EMPLOYERS & UNIONISM.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1900, 7 November 1913, Page 6

EMPLOYERS & UNIONISM.

Everyone who has an intelligent grasp of the origin and development of the present waterside strike is well aware that the employers arc not opposed to organised Labour; but in view of the campaign of misrepresentation that is now going on tho Citizens' Defence Committee have acted wisely in placing their attitude towards unionism beyond all possibility of doubt. Their position is Bin)ply this: They are iii favour '■'of dealing whenever practicable

with unions registered under tKe Arbitration Act, and, if such labour is available, of employing it in prefcr<;»w to all other classes o,£ labour." The aim of every reasonablo employer is to ensure as far as passible that his business shall go en Without unnecessary interruptions. Ho wants to reduce # friction with his workmen to a minimum, Be does not deny his employees the right to organise for the purpose of getting full value for their labour, nor does he object to what is known as collective bargaining; but he doe's want to bo sure that when a bargain is ftiatfc it shall bo adhered to in an i honourable straightforward manner iby both sides. Uncertainty if l this i respect hampers him very seriously in the conduct of his business., for he; has often to enter into agreements : which cover a considerable period of ; Mine, and it is very important, that ho should be able to assume that the normal course of affairs will not be upset by continual labour troubles. It is equally important to the worker that his employer shall have this security, for it in turn gives the worker the right to look for regular employment and reasonable conditions of work. The employer rightly feels that it is worse than useless to enter into agreements with people who do not recognise the binding nature of a contract. Ho does not "think that the Arbitration Act is so perfect that it cannot be improved, but he thinks it is fair to both parties, and that its procedure is the best method at present open to him of obtaining security, permanence) and peace in his relations with those ia his employment. It is not unionism that the employer •objects to, but that form of unionism whieh_ cannot be relied upon to loyally abide by an agreement, or to settle such disputes as may ariso in a reasonable and rational Way.