BANK OFFICERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 129, 2 June 1936, Page 6

BANK OFFICERS

REPLY TO MINISTER

CIRCULAR TO MEMBERS

"PUBLIC TO JUDGE''

Exception to the comments of the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) on a memorandum sent to members of the Bank Officers' Guild along with a ballot paper to enable members to vote for or against forming a union, was taken by the executive of the guild at a meeting held last night. The president of Ihe guild, Mr. V. C. S. Edwards, presided.

The executive decided that although the memorandum sent out with the ballot paper was confidential, the Minister's statement that it was "deliberately misrepresenting the position" and was "poison" could be judged by the public only if the full text of the memorandum was released for publication. The memorandum

was not intended to influence the voting, it was stated, and even if members of the guild voted against a union it was still open for the annual conference to decide to form one if that course was thought fit. All that was sought was an expression of opinion and the memorandum was enclosed to supply information that had been asked for by some of the branches. STATEMENT BY GUILD. The executive of the guild met last evening and after considering the Minister's comment issued the following statement and released the circular memorandum for publication:—

"Although it was a confidential statement to bank officers we give the full text of the memorandum to which the Minister takes exception. We consider the memorandum an impartial presentation of the , facts and leave it to a fair-minded public to judge whether it merits the condemnation of the Minister.

i "While it is perhaps unusual for a memorandum to be forwarded with a ballot paper, we consider we were fully justified in adopting this course. We submit that the ballot is not a ballot in the true sense; it is not to decide the issue as to whether or not a union for bank officers is to be established, but is merely to test the feeling of bank officers, the great majority of whom are unfamiliar with the pros and cons of the case. The final decision as to what course will be pursued will rest with the conference of delegates from all parts of the Dominion, which will meet in Wellington later in the month.

"The necessity for the memorandum was furthers emphasised by the numerous requests for information received at the guild office from outside districts. The executive committee have made no efforts to influence bank officers in their voting.

"While the Minister considers that the memorandum from 'start to finish' misrepresents the position, we understand he- takes particular exception to clause 5, which he now says is an incorrect statement.

"This clause was embodied in the memorandum as a result of an interview between the Minister and two members oi the executive committee. At this interview it was indicated to the Minister that probably a ballot would be taken.

"It is obvious that if the statement made in clause 5 is incorrect there would be no object in taking the ballot if the alternative to forming a union of bank officers was automatic absorption in a general clerical union." THE MEMORANDUM. The memorandum to the bank officers to which the Minister referred reads as follows: —

"As you are no doubt aware, the recent amendment to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of 1925 makes provision for the registration of New Zealand industrial unions of workers. As this may have an effect upon the position of bank officers, the executive committee of the guild has of late given the matter very careful and close attention. The effect of the legislation has been very much exaggerated in certain quarters, and various rumours and opinions have been current. To clarify the | position it was deemed expedient for representatives of the guild to interview the Prime Minister and the Min- ! ister of Labour, with a view to ascertaining what effect the amended Act ! would have on our guild. Legal advice has also been obtained. "As a result of advices received, and after having given this important matter full and earnest consideration, the executive committee feel that, as the guild is a purely democratic body, it is for the members individually to decide by ballot what form their organisation should take—a continuance of the existing guild, or registration as a union under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. A voting paper is therefore enclosed herewith so that you may indicate your preference. "In an endeavour to assist you to arrive at a decision, we present here-! under a brief summary of what appears to us the vital factors: — SUMMARY OF POSITION. "1. A union would have power to apply to the Arbitration Court for an award covering salaries, hours of employment, and general conditions as to the terms of employment of bank officers.

"2. As far as we can ascertain i-egis-tration as a union would not directly interfere with our allied activities.

"3. If a union were registered would consist of bank. officers only.

"4. Membership of the union would bo compulsory for all bank officers in the event of an award or an industrial agreement being in force and the employers being bound thereby. In such an event employers must employ unionists.

"5. If it is decided not to register as a union, wc have the assurance of the Minister of Labour that we shall not be absorbed automatically in a general clerical union.

"6. Control of a union would be vested in representatives appointed by members in a manner very similar to the method provided in the rules of the Bank Officers' Guild.

"7. Registration as a union does not, necessarily involve seeking an award from the Court or arranging an industrial agreement. Such actions would depend upon the provision in the rules —probably the decision of the management committee. Many unions registered in the past have never applied for awards or industrial agreements.

"8. While it is usual for an award to be sought by employees, the Conciliation Council and the Arbitration Court are available also to employers if they, consider any variation of conditions is justified.

"9. While it might not immediately be deemed necessary to apply for an award upon registration as a union, this would no doubt eventuate in due course (it would be the main reason for the formation of a union in the minds of many officers). The experience of our Australian friends has been that Court proceedings involve considerable and perhaps excessive expense, and in some cases a special levy on members.

SALARIES AND MERIT. "10. If a union is registered and an award is subsequently applied for and obtained the general effect would be tlio levelling of salaries irrespective of

[ho merits of the individual officers. Furthermore, the award rates would not necessarily exceed the general average of salaries paid by the banks at the present time —it is possible that the average might be lower. The possibility of retrenchments should also be borne in mind.

"11. Registration as a union would, we feel, immediately endanger the present friendly relationship between employer and employee, which, if not at once, would tend—particularly if any unfavourable award were obtained—to jeopardise or curtail many of the valuable privileges granted by the banks to their staffs and to the guild. We would mention: (a) Interest on accounts; (b) liberal treatment for sick leave; (c) contributions (usually substantial) to pension funds; <d) special leave for various reasons; (e) special facilities and concessions granted to the guild's organisations.

"12. In working under an award, conditions of employment would be much more rigid to avoid the necessity for overtime. Members would lose many of the personal privileges and liberties at present enjoyed. The question of the hours of employment and overtime is being dealt with by the Government and will have a general application whether employees are members of a union or not.

"13. While we feel that we have the good will and sympathy of the present Government, it is quite possible that in the event of a political change a new Government might regard and treat us less favourably as a union than as a guild.

"14. The tendency of a union is to become a political organisation,,, while the guild, although at the last election opposed to nationalisation of banking, is non-political.

"15. Under the Act it has always been possible for bank officers to apply for registration as a district union. The Act, as now amended, provides that if a union were established, having a branch in at least four of the eight industrial districts, application could then be made for registration as a New Zealand union, with the concurrence of the Minister of Labour.

"16. Registration as a union is recommended by both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour, the reasons given by them being that we would be in no worse position and would thereby prevent the registration of a union by dissatisfied bank officers. BALLOT NOT DECISIVE.

"17. If the present vote is against the formation of a union we are not precluded frpm taking steps to form a union and to apply for registration at a later date if members so desire.

"18. If registration is effected it would perhaps be difficult to have the registration cancelled if the union was subsequently found to be to our disadvantage.

"19. As it is well known that our em-

ployers do not favour a union we feel, perhaps not altogether justly, that any future representations made by the guild will be treated with more thorough and sympathetic consideration than has in some cases been evidenced in the past. In other words, we would obtain the benefits of a union without its disadvantages. This statement is not made in any sense as a threat to our employers—it is merely logical.

"20. As far as we can fairly judge, viewing the matter broadly, the guild organisation has been more successful than the union in existence in Australia.

"21. If the result of this ballot is in favour of the formation of a union, it is proposed to place the matter before the executive council of the guild for consideration forthwith.

"It is not the wish of this committee in any way to influence your voting. On the other hand we feel that many members will expect some indication of our personal opinion on this matter. After carefully considering the question from all angles, we feel that the present Government is well disposed to employees, and that registration as a union is unnecessary in view of the strength and influence of our existing guild.

"You will appreciate that this matter is one of paramount importance, and we would earnestly request you to weigh the matter very carefully before completing your ballot paper.

"To our minds the question is of such importance that we are forwarding ballot papers to all bank officers, and we invite —in fact urge—that even the non-guild members will favour us by completing and returning their papers," the memorandum concludes.