MOTOR SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 229, 28 September 1938, Page 10

MOTOR SERVICES.

In v your issue of September 27 a correspondent, "National," suggests that the conditions of work of employees of the Xew Zealand Railways road motor services are not an good as those enjoyed by employees of privately operated services. He also* implies that only since Labour came into power had the N.Z.R. road services become exempt from the provisions of the award. The Government services have at no time been parties to the award, but the award is used as a guide and strictly adhered to by the Railways Department. The conditions of work of the employees are as good, if not better than, those of private employees. Two extra benefits are the sick benefit fund and the annual free railway pass. In the majority of cases, j employees of services taken over bv the Government state that their conditions are definitely improved under the new management. The transport drivers are better off to-day than they have ever been, thanks to the Government. When the Hon. Adam Hamilton was Minister of Labour the conditions of work of passenger transport drivers were so bad that Mr. Chapman, H.P., asked j him to regulate their hours of work in the I interests of public safety. Although Mr. | Chapman quoted some shocking cases of drivers working unduly long hours and going for weeks |at a time without a day off, Mr. Hamilton ! refused to do anything, as the drivers were [•working to an award. This was adding insult I to - injury, as the award was only a farce, j dictated by the proprietors of the* transport services who had refused to submit it to arbitration. The workers had no choice but to accept it or work without an award owing to Mr. Hamilton's Government having abolished compulsory arbitration. National is right in asking the worker* not to t>e fooled again.

DINNA FORGET.