Challenge Strike Vote?

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1948, Page 3

Challenge Strike Vote?

Power Strike . . .

AUCKLAND, Mon. (P.A.)—A new move to challenge the validity of the' secret ballot which led to the power works strike is now apparent, according to reports from Mangakino.

It is stated that legal action is being considered by a section of the workers in an effort to nullify the result of the vote. There have been allegations in some quarters that indirect intimidation was used in relation to the voting and that full secrecy in voting was not possible “bpcause there was no booth in which to mark the ballot paper.” Another allegation is that some officials congregated round the table while the men marked the papers. Sponsors of the challenge to the j validity of the ballot maintain that ) the ballot closed too soon and that I every man did not record his opinion. (■ New developments may come from ! Wellington. The strikers’ case is j being handled there by the New Zea- | land Workers’ Union, while the engineers are leaving the Professional Engineers’ Association to express their attitude. SOLID SUPPORT? Both national organisations issued statements last week on the basic points at issue—the rights at Mangakino of Mr L. Clapham, secretary of the Mangakino branch of the Workers’ Union, who is described as a Communist. However, the original decision to transfer Mr Clapham to Auckland last December was official, and the Government is thus involved in the dispute. The only development this weekend was a statement issued by the executive of the union after a meeting yesterday. This stated that the union was of the opinion that the men were more solid in support of the strike than when the ballot was first taken.

It was also pointed out that essential services and operations were being maintained by members of the union normally so employed.