‘DOG COLLAR LEGISLATION’ Australian trade unions face heavy penalties for strikes (This is the second of a series of three articles on compulsory arbitration continuing an examination of the Australian system, long condemned b ment as “dog-collar” legislation.) By JACK PHILLIPS y the Australian militant labor move- The precise effect of the Australian labor disputes machinery on the right to strike requires some examination. _ Under federal legislation, officers of a union are liable to a penalty of £20 ($44) if, during the term of an award, they “advise, encourage, or incite any member to refrain from (a) entering into a written agreement; (b) accepting employment; or (c) applying for work or working.” While deregistration does not deprive a union of its status as an employee association or of its property, it is subject to the courts on the debts and obligations of the organization. Federal legislation does not restrain an unregistered un- ion from taking strike action, but those unions seeking reg- istration must bind themselves to accept awards or orders of the tribunal. In Queensland, all strikes are iWlegal unless authorized by a secret ballot conducted by a registrar of the Industrial Court. In South Australia, there is a flat prohibition of strike, with a maximum penalty of £500 ($1,100) or three months hard labor. In Western Australia, the ' Maximum penalty for striking is a £100 ($220) fine for a union and £10 (22) for an individual. In New South Wales, certain types of strikes are illegal. Government employees and employees covered by an award are forbidden to strike. A fine of up to £500 ($1,100) may be imposed on a union if its executive or members join or assist an ilegal-strike. A penalty of £10 ($22) or one month in jail may be imposed for picketing in connection with an unlawful strike. Maxi- mum penalties for boycotting commodities declared unfair range from £10 $(22) or one month in jail for an individu- al to £100 ($220) for a union. In Victoria, there is no direct prohibition of strikes, but. the decision of a board to determine wages may be suspended for twelve months if a strike is ex- pected. This gives the employ- er legal sanction not to apply the wage rates and conditions prescribed by law. In Tasmania, the wages board system directly forbids strikes “on account of any matter in respect of which a board has made a determina- tion,’ with a maximum pen- alty of £20 ($44) for individ- uals and £500 ($1,100) for an organization. But over and above such la- bor disputes legislation, there is always the threat of criminal law and the use of emergency powers legislation to smash a strike. Under Section 30J of the fed- eral Crimes Act, the gover- nor-general may issue a proc- lamation that there is a ser- ious industrial disturbance “prejudicing or threatening trade or commerce with other countries or among states.” While such a proclamation is in effect, persons who join or encourage strikes in relation Vancouver 4, B. C. TRIBUNE. Circulation Department Tribune Publishing Company, Ltd. Suite 6 - 426 Main Street, ° Please enter my subscription to the PACIFIC $4 for one year [] $2.2 for 6 months [J to interstate overseas trans- port or to any’ public serv- ice provided by the govern- ment, are liable to one year in jail or deportation if not born in Australia. Here it must be noted that in Australia, telephones, tele- graphs, railways, streetcar lines, gas and electricity, ir-~ rigation and other public util- ities are under state owner- ship. In 1949, the National Emer- gency (Coal Strike) Act was passed by a Labor govern- ment. It prohibited the use of union funds, including those of the coal-mining unions, to assist the general strike in the ‘industry. Certain unions were ‘ordered to pay into court large sums withdrawn from bank accounts prior to the strike. Union leaders who refused to comply with the court order were cited for contempt, fin- ed £1,000 ($2,200) and jailed for twelve months. A year earlier, in 1948, a right-wing Labor government in Queensland passed the In- dustrial Law Amendment, for the duration of several months. All peaceful means of induc- ing workers to strike were out- lawed, pravided such a strike would have been illegal under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of 1932-47. This picture, brief as it is, should demontrate what is in store for the B.C. labor movement if compulsory ar- bitration and labor courts be- come law. %* * * Big business is worried about the militancy of the trade un- ion movement. It sees this militancy as an obstacle to its policy of freezing wages and stepping up production. Its professed concern for the pub- lic welfare is so much window dressing to obtain support for its profit-seeking ends. Labor must close ranks and use every available means of defending itself. And self-de- fence means more coordination in ‘the wage movement and a better job of presenting the case for more pay and shorter hours to the general public te % Volleyball was considered a years until it won universal popularity Second World War. Now it is one of the world® | sports. Photo shows U.S. prisoners of war. They. sports. Photo shows U.S- prisoners of war in ® gy Korean prison camp six years ago.. They played 9 pt and basketball to keep in shape, and now both 84” become popular with the Korean people. Bert Whyte's — SPORTLIGHI OLLEYBALL was once con- sidered a game-for sissies, probably because it was in- vented by a YMCA physical director and immediately be- came popular with YWCA girls. : During the Second World War soldiers took up the game and it won universal approv- al. By the end of the war some five million men and women had learned how to play the game — the rules are simple and no extensive equip- ment is required—and in 1947 an International Volleyball Federation was formed. This federation now includes some 36 countries. First world championships were held in 1951 (men) and 1952 (wom- en). The game can be played wherever there is a fairly flat surface. You simply string a net up on two poles, secure a ball, and the game is under- way. Last weekend I was over in Nanaimo, teaching at a youth school held in the Chase River Finnish Hall. Between classes the boys and girls spent most of their time batting a volley- ball back and forth across a bedraggled net. In view of my advanced age, I was spared from this self- inflicted punishment. As the score of strained tendons, bruised muscles and general physical exhaustion mounted, I sat calmly on the sidelines, puffng a cigar and smiling be- nignly at the havoc being wrought. I’m all for participant sports providing no one tries to make April 11, 1958 — for pil “sissies’ game a i uw a’s fa me participate. xt am qo The 16 teams Who) right to take part 1? a Soccer Cup competi soon be heading fo and the playoffs. PS) op Opening games e 8, with chief inter it on the England VS: so aft ¢ ed on tilt. Other opene™ gentina. vs. Germany vs. Paraguay and sw Mexico. oe Although Austral@t mers are expected 1? the splash events at the mr Empire Games this vai Wales, Canada’s contin? be our “best ever. At the BEG swi?” ig diving trials just co? ‘s Montreal B.C: entt yp several new Canadia® Tiny Margaret IW" year-old school gitl ey 6 couver, won the W® yard butterfly stroke “¢ 100-yard free-style a berth on Canada’s ber team. And 17-year-old pu di anather local pridé “4j won the men’s 440-9 a! style final, setting # p adian record. + 2. oe Just to give you a8 all-out pro baske gone for high score i than basic skill: a @ fe: the average team por was 67, last year it wo this season it topp® mark. so rACIFIC TRIBUNE j \ 2 ,