THE TALLY-CLERKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8653, 11 February 1914, Page 10

THE TALLY-CLERKS

OBJECTORS TO THE UNION CONCILIATION COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. A PECULIAR POSITION. The dispute between the Wellington Tally-Clerks’ Union and the employers came, before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr P. Hally) yesterday. For the employees the assessors were Messrs E. V. Fouchard, A. Espie and G. Forsyth, and Mr R. A. Simpson appeared as agent for the union. For the employers the asssesors were Messrs W. A. Kennedy, N. Galbraith and W. E. Fuller. Mr N. Mcßobie appeared as agent for the employers

As soon as the proceedings had been opened, Mr .Mcßobie claimed that there was no dispute before the council. The majority of the tally-clerks, he asserted, were satisfied with their conditions, and their relations with the employers were satisfactory. As this was the case, the shipping companies did not see that they could go any further in the matter. The Commissioner said that there was evidence of a kind before the council which bore out Mr Mcßobie’s statement to a certain degree. Ho then read the following petition which he had received :•

We, the undersigned tally-clerks employed on tho Wellington wharves, are not members of the TallyClerks’ Union, formed and registered on December 11th last, and seeing that such a number of us may bo vitally affected by any agreement or award inade between the steamship companies and the union, we respectfully beg that representation may be granted us when, the dispute comes before yourself on February 10th. . The petition had thirty-two signatures. AN OBJECTION. Mr Simpson strongly objected to anyone outside interfering with the dispute. He contended that there were many authorities against the granting of such an application. In the Kaftangata miners’ dispute, for, instance, in 1912, Mr Justice Sim had laid it down quite, definitely that an application for leave to appear before the. Arbitration Court to snow cause why an award should not be made could not be countenanced in that case. Mr Simpson/ quoted the judge’s memorandum oh the subject, the -applicant being a Mr Ridd. The court’s final decision was:— Mr Ridd’s further statement that tho court does not make an award unless satisfied that the majority of the workers concerned were in far vour of that being done is incorrect also. The court has frequently made awards in similar cases without any inquiry as to whether the workers’ unions did or- did not represent a majority of the workers concerned.

Mr Mcßobie: “I only desire to save the time of the union and of the Commissioner.”. Mr Sinapson: “Very well, then. Let it go to the court. If the employers are not prepared to go on, let the thing go to the court, and we will fight, it out.” •, . , Tho Commissioner: “There is no need to .say-that yet.”' ' Mr Simpson: “Well, are they pre-pared-to go' on? .They say they are The Commissioner (suiilihg): "I’ve heard that said before.” ; FURTHER OPPOSITION.

One of the objectors to the union, and one of the-signatories to.the above petition. (Mr Clark) then read the following further statement: We,, the recognised ships’ tallyclerks- employed-; on the Wellington wharves, respectfully beg to submit our objections to the .making of an industrial agreement affecting • our interests for the following reasons; (1) We are now- well-satisfied with the present-ruling conditions of our employment; -._ (2) the,’existing relations’between ourselves and our employers are-altogether-amicable; (3) we believe that the event of an award or. industrial agreement being made will disturb the goodfellowship now existing between us; (4) we are of opinion that our. number comprises the large majority, of the tally-clerks employed . .oh .the Wharf regularly, who-earn their living, at that work, , and . that a. number of the men who are members Of. the union only offer themselves casually as. tally-clerks, and do hot follow that class of work as a regular occupation. A PECULIAR POSITION.

The Commissioner remarked that the position was d peculiar one. Legally the objectors were not a party to the dispute, though they might bo substantially interested! What could he do? If they were satisfied with their conditions he did not see he could do anything for them' at all. If the union, which did not represent them, obtained an award Which affected them, it would be a case of the tail -wagging the dog. A request was made by Mr Clark that two other men, whom he described es bona fide tally-clerks, should be admitted and be allowed to state their case for the objectors.

Mr Simpson: “ I object, strongly. They are not casual tally-clerks.” The Commissioner said he failed to see what good it would do to hear them.

As the signatories’ representatives left-the, room, Mr W. A. Kennedy observed that if the petitioners had any difficulty in putting their case, they would be able to call evidence in the Arbitration Court.

In stating the union’s case, Mr Simpsou said that it represented the great body of casual tally-clerks employed on the Wellington waterfront: The objections were not to a union nor to an award, but arose owing to-trouble regarding the waiting-room for the clerks on the wharf. The union had forty-five members, who offered their services regularly as tally-clerks. The Commissioner: “ Can you supply a list of the names?”

Mr Simpson said that would not be fair, as there was at once the fear that the men would be victimised. “There is nothing unusual in the demands,” declared Air Simpson. “They are the conditions ruling on the waterfront today.” The exceptions were that over-

time was asked for Saturday afternoons. and that when a man was pul on a job he should be allowed to complete it. The latter provision was essential, for it had happened that certain favoured men received overtime through friends engaging them for night-work. THE AUCKLAND AWARD.

Reference was made to tho Auckland award, and this led Mr Kennedy to ask Mr Simpson if his union would like that award.

Mr Simpson: “No.” (Laughter.) “Tho conditions arc different. Auckland was the first union formed, and in April will ho asking for just what we seek now.” Mr Mcßohio said it was not correct that the demands represented ruling conditions.

Tho Commissioner, addressing the employers, said that though they might object to an award or agreement, the union had a legal standing. Tho Conciliation Council was bound to make some recommendation if possible. He asked what Mr Simpson proposed to do if he could not get all the men in the union?

Mr Simpson : “ They will have to come in. The court will give ns compulsory preference.” Mr Mcßobie: “We’ll see about that.”

At this stage, the council'wont into committee, as there was no possibility, apparently, of the agents coming to an agreement. /The discussion lasted for two hours. It is understood, that there will be rio serious objection Offered by the employers to the demands, excepting tho preference clause. It is almost certain that the dispute will have to go to the court. The proceedings now stand adjourned for thirty days to allow the Commissioner to bring tho parties into agreement if possible.