“TALKING ABOUT NOTHING”

Evening Star, Issue 22047, 5 June 1935, Page 13

“TALKING ABOUT NOTHING”

GREEN ISLAND BOROUGH WORKERS question of joining union LENGTHY DISCUSSION —NO DECISION REACHED On the question of the council’s right to dismiss non-union employees, a good deal of time at last night’s meeting ot the Green Island Borough Council was occupied by an interchange of opinions. The discussion started as a result of a recommendation lay the Public Works Committee to the effect that if .*Jonmembers did not join the union within 24 hours of receiving notice they be dismissed, it being stated by the mover of the recommendation that the men employed by the council were the only ones in Otago working for a local body who were not members of the umon. The following recommendation of the committee was moved by Or Pringle- “ That non-unionists in the employ or th© council be advised that unless they become members of the Otago and Southland General Labourers Union within twenty-four hours of receipt ot notice from the town clerk so to do, their services be dispensed with, and the vacancies filled by_ members of such afore-mentioned union. . The mover said that the men in the employ of the council were approached some time ago, the secretary of the union asking the council to bring pressure to bear on the men to become members of the union. They were receiving the fruits of what the members of the union had fought for for years. A year later the secretary again approached the council, and the men said they would join, but afterwards when the council fold them it would esteem it a favour if they they did not. The council was laying itself open to victimisation in the matter. _ The men should be members of the union. In. seconding the motion, Cr M'Gregor said the men were taking up the attitude of dictating to the council. It was their duty to become members of the union. The mayor (Mr T. M'Ahan) said the council had don© its best to get the men to join. It had even asked them to join as a favour to the council. Cr M'Gregor: We should tell them.it is their duty to join. There should not be any trouble about it. They are getting the benefits, and we are being made a laughing stock. In the opinion of Cr Orange it was only fair that the council should know both sides of the question. The council had tho right to bring the men out at night or any other time, but they did not receive any overtime for that.- They wei'e given a week’s holiday every year. The council had no jurisdiction oyer the foreman in regard to union matters. He did not thing the council would be doing the fair thing to pass the motion; it would be suicidal. Cr Tomkins said the council should consider the legal aspect of the question as well as the moral. If the motion were passed and acted upon the council would render itself liable for wrongful dismissal. He could say authoritatively that the men would join the unionthey had told him they would. Ho asked Cr Pringle to put his motion in less drastic terms. The mayor: After the assurance Or Tomkins has given us, there is little mote to be said, „ “It is a reflection on the council that only its employees are non-union labourers,” said Cr Dickenson. The mayor: I won’t accept that statement, It is hardly worth while discussing the matter any further. Cr Pringle should amend his motion. “ Cut out all favours and pay tho men overtime,” suggested Cr Tomkins. Cr Dickensen again rose and repeated his previous remarkj and added that the award rate decided upon in the Arbitration Court was only the minimum. Mr Justice Frazer had often said that he did not expect employers to pay the minimum rate only. The speaker had ascertained from a trades union secretary what the legal position was, and he liad been told that the council could dismiss any man. Morally the men should be in the union. They had good conditions, and they would not get such good wages if the award rates were not as high as they were. It was questionable whether their conditions were not better than those of the workers. Cr Russell: I suggest that we get legal advice. It might save a lot of trouble if Cr Pringle would withdraw or amend his motion, said Cr Smellie, who asked: Can we compel men to join tho union? In reply to a question, the town clerk (Mr A. L. Burk) said that when the matter was brought up before, the men were notified verbally that the council would like them to join the union. Cr Brown stated that if a man showed any defiance of the council’s request he could be advised that his

services might be dispensed' with or that his wages might be reduced instead of increased. As an amendment, he moved that each man be written to and told that the council would esteem it a favour if ho joined the ■union within a week, and that otherwise Ins conditions of service would be considered by iho council. Cr ■ Tomkins: Whether a man is a unionist or a non-unionist, bis wages must be governed by the award. Cr Smellie again asked if the council could compel men to join a union, and there were mixed cries of “ yes ” and “ no.” Cr Tomkins then seconded the amendment. The Mayor: I am not prepared to accept, the motion. We are going too far. Cr M'Gregor: We have been talking about nothing then ? . The mover of the motion said ho knew there would hot be a full discussion on the matter—he had spoken to some of the councillors beforehand, and knew their views. In answer to Cr Smellie’s guestion, he said the council could not compel the men to join. He was prepared to modify the motion to a certain extent. The men in the borough were getting more than union rates of pay, and they were paid for all holidays. He suggested that the council should pay union I'atcs only. He was surprised to see the men had not brains enough to see when they were well off. Upon the amendment being re-read, Cr Smellie objected to .the inclusion of the words “within a week.” There was some discussion as to those of the employees who should be included in the amendment, -which was then put to the meeting and lost. Cr Orange moved as n second amendment that the council views with favour the men joining the union, with the exception of the foreman. The foreman, he said, never had been and never would be entitled to join. Ho had a perfect right to bo a free agent. He was the representative between the employer and the employees. Cr Tomkins asked for the definition of a foreman. The Mayor: Ido not know. We have wasted a lot of time over this business, I shall simply rule the whole matter out, Cr Pringle questioned whether the mayor’s action would be legally correct. “ The whole business is out of order,” ruled the mayor. A motion that the mayor’s ruling bo rescinded was lost on a show of bands being taken. Cr Pringle; If you do,not do anything in this matter you will be employing " scab ” labour. “ I object to that,” shouted Cr Tomkins, and Cr Priilgle was asked to withdraw the remark. This he did. but he said he was still feeling deeply in_ the matter. Later in the evening Cr Pringle stated that the mayor had not given him any reason for turning the subject down. There was nothing in standing orders to justify it. and so be moved that at the next meeting the mayor should give the council his reason. The Mavnr: I wanted to he on sure ground. If you had brought forward a reasonable motion. T should have accepted it. I am of the opinion that tho mon should join the union. Cr Smellie suggested that the council should get a ruling on the whole matter so far ns the unions were conco"ncd The Mayor; This is not a matter for child’s play. Wo have to be very careful. No decision was reached, and the next business was proceeded Aith. 1