TRAMWAYS DEADLOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20341, 23 August 1929, Page 15

TRAMWAYS DEADLOCK.

THE UNION SPEAKS OUT.

INTIMIDATION ALLEGED.

.BOARD CHAIRMAN CRITICISED.

SOME MEMBERS " VINDICTIVE."

A further step in the controversy between the Auckland Transport Board and flio Tramways arid Municipal Omnibus Employees' Union has been taken by tho union, which yesterday mado a statement comprising a considered reply to tho reported resolution passed by tho board at its last meeting on Tuesday.

Tho difference between the board and tho union arose over the board's step in calling on tho union to expunge from its records a minute concerning tho giving ni' evidence by members of the union on behalf'of the management in appeal cases before the special appeal board. The board at Tuesday's meeting adopted a resolution on the recommendation of the buard-iu conunitteo recalling the assessors appointed to negotiate for tho proposed new agreement and declining to hold further communication with tho union, "until the union is prepared to adopt a proper altitude."

"We wish to be allowed to reply to this action of tlio board in connection with the now much-discussed resolution of the union," declares the union's statement. "We sincerely regret the action taken by the board by "• voto of 6 to 4 and feel that if prejudice and vindictiveness on the part of somo members had not entered into the matter tho board would havo not acted in such a manner. Wo must state that certain members and especially tho chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, appear to lack that sense of judgment and diplomacy so much required by employers of labour on a largo scalo in dealing with tho men under them through their organisation. " Boot on the Other root."- " In referring to the alleged interference by the Tramways Union wo might poiut out tho attitude adopted by Mr. Allum when tho representatives of tho union waited upon the Transport Board, ia dietatoriallv refusing to listen to any explanation as to tho reasons why the disputed minuto appears on tho books of the union, is ono that does not tend to amicable relation between the board and its employees and we feel that so long as Mr. Allum maintains this attitude it will be impossible for tho work of the board to bo carried out in the best interests of the board and tho general public. " By tho board's attitude in demanding that' the resolution of tho union should be expunged and another put in its place, dictated by the board, it is our considered opinion that instead of tho union intimidating its members—which the union denies —tho boot is on the other foot. No person knows better than tho chairman that tho board, in tho first place, mado a crave mistake in demanding the union committee to appear before it and in endeavouring to intimidate it into submission. A Domestic Affair. " Ho also knows there is nothing to arbitrate upon, as the resolution was a domestic affair quite within the law and should not even havo been discussed by the board. However, if tho board, or several members, are keen on submitting something to arbitrate upon, we would consider submitting the following:— 4 Could the Auckland Transport Board interfere in tho domestic affairs of a trade uuion ?' " Why the assessors of the board should bo recalled we do not know. The union s assessors havo met the • board assessors and all conferences have been held in the best of spirit and certain clauses havo been tentatively agreed upon. " Wo have had one example of tho dictatorial attitude of the chairman of the Transport Board and therefore have some idea of what his idea of a proper attitude would be. It would appear to us that Mr. Allum's desire is to drive the trainwaymen into submission to his dictates, but we would point out that this attitude will not get him anywhere," concludes the statement. " When the members of the board who voted in favour nf uegotiations being broken off fall in lino with those who are desirous of good fellowship existing between the board and the men, so soon will they find that tolerance and diplomacy is better than dictatorship and dogmatism in getting tho best out of men, and also that they will receive tho heartiest support of tho union." It is also intimated in the statement that when official communication has been received by tho union regarding the board's resolution the union will consider what action it will take.