RAILWAY WAGES Unions Disturbed By Government’s Proposals

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29984, 20 November 1962, Page 16

RAILWAY WAGES Unions Disturbed By Government’s Proposals

If the Government decided to carry out its proposal to introduce legislation withdrawing from railways workers the right to general wage orders granted by the Court of Arbitration the national council of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants would immediately hold a meeting to decide what action should be taken, said the president of the A.S.R.S. (Mr D. M. Kane) last evening.

Approached by “The Press,” Mr Kane said the A.S.R.S. had distributed leaflets to its members which pointed out the disadvantages that would accrue if the Government implemented its decision to amend the Government Railways Act, which gave railwaymen the benefit of general wage orders of the Court. Ihe leaflet also had asked for members’ support in the event of any action having to be taken by the A.S.R.S.

Mr Kane said that during the last two weeks the four railway organisations, the A.S.R.S., the Engineer-Driv-ers’, Firemen’s and Gleaners’ Association, the Railway Officers’ Institute, and the Railway Tradesmen’s Association, had discussed the position with the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and at Cabinet level with the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) and the Minister of Railways (Mr McAlpine). At the last discussion with the Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake had said the Government would give more thought to the matter, said Mr Kane.

In 1949 the railways were given by legislation the benefit of any wage orders made by the Court of Arbitration, the only State servants to be given this dispensation, said Mr Kane. After the 1950 railway strike, the basis of the settlement was that ruling rates should also apply to the railways to try to equate railway workers’ wages with those in outside industries. Since 1951 the railways had had two means of wage increases the Arbitration Court general wage orders, and ruling rate surveys. However, said Mr Kane, ruling rate surveys were taken at irregular intervals, and it was found still that wages paid to railway workers did not match those paid to workers in similar jobs tn private industry. The present staffing position amply illustrated that, he said.

Mr Kane added that the A.S.R.S. had recently made representations to the Government on the internal wage structure in the railways There were so many jobs in the railways that were peculiar to the railways that they could not be compared with any other industry. “Aware Of Threats”

When asked last evening about possible difficulties, the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) said: “We are aware of these threats against the legislation we are bringing down. We have had some talks about this, and have

been discussing the legislation in contemplation. I cannot say more at present.” The legislation will be introduced this week, according to the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) on Friday. Provision for the ruling rates surveys would be made in the major State Services Bill. Allied amending measures affecting the Government Railways, Post Office and Government Service Tribunal Acts have also been prepared. Mr Shand would not say last night exactly when the railways measure would reach Parliament. It would not be today, he added. He suggested that the railways organisations were being “used” by militant unions. The general secretary of the Engine Drivers’, Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association (Mr

C. C. Couchman) said last evening it appeared that the Government was determined to introduce the legislation. He said his organisation had not considered direct action, nor had it made any threat. It had, however, for some time opposed the change mooted. The Royal Commission on State Services described the transfer of Arbitration Court general wage orders to railwaymen as "illogical.” The ruling rates surveys which it proposed were to apply to all State servants, and to be held at six-monthly intervals. This, however, is believed to be impracticable, and the Government may well decide in its legislation on a yearly interval.

In any event, said Mr Kane, his organisation preferred the status quo.