Please wait. Contacting image service... loading

Article text

EMPLOYERS' STAND
ON WAGE DEMAND
United Resistance to
Union Methods
OVERTIME TEST AT THE
TRADES HALL TO-NIGHT
The Victorian Chamber ot Manufactures has decided to resist to
the full tactics adopted by unions to obtain wage increases and im-
provements in conditions. i
This information was contained in a statement- issued last niqht on
behalf of the Chamber. It pointed out that the Chamber, intended
to call a halt to the "present disruptive tactics employed by. militant
-unions," and the action to be taken might mean the closing, down of
whole sections of industry. .. ' w
A show-down on the attitude of the trade
union movement generally towards industrial
action is likely at to-night's meeting of the
Trades Hall Council.
Issued by. the' president (Mr. L.
Robinson), , the Chamber of
Manufactures' .statement saiu
that no demands whatever for.in-
rreased wages or conditions upon
members would be considered
unless made through, the channels
laid down by the existing laws of
the country.
The statement, which was
issued following a special meet
ing of the council of the cham
ber called to discuss the serious
unrest in industry generally,
continued:—
"All sections of the chamber
will support to. the utmost any
section of industry or individual
manufacturer -subjected to un
lawful or provocative attacks by
any union. Direct . action and
threats of direct action upon
members will be met by the
chamber as. a united body.
"The. council unanimously de
cided that : employers will no
longer submit . to, or tolerate,
£UCUII«V WU« im »v IIIVII M
waged against individual- mem- .
bers or individual industries,
with the constant threat that
these tactics will be greatly
extended.
"United action will be takei.
now to end the unfair encroach
ment upon the freedom of the
community whether employer or
employe.- , .
"It is emphasised that the
unions' grievance, if any, is not
concerned directly with the em
ployers. It is an onslaught , on
the law of the land..
"Manufacturers support . '-the
rule of law, and are prepared to
take any necessary, steps to have
that attitude accepted by all
concerned in industry.
"The council is. resolved, in the
Interests not only of manufac
turers,, .but' of the public, that
illegal and provocative . demands
must be checked before it Is too
late.
"The. chamber stands, as it has
always stood, for the 'open shop,'
believing that it is the right of
everv man or woman to decide
whether or not he or she will loin
a union, and that because a per
son: holds independent views re
garding principles of unionism, it
is unjust that he should be for-
fihlv r1inrlvfri nf hie livnllhnnH-
This right is inherent in the
principles of democracy, and will
be upheld by the chamber and its
members."
Union Action
When the Trades Ilall. Council
meets .to-night an -attempt will
ho made by the Moulders'
Union to -have the council en
dorse a complete, ban on over-..
time by all unions.' r . ,
' This action",, was ;deoided? oil nl
a meeting rof > -the- -Metal Trades
Council yesterday afternoon .
Union representatives at the
meeting agreed to allow the move
to come from the moulders and it
is expected that practically all
unions connected with the metal
trades will give it support.
The meeting also decided to
recommend to all affiliated unions
that they impose a complete ban
on overtime.
Unions affiliated with the Metal
Trades Council -are : Amalgamated
Engineering Union, Amalgamated
Society of Engineers,. Iron Work
ers' Union, Moulders' Union,
Boiler Makers' Union, Sheet
Metal and Agricultural Imple
ment Makers' Union, Black
smiths' Union, Federated En
gine Drivers' and Firemen's As
sociation, and Electrical Trades
Union.
It was slated. yesterday that re
presentatives of only one union
at the meeting was opposed to
the introduction of the overtime
ban.
If the Moulders' Union succeeds
in getting its motion before to
night's meeting it is expected
that the debate will develop into
a straight-out trial of strength
between militant and moderate
sections. Where in the past
militants have been substantially
defeated, it is possible that pre
sent unrest, coupled with the ap
parent failure . of the A.C.T.U.
delegation to obtain concessions
from the Prime Minister, will
swing additional support to the
side of those advocating direct
action. .
$