RAILWAY GRIEVANCES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12904, 9 September 1907, Page 2

RAILWAY GRIEVANCES.

UNREST IN THE SERVICE.

LONG HOURS AND INADEQUATE PAY.

(fuss association tklegbam.) AUCKLAND, September 7. It was expected thet the enquiry in connection with the disaster to a goods and passenger train on the Rotonia line last month would have opened the door to a recital of «ny grievances that employees of the railways might have in respect to wagce or hours of labour. Aa, however, the evidence was confined strictly to the accident, enquiries were made by a "Herald"' representative today with a view to ascertaining the nature of grievances that wore known to exist in the railway eervico.

"From tho far end of the HurunuiBlnff section to the Auckland section," said one man, "resignations are being sent in co fast that it will soon be a case of tho railways being run by the inexperienced or incapable. Mind you (he continued) thero are always plenty of applicants for employment in the railways, chiefly, I should think, from ooiintry lads who don't want to go on the larm and who don't know and don't dream what the work means. But many of the best men are leaving, and by and bye at this rato the service will be left to boys and those who can't got a job elsewhere."

Further questions elicited the reply that the cause of the dissatisfaction was the long hours men were required to he on duty and tlie email rate of pay they received, a rate that in these clays of higher coet of living was nothing like adequate remuneration for the work performed. The reporter found that there was a growing feeling of unrest in the railway service throughout the colony in practically all branches, from that of stationmastors down to porters and engine cleaners, and \K»rliaps moro particularly in the "traffic ,, branch. There is reason to believe that thoso "in the know" are looking forward with apprehension to the time when tho Isorth Island Main Trunk lino will be handed over to the traffic depaitmont; for at the present rato 01 resignations and with the present feeling of unrest, there is fear that the service cannot stand the increase in work. The great and wonderful development going on over tho whole of the North Island is opening tho door of opportunity for the bright and intelligent men of tho community, and from the railway service ac from the professions the arena of oommercial or agricultural life is attracting many men. "I tell you >as a solemn fact," another said, who is fairly familiar with all branches of the service, "that right throughout the New Zealand railways the men are required to -work such disgracefully long hours that often they ulmost fall asleep at their poste. They talk about the eight hours' day that is the rule in New Zealand. Why, eleven hours per day would seem like heaven on earth to some stationmastere, clerks and oadete. What sort of home life can etationmajters, clerka, guards, or anyone else worked like that ever hay« ? It was the greatest mistake the men ever made when they did not take a U^ , ®?? 6 of bro «ght under the Arbitration Act. Of course it might be difficult to fix a uniform day of eight hours for stationmasters or others m the traffic branch, which I believe is the wont treated in the service, but the I present state of things is eimply slavery Its breaking their hearts, and we have many fine, really fine men 111 the railway service, men tvho -would stand to their duty without a murmur till they broke down or it Iβ a b e treated «c they'are. <; T«ere are stationmasters m the service who nave served eighteen, twenty-live, and up to thirty years and over who are working long hour* and- only receiving £220 per annum, atationmeetere and clerks who havo seen sixteen years' service receiving £190 per annum, stationmasters and clerks with ten years' service getting £160 per year, clerks with from nine years to 21 yeare' service receiving only from 130 to £140 per annum, clerks with from cix to seven years experience receiving only £110: per annum, and the majority of these men are working what would be counted by a trades unionist heavy overtime. There are guards who have scrred sixteen years receiving 9s a day, guards with close on thirty years' service getting 8s 6d per day, and guards with ten years' service receiving only 8s per day, the hire of a casual labourer. A clerk or cadet starting at the age of sixteen years nt £40 a year may rise to £180 at thirty years. In 1897 the lowest grade stationmaßters received £160 s> year end ~ a house valued at £25 per annum. . At present he receives £180, less £20 house rent, or an increase of £5 in ten years. At the present high cost of living, what sort of wage is that for the important post of a railway etationmaster?" "What do you consider a fair thine t" was aeked of a member of the servio*.

"Well," he replied, "what we think i* a faif and reasonable thing has already been drawn up in a circular, and there is no secret about it. We consider that while it might be difficult to arrange an absolutely uniform day, there should be a limit of 48 hours per week for work, and w> bring thfo about ft wouW be necessary to largely increase the staff. At any rate, the stations should be staffed on the Ritmmer traffic basis, and all dnpaid Sunday duty should be dono away with one* and for all. It's quite unfair to ask men receiving only miserable snlnri«s to com© on duty on Sundays with-, out » penny of extra pay, and there should be sufficient nt all the larger stations to cop© with extraordinary vacancies and emergencies. Wo consider that salaries should increase from £40 in the first year to £250 or £260 at twenty years' service, with 10s ncr we*k as boarding allowance in the first and second years, 5s in the third, nnd 3s 6d in trie fourth, and thet there should b<v overtime in all eases." The "Herald" representative found in many quarters a desire for a full and open enquiry into the conditions of life in the New Zealand railway service. Responsible officers in some cases »re saddled with "assistants" whose only reason for oeinß in the service or receivine salary seem* to bo that they have political support at their backs.