GRIEVANCES OF RAILWAY SERVANTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12897, 31 August 1907, Page 5

GRIEVANCES OF RAILWAY SERVANTS.

► UNREST IN THE SERVICE

(special to ''the f__ess.''> WELLINGTON, August 29. An "Ex-Railway Official," in writing to tho 'Post," makes some statements regarding the grievances of railway servants which are of considerable interest in view of the enquiry now being held regarding the recent railway accident near Rotor na. Ho says:—"Th« fact that thero is a great deal of unrest in the railway bervico, especially in that all-important branch the traffic, is evidenced by tho largely increased number of resignations recently. Surely this of itself miist be a matter for th« earnest attention of th© Legislature and management. Tho time is rapidly approaching when the Department will find its_f with a depleted and utterly inefficient stall to cope with the steadily increasing traffic. When the North Island Main Trunk line is taken over, there is every reason to fear that a total breakdown in the service will'result, unless immediate 6teps are taken to stem the tide of resignations, and so ensure that all tho officered stations shall be adequately and efficiently staffed. You will no doubt have a very vivid recollection of what took place upon the Wellington-Napier line during the summer of 1897-1898, consequent upon the linking up of tho Wellington-Napier-New Plymouth section at Woodville, owing to the Department's unproparedncss to meet the demands of tho traffic, and nliso thoir futile efforts to do so at the timo with a staff of boys and casual labourers.'' LACK OF INDUCEMENT. "It is well known to tho management," says the writer, "that youths with an ounco of ambition cannot bo induced to enter the railway service as cadets, owing to brighter prcepects and better remuneration being offered ekewhere. Consequently, bearing in mind that experienced officers are daily leaving the service and tho engagement of an inferior class of lads to fill thoir positions, tho travelling publio must soon experience an uneasy feeling concerning tho capabilities of the railway staff engaged in train running duties. "It will com© as a surpriee to most people to learn that the railway station mostorSj clerks, and cadete work anything from nino to fourteen hours Eer day," runs a circular issued on bealf of the men. It is mentioned that tho average stationmaster in the oimtry may bo kept on his ordinary routino duties from 6 a.m. till 9 p.m., and may bo taken out of bed at 2.45 a.m. by such a thing as a "cattle special." His ej'es have scarcely a chaneo to wander from the metalled way into his own domestic circle. It is stated that in 1897 tho lowest grade stationmaster received £150 a year and a house, valued at £25 per annum. In 1907 tho emolument is £180, Joss £20 house rent, an increase of £5 in ten years. It is held that while £175 was a living wago in 1897, it is a starvation wago in 1907, when allowance is mado for tho increased cost of tho necessaries of life. Comparisons are given to show that a railway clerk or cadet, starting at th© ago of sixteen with £40 a year, may rise to £180 at thirty, while a person with similar status in tho Poet and Telegraph l>eportmont may go from* £40 to £220. In a selection of nine township* it is indicated that th© stationmashore' salaries range from £180 to £220. and the postmasters' remunerations ascend from £220 to £300, with "house free" in each case.

Briefly, tho remodies suggested for the adjustment of grievances are:—"(1) A limit of forty -eight hours for a week; (2) stations to bo staffed on a summer traffic basis; (3) tlio abolition of all unpaid Sunday duty; (4) sufficient extra staffing to bo in training at all lare;e stations to cope with aJI extraordinary vacancies; (5) leave to bo as granted in the Post and Telegraph Departments, etc."

It is recommended that the scale of pay should ascend from £40 in the first year to £250 in the twentieth, with 10s per week boarding allowance in the first and second year, 5s in the third, and .*. Gd in the fourth, with overtime in all cages a 9 paid in tho Port and Telegraph Department.