PLACEMENT SERVICE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 36, 26 February 1937, Page 12

PLACEMENT SERVICE

Union Secretary's Tribute -'Mr P. M. Butler, secretary oi the Munieipal and General Workers' Union (incorporatdng labourers' and related trades), recently stated that there appeared to be misconceptions regarding thie functions of the State placement service, particularly in regard to membership of workers in unions. Speaking on behalf of his union, Mr Butler said that the State Placement Qffice was carrying out splendid work. The service filled a iong-felt want. The union realised the importance of the work and had no complaint regarding its methods. The union did not expeet the Placement Oifice to be a recruiting agent for union members. The function of the office should be one of strict impartiality, and as far as he could see it was endeavouring to remain strictly impartial, devoting its energies to seeking work and fitting Workers into' respective positions. After the Placement Office had introduced a workman to a prospective employer, the other matterg concerning awards, etc., then became the concern of the employer, the worker, and the union. Some employers had the impression that, because a Government office had sent them a workman, tho onus lay on that office regarding the rates of remuneration and general provisions of awards. He desired to point out. that the fact that a workman. had been sent from the State Placement Office did not relieve the employer from his responsibilities under an award or agreement. Mr Butler said that his union had the greatest admiration for the work ?©ing carried out by the Placement Office, and did not intendi to embarrass it in any way. All employers were nof expected to be conversant with the details of all awards, but the onus lay on them to see that they were observed, and full information was available to them from the Department of Labour and the trade unions, which Would gladly advise them on any points at issue. Briefly, the position as he saw it was as follows: — 1. The Placement Office hrought prospective employers gnd Workers togetner. 2. After the introduction, it was thie duty qf the union nnd. the employers to ge© that the conp£ tfee nw^rdfi K©re observed.