ARBITRATION ACT

Evening Star, Issue 22070, 2 July 1935, Page 12

ARBITRATION ACT

DUNEDIN LABOUR'S VIEWS STILL PRESSING FOR RESTORATION Although a divergence of views is reported to be held by Labour in Auckland on the desirability of the restoration of compulsory arbitration, adherence to -the principles of the original I.C. and A. Act is still maintained by the Otago Trades and Labour Council and the unions associated with that body, , ‘ ‘ The policy of the Trades and Labour Council on the question was placed before the Prime Minister on his last visit to Dunedin, and we have been prosecuting our demands for the restoration of arbitration ever since, ’ said a prominent member to a ‘ Star reporter to-day. “ There has been no weakening in our attitude. The Waterside Workers and Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Unions are admittedly not in favour of the agitation. The first union holds the view that_ the nature of its employment enables it to obtain better terms with the employers than under an Arbitration Court award; the Hotel and Restaurant Union members are working under awards, which are necessary as industrial agreements, and coyer only those parties which are signatories. New employers starting in business after the agreement are not hound by the conditions unless they are specifically joined.” A recent illustration of the use of direct methods in obtaining improved conditions and wages had proved the strike weapon futile. Manufacturing workers had not the economic or organisational powers,- and if the employers declared that there would not be an award, no award could be made. If the big unions could still obtain agreements under the existing laws, the restoration of the Arbitration Act would not affect them. “ The point is that the optional system has allowed the unscrupulous employer to become the dictator of conditions that are to obtain in the various industries, ’’ said the Labour man. Prior to the introduction of optional arbitration, that class of employer did not appear in the picture, as, if his demands were unreasonable, they came under the notice of the Arbitration Court, which decided the standards of the industry. Now one unscrupulous employer can refuse to be reasonable at the Conciliation Council sitting and the whole body of workers lias to agree to his terms or work under no agreement. Employers were increasingly recognising that fair wages and fair conditions were essenital to the wellbeing of their industries, and their views were reflected in the awards and agreements now being made. However, ho added, the Government had not given any indication of its intention to review the legislation making conciliation compulsory and arbitration optional and it was well-known that the restoration of compulsory arbitration would be one of the main planks of the Labour. Party at the General Election.