BIG EFFECT ON LABOUR RELATIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 4 July 1946, Page 5

BIG EFFECT ON LABOUR RELATIONS

SYDNEY, July 3. The flrst positive move by an Australian State Government to put an end to the industrial anarchy rnling Australia is the action of the Queensland Premier (Mr. Htlnlon) to force the striking meat workers into liaving a secret ballot. - Tlie aim is to apjily a system of .•hecks and balances so that the destructive strike weapon may be used as the last instead of the first resort of a (lisaffected iinion. The compulsory ballot can not be regarded as a weapon that would prove adequate in every case, as it would fail in position wliere the men of a uiiion concerned. were determined to down tools in spite of the arbitration laws. There is ample evidence to prove, however, that the Queensland meat workers are not solidly hehind the group ot militant officials which is decernnning the union's policy. Perhaps the best indication of this is the claim by union officials that men are heing "bludgeoned into a secret ballot." This protest, that one of the hasic principles of Democracy is heing forced apon a group of workers, would be amusing if the consequences of such a iine of thought were not so tragic to all concerned". It is obvious that the strike leaders do not want the mattei.7 referred to the rank and file of the anion, though, if the leaders' claims are correct, such action would only provide proof of solidarity. Tlio disnnssai oi' four mon t'our montlis. ago from the Murrarie Bacon Eactory started a ehain of reactions which has dcprivod Brisbane of light, power and transport services and has thrown 100,(10(1 people out of work. All this occurred in spite of ovidence that the meat workers themselves are divi'ded. A week after tlie dishiissal, which was for reasons unknown to tlie public, all the Brisbane meat workers refused to work. They ignored a Court order to return and accordingly their union was deregistered. The Avatersiders refused to load meat on May 27 and sfopped wprk.,; orer June 19. Tlie ininers .eiitered the: strike on June 12 iil syuipathy with tlie meat workers. ?-• Iu spite of displays of force against free labourers, the meat workers have demonstrated their feelings in tlie matter by sabotaging tlieir own strike. The faets prove tliat Brisbane has never lieen better off for meat. Tlie meat workers liave l)een going out into the -country killing centr'es at night and slaughtering more than enougli meat to satisfy tlie city's deniands. It was this inability on tlie part of the strike organisers to control tlieir own men that led them to call in other unions. Tlie miners and watersiders 1 ensured that Brisbane liouseivives willhave 110 power by wliich to cook meat, and so created a situation which has linally led to the Government ordering tlie eniergency seizing of union jiapers and the declaration of a secret ballot. In doing so, it has struclc at a weak spot in tlie strikers' defence. If the ballot disc-loses tliat the majority of meat workers are against tlie eontinuation of the strike, tlie way is open for Government action against militant Comniunists wlio seek to continue in deflance of autliority.