RAILWAY FIREMEN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 93, 14 January 1919, Page 6

RAILWAY FIREMEN

THEIR CONDITIONS AND WAGES. The general secretary of the New Zealand Locomotive Engineer, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association '(Mr. A. M'Arley) lias made the following statement: — ' ' "The executive council up to the present has not. received any intimation from the Government as to their decision in regard to the petitions presented to Parliament Jast. session for improved conditions and wages commensurate with tho work performed by the locomotive men. The petition for increased wages for night work and tho petition for an all-round increase in wages, and better conditions, were referred to the Cabinet by the House 'for consideration. The branches of the organisation are anxiously inquiring from tho council what is the position, and unless some announcement _ is made shortly the council fears -that there will be a break away from discipline, and that they can no longer hold the men in hand. The council does not view the indifferent attitude of the Minister with anything but grave concern, as tho slightest break will lead to a general 'down tools' throughout New Zealand by the locomotive men, which will mean a'general dislocation of the industries in New Zealand. Jlio executive council is anxiously awaiting the decision of the Government, as the letters from the branches ind cato that the men are in an exceptionally bad mood, and they generally express the opinion that the Government is not coing to trade' on .their loyalty any C. The feeling' of the men over ffi conditions of work's a revelation to tho executive, and the sooneivtho Government realises the volcano they are sitting upon in New Zealand tho b tter it will he for. the people o New Zealand. Council is doing all n its power to keep down the militant mirit, hut'the assistance rendered by o Government is .... A rumour■ hne_ been going about that the Depart ment intends to run more night trains, and this is resented by the men withoutcome announcement from the Government as to. whcther;theywill grant extra pay for same. ""Another matter which is disturbing the men is tho fact hat race trams are to be run, and the men want to 1)0 paid for all time they ore on duty when running these trams; at- pigent thev onlv get paid for the first thrco hours Whilst Siting to take passen"ers back from races. A *W*X hL been mado for council to refuso to handle race trains unless the men nro assured of their full wages. The conn sible." ■ •; ■