Railways Go-slow Called Off

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 1

Railways Go-slow Called Off

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 26. The Locomotive Engineers,’ Firemen’s and Gleaners’ Association has withdrawn its threat to go slow, and has instructed all its branches to this effect.

This was announced tonight by the chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Government Administration (Mr Marshall).

Mr Marshall said that the association had also directed its negotiators to be prepared to begin talks on wage rates and conditions of employment immediately. The go-slow threat was based on a claim by the association for a new wage schedule. Mr Marshall said the secretary of the association (Mr E. W. File) had advised that his council would accept the terms set out in a letter from

Mr Marshall, dated May 23. “This letter was written after a meeting the same day with representatives of the association,” said Mr Marshall.

“In it, I said the Cabinet committee on Government administration would consult urgently with the E.F.CA. on the question of a suitable person or committee to consider the specific problems of wage rates and conditions of employment of members of the association.

“The committee and the E.F.CJL would also consult about an order of reference for the inquiry which would not conflict with issues which must be dealt with on the broader basis,” said Mr Marshall.

He emphasised that the inquiry would not deal with matters that had already been settled by the Railways Industrial Tribunal—but with broad issues of policy such as

those in the issue between the Government and the association.

“The Government welcomes the E.F.CA’s realistic and reasonable approach to the complex question of fixing wage rates and conditions,” said Mr Marshall.