TWELVE BIG UNIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 18 November 1946, Page 3

TWELVE BIG UNIONS

—Press Association

Proposal By Federation MOVE TO GREATER POWER

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Nov. 17. The grouping of workers under 12 big liational unions, was proposed in a' report from tlie executive adopted at a meeting. of the National Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour which concluded at the weekend. A cortiplete overhaul of the Trade Union organisation will be under taken. Hitherto 220,000 New Zealand workers have been members of 400 trade unioiis formed within various crafts. Now it is proposed to simplify the organisation, basing large national unions upon the types of industry in which the workers are employed. This move from craft unionism to industrial unionism aims at giving workers more effective power within various types of industry. The 12 suggested groups of unions are : — (1) The Agriculturai and Primary Products Related Trades Union comprising workers engaged in or on farms, shearing, dairy factories, hax, freezing and related industries, fruit-picking, etc. (2) Construetion Workers Union comprising railway and road construetion, bridge-building, irrigation, pnblic works. (3) Transport W orkers Union comprising • all seafaring labour, railwaymen, tramwaymen, road, rail and air transport, waterside workers, harbour workers and others directly related. (4) Metal and Allied Trade Workers Union comprising fittcrs, turners, engineers, boilermakers, moulders, motor meehanics, metal workers, assistants, labourers, coaeh and aircraft workers. (5) Mine Workers Union comprising all workers employed in and arouiid mines producing and distributing coal and various ores. (6) Food and Related Trades Workers Union comprising butchers, bakers, floiir, confectionery, grocery, sugar, dairy, hotel, restaurant workers, etc.' (7) Textile and Related Trades workers Union comprising wool and clothing workers. (8) Printing and Related Trades Workers Union comprising all workers employed in newspaper, commercial printing houses, cardboard factories. (9) Light and Power Workers Union comprising all workers employed in gas, electric light and power generating stations. (10) Timber, Forestry and Related Trades Workers Union comprising all workers employed in production of timber and directly related distributive workers. (11) Building and Related Trades Union comprising carpentcrs, brieklayers, paintcrs, plumbers, tilers, slatcrs, plasterefs, electrical Avorkers, stoucmasons, labourers and furniture trade Avorkers. (12) Union of Post and Telegraph Workers. !