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TOBACCO WORKERS

Registration Of Union

Cancelled

PETONE DISPUTE

Action By Government

Action was taken by the Government yesterday to cancel the registration of the Wellington Tobacco Factory Employees’ Industrial Union ot Workers in respect of the borough of Petone. 1 his also involves cancellation of the Court ot Arbitration's award in respect of the same district. A formal notice giving effect to the Government's decision was published in a special Gazette issued late yesterday afternoon.

The Government’s decision was announced by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb, who referred in an interview last evening to the strike whieh had taken place at Hie factory of AV. D. and It. O. Wills, Petone. Tlie Minister said that be first heard of the trouble on Wednesday morning last. “On receipt of information that a stop-work meeting had been held consequent on tlie dismissal of a workei named Matthews. 1 immediately contacted with the secretary of the union. Mr. T. J. L. Tucker, and pointed out the seriousness of the step taken by his union, aud strongly advised him to endeavour to prevail on the members to resume work, promising that whatever grievance they had would be thoroughly investigated.” said Mr. Webb. ’ “The same afternoon, the president and secretary of the union met me. I pointed out the Government’s attitude toward any hold-up in production, aud strongly recommended them to place the matter in tlie hands of the Federation of Labour, in order that any trouble might be avoided. Desire of Government. “On the following morning. Thursday. I telephoned Mr. Walsh, chairman of the Trades and Labour Council, and Mr. Cornwell, secretary of the Federation of Labour, pointed out that a stoppage of work had taken place at the factory, and suggested that they might take the matter in hand. Later in the day. the secretary of the union and two delegates conferred with Mr. E. B. Taylor, Assistant-Secretary of Labour, who advised them that, the Government desired them to return to work and place their dispute in the hands of the Federation of Labour. He also informed the deputation that the Minister would be pleased to arrange for an emergency disputes committee to lie set up immediately, when all matters in dispute could be dealt witli in a constitutional manner.

“On the morning of Friday, Mr. Taylor telephoned the secretary of the union and was advised that the workers definitely refused to hand the case over to the Trades and Labour Council or Hie Federation of Labour. At 11 a.m. tlie same day, a deputation of six from Hie union waited on Mr. Taylor aud asked that arrangements be made for tlie liaison officer, Mr. Hunter, to go out to the factory and inquire into the dispute. Mr. Taylor informed them that it would be necessary for them first to return to work. If they did this, arrangements would be made for Mr. Hunter to investigate tlie position on his return from Auckland. However, they still persisted in their decision not to resume work. No Change In Position.

“On my return from the AVest Coast on Sunday morning. I immediately communicated with the secretary of the union and officials of the Labour Department, to ascertain the position. I was then informed ’ that there was no change, and that the strikers were determined not to go back to work till Air. Alatthews ■ was ’’reinstated. “I then discussed the matter fully with Air. Fraser and my colleagues, and it was decided that unless work was resumed on Afonday morning, rhe union Avould be deregistered. I advised Air. Tucker accordingly. He reported this to the meeting, and the meeting asked if I would receive a deputation. Tins I agreed to, aud a deputation consisting of tlie secretary, Air. Tucker, Air. Adds and Airs. Footer, waited on me on Monday afternoon. They said that Hie-workers had not received a fair deal at the hands of the company, and they were convinced that Air. Alatthews had been victimized tiecause of his advocacy of their rights. I told them that the Government was definitely one hundred per cent, against any form of victimization, and that if it could be established that Air. Alatthews had been victimized, the Government would stand by him.

“I appealed to the delegates to advise their members<o resume work the following morning, and I would immediately set up an Industrial Disputes Committee.'presided over by the industrial magistrate. Mr. J. A. Gilmour, on which both sides could be represented, ami the matters in dispute could then be thoroughly investigated. I strongly advised them that this was the proper constitutional method to adopt, and pointed out that a Government which provided for compulsory unionism, along with ample machinery to deal with any disputes arising within the industry, expected those participating to carry their share of responsibility and comply with the law, because they could not have it both- ways. Approval of Colleagues. "While the deputation was present, 1 consulted my colleagues by telephone, advised them of what I had suggested, and received their assurances that the procedure I asked the men to adopt met with their approval. The delegation then agreed to go back to the union and advise them strongly to resume work tlx? following morning, and allow the matters in dispute to be submitted to the Industrial Disputes Committee. To my surprise, this proposition was not accepted. “On being advised by the secretary that, owing to the short notice, many of tlie members were not present, I agreed to hold over the deregistration of tlie union in order that the meeting today might have an opportunity of fully considering it. On receiving advice today that the proposal was again turned down, I submitted the whole matter to Cabinet, who agreed that the union should lie deregistered forthwith. and the law must tala? its course. "Needless to say. I realize the seriousness of strikes, and I know the suffering that inevitably follows. I believe that Hit' great bulk of the workers in the industry tire just as anxious ns any members of tlie Government to render their utmost help in this groat crisis, and 1 cannot help but believe that, had they appreciated the seriousness of the step that they have taken, they would have immediately complied with the very reasonable request I made, to place the matter in the hands of the Federation of Labour, to which they are affiliated, and allow the Industrial Disputes Committee to sir at once and deal with their case. I hope that now. even at this late hour, reason and common sense will prevail, and that the workers will realize the seriousness of the stand that they are taking in ignoring both their own union, the Federation

of Labour and the Government, which is anxious always to help the workers to maintain and improve the standard of living they now enjoy.” Strikers Reaffirm Decision. The workers on strike held anothei meeting yesterday morning and reaffirmed tlie previous decision to stand by their demand for the unconditional reinstatement of the man concerned in the dispute and their offer to return to work in that event at the earliest possible moment, pending a discussion of the man’s case by a disputes committee. Approximately 300 workers are con cerned in the strike, but the balance of the staff. 184. have remained in work throughout the dispute.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19401113.2.84

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 42, 13 November 1940, Page 8

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,225

TOBACCO WORKERS Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 42, 13 November 1940, Page 8

TOBACCO WORKERS Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 42, 13 November 1940, Page 8

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