Trade Union Congress Critical Of Federation Of Labour

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 December 1950, Page 5

Trade Union Congress Critical Of Federation Of Labour

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night (PA). —Because 4000 waterside workers throughout New Zealand are directly affected'by the railway strike in not having transport to their work, and freezing workers throughout the country and the Auckland and Hawkes Bay transport workers are also involved, the Trade Union Congress has asked that its representatives should be included in the deputations to discuss the strike with the Government tomorrow morning. The following telegram was sent today by Mr A. B. Grant, national secretary of the Trades Union Congress, to the headquarters of the A.S.R.S. and the R.T.A.: “Four thousand waterside workers are directly affected by the rail strike because of transport difficulties; freezing workers and the Auckland and Hawke’s Bay drivers Union are also affected. These unions are affiliations of the Trade Union Congress. We request that your organisation invite the Congress to confer with you and assist in co-ordinating strike measures and making other necessary representations in consultation and decision. I would

also point out that the wages claims of T.U.C. affiliations will be affected by the success or failure of our organisations." “We are all aware that representatives of the Federation of Labour have met Cabinet on more than one occasion,” said Mr. Grant, “and we are also aware that the Federation is urging capitulation. The T.U.C. will not agree to any such policy, bacause the fight being waged by the railway men is a reflection of the need for wage increases to all workers. If the federation succeeds in its policy of capitulation and retreat, it defeats not only the demands of the striking railwaymen, but of all the unions in the country. “It has been more obvious in recent months that the policy of the Federation of Labour and of some of the Labour politicians, is one of political opportunism, in an endeavour to stop the working classes pushing for a better standard of living, had to keep the workers acquiescent and sullen industrially, but disgruntled politically, so that in 1952 it will be easier for the Labour politicians to win support.”