Union exec. may meet dissident branch

Press, 20 November 1989, Page 6

Union exec. may meet dissident branch

By

MICHAEL RENTOUL

National executive members of the Engine Drivers’ Union, who yesterday refused to meet dissident southern branch members, may agree to see them next Sunday. The dissident group yesterday attempted to organise a petition to force a meeting, but the union’s national secretary, Mr Karl Anderson, said last evening it was likely to take place regardless of the result of such a move.

Some members are angry at a

lack of local representation since the national executive last month seized control of the branch’s financial affairs, amid accusations of financial mismanagement.

The dissidents are insisting that the branch’s interim secretary, Mr Norman Dewes, remain. The national executive declared his election invalid, and is pressing for a new election.

Mr Anderson and the union’s national president, Mr Con Devitt, refused to attend yesterday’s meeting, declaring it unconstitutional.

The dissidents, who number about 40, also want to view the branch’s accounts. Mr Anderson said these may be available at next week’s meeting. A spokesman for the dissidents, Mr Sid Amer, said yesterday’s meeting was shocked to hear of recent negotiations between the union’s national executive and that of the Northern Distribution Workers’ Union, off possible amalgamation. He said the national executive, in stonewalling local members, was pursuing a hidden agenda of

amalgamation. Under the proposal, the Engine Drivers’ Union would be swallowed by the much larger, North Island-based union, and local representation reduced, Mr Amer said. Union finances would be centralised and local affairs handled on a part-time agency basis.

Mr Anderson said amalgamation had been on the agenda for three or four years. Any such move would only enhance branch representation, but would be decided by members.

The branch should resume control over its own affairs by December 13, the date set down for the union’s annual meeting, he said. The branch accounts had been audited. No funds were found to be missing or unaccounted for, he said..

The executive stepped in because of a “problem” with the accounts, which had been unaudited for two years. A request to the Labour Department by the executive to supervise the elections had been

turned down. Mr Anderson said a former secretary of the Carpenters’ Union in Christchurch, Mr Jack Clough, had now agreed to act as returning officer. The dissident group yesterday maintained Mr Clough had refused.

Mr Clough would not comment last evening. Under union rules, the executive could have removed Mr Dewes rather than simply taking over the branch affairs, but their decision meant Mr Dewes could again put his name forward, Mr Anderson said.