COMMUNISTS HOLD GRIP ON UNION

Chronicle (Levin), 10 December 1947, Page 5

COMMUNISTS HOLD GRIP ON UNION

Received Tuesdtiv. 7 p.m. WYDXEY, Dec. 9. The strike of tully clerks wliich is psiralysing shipmcnts of wool from ihe luain Austriiliiiu ports, is jidiniUodiy ihe work of a liuiuffui of ('oi.iiuuinsis in eontrol of the key waterfronl unions. . Deven years ago ihe Co.ininunists look eontrol of the Federated Clerks' I'nion, wliich since then has been the subjeet of earel'ul develojnnent aml reorgamsa t ion. Under newly-formulated union rules, the Commiuiist-controlled executive has completely autocratic power over aii clerks, without fear of interference hy rank and file members. In any move iz makes, it is solidly backed hy the militant Waterside Workers' Federation, •which hy its actions in support of tne Indonesians has proved itself strong enough to defy the wislies of the Federal GovernSuent. Wlieu cpiestioned by cotrespoude.ntf in ihe lirst few* clays of the strike, tally clerks directly concemed in the dispute stated that they were opposeu to direct action. They wonld not, how ever, give their naines, for fear of re prisais from the executive. Ai'ler this. disi-losii re, ihe timi t 'oimnunist leaders fj f lliese men were cnlleil hel'ore tJic executive and persuaded to express tiieir coniidence in its actions. Before the Communists gained con trol the clerks had nionthly general meetings, at wfcf'ch memhers could express their views without fear of expulsion, and the actions of xhe offieers were controlled by the mei thers who elected them hy annual plehiscite. Today there is no general monthly meet ing. The clerks have heen divided into sections representing their particiuai employments, and re /olts which have occurred against Cimmunist domination have always heen confined to these watertight compartments. The paid offieers of the union are Communists or sympathisers, who are now immime from annual elections, anu who hold oifice at the pleasure of the central council. Tlius the essent ially moderate main body of opinion in the union has nt; chance to challenge tho executive which functions us an autocracy. TlK St.'ite secretary, Al r. J. R. llughes, and ihe Fedcral secrelary, Al II. A Tliorne, are nienibers of the Communist Partv. This explains why the woOj clerks first learned. about the "ktoppage when their executive aninuuced it ti ihe Press. "The tiniing and elTecl of the bai leav«- no doubt that it is another movi in the t'oiiununist campaigii to use con trol of the trade unions to dislocate industry and parulyse tlie national ( "on imy," says the Svdney .Morning Heri hl. "The iuspiration for this and siiui ur disputes uiust be souglit m Mos ow's nppeal to the faiiiiful of all land- to raliy to tlie new olVenstve against capitaiism and imoerialism. "