The 1980 Federation of Labour Conference

Abstract

The Forty-Third Annual Conference of the New Zealand Federation of Labour (FoL) was held in the Wellington Town Hall from 6 to 9 May 1980. The credentials committee of the conference reported that "there were 409 delegates attending and three National officers, which included 45 women delegates, exercising a total of 625 votes". This conference was significant as a meeting of trade unionists for three reasons. First, as the first conference of the 80s, the opportunity existed for a look back at the late seveties - the chance to review gains and losses - and the chance to look forward to the early eighties, and to assess the difficulties and challenges that would face New Zealand's trade union movement. Second, this conference was significant in terms of leadership. This was the first annual conference for the newly elected President, Jim Knox, and the Secretary, Ken Douglas, and the progress of this new leadership team was an issue for some delegates - not to mention some politicians and some journalists. Third, a number of long term policy decisions were proposed - the effects of which would have deep significance for the future of the Union movement.