UNION OR DISUNION?

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1981, 11 February 1914, Page 8

UNION OR DISUNION?

■» - . AMONG TALLY CLERKS. ; SECTION DISLIKE A UNION, ~ * Dissension was.at oneo apparent whoa tjho Coun-il -qf Conciliation met. yesterday to investigate tho dispute recently entered, into by tlio newly-formed union of tally clerks. Mr. P. Jlally, Conciliation ConimiMioner, presided. Messrs. W. A. Kennedy (u.S.S. Co.), Noil Galbraith (N.Z.S. Co.), and W. 12. Fuller (Levin and Co.) were the assessors for ■ tho employers, 'j'bo ■jussSssars for. the . . union wore Messrs. 15, V, Fouchard, A. Espio, and G. Forsyth. Mr. N. M'Robio appeared as agent for tho employers, and Mr. R. A. Simpson as agent for tho union. Tho reprofcnfatucs -.of.the other tally clerks (not members of tlio UUton) were Messrs. E.Xlark, A. Waters, and A. H. Sargent. Mr, M'Robio said that the eiiiployerß found themselves in tho peculiar posi-. tion that although they were cited is ■parties 110 dispute really existed. Tho' greater number of tally clerks who wero regularly employed by the shipping co.iftpanies objected to the formation of this . union. 'Ihev wero perfectly well satisfied with existing conditions, lie was also informed by' tho companies that a number of the members of the union were men who were plot- regularly cmployed as tally clerks, ' • " Why Non-Members Stand Out. The Commissioner refld .a communieQ" tion signed by 32 tally clerks, who were-non-members of tho • union. As theso would be attested by any agreement or award, they asked- for representation iu tlio present proceedings. , _ After reading the letter, the Comniis-. sioner remarked that if these men wero in a majority an award could effect very little good. lie asked Mr. Clark (representing tho nd.n-ine.m'bers) whether lie wished to say Anything, Sir. Simpson objected to anyone out* •• side tho dispute taking part in the piiticeeiliiigs. . Be quoted a decision by M:f. Jiistice Sini in support of this eontc'ition. Mr. Hally again told Mr. Clark that if lie wished to speak he wcnld bo heard. . Mr. Clark thereupon prti.ented tho following, .statement', to which wero appended 40 signatures: "We, tho recognised ships' tally clerks, employed on the Wellington wharves, respectfully beg to submit . our objections to the making of an award or industrial ag. eement af.fecting our interipst.s for t'he following reasons (1) Wo arc now well satisfied , with the present ruling condi- ' tions of our employment. (!2) Tho existing relations botweeu ourselves and our em- >. plovers are altogether ..(3) Wo believe that the event of ait award fir /industrial agreer ment being made will, wo are sure, disturb .the good . fellowship now existing between us. (4) Wo are of opinion that ,otir. members eOnsist .of tlio . large majority of tally clerks employed on tl.io wharf regular- . ly, w'he earn their l'irjng at that . • .work, and that a ndmber of the men who are members of . union only offer themselves . casually as tally clerks, and do . not. foilow that class of work . as a regular occupation." . Mf. Simpson (referring to the num« bor.of signatures').- You can bring every tally clerk in Wellington, it makes no difference. How Will Thoy Fare? Mr. Hally remarked that lie did not' see how ho'could lieh> ; tho noil-members. The Court could ■ only ta.ko' cognisance of a registered union. The probability was that tlio matter would bo tioned to the Court, and the Court Wotild grunt the petitioners ■s.oipe re-' • lief. And it seemed to him that, if tho union did get au award, it would bo of no use io them. The Council had allowed tho petitioners' to state their case, but could do uo more. Mr. Kennedy: It will he a simplo : ..matter, to Have .'them givo evidence be- : fore the Court. The Commissioner (to Mr. Simpson): How many actual working members do you say you have in your union ? Mr. Simpson: Forfv-five. He added that tlio objection which was being 5 raised to tho format ion of tho union. was on account of an application that tho union should have control of the tally clerks' room. Ho would .not bo surprised to find that some 1 of the sig*' natorics to tho non-members' petition : were actually members. _ • The Commissionor: Will you supply the Council with a list of names of these who are members of tho union? Mr. Simpson refused to do this, remarking that there had been one caseof victimisation already. Tlie'Commissianor again pointed out thai ail award was- not likely to bene-. • fit tho union under the circumstances. Jlr. Simpson:''They'll all libye to bccomo members of' tho' union if wo got' an award, whether thoy liko it or not. Mr. M'Robie: But you won't : p'referenco. Mr. Simpson : Oh, yes, wo will. Tbo Court can't refuse to give it. The Commissioner stated at this stage that as it was apparent, there was no single point on which the parties were prepared, to agree, and as it wad necessary that the Council should make some recommendations, it (the Council), would go into committee to consider the mands. Tho agents and the delegates: of tho noiMinjoniSts then withctrefr. Tile assessors conferred for upwards of an hour, but did not reach either a. settlement or a deadlock, Tlio meeting was then adjourned until the Commissioner should deem it advisable to call the parties together again. 1 r