Compulsory unionism

Press, 27 June 1983, Page 18

Compulsory unionism

Sir,—With the recent discussion in your paper on compulsory unionism I would suggest everybody should take a good look at the New Zealand Farm Workers’ Association (Inc.). The N.Z.F.W.A. is a form of voluntary unionism. All farm workers must either belong to the association or apply for an exemption certificate which is granted unconditionally. This means all farm workers must make the choice about membership but do not have to belong to the association if they do not wish to. I might add that the N.Z.F.W.A. functions extremely well, representing all farm workers, at every level, from on farm through to Government lobbying in Wellington. Its success is due to total commitment by members at branch level as they know their wishes are acted on and not the wishes of elected representatives who are acting on directives from above rather than from the members. If voluntary unionism works in the country, why can it not work in the cities? — Yours, etc., G. N. JEFFERIS, Waikari. June 23, 1983.

Sir,—ln reply to J. Stirling (June 23) I would comment that a private organisation that has the right to enforce membership is the Law Society. It is possible, if sufficient members call a meeting and decide against compulsory membership (for lack of a better term) for a union to go into award negotiations with a voluntary unionism request, but it is also possible that employers would reject it. A voluntary union would only negotiate for its members. This would mean an employer would have to negotiate with the union plus dozens of individuals not in the voluntary union. Alternatively, the non-union advocate would be by law created from within the civil service and thus have no responsibility to the workers the State advocate is representing. As there are always three parties to an award, why only attack the union? If a person pays union fees that person is lucky enough to be employed.—Yours, etc M. O’NEILL. June 23, 1983.