New Zealand Trade Union Congress

Date: 1-13 October 1998 - 01 Oct 1998 - 13 Oct 1998

From: Trade union oral history project

By: Neary, Anthony Joseph, 1923-2000

Reference: OHInt-0478/20

Description: Anthony Joseph (Tony) Neary born Bangor Erris, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Recalls leaving Ireland, at the age of 18 and going to sea during World War II. Recalls first impression of union movement in New Zealand and forming Rubber Workers Union in Wellington. Mentions Archie Grant (Canterbury Rubber Workers Union); Norman Douglas (Auckland); Jim Neale; Tony Prenderville; Jim Roberts (Big Jim Roberts) and Peter Butler. Mentions compulsory unionism and considers officials did not have to work very hard. Reflects on government efforts to remove compulsory unionism. Mentions Jim Bolger and Jim Rowe and refers to debate over issue in Auckland and Ian Fraser and TV show. Recalls becoming Secretary of Rubber and Electrical Workers Unions. Discusses problems e.g fumes and ventilation, with reference to time and motion study and experts being brought by company from England. Recalls Rubber Workers affiliation to the Labour Party. Discusses wage claims and Arbitration Court. Discusses support for Accident Compensation and problems of suing, with reference to three workers who were electrocuted. Mentions Syd Pickering, Peter Bush, [Mr] Goosman (Minister of Electricity) and Harry Arnt. Discusses Jock Barnes and the Lockout. Gives opinion on Auckland Power Crisis. Discusses women members of the Electrical and Rubber Workers Union. Refers again to compulsory unionism and recalls later favouring voluntary unionism. Outlines relationship with unions and discusses Federation of Labour and Trades Council and 1967 International Labour Organisation Conference. Talks about Black Budget, with reference to FP Walsh. Mentions Ray Scott and Arnold Nordmeyer. Discusses general wage order. Recounts libel dispute, with reference to Peoples Voice. Other topics discussed include: opposition to nuclear testing; opposition to Vietnam War; opposition to Springbok Tour; Wage Freeze and employment; Equal pay; publication of book, with reference to attendence of Robert Muldoon; Employment Contracts Act (ECA) - considers it `a bad bad Act'and hopes `it will one day be turned around'. Interviewer(s) - Shaun Ryan Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-007503-007310 Quantity: 8 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 7.10 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1897.

Date: 1950

Reference: Eph-A-LABOUR-1950

Description: Includes: Fellow unionists - you have to choose! You have the choice between the Federation of Labour and the breakaway Trades Union Congress ... [1950] New Zealand Trade Union Congress. The face that launched a thousands nips [Sid Holland] (2 copies) Calling Northern miners; hear the truth. Flier (2 copies) Auckland Watersiders' Union. Mass victimisation [Flier] (2 copies) The Tribunal says ten [pounds] plus and ... ? [1950] More discrimination against state servants; Attack from the rear! [1950s?] Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Offset prints and letterpress, sizes varying up to 250 mm.

Date: 1950-1951

From: United Mine Workers' Union of New Zealand : Records

Reference: 87-041-2/4

Description: Official organ of the New Zealand Trade Union Congress; Vol 1, issue numbers 2, 3, 5

Date: Jun-Dec 1950

From: Roth, Herbert Otto, 1917-1994: Collected papers, personal papers, photographs and ephemera

Reference: 94-106-51/10

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).

From: Roth, Herbert Otto, 1917-1994: Collected papers, personal papers, photographs and ephemera

Reference: Series-0115

Description: Records of umbrella groupings and federations of trade unions, such as the Federation of Labour, the Alliance of Labour, and antecedent bodies. Includes early groups such as the Industrial Workers of the World, and the Knights of Labour.

Date: 1950-1951

By: New Zealand Trade Union Congress

Reference: MS-Papers-0658

Description: Consists of minutes, circulars, reports and correspondence regarding the Waterfront Dispute, 1951, and other union matters, such as wages, affiliation fees, Social Security Benefits, and industrial stoppages. Source of title - Supplied Quantity: 2 folder(s). 0.03 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript (photocopies) Finding Aids: Piece-level inventory available.

Date: 1951

By: New Zealand herald (Newspaper); Minhinnick, Gordon Edward George (Sir), 1902-1992

Reference: J-057-005

Description: New Zealand prime minister Walter Nash, red with embarrassment, is pushing a pram with squabbling twins labelled 'for' and 'against', with three toddlers hanging on to him, one maroi, the others labelled 'T.U.C.' and "dereg wharfies'. He is followed by a scolding Arnold Nordmeyer, dressed as his wife. A smug Sid Holland, leaning over a gate labelled 'The Moorings', watches them pass. Extended Title - T.U.C. Dereg wharfies. Truth. Time. For. Against. The Moorings. See A5 size bromide copy at H-705-008 for caption. Quantity: 1 photocopy/ies. Physical Description: A3 size laser copy on poster paper

Date: 1986-1987

From: Roth, Herbert Otto, 1917-1994: Collected papers, personal papers, photographs and ephemera

Reference: 94-106-72/04

Description: Other Titles - Common cause, essays in Australian and New Zealand history Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: [1900s-1950s]

From: Quinn, Joseph, d 1998: Negatives and prints from photographic studio operated by James Ring, L A Inkster, and Joseph Quinn

Reference: PAColl-9543-24

Description: Photographs of West Coast scenes, personalities, comprising: Opening of new fire station Pipe bands, brass bands, and Kotatahi Band from Hokitika Auckland Zoo and War Memorial Museum Military processions Greymouth Main School diamond jubilee Public address by John A Lee Group including Guy Menzies, after hisd solo flight across the Tasmanin 1931 Trade Unions Congress demonstration against reduced wages. Includes participatrion by Housewives' Union. Photographs taken 1900s-1950s by James Ring and L A Inkster of Greymouth Quantity: 90 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1950-1951

From: Scott, Richard George, 1923-2020: Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-8572-12

Description: Newspaper cuttings, minutes, pamphlets, draft constitutions and other papers relating to the formation of the Trade Union Congress Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1951

From: Roth, Herbert Otto, 1917-1994: Collected papers, personal papers, photographs and ephemera

Reference: 94-106-51/11

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: Jan-May 1950

From: Roth, Herbert Otto, 1917-1994: Collected papers, personal papers, photographs and ephemera

Reference: 94-106-51/09

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1950-1951

From: Scott, Richard George, 1923-2020: Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-8572-37

Description: Mainly copies of the Congress News, published by the Trade Union Congress. Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1951

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991

Reference: B-184-057

Description: A man representing the 'wharfies' plays the 'Direct Action March' on a huge horn. In front of him the rest of the band who represent 'The other unions' have torn up their music and try to quieten him down as they turn their backs on him, while behind him another player tears his 'Direct Action march' in two. The title is 'Banned music' (wordplay on 'banned' and 'band'). Context - In 1950 the union movement split and the militants (mainly wharves, mines and state-owned railway workshops) walked out of the Federation of Labour conference to form the Trade Union Congress. The Watersiders, in particular, had built a radically democratic union sub-culture and felt confident enough to risk a confrontation with the state itself. Anxious to strangle this infant TUC Hercules in its cradle, the shipping companies, backed by the National Party, provoked a confrontation with the watersiders. Within days 20,000 workers belonging to the TUC were either locked out or striking in solidarity. This cartoon is about the 1951 Waterfront Strike (or lock-out, depending on your point-of-view). The 'wharfies' were the Waterside workers led by Jock Barnes and Toby Hill, (the musician is probably Jock Barnes) who in the cartoon are taking 'direct action' while the 'other unions', those which remained with the Federation of Labour, turn their backs and take a more conservative stance. (Notes from Chris Trotter 'Class collisions in NZ: 1913, 1951, 1991' from 'Solidarity Library' - Sunday, August 27, 2006). Below the cartoon is the title in pencil 'Banned music' and the words '3 col Tuesday 3rd April'. Other Titles - Band Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on paper 405 x 560 mm

Date: 1951

By: New Zealand herald (Newspaper); Minhinnick, Gordon Edward George (Sir), 1902-1992

Reference: H-705-008

Description: New Zealand prime minister Walter Nash, red with embarrassment, is pushing a pram with squabbling twins labelled 'for' and 'against', with three toddlers hanging on to him, one Maori, the others labelled 'T.U.C.' and "dereg wharfies'. He is followed by a scolding Arnold Nordmeyer, dressed as his wife. A smug Sid Holland, leaning over a gate labelled 'The Moorings', watches them pass. Extended Title - T.U.C. Dereg wharfies. Truth. Time. For. Against. The Moorings. Quantity: 1 cartoon bromide(s). Physical Description: Bromide 164 x 213mm.