RIGHTS OF UNION SECRETARIES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 254, 10 July 1926, Page 9

RIGHTS OF UNION SECRETARIES

TO SEE WORKERS AT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT COURT HAS NO POWERS Bx TBi.rxniAi-H.—Ptsßss Association. Auckland, July 9. t is only with the consent of the other party that a clause empowering the secretary of a trades union to visit workers at their place of employment may be incorporated in an award. This was made clear in the Arbitration Court to-day, when Mr. J. Purtell, secretary of the Sugar Workers Union, expressed that representatives of the Colonial Sugat Refining Co. would not consent to the inclusion in the award of a clause empowering him to visit the Chelsea: works when he found it necessary. “I am secretary of several other unions, from labourers to clerks, and I am never obstructed,” said Mr. Purtell. "I franklv admit that I do not know what the attitude of the Court is on the question.” Mr. W. Scott (employers’ representative on the Court) asked Mr. Purtell whether he did not realise that it was a question of law and that the Court had not power to give him an order to go on private property. Mr. Justice Frazer; The Court docs not include such a clause except bv consent. I know there are several awards with that provision, but it is alwavs included by consent. W e could not make an order otherwise.