Straight Talk To Union Men

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 June 1948, Page 5

Straight Talk To Union Men

LEADER deplores demand FOR HIGHER WAGES N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent. Reed. 8 p.m.’" London, June 23 What are 'SeScribed as some of the hardest words ever used by a trade union chief on the duty of workers in Britain’s economic crisis, were uttered at the annual conference of the National Union of General and Municipal Workers by Mr. T. Williamson, its secretary. He made three main points: (1) Unofficial strikes are underminlag the country’s economy. 12) Unions which use their power to force selfish demands are breaking pledges to the Government. (3) Workers must give 60 minutes’ hard work in every working hour. “This is a time for straight talking,” said Mr. Williamson. "The workers of this country have better conditions and wages than ever before. There Is no question of freezing wages, but we are asked that sweet reason and restraint should be exercised by responsible trade unionists in the submission of wage demands. We stand better to gain by reduction in prices with the mantenance of our present wage level. It may well be that the trade union movement will have to reverse its policy, and, instead of demanding higher wages, use pressure on the Government to see that prices are substantially reduced.”