Move For New Ballot On Power Works Hold-Up

Northern Advocate, 12 March 1948, Page 2

Move For New Ballot On Power Works Hold-Up

MANGAKINO, Fri. (Sp.).—“We deplore the fact that some men on this job have failed to accept the ruling of the majority by canvassing fellow workers with the object of reversing the majority vote, which has been accepted by all responsible parties.”

This resolution, carried yesterday by the Mangakino executive of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, confirms indications that many of the construction workers are opposed to the strike on the Waikato hydro-electric schemes.

The union executive also published a statement in the news-sheet it has been circulating in Mangakino urging all unionists to “combat this strikebreaking attempt.” Twenty men have been canvassing for another ballot.

“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 the men at Mangakino and the national officers of the union are ardent supporters of the Labour Party.” Mr Wallace said. “It must be further pointed out that

They claim that under the unions constitution another ballot must be held if 20 names are presented in a petition, but the union executive stated that the rules did not allow this.

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.”

Mr F. M. Hanson, a spokesman of the Professional Engineers' Association, has denied union statements that tnc strike was not a political issue, but merelv a union affair.

The true position,” said Mr Hanson, “is that the engineers feel they cannot work here with the disruptive elements which have been persisting among the men; so much so, in fact, that the control of the work was being slowly filched from the engineers.

"If this element had been allowed to continue the engineers could not be expected to continue to manage thenjob.”

MEN WILL NOT LEAVE

Suggestions that some men would collect their pay today and leave Mangakino were denied by the Workers Union last night. “The men. being staunch unionists, will stay on the job while the dispute is on,” it said.

All constructional work at Maraetsi and investigational operations at Whakamaru and Waipapa were at a standstill yesterday.

The workers' case has now become a national matter and the executive of the New Zealand Workers’ Union is being called together immediately to discuss the dispute, and seek the support of the Federation of Labour. The president of the New-Zealand Workers’ Union (Mr W. Wallace) yesterday claimed that no specific charges had been made against the union secretary at Mangakino (Mr L. Clapham) to justify the alleged action of the engineers in insisting upon his transfer. “Mr Clapham is a constitutionallyelected representative of the men and, as their accredited representative, he would be required to submit various disputes affecting members to the engineer.” Mr Wallace stated. STRONG PRINCIPLE INVOLVED “The engineers admit that any approaches he has made have always been courteous and constitutional. “They state 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 engineers’ action. “In so far as the men are concerned, a very strong trade union principle is involved.

“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 accordance with the provisions laid down in the union rules and the agreement.