Margins Concern A.S.R.S.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31230, 30 November 1966, Page 3

Margins Concern A.S.R.S.

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Nov. 28..

Adequate margins for skill and responsibility are concerning the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants even more than the Railway Tradesmen’s Association, according to the A.S.R.S. secretary (Mr N. A. Collins).

He was commenting on the Bailway Tradesmen’s Association’s ballot of members on the question of strike action over the claim for an increased margin for skill. A protest stoppage by the 3000 members of the association would effectively shut down the whole of the North Island and some of the South Island rail systems.

The association last took similar action in 1964, and closed some railway sections for more than three days. "The society has a large number of railway tradesmen in its membership and many thousands of other railwaymen, who all play an equally important part in the railway system and who have their own margins for skill and responsibility to be con-

sidered,” Mr Collins said today. “The present low margins are not confined to tradesmen, important though they are. The A.S.R.S. has been in the lead in the fight to gain realistic wage rates, and has been very patient over the delays it has had to endure. “The Railways Tribunal refused our earlier claim on grounds that were not in conformity with the Railways Act, and we took a case to the Supreme Court to right this. Then there were delays in beginning fresh conciliation proceedings with the Railways Department and, when these failed, in the securing a date for a tribunal hearing of our claim. “This was recently fixed by the tribunal chairman for December 13-15.

“Last August we invited the R.T.A. to join with us in a joint claim for tradesmen, and our invitation was refused. We now go alone, and we are asking for a substantial margin increased in accord with the recent decision of the Arbitration Court. For All Workers

“In effect, our claims are on behalf of all railwaymen. These are claims for skilled labourers and for all tradesmen and others of equivalent skill, and their rates will form the basis for building

up all other designations and margins for skill in the railways. “We believe this to be the correct and only way to properly recognise and reward the skills and responsibilities of railway workers. “Indications, including press reports, are that recent gains and actions by the A.S.R.S. are important factors in the R.T.A.’s attitude. “The gaining of an allowance for welders some months ago is one. This was already payable to tradesmen when welding. We have had the tool allowance for iron machinists retained, it is also paid to tradesmen when engaged in the manufacture of tools. “While the R.T.A. says it is not objecting to others receiving wage gains, there is no doubt that it has reacted

strongly against these allowances. “Spokesmen have said that non-tradesmen can earn more per hour than tradesmen and it is these allowances that they have in mind. This is quite unfair and misleading. These allowances are for particular work, and apply to non-tradesmen and tradesmen on this work. “Therefore, a tradesman will continue to receive more pay than a non-tradesman by virtue of his extra ljd per hour as a tradesman. It is possible for a non-tradesman on this special work to receive more than a tradesman Wh o is not engaged on special work —but this is a ridiculous comparison to make. The

trade union policy has always been the ‘rate for the job,’ and we adhere to this policy.”