ANOTHER SECESSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 1514, 9 November 1912, Page 8

ANOTHER SECESSION

BREWERY WORKERS TIRED OF FEDERATION. RESULT OF THE BALLOT. A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY. OTHER UNIONS MAY FOLLOW. Another union lias seceded from the Federation of Labour. The members of the Auckland Brewer;,- Employees' Union, who have for some time been considering the advisability of withdrawing from the Federation, held a ballot, on the question Lift Wednesday. The ballot was counted yesterday, and the result- announced at a meeting held last night in the Trades llall. The voting was. as follows: —In favour of withdrawal from the Federation. 57: in favour of remaining in the Federation. 23: majority for withdrawal. 54. 'I here are 120 members on tho books of the union, arid of the 40 who did nor vote many are known to be in favour of breaking away from the Federation. It is stated by officials of the union that the result of the ballot was largely influenced by the despotic actions of tho Federation leaders, and the irksome levies to which the members of the union have been subjected. The Waihi strike levy was th? first- bone of contention, and after paying £7 Is towards that- levy the members of the Brewery Union declined to contribute further, and have not done so. The cost to the union of belonging to the Federation for 12 months has been £63 10s, which is looked upon as an extortionate sum to have been forced to pay for little or no return. The action of the union in seceding from the Federation docs not necessitate registration under the Arbitration Act, as the original registration under that Act has not been cancelled, and the union is working under an award of the Court which does not expire until next April. The brewery employees having followed the example of the Tramways Union in the Tevolt from the Federation, that- body is in .a parlous state so far as Auckland is concerned. The only two unions in Auckland now retaining membership of the. Federation are those of the waterside workers and general labourers. Already members of the latter have decided to re-register under the Arbitration Act ami arc shortly to discuss the question of final secession. It is also well known that a large section of the waterside workers are impatient to free themselves from the bonds of the Federation.