TRANSPORT WORKERS

Evening Star, Issue 16676, 7 March 1918, Page 2

TRANSPORT WORKERS

BIG NEW FEDERATION. SIGNIFICANT NATIONAL MOVEMENT. [From Our Special Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, This Day. Tho unanimous decision of the recent conference of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants to join the Transport Workers' Advisory Bc:.rd is a matter of great significance in tho New Zealand LalK>r movement. It marks a definite and extensive- departure from the United Federation of Labor organisation, with its open congresses and a generally militant attitude. With the advent of the railwaymen, the board bring within their scope another 8,000 employees, making a total of well over 30,000—a1l engaged in. the industry of transport in the Dominion. Those associated in the movement are the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, the Locomotive Engineers, Cleaners' and Firemen's Association, tho Federated. Waterside Workers, New Zealand Drivers' Unions, Federated Seamen, and tho Federation of Tramwa.ymen's Unions. THE CONSTITUTION. The objectives of the Transport Workers' Advisory Board are set out in the Constitution as follows : A. To improve the conditions and protect the interests of all classes of transport workers, and to provide a means by which my affiliated transport workers' union or federation may have matters affecting their members discussed and considered by a board representative of transport workers generally. B. To promote a good understanding between employers and employees, and to advise and assist the affiliated unions as to tho best means of settling their disputes. C. To organise all transport workers on tho lines of industry. When, the proposal to adopt this constitution came before the Railwaymen's Conference, the President (Mi 11. Hampton, (Christchurch) advised the delegates, with a full sense of- responsibility, to approve tin: motion. He pointed out that railwavmeu, by reason of their continuous employment ai.d their superannuation and other "privileges, were in a different position from the watersiders, who had casual employment. So ho would steadfastly set his" face against any proposal which would involve or pledge tho A.S.R.S. to any action, or combined vote of the rail way men, water;:ders, drivers, carters, and tramwavmeu. If there was to be- any such thing as'strikiiig, it could not bo done at the behest of any outside union. Action could only be taken on a vote of their own members. The principle underlying the scheme we.;; that if the wateivridres ha<] some negotiations with their employers, they knew from bitter experience that, these 'negotiations often led to friction and heat on both sides. The watersiders and their employers might in the heat of the moment take precipitate action, and cause such trouble in this country as might have farreaching effects. The "idea of'the Advisory Board was th•■ i> wlen negotiations reached this stage they would be able to say to the men affected : " You have no right to tako this precipitate action, involving a considerable number of other men who are concerned directly and indirectly. Therefore we suggest that you trv "and fix up your affairs first. If you find you cannot fix it, then we say : ' Bring it alonn- to this Advisory Board,' and around that table we will have men who, whilst they are affected, aro not directly affected," and will bring an open and unbiased mind to bear on the trouble, and advise you as to the best method of bringing about a settlement of tho dispute." Mr Hampton gave particulars of action taken by the Advisory Board during tho past year, and assured the delegates that more influence had been used by tho board in that period, for the purpose of preserving industrial peace, than anyone was aware of. What will appeal to the general public as the most significant feature of this elastic, but important, linking- up of large industrial unions is that it provides an alternative to the United Federation of Labor. In the latest issue of tho official journal of the waterside workers, pride of place is given to a long article on organisation, in which the Federation of Labor aro strongly criticised, challenged to show their results, and ridiculed regarding their constitution, which, in the words of the ' Watersider,' give a system of representation at their open congresses which is a farce. The formation of the Transport Workers' Advisory Board is a sign that important trade unions are thoroughly dissatisfied with the policy of the Federation of Labor, and that quietly, without much delay, they have already built up a formidable, though peaceful, organisation which puts the moro militant body in the shade.