ONE UNION FOR OFFICE WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 183, 1 May 1936, Page 13

ONE UNION FOR OFFICE WORKERS

Move Made in Wellington ‘AN UNDERSTANDING’ WITH GUILD OFFICERS Included among applications lodged with the Registrar of Industrial Unions for the registration of clerical organisations is one made by the Wellington Clerical Workers’ Union. According to a statement issued yesterday this union—intended as an organisation embracing all clerical workers —was formed at the beginning of March. 1 luring the past 10 days tbe members of various clerical groups in 'Wellington, notably the staffs of stock and station agents and the Insurance Officers’ Guild, have met with the object of having separate unions registered. While no statements have been issued by any of these organisations it is apparent that there is a wish, especially on tee part of guild officers, to form separate unions and to negotiate for separate agreements. A factor in promoting the move for separate unions is suggested in the following extract from the Wellington Clerical Workers’ Union statement: — “It appears that, a scare was broadcast. that the Wellington Clerical Workers’ Union would interfere with the already-established guilds of some of the mercantile employees, and several representations were made to the registrar in tliis connection. “A meeting of representatives of the Clerical Workers’ Union, and representatives of the main established bona fide guilds, was held yesterday, and an assurance was given by the representatives of the Clerical Workers’ Union that that organisation had no intention or inclination to interfere witli tlie operations of the bona fide guilds. An amicable understanding and agreement, was arrived at. between the parties. “It was clearly understood, however, that tlie Wellington Clerical Workers’ Union, and indeed the whoje Labour movement, was definitely opposed to tlie establishment of sectional organisations which were in any way influenced by tlie employers, or employers’ organisations. There was a danger of ‘company unionism’ creeping in, and the trade union movement would combat this strenuously.” Although tlie actual organisers of the Clerical Workers’ Union have not been named, it is known that the union will have the active support of the organisations affiliated to the Wellington district council of tbe Alliance of Labour. It was also made clear, when inquiries were made by “The Dominion” last night, that the Clerical Union is not seeking a “blanket” award, but a series of as many awards as are necessary to cater for varying conditions in the mercantile community. This, it is hoped, will dispose of the prevailing fear oil the part of some clerical workers, especially in large organisations, that a single union will not be to their particular advantage. GUILD INTO UNION A Christchurch Application CLERKS’ UNION NOT NEW Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, April 30. Tlie clerical employees of Christchurch stock and station firms were organised into a guild some years ago, but after a time interest in it fell off, and it ceased to function. Recently, however, the guild was revived with the idea that it should perform for stock and station firms’ employees the functions intended by the Government to be undertaken by clerks’ unions. It was found, however, that a guild would not be recognised by the Government as capable of fulfilling the | functions of its proposed unions. Accordingly, it was decided to form a union, and an application tor its registration has been forwarded to Wellington. The decision to form a separate union of stock and station firms’ v employees rather than to wait for a general move by clerical workers was influenced by the view that the work of these firms naturally falls into a group of its own, and that a very large number of employees throughout the country are affected. Other groups of office workers, including insurance officers, have interested themselves in the position, mainly with tlie object of being prepared for the new conditions intended by the Government. Christchurch is in some ways in a different position from the other cities because a.clerks’ union has existed here since 191.9, Mr. J. S. Barnett having been its secretary for the last 12 years. The Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister for Industries and Commerce, was its first president. Membership of this clerks’ union is, according to the registered rules, open to any person, male or female, who is employed or intends to bo employed as a clerk, cashier or office assistant. Although in other days awards were obtained through the union for laundry clerks, newspaper clerks, gas company clerks and implement companies’ clerks, the active membership has come to be confined largely to laundry clerks.