LOCO. MEN'S GRIEVANCES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1113, 28 April 1911, Page 6

LOCO. MEN'S GRIEVANCES.

[To tho Editor.l Sir,—Re ex-fireman's remarks in your paper of April 24, he has omitted a great many other grievances that exist among the men. Ho states that ho . received Bs. 6d. per day for firing. I have served three years cleaning and four years firing on all classes of locomotives, and then to receive the magnificent sum of Si. Gd. per day. Had 1 served this number of years as a plumber I would now have- been receiving 12s. Id. per day. If I am not mistaken, ono lias only (i> serve five years at a trado and then ho receives the maximum wage. A labourer's pay is 9s. per day almost anywhere at present, and no risks, responsibility, or tines to contend with. I\o skill is required to uso a pick and shovel, and he receives more pay than a loco, fireman, and the labourer generally has regular hours. A fireman has to use a certain amount of skill in firing a locomotive, especially some of them, with the coal is supplied. A loco-man has to servo twelve years' apprenticeship before he receives the maximum pay, 12s. fid. per day. That is if he has tlie luck to pass the three examinations that are required of him. One has to buy his own books to study for these examinations, and then to be told by the loco, inspector that the books are no good. As the Department cannot afford to supply members with books to improve their knowledge, it could easily supply books at cost price to the men, and then they could learn what the Department required. I have fired at Cross Creek for three years, and I can tell you a little about, EGG. This engine is known by the name of P-ear-son's Dream. It has been'suggested several times at the Creek that she should be painted white and placed at the Summit, and let the words be engraved on her in black letters, "The White Elephant,"then handed over to tho Tourist Department.

Also, about this standing time. You are paid three hours standing time in the day time, but not at night. For instance: Say you left Woodville at 7 p.m., arrived Maslerton IB.KD p.m., and you book off at 11 p.m., and yon arc again booked on duty at 5 o'clock in the mofuing. Well, you have only been six hours off duty, and by regulations you should bo paid tliroo hours' standing time, as you have not been eight hours off duty, but in nine cases nut of ten you do not receive anything. After a driver is booked off duty he has to make out his running shoot for the day's run, and very often a' report, for which he receives no pay, but very often a fine instead. Another very foro point in tho Loco. Department is these temporary transfers. A fireman may be stationed in Wellington and is temporarily transferred to Woodville for, say, ten weeks. Ho receives no lodging allowance, but a guard temporarily transferred under. the same conditions receives ss. a night lodging allowance for ten months. Why make this distinction? Also, when on transfer a second division man's expenses are cut down as low as possible, and he is money out of pocket through the transfer, and very often has to wait nine months before he is paid for same. But it is different with an officer. His expenses are never doubted. I know u foreman of public works that was transferred to tho West Coast, and his expenses amounted to i£loo, and his voucher was passed for payment, and not a word said. If this had been a fireman or driver there would not have been a possible chance of him ever receiving this amount. Whenever tho Minister js approached about these grievances he stands boldly up and states, "Look at the privileges yoit receive." Well, wo will look at them. A privilege ticket once a week. Now, what is the uso of a privilege ticket when one is working, and if you do have a day off duty you cannot leave your home station without obtaining permission from your superior officer to do so. One would think by this that tho members of tho railway service were coolies. Wliv should we have to ask our superior officer if wo enn go to the Hutt or Palmerston when one is finished his day's work? Wo receive seven. days holiday a yenr on full pay and a freo pass. A free oat.; >.-; i.o use to a member when a man has -m money to travel wilh. As you know, Mr. Editor, you cannot save money on S«. 6(1. per day, if you have a family to keep. Let the Minister pay the men a living wage and he ran kepp the freo passes nnrl privilege tickets. The men can pay their fares if they obtain a livin» wage, .is they do not obtain too much time, off to make use nf them. I am very pleased to state, Mr. Editor, rhat I have severed my connection with the "Black Hand," and have joined the "Wool Kings." My advice to all young men: Do not join the railway service unless you are hard up for a job.—l am, P.M., EX-FIREMAN.