RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 36, 12 February 1924, Page 7

RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS.

ENGINEDRIVERS AND FIREMEN ASSOCIATION POUCY ENDORSED. • MO HITCHES anywhere: "EVERYTHING IS SATISFACTORY." (By Telegraph.—l'reßs Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. One section of the railwaymen which is seeking readjustment of rates 61 remuneration comprises the enginedrivers and firemen. An explanation of their claims was made to-day by Mr. R. Carroll (president of the E'.F'CA.), and Mr. W. McArley (General Secretary), who returned on Sunday from the South. At every meeting, they said, resolutions were passed endorsing the Association's policy with respect to the wages of engine-drivers and firemenNegotiations had been in progress witn the Government for some considerable time on lines formulated by the Grand Council of the E.F.CA., and up to' the present no hitches had occurred. It was reported from Christchurch last week that the E.F.C.A. was claiming the increase which it sought prior to the retrenchment scheme (approximately 100 per cent increase for drivers and 50 per cent increase for. firemen). In reply to a question as to whether it was really proposed by the Association that the present rates of pay ol drivers should be- doubled and those 01 firemen increased by half as much again, Mr. McArley replied in the negative. What the E.F.C.A. was asking, be said, was that engine-drivers in the service of the Railway Department should be paid a wage which was 100 per cent above the basic wage for unskilled workers. This would be affording due recognition of engine-drivers' responsibilities and status. The Association 'was also urging that firemen should receive a wage which was 50 per cent higher than the basic wage for unskilled workers. These demands were the maximum for both grades, and, in putting them forward, the E.F.C-A. was only asking for adherence to a principle which was in operation as far back as ISM, when the locomotive engine-drivers' maximum was 13/ per day as against the unskilled labourers' rate of 0/. At the present time some engine-drivers were receiving only 116/6 per day. The maximum was 19/6; but this could not be attained until 23 years' service had been completed. Firemen had to serve 13 years before they could reach 15/ C per day. which was their maximum. "As far at we are concerned," said Mr. McArley. "everything is satisfactory between us and the Department. There is no dispute between us."