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Unionist Speaks:
We Want Sugar – Not Crumbs

By Judy Goldfinch

"The Masters are sweeping us the crumbs; we want some of the sugar," Bill (Pincher) Martin told a Labour Club meeting recently.

Mr Martin, President of the New Zealand Seamen's Union, and a member of the F.O.L. executive, was speaking on Industrial Relations in New Zealand.

"Industrial relations in New Zealand are changing, there is a need for a new approach with proper safeguards for both sides," he said.

Judge Blair's decision of June, 1968, had shown the trade unions the need to do away with the Arbitration Court system, and to subsitute a system of collective bargaining, "that will get us as much as the bosses can pay."

"At the moment the masters are sweeping us the crumbs, we want some of the icing."

Referring to his own industry, Mr Martin said that at the present time "the bosses are dragging the chain.

"They're not tuned in on the changing industrial relations of the present day.

"The majority of people we are dealing with are over sixty years of age and are looking forward to cosy retirement in a few years.

There are not enough young people on the employment side of the industry."

Mr Martin went on to speak of the political affiliations of the Seamen's Union.

"We are affiliated to the Labour Party because we feel that the Labour Party will do more for us in the way of legislation than any other party," he said.

But he described the present Labour Party - Trade Union relationship, as a case of the "tail wagging the dog".

"The Labour Party was formed by the Trade Unions, and they should be telling the Labour Party what to do," he said.

But now the Labour Party did not need to go beyond the Unions to "white collar" support in order to survive.

"We're all wage-slaves whether we've got blue or white collars."

He believes that the "white collar" worker does not see himself as a wage-slave due to the influence of the press in New Zealand.

"The problem is to get rid of the idea of 'blue' and 'white' collar workers.

"We've all got to get together and oppose the boss.

"The boss is the enemy," he said.