Trades Unions Set Us An Example
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The Leaders of Labour Do Not Hesitate to State Their Policy and Demand the Restitution. of Those Pre-war Rights of the Unions Temporarily Sacrificed in the Nation's interests ,
By.
"Tantalus"
AT this time of year, frequently referred to as -the conference season, the better-known political
• and industrial organizations invariably hold their annualmeetings. The proceedings, devoted largely to a review of the events of the past year, Include also, as a 'major item, the laying down of future policy. Of the conferences held so far this year, public attention has been focused mainly on that of the Labour Party and, primarily, because of one particular matter which has aroused considerable interest.. This concerns the application of certain unions for affiliation to the Trades Union Congress, contrary to the terms of the trade Union Act, 1927, which lays down that civil servants may not belong to any union incleding non-civil servants in its membership, nor may they become affiliated with bodies outside the civil service orbit. In this' application there is evidence of an attempt to flout the terms of the Act. Whether the partied concerned are right or wrong in their attitude is not the purpose of this reference.
Bold Challenge v. Weak Leadership
What, it may be asked, is the _connection between the Lebow Party Confenrce and the roadetransport industry? There is no direct connection. The reference has been made in an effort to illustrate the methods• and determined actfon of efficiently organized bodies in comparison with those of the industry. On the one hand there is a bold and unanimous challenge to an Act of Parliaman•t, with an all-pervading spirit of " damn the consequences." On the other band, there is divided opinion, weak leaderthip and lack of co-ordinated effort.
So far as the road-transport industry is concerned, whenever matters of itaportance are under discussion the representatives are pledged to secrecy. On the contrary, the trades unions, knowing exactly what they want, go all out to achieve their purpose. Before any decisions are made all the cards are placed on the table and there is nothing in the nature of a "hush-hush "policy. As against this our industry has suffered severely from lack of information because, meetings being held in camera, only the favoured few have been " in the know," whilst the bulk of the members has remained in complete ignorance of whatever has transpired. In this respect there may be recalled protracted meetings between the al.O.W.T. and the representatives of the industry during which period no information, whatsoever was vouchsafed to the members. In fact, it is fair to say that, generally speaking, only after matters have been decided is information made available.
No such state of affairs would be permitted to exist in any-trade union. It is perfectly easy to visualize the result in the event of trade union leaders reaching a decision affecting their niembers on a major issue Without prior consultation with the said members. • As is generally known, concerning all important issues trade union leaders are given a mandate by the membership and to such mandate they must conform. There is a remarkable difference between this and the Method prevailing in similar circumstances in road-transpek
Another interesting point is that every trade union member, even in the remotest places, has a say and a vote. on all matters affecting general policy and indi
vidual interests. Therefore he can never feel that he is away in the background, unnoticed and of no importance. Is not that intimate and active form of membership one of the strongest links in the trade union movement? Conversely, is it not one of the weaknesses of the road-transport industry that a similar degree of close contact is unknown within the representative bodies? • • One decisict made at the Labour Party Conference was that a policy of unity with the ether political bodies be continued during the period of the war in an endeavour best to serve the national interest. This decision was coupled with one of equal importance and wffh, perhaps, even greater significance, namely, that when the war is over complete freedom must be restored. Sacrifices made and restrictions endured must be removed, so that pre-war liberty may be regained. There were no ifs ca buts about the resolution; no qualifications to mar the unanimous decision and determination that the resolution be implemented at the appropriate -time. By contrast, how puny and ineffective have been the efforts made by representatives of the road-transport industry 'concerning major issues.
Turning to the report of the S.J.C. executive meeting held at the beginning of the current month, there is a reference here regarding the representations made to the M.O.W.IT. on the question of the position of licence holders at the termination of hostilities. The representations, however, do not appear to have resulted in any change of position. In the familai phrase of the radio announcer: " There is nothing fresh to rePort."
The position remains exactly the same as it was many months ago, and no progress whatever has been made regarding this important question. All that hauliers know is that post-warapplications for licences will be dealt with in the light of prevailing circumstances at the time they are made. From this it may be seen that there is no indication of anything in the nature of a pledge. There is merely,a vague and very unsatisfactory statement which, to the haulier, may mean a treat deal or nothing at all.
Will S.J.C. Revive Fighting Spirit?
In view of the nature of the reply of the M.O.W.T. ,what is • the attitude of the S. J.C. concerning this important matter? Is it one of meek acquiescence and the vill to accept the reply as the last word on the subject? Or will the S.J.C. summon the necessary courage to force the issue to a more satisfactory conelueion? It is not difficult to picture the course which would be pursued by any trade union under similar circumstances. There would be no question of such an issue being sidetracked or backed into a siding to remain in abeyance pending an unknown but doubtful future. Surely the representatives of the industry would do well to emulate the example of those who lead the workers. • They should gird their armour and revive that fighting spirit which, at one time, was beginning to manifest itself.
A worthy cause merits a. valiant fight and selfless, concerted effort eventually must bring its reward. Only by vigorous action can the road-haulage industry be saved from becoming a " va'ssal " section of other forms of transport.