Unionism

Press, 7 April 1984, Page 18

Unionism

Sir,—Phillippa Reader (April 3) staggers me by her vitriolic attack on trade unions. Employees are free to associate with each other voluntarily as a result of recent legislation, but the correspondent wants the Government to disband all unions. This would mean that employees would no longer have the hard-won democratic freedom of association, and that the Government would decide what associations citizens are permitted. In suggesting that a new section of the Labour Department could handle employment-related grievances and complaints, the correspondent takes the erroneous view that the Government of the day adopts a neutral stance between the owners of capital and the providers of labour. In her eagerness to see the demise of trade unionism, Miss Reader seems to advocate a role for the State that reeks of fascism, together with a curtailment of human rights. — Yours, etc., PAUL DOUGLAS. April 5, 1984.

Sir,—A. B. Ruka’s resignation from the Shop Employees’ Union and the attempt to smear unionists’ reaction to the death of Mr Abbott as “scoring political points” show a meagre knowledge of both unionism and the political situation in New Zealand. They also show an amazing failure to realise or recognise that Mr Abbott may not have been the sole intended victim. — Yours, etc., R. W. TATE. April 5, 1984.