RAIL MEN'S WAGES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 251, 23 October 1945, Page 6

RAIL MEN'S WAGES

NO GENERAL INCREASE CLASSIFICATION CHANGES p.A. WELLINGTON, this day. Decisions of the Government Railways Industrial Tribunal released to-day do not provide any general increase in wages, but classification adjustments have been provided in certain cases. Guards will now reach the maximum rate of 3/2} hourly two years after their appointment, and gangers will advance from grade 11. to grade I. in the same period. Engine-drivers will reach their maximum of 3/81 hourly one year earlier than. hitherto, and a new rate of 3/1 hourly is provided for train examiner's after two years at 2/11} hourly. Leading tradesmen will receive 3/6 hourly in the first year, and then 3/7 hourly. Revised classification schedule has been provided for the signal and electrical branch, while in the workshops a rate of 3/2 hourly has been provided for machine moulders, and 2/10 hourly will be paid to gas cutters after the first year. A temporary increase of 2/ per shift has been made in the coal allowance paid to engine crews, subject to review in -six months. Allowances And Leave Tool allowances varying from 2/ to 3/ per week are provided for eight classes of tradesmen, and there are various adjustments in meal and other allowances. Three weeks' annual leave after ten years' service is provided for the Second Division, This will not be effective immediately, but is to be put into operation at the discretion of the general-manager as soon as practicable. Double-rate overtime after 12 hours per shift, or 54 hours per week, is another Second Division condition. The travelling time allowances of permanent way gangs will now cover each complete mile on both the outward and homeward journeys. First Division employees are granted time and a quarter between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and an increased maximum rate on Sundays and holidays. A minimum rest period of 10 hours at home stations is provided for all employees. The claim by the Railway Tradesmen s Association for an increase of 4£d an hour for tradesmen and an increase for apprentices, is not allowed on the grounds that justification for the increase was not established. The tribunal has also declined applications by the Railway Officers' Institute for new salary scales for officers and cadets classified in the Department's classification list of the First Division (sub-division two), and also for male temporary clerks and women employees working under First Division conditions, and temporary draughtsmen. Other claims not allowed were for overtime to all members, irrespective of salary, and furlough in addition to annual leave. A claim for amendment in the existing Advanced Cacapity Division is disallowed, Mr. F. A. Whitlow, railwaj'men's representative, dissenting. A claim for long service leave by the three Second Division organisations is disallowed, as also is a claim for full pay to all workers when off duty through sickness or accident.