UNION REVOLT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20102, 23 November 1939, Page 4

UNION REVOLT

SHOP ASSISTANTS

PALMERSTON ACTION

NON-PAYMENT OF DUES

DOMINATION RESENTED

GROTESQUE MEASURES'

(Per Preas Association.) PALMERSTON N„ this day. •A decision to set up a Palmerston North shop assistants’ disputes committee empowered to negotiate a satisfactory settlement was made at a meeting of 100 assistants held to take steps following the action of the Wellington executive in disbanding the 'Palmerston branch and summarily dismissing the secretary after a request had been made by the branch for a reduction of subscriptions. Serious friction had arisen with the Wellington executive, which was alleged to have adopted grotesque measures.

The meeting considered that Palmerston North’s 500 assistants should have a voice in the union’s affairs, and expressed resentment at the attempted domination by a team of trades union secretaries.

Statements were made that 2000 assistant's in Palmerston North. Wanganui and Hawke’s Bay would be organised in a protest, suggestions being made that they could run their own affairs, but did not want to wreck the union.

Members were advised meanwhile to pay no further dues and not to recognise the new local secretary appointed by the Wellington executive. 'Subsequently, the shop assistants passed a resolution on similar lines to those at Hamilton and Invercargill, protesting against the import restrictions, which were jeopardising their employment.