TRAIN CREWS TO STOP WORK

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 14

TRAIN CREWS TO STOP WORK

Dissatisfaction With Pay Increases (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 20. Dissatisfied with pay increases awarded by the Government Railways Industrial Tribunal the Wellington and Palmerston North branches of the Engine-drivers’, Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association have instructed their members to stop work from midnight tomorrow in Wellington and from midnight on Tuesday in the Palmerston North district. The Auckland branch has instructed train crews to observe strictly the Railways Regulations, which will mean that all trains in the Auckland district will be delayed, some up to several hours.

E.F.C.A. branches in the South Island have decided not to join the stoppage, which, according to the association’s national secretary (Mr C. Couchman), is unlikely to become New Zealand-wide.

Mr Couchman said tonight the stoppage would bring all trains in the southern part of the North Island to a halt. He said he was arranging for the council—the controlling body of the association—to meet in Wellington and “take control.” He hoped the meeting would be held tomorrow. The branches made their decisions at meetings this morning. The Wellington meeting passed the following resolution: “As an expression of disgust at the Government’s parsimonious offer in reply to our claim for increased margins for enginedrivers and the faithful reflection of Government policy by the Railways Industrial Tribunal, the Wellington branch of the Locomotive Engine-drivers, Firemen and Cleaners’ Association directs members to cease work as from midnight Monday, November 21.” In an application to the tribunal last week the association claimed wage increases of Is 4Jd an hour for engine-drivers, 3d to 5d for locomotive assistants and 2d for locomotive trainees. The tribunal on Friday made an order increasing enginedrivers’ rates by 3Jd to 4d an hour. Locomotive assistants and trainees received increases of 2Jd to 3d an hour and IJd to 2d an hour respectively. Margins For Skill Sought

In its submissions the association said: “If the efficiency of the department is not to suffer the tribunal should meet this claim in full.” The association said the claim was based entirely upon an en-gine-driver’s skill and responsibility, and it was stated that a woman constable received a larger commencing salary—£Bso a year —that a first class engine-driver with more than 18 years’ experience, and only £lB less than the salary of . a special grade H enginedriver who might have had 40 years’ service. The association claimed that locomotive drivers, who had more responsibility than any other section of the community, should not be expected to work excessive hours to earn a “decent standard of living.” “Foot-plate staff” had to work many hours, postpone holidays and sacrifice off-duty days.

In a statement today officers of the Wellington branch said members fully appreciated that the travelling public would suffer more than any other section of the community because of the stoppage. “We express our sincere sympathy to the innocent victims of this dispute and can only express the hope that members of the public will understand the decision to cease work was not taken lightly. “The fact that more than 30 years has elapsed since the Wellington engine-drivers last took such action indicates the depth of feeling of our members over the recent tribunal decision.” The statement said the association hoped the 24 hours’ notice of the intention to cease work would at least warn intending passengers. The E.F.C.A.’s president (Mr A.

C. Munro) said in Auckland today that the Auckland board’s decision to observe the regulations would mean that all rail services would be considerably retarded. Tribunal Rejected

“We have instructed the head office of our union to have nothing to do with the tribunal and to deal only with the General Manager,” said Mr Munro. “We think it is peculiar that the increases given us by the tribunal are exactly those that the Government thinks we should have. “We warned the Government that there would be serious repercussions if some of our chaps were not given substantia] margins.” Mr Munro said that the decision to work strictly “according to the book” was one that would cause delays. “In the past we have taken a certain amount of responsibility and driven faster than the regulations permit to maintain schedules.” he said.

“As from Tuesday, things in the Auckland district will certainly be slowed up. The only exception we will make to our decision is if the safety of any member of the travelling public is involved.” When saying that the association would deal directly with the General Manager of Railways. Mr Munro said: “Of course, Mr Gandell does not fix wages, but I am sure he would be very happy to see us have our increase.” Mr Gandell said from Wellington that he was calling a special meeting of executive staff tomorrow morning to discuss the situation. He would not comment further.