SUDDEN CUT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 304, 24 December 1941, Page 8

SUDDEN CUT

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

PROTKST BY RAILWAYMEN

A resolution expressing strong indignation at the action of the Government in closing the Otahuhu railway workshops for only two days over Christmas was unanimously carried at a meeting of over 700 members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and the Railway Tradesmen's Association. The following statement was issued by the two unions:— "Usually the men are given their annual leave at Christmas, but during last week advice was received that the workshops would be closed for only eight days, and no leave would be granted in excess of this either before or after. In view of the war situation the men accepted this decree without making any protest. Last Monday afternoon, after the men had made their arrangements a further notice was posted that the workshops would close for only two days, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Only a small percentage of the staff are engaged on war work, and these men were, in any case, working during the vacation. "The balance of the staff therefore had their arrangements.again upset with the accompanying' expense falling on them. Scores of men have paid deposits on seaside baches and other accommodation. During the Christmas and New Year vacation every available vehicle is in commission and the workshops are practically empty, giving the management an opportunity of making necessary overhauls of machinery. We consider that the restriction is unnecessary and unjust as every man is prepared to work any hours required of him in furtherance of the war effort." "Autocratic Action* The resolution carried was:— "That this meeting of members of * Otahuhu railway workshops' staff is highly indignant at the precipitate and autocratic action taken by the Government when they cancelled at a moment's notice our annual leave and holiday pay. Hundreds of our men have made great sacrifices during the past year in their endeavours to save sufficient money to enable their families to have their holidays with at least a minimum of comfort, many of them having paid deposits for board and others for rentals of baches at beaches and elsewhere, and apparently will not receive any Refund or compensation for being thus compelled to stay at work. J

"We are of the opinion that if the situation is 50,.- grave those responsible for this curtailment should at least stav at: their duties in Wellington and order the abandonment of the races, and show more practical sympathy with those of us who are endeavouring to win the war, and we urgently request reconsideration of the enforced position."