoppages and go-slows in support of a $2O-a-week wage rise and an end to the wage freeze. The Government and the employers would crush the trade union movement if they deviated from that policy, he said. “It will be State control: the Government will be the wage-fixing body,” he said. The federation’s national executive was planning the campaign and would soon announce details. “Go back to the membership, explain to them why the decision was taken on

the wages policy,” Mr Knox said. “If there are any problems come back and tell us.” If necessary, the executive would organise the rank and file. For the second time in the session he rebuked the secretary, of the Electrical Workers’ Union, Mr A. J. Neary, for criticising the wages policy outside the conference. “To go outside and do that sort of thing is tantamount to stabbing us in the back,” Mr Knox said. People who did it became appendages of the Government. He said earlier that he expected statements such as Mr Neary’s to come from the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon. The Auckland Trades

Council president, Mr G. H. Andersen, said publicity given to differences at the conference was harmful. In future, internal problems should be dealt with in committee. In an interview outside the conference hall, Mr Neary said he would not be silenced. “If I feel that I have a contribution to make, I will do so,” he said. “I believe in a free society. If they do not believe in a free society that is up to them.” A note of unity was struck, however, in a standing ovation for the outgoing vice-president, Mr E. G. Thompson. He is succeeded by Mrs Sonja Davies.

Final remits, page 3

Mr Bolger comments, P 8