ENGINEERS BLAMED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22584, 12 March 1948, Page 6

ENGINEERS BLAMED

WORKERS' VIEW PRINCIPLE AT STAKE REASONS FOR STRIKE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 12. “The facts in so far as the union is concerned regarding the case that has led to a stoppage of work in the Mangakino job are as follows," stated Mr. W. Wallace, national president, and Mr. C. Hair, national secretary, of tiic New Zealand Workers’ Union, in a statement, "On December 12, one hour before leaving the works to go on his annual holiday, Mr. L. Clapham, local secretary of the Mangakino section of the union, was informed by the engineer that he was to be transferred to work in another district immediately after his vacation.

“Upon inquiring the reason, Mr. Clapham was informed that either he, Mr. Clapham, would have to be shifted off the job or the engineers would leave it. No reasons were given for this attitude taken up by the engineers as the job was on the point of closing down for the Christmas vacation. No immediate action was taken by the local union. Interference Resented

“However, immediately after the resumption of work on January 9 a meeting of the union was called to consider the position, it was quite evident at the meeting that the men strongly resented any interference with their constitutionally elected representative and passed a motion that they would resist by all the means in their power the transfer of their secretary who had been elected by a big majority of his fellow workers at the annual general meeting of the local branch. “The meeting appointed a deputation of three to travel to Wellington and place the matter before the head office of the union and the Government in an endeavour to have Mr. Clapham retained at Mangakino. The deputation visited Wellington on January 16 and the action, taken resulted in the information being obtained that the Professional Engineers’ Association was supporting the attitude taken up by the Mangakino engineers. “Efforts were made by the head office of the union to meet executive officers of that body to discuss the matter, but our request in this direction was declined by the president of that organisation on the grounds that it was a matter for the Government. "However, we still persisted in our endeavours to meet this body and explain to them the issues and implications involved as they appeared to us and our Mangakino members. Endeavours were also made to meet the Minister of Works and the Prime Minister, but it was a little over two weeks from the time of the deputation's arrival in Wellington before an appointment was obtained with the Minister of Works. Attitude of Engineers

‘‘At this meeting a full and frank discussion of the position and the possibilities arising out of it took place. During the meeting the Minister invited a representative of the Engineers’ Association to attend. This representative stated that his organisation fully supported the engineers who originated the dispute and, moreover, he stated that if these engineers left the job no other engineers would take their places.

“When asked if there were any charges against Mr. Clapham to justify such an action, the representative could prefer no charges on any grounds. When asked if the attitude of the engineers was occasioned by Mr. Clapham’s political views the engineers’ representative emphatically denied this "At the most it seems that their objections to Mr. Clapham are suspicious, and their assumptions based on something that is entirely nebulous. No change in the situation resulted from this meeting and the only thing to do was to report back again to the meeting of Mangakino members. “This meeting was held on February 12 and attended by over 600 men. After hearing an account of the negotiations the meeting unanimously passed the following resolution:— “ ‘That this meeting of members of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, being in possession of all the available facts regarding the proposed transfer of our local secretary, repudiates the engineers’ attempt to interfere in our democratic right to retain Mr. Clapham as our secretary. We decide to insist on our democratic rights and demand the engineers extend recognition to our elected secretary. Want Services As Secretary

“ ‘Furthermore, because we desire his services as our secretary, we decide to retain him on the works in that capacity. We do this in order to, as far as lies within our power, avert any avoidable stoppage of work on a job of such importance and urgency to the people of New Zealand.’

“The purport of the resolution was that while the men did not retreat in any way from their defence of a very important trade union principle, they did not desire to stop the job and were giving everybody an opportunity of reconsidering the position. “Unfortunately, however, although further negotiations took place with the Government and a representative of the Engineers’ Association over nearly four weeks following the meeting, these were without results. Consequently, a further meeting was held at Mangakino on Tuesday to consider the position and this meeting, after hearing the history of further negotiations decided to take a secret ballot on whether or not work would cease until Mr. Clapham was reinstated.

“Accordingly, arrangements ■ were made to take a secret ballot in circumstances that give every man ample opportunity to record his vote. The arrangements, in fact, bordered on being elaborate with a J.P. as returning officer, and anyone who did not record his vote can have no complaint.

“A big poll resulted in a narrow but clear majority for a stoppage of work until Mr. Clapham’s transfer is cancelled and ho is reinstated at Mangakino. Work ceased at midnight on Wednesday. “To sum up the position is this. Mr. Clapham is the constitutionally elected representative of the men. As the accredited representative of the men he would be required to submit various disputes affecting members to the engineers. This is in accord with the provisions of the Pubic Works agreement.

Acted on Union’s Instructions

“Mr. Clapham has only made approaches to the engineers after receiving instructions from the local union's executive. The engineers admit that any approaches made to them by Mr. Clapham have always been courteous and constitutional. They state that he is a satisfactory worker. It is entirely clear that Mr. Clapham cannot be faulted in this respect and, therefore, no specific charges have been made that justify the engineer’s action. "in so far as the men are concerned, a very strong trade union principle is involved and that is the right of their elected representative to make representations on their behalf without fear of victimisation providing, of course, that the representative conducts himself in accord with the provisions laid down in the union’s rules and agreement.

“It is admitted that Mr. Clapham is a member of the Communist Party, but it also must be pointed out that the vast majority of men at Mangakino and the national officers oi the union are ardent supporters of the Labour Party. "It must be further pointed out that we are, and we know that the vast majority of Public Works men are appreciative of the benefits conferred on our members by the Government since it took office over 12 years ago.

"There have only been one or two minor, short stoppages of work and our members and this union believe in settling all disputes by negotiation. _ It has always been possible to do this with the Government. Therefore, our members would only take strike action in