GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23865, 20 July 1939, Page 9

GOVERNMENT SERVICE

TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES ATTITUDE OF LABOUR FEDERATION ORGANISATION DESIRED (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. July 19. To make clear to all concerned its attitude and policy regarding the organisation of temporary workers in the Government service the New Zealand Federation of Labour has made the following statement: — “ The conditions of these workers being inferior both to those established in awards and to those of permanent Government servants, a number of them, notably clerks, approached the Federation early this vear with a reouest that some action should be taken on their behalf. The federation, therefore, at a conference with the Minister of Labour on June 14, stated its policy that temporary workers in the Government service should, where possible, join existing trade unions covering their class of work

Value of Organisation

“The organisation of all workers inside and outside Government employment into unions according to the industry in which they are en-. gaged is the objective of the Federation of Labour, for only thus can the workers who happen to be emploved by the Government secure the' fullest benefits of their association with the Trade Union movement and with their fellow workers in their various industries ' under other employers. In pursuance ol this oolicy the New Zealand Clerical Employees’ Association has advised its constituent unions to admit to membership temporary clerks in the Government service and a considerable number, of them, particularly in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin have joined. -Further progress, however, may be somewhat delayed by the. setting up in Wellington of a new organisation in opposition to the expire,sed policy of the Federation of Labour. , • “ Clearly, the power of federation to forward the interests of temporary Government servants is influenced by the amount of - support they, are prepared to give it, and should a section of them persist in Opposing the .policy of the Federation of Labour, its representations on behalf of all temporary workers 'may be to that degree weakened. An Explanation Available

“AH temporary workers in the Government service, therefore, should , now decide whether they do or do not want the assistance of the trade union movement. Since it is realised- that the majority of them do not understand the position, officers of the unions affiliated to the Federation of Labour will very readily explain it to them or attend meetings, or even convene them, if invited to do so.

“Claims for improved Conditions have already been drawn up at meetings of temporary workers in various centres, and these will be placed before a conference of representatives of the organisations and departments concerned, which the Minister of Labour has undertaken to convene as soon as possible. While' the federation is ready and anxious to help them, temporary workers must realise that the best and speediest results can be obtained only if they will put their whole organised strength behind the trade unions and the labour movement.”