SECRET BALLOT MUST BE HELD BEFORE A STRIKE

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 August 1947, Page 8

SECRET BALLOT MUST BE HELD BEFORE A STRIKE

(P A.) Wellington, July 30

The holding of compulsory secret ballots among members of a union before a decision is made to strike, is provided for in the industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives tonight. The Bill, which was briefly explained by the Minister of Labour, Mr. McLagan, was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Labour Bills Committee.

The Bill states that it shall be deemed to be a rule of every industrial union that, if members of the union or any section of them are concerned in a dispute likely to result in a strike, no such strike shall take place until the question of whether a strike shall take place has been submitted to a secret ballot, of the union members concerned. There is to he a similar rule in regard to disputes likely to result in a lockout. If a strike takes place without such a ballot being held, every member of the union who is a party to it shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £2O. Every officer of the union shall be liable to a similar penalty unless he proves that he had no means ot knowing of the imminence of the strike or that he took every step possible to ensure compliance with the rule and to prevent a strike. Every member of a union who is a party to a lockout shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £lOOO and every officer will be liable to a penalty not exceeding £4OO unless he can prove that lie took every step possible to ensure compliance with the lule and to prevent a lockout.

Nothing in the section shall be deemed to render lawful any strike or lockout which wouiu otherwise be lawful.

Prevision is also made in the Bill for the appointment of DeputyJudges of the Court of Arbitration. The salary of such Judges shall be £1750 a year. A Deputy Judge is empowered to act as Judge of the Court in the absence of the latter. The Court of Arbitration may delegate work to the Deputy Judges. Another clause in the Bill gives the Court direct authority to interpret awards and industrial agreements or to give its opinion upon the construction of any statute relating to matters within the jurisdiction of the Court.