48-HOUR RAILWAY STOPPAGE BEGINS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29998, 6 December 1962, Page 16

48-HOUR RAILWAY STOPPAGE BEGINS

Protest At New WageFixing Proposal F.O.L. SUPPORTS A.S.R.S. STRIKE CALL

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, December 5. Striking railwaymen brought New Zealand’s railways and rail services to a halt at midnight tonight. The only trains or railway buses moving after that hour were those which had started their journeys before midnight. The stoppage, brought about by only one of the four railway workers’ unions, the Amalgamated Society of Railway ’ Servants, will last for 48 hours. It is a protest at the intention of the Government to repeal a section of the Railways Act which automatically passes on to railway workers any general wage order made by the Court of Arbitration.

A repeal of this section is consequent on a new wagefixing formula for the State services, contained in the State Services Bill now before Parliament. At midnight, as trains and railway buses halted, Parliament adjourned after another evening debate on the second reading of the State Services Bill. Though it has the full support of the Federation of Labour, the strike so far has not spread beyond the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants.

The Prime Minister (Mr Hoiyoake) has issued a warning that the Government will not be intimidated by the strike. A Government which submitted to this type of pressure would no longer be worthy to govern, he said. After a meeting this morn-1 run without the services of

ing of the national executive of the A.S.R.S. with the national executive of the Fed eration of Labour, the railwaymen’s president (Mr D. M. Kane) announced that a decision to stop work at midnight had been sent by telegram to all branches of the union. The telegram said that all trains and buses on route before midnight would proceed to their destinations and passengers’ luggage would be unloaded. All livestock loaded or in transit would be delivered to their destination. Any other matter arising locally was to be handled in line with the spirit and intention of the stoppage. Apprentices were not involved. “We have the lull support of the Federation of Labour,” said the telegram. The Engine-drivers’, Firemens’ and Cleaners’ Association is not involved, but it is impossible for trains to be

members of the A.S.R.S., who include drivers of Road Services buses. The Minister of Railways (Mr McAlpine) said that 160,000 passengers and up to 40,000 tons of freight could be halted each day by the strike. Passengers, motor-cars, and freight moving on the interisland ferry Aramoana and on the rail-air service between Norm and South Islands would also be stopped. The president of the Federation of Labour (Mr F. P. Walsh) said tonight that he had made an offer through the afternoon newspapers that the Federation of Labour would call off the stoppage if the Government would suspend the abolition of clause 103, sub-section 3, of the Railways Act, and have further discussions with the State servants, including railwaymen, and the federation. During Parliament’s dinner

adjournment tonight, Mr Holyoake said he had not been officially informed of the strike plan, but had heard of it from “reliable sources” before lunch. He then told a Government caucus meeting of the strike and discussed its effect and possible transport alternatives'with his Ministers. “I can see no action that the Government can profitably take,” said Mr Holyoake. Asked whether he proposed any consultations with the strike leaders, the Prime Minister said: “I have initiated nothing at this stage, and I have no request to meet anyone.” Mr Walsh said tonight that the F.O.L had no further plans for action at present beyond the rail stoppage. But he warned that the F.O.L. would consider withdrawal of all co-operation with the Government and all representation on committees and th l withdrawal of the workers’ representative on the Arbitration Court. "If the Government persists, we could extend the strike,” said Mr Walsh. “But I don’t know what will happen in the future. “If the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) continues with his hostility, I feel quite confident that the trades union movement will take every means possible, and bring every pressure possible to bring this Minister who is drunk with power, to his senses. “I will use all the powers of the trade union movement to protect the railwaymen and the civil servants.” All affiliates of the F.O.L. would refuse to handle goods during the strike which would

normally be carried by trains, said Mr Walsh. Earlier today, Mr Walsh with the joint council of the F.0.L., met the leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party (Mr Nash). They reported to Mr Nash on the course the railwaymen proposed to take, and Mr Walsh said later that he believed Labour members of Parliament would support the action and the opposition to the clause. Regarding further action by the F.O.L to register its protest against the Minister of Labour, Mr Walsh said that dissociation and withdrawal of co-operation with the Government was "the last thing we would like to do to the Prime Minister, who has always been courteous.” If the Government allowed Mr Shand to “run wild” the F.O.L. would appeal to the International Transport ’.’orkers’ Federation and the International Conference of Trades Unions not to remove goods from New Zealand during a dispute. Asked whether he thought Mr Shand’s views were not. in fact, the policy of the Government, Mr Walsh said: “I have the feeling that the Prime Minister is overridden by Mr Shand with the backing of big business outside.”