The Industrial World

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 25 July 1934, Page 4

The Industrial World

CONDUCTED BY OBSERVER

This column is devoted to the news of the industrial Labour movement as represented by the secretaries of the various unions whose headquarters* are at the Trades Hill.

Trade Union News arnj Views. Meetings for the Coming Week. Storemen and Packers’ Union, to-night, 7.30 o’clock. Tailoring Trades Union, to-night, 7.30. Bootmakers’ Society, to-night, 7.30. Ex-Tramwaymen’s Association, tonight, 7.30 Plasterers’ Union, to-night, 8 o’clock. Moulders’ Union, Thursday, 7.30 p.m. Painters’ Union, Monday, 7.30 p.m. Coachworker.s* Union, Tuesday, 8 p.pi. Gasworkers’ Union, Tuesday, 8 p.m. The Depression and Trade Unions. The effect of the economic depression on the trade unions, as far as membership is concerned, is seen by the loss of 24.700 members from 1928 to 1932. In 1928 the membership of the 403 registered trade unions was 103,900, whereas in 1932 there were 400 trade unions with 79,200 members. It can be seen by the above figures that the number c-f unions declined by three, but the membership declined by 24,700. This loss of membership naturally weakens the trade unions, both financially and in bargaining power. Consequently the unions are not in a position to develop a very militant attitude. This fact may account for the manner in which many employers present their claims at the Conciliation Council meetings and refuse to consider the claims put forward by the unions. Another factor which must be taken into account is the great number of unemployed who are anxious to employment. Should any member of a trade union become very militant his job is jeopardised and he is not in a position to risk his job to-day, seeing that so many are available to take his place. The Size of Unions in New Zealand. The numerical size of the trade unions operating in this country indicates the structure of the whole trade union organisation. For instance, in 1932 there w*ere 169 unions with a membership of under 50, 74 unions with a membership of 50 but under 100, 58 unions with a membership of 100 but under 200. 31 unions with a membership of 200 but under 300, 29 unions with a membership of 300 but under 500, 25 unions with a membership of 500 but under 1000, 11 unions with a membership el 1000 but under 2000. two ! unions with a membership of 2000 but under 3000, and one union with a membership of 3000 and over.

There were 243 unions with a membership of under 100, and 157 unions j with a membership of 100 and over, j These figures indicate that craft unionism is yet the dominant form of trade union organisation in this country. But when it comes to the analysis of members it is found that the greatest percentage of members is in the groups with a membership of 500 and 1000. Those unions of under 50 have 5.38 per cent of total membership, and the unions under 100 have 6.57 per cent, but the unions with 300 and under 500 have 14.05 per cent, and the unions j -with 500 to 1000 have 21.25 per cent. This latter is the greatest percentage for any group analysed and is composed of 25 trade unions. These may be the unions that have amalgamated, such as the Engineering Unions, the Carpenters and Joiners, and the Hotel and Restaurant and Tea-room Workers. This mav indicate the trend of unionism in this country—that is, for the smaller unions to amalgamate with other unions in the same kind of industry. A period of depression may encourage amalgamations because of the weakness financially and otherwise of small trade unions. The Growth of Trade Unions. The growth of trade unionism in New Zealand was, no doubt, remarkable when conditions of trade and industry were normal or prosperous. In 1901 there were 202 trade unions, but in 1932 there were 400. The membership in 1901 was 23,700. but in T 932 it was 79,200, and in 1928 it was 103,900. Horn 1901 to 1932 the unions increased by 98 per cent, but the membership increased by 234 per cent. For the future it may seem safe to prophesy that the number of unions will decline owing to the growth of industrial unions. These unions, if formed, will absorb many of the small craft unions. A Great Need. What seems lacking in New Zealand as far as trade unionism is concerned is the organisation of an annual conference on the lines of the Trade Union Congress in Britain and the annual conference of the Federation of Labour in America. These conferences declare the policy of the movement in industrial affairs and arbitrates on any differences occurring between separate unions. The Trade Union Congress in Britain is also closely allied with the Parliamentary Labour Party, and naturally a common policy is suggested in reference to political action. But in New Zealand the conference of the Labour Party appears to have absorbed or overshadowed the industrial affairs which require attention. This may be due to the two separate organisations which function in the industrial provinces, the first the Trades and Labour Council, and the second the District Council of the Alliance of Labour.