Vote ‘should be compulsory’

Press, 25 October 1984, Page 12

Vote ‘should be compulsory’

If the Government intends to reintroduce a form of compulsory union membership it should also ensure that voting for the change is compulsory, says the president of the Canterbury Employers’ Association, Mr Brian Shackel. Under previous unqualified preference law, workers had the opportunity to express their views in a ballot and many had failed to take advantage of it, he said, in his report to be given to the association’s annual meeting on November 1. “The balloting process will be crucial to the exercise and more particularly in the case of those industries and those unions which have, according to reports, lost significant numbers of former members,” said Mr Shackel.

“Those people who have exercised their right of choice would certainly want a say in whether that newfound freedom is to be removed,” he said. When ballots were held in 1979-1980 in only 90 out of the total 208 ballots held did the total number of votes cast represent more than half or more of registered union members, he said. “Those who were entitled to vote and did not, did themselves a great disservice,” said Mr Shackel.

On employment, Mr Shackel said that it was pleasing to note the real determination of the employer group, the Alliance of Business, which had entered into a commitment

with the Government to seek jobs for the unemployed. “It is unfortunate that the first reaction to come from those representing the unemployed was negative,” Mr Shackel said.

“Once again we had suggestions of exploitation of individuals and accusations of employers seeking free labour. “These attitudes, added to the opposition recently exS;ed by the Canterbury es Council to the. continuation of secondary schools’ work-exploration projects, are unhelpful to say the least. “Time and effort and cost are associated with the provisions of any ‘training place’ and if the work of the alliance is to bear fruit, and employers are to show willingness to take trainees in greater numbers, those outmoded attitudes must be overcome,” said Mr Shackel. Some people pointed to the ideal situation of employment being voluntarily chosen and compatible with the employee’s abilities and aptitudes, he said. “What is frequently overlooked is that those who are employers have their own preferences also, but are faced with the practical issues in running a business and outlaying considerable investment to provide jobs. “The search for possible changes in the pattern of employment should not be one which puts undue emphasis on. the desires of potential employees but should centre on what is

both acceptable and, above all, practical,” said Mr Shackel. Elements that had entered the psychology of employers would, if not changed, be an influence against job creation, he said. “There are many who have in the past been substantial employers of labour but who now prefer not to

be. By bitter experience they have found that not only are wages a significant cost factor, but non-wage elements also. “So much of the cost of social development now Tails back on the employer that many, if not opting out, are certainly limiting their activity and liability to what they regard as manageable,” Mr Shackel said.