REORGANISED UNIONISM IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 120, 7 February 1918, Page 8

REORGANISED UNIONISM IN AUSTRALIA

» LABOUR COUNCIL'S SCHEME. .In the half-yearly report presented at a recent meeting of the New South Wales Trades and Labour Council the secretary (Sir. 15. J. Kavanagh, M.L.C.)., dealt with the last industrial upheaval. The secretary also submitted an important 'Scheme for t'v» reorganisation of the unions. He i?aid it could not be denied that in a few cases -unions had. as it were, played with a two-headed penny, but a careful examination of the causes of the strikes that had occurred during the last few years would show that at least nine out of every ten occurredin connection with matters over which the Arbitration Court had no jurisdiation.

Referring to tho recent big strike, he said the biggest industrial upheaval ever experienced in Australia occurred during August and September last. It originated at the Randwick State Workshops, and was due "to the introduction without due notice of what was termed the card system, a new system of recording the amount of work done by each individual employee on each part of the various jobs. It was contended by the' men that it was the Taylor card system. After" tho arrest of the alleged strike leaders the ActingPremier stated in effect that the Government was in possession of evidence which would show that a conspiracy was on foot to overthrow the Government. As a matter of fact, the man who moved, and the man who seconded the resolution which ultimately brought about the strike, were both members of the Nationalist Party. But they were not arrested. The Labour Council during the strike, through no fault of its own, played second fiddle to a committee that went out of existence, even before the strike was ended, and the council was left to bear the whole of the responsibility. This, to his mind, suggested a complete alteration of their present system of organisation, in order that in future such matters should be controlled by a responsible and not an irresponsible body without permanent existence. To get over this difficulty he suggested the following scheme:— "That all unions be grouped on lines of trade affinity. Such groups to be formed into industrial federations, which in order to form a complete whole shall be linked up to a State or central council. State councils to be linked up to a federal body • by the formation of an Australian Labour Council. Industrial councils to deal with all domestic affairs affecting any trade or calling within its own group. State councils to deal with matters' of principle and policy of tho unions of the State, including matters affecting unions of more than one group. Australian Labour Council to deal with all federal matters, including disputes that extend beyond the limits of any one State. Unions to he represented on the industrial councils by one to three delegates, according to membership. Industrial councils to be represented on State council by one delegate for each union in the group. State councils to be represented on Australian Labour Council by two delegates from each State Council. Voting upon all matters of importance to be on the card system based upon the membership of unions represented. No union to cease work unless by authority of Industrial Federatimi. Industrial Federation to have power to investigate any matter in dispute, and if deemed necessary, to order tho taking of _ a ballot of members of any union in its group."