ARBITRATION OR PRIVILEGES ?

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 75, 21 December 1907, Page 8

ARBITRATION OR PRIVILEGES ?

KAIL WAV .WORKSHOPS EMPLOYEES' DECISION. 1 'I.hp result- of the poll taken-piong theemployees of tho Government railway work-, shops on the quest-ion of coming' under the Arbitration Act, shows that only Gve-aud-a half per cent.. of the men were in-favour of registration. When a similar poll was taken about six. years ago,. tho proportion anxious for' the change was five per cent. iho question really has been ono of rights versus privileges, and evidently tho men prefer the-very substantial privileges they already enjoy, including quarter 1 fares ou the railways throughout the . year, frco passes during tho holidays,. nine days' holiday, each year upon full pay, and other concessions, to the rights which they might secure by appearing before tho Arbitration Court. It is understood that many of the workshop men would receive an extra sixpence a day in private employ, but tho majority aro evidently quite satisfied tliat this -would. not compensate for the loss of privileges which they now receive. The circular issued by the Department in regard to the poll was as follows: — "The Industrial Conciliation aiid. Arbitration Act, 1905^—It having been represented to tho Government that there is a desire among the operatives employed in the railway workshops to be brought under the provisions of the Industrial 1 Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1905, it has been decided to take a vote of tho members concerned in order to ascertain definitely their wishes in the matter. Copies of the industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1905, have been sen^'to each local officer, and are available for the perusal of workmen, who should apply to their local officer for information on any points that are not clearly understood before voting oil the question at issue. l']or the guidance of those concerned, I desire to explain that in the event of the operatives electing to remain subject to tho Government Railways Department Classification Act, and regulations made thereunder, they will retain tho privileges granted thereunder,, viz., leave of absence, passes, privilege tickets, and other concessions. If, on the other hand, a majority express a to be brought ■ under tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act,' 1905, they cannot, of course, remain under two Acts, and whatever privileges tljeynow ppssess under tho Government' Railways Classification Act must necessarily, cease, and their rates of pay and privileges will bo determined in accordanco with the' provisions of the Industrial.Conciliation and.Arbitration Act, 1905, and in exactly tho same manner as. if they were under privato employers.—T. Ronayne, General Manager, New Zealand Railways, Wellington, November 26, 1907.-