BIG LABOUR COMBINE

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14601, 28 February 1921, Page 2

BIG LABOUR COMBINE

HALF A MILLION TRANSPORT WORKERS JOIN HANDB. Amalgamation is the order of the day In the labour world. An important scheme was launched, a ta conference In London, to amalgamate 19 unions of dock and transport workers. Mo.it of these unions are affiliated to the Transport Workers' Federation. Amalgamation will enable them to act as one unit In that federation, and, b> strength of numbers, to determine its policy. The Transport Workers' Fe ieraUon f> composed of 34 unions, rather loosely attached to each other, and some of them overlapping. The total membership is something like 400.000. The new amalgamation, which will be known as tWe Transport and General Workers' Union, will have 500,000 members under the control of a national executive, possessing the power to eall a strike. In reality the new union will be the Transport,Workers' Federation of the future. It will include virtually all workers in the transport Industries, except the railway and sea-faring men. The amalgamation will add to the strength of the Triple Alliance of miners, railwaymen, and transport workers. II lias been regarded as one of the weaknesses 'if the Alliance that the transport workers' executive could not call a strike, hut, must leave each nf the affiliated unions to make its own decision. During (he recent dispute in the mining industry, the transport executive asked the several unions for authority to issue nn? general strike call, but. the unions refused to surrender their autonomy. If the proposed amalgamation is ratified in the ballots, which must be taken, the transport workers will add A Powerful Now Strike Weapon to the armoury of the alliance. The unions concerned were:— .National Union of Dock, Wharf, Riverside, and General Labourers. Scottish I'nion of Dock Labourers. Amalgamated Society of Watermen. Lightermen and Bargemen. Amalgamated Stevedores' Labour Protection League. United Order of General Labourers. National Amalgamated Labourers' Union. Cardiff, Penarth, and Barry Coal Trimmers' Union. Mersey River and <" v anals Watermen's Association. North of England Trimmers' and Teamers' Association. Shipping Clerical Staffs Guild. National Union of Docks, Wharves, and Shipping Staffs. National Union of Ships' Clerks. Grain Weighers and Coal Writers. United Union of Vehicle Workers. Scotlish Horse and Motormen's Association. North of Scotland Horse and Motormen's Association.

At the conclusion of the conference Mr Ernest Bevin stated that the ballots will be taken forthwith. II Is a legal requirement that 50 per cent, of the members of the unions musi vote in a ballot for amalgamation, and ratifica-

tion depends upon a favourable majority of not less than 20 per cent, of those voting. Should any of the unions fail to secure this proportion of assent they will have to drop out of the scheme, but the disability will apply to them individually, and not invalidate, the scheme as a whole. If the ballots

are favourable—as they are expected to be —another delegate conference will assemble to adopt a constitution and rules. The proposed organisation has some interesting features. There will be one national executive with a president, general secretary, and financial secretary, but the unions will be arranged in five national groups, each having its own committee, and its own secretary, viz., docks, waterways, clerical, road transport, and general workers. In addition, the country will be mapped out in 11 areas, witti a general committee in each, as well as five area trade group committees. In every area there will be a district office, In charge of a chief officer, under whom will be assistant secretaries and branch officials. All questions concerning wages and working rules, as well as the conduct of negotiations, will lie in the hands of the national trade and 'group committees, but questions of policy and strike action must be settled by the national executive.