STRIKE ULTIMATUM

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 98, 19 January 1921, Page 7

STRIKE ULTIMATUM

FROM LOCOMOTIVE FIREMEN BURNING OF INFERIOR COAL DEMAND FOR EXTRA PAYMENT Dislocation of the railway service, in the AVellington district at any rate, is threatened on Sunday unless the■ department accedes to a demand by the loc - motive firemen for extra pay for working inferior coal. An ultimatum from the men was decided upon at a full meeting of the AVellington branch of the Enginedrivers, Firemen, and Cleaners Association, held on Sunday, when the following resolution was carried unanimously:— , . ~ That we, the firemen, having the fullest sympathy of the drivers, view with dissatisfaction the class of inferior coal wo are called upon to use. AVhilo sympathising with the management’in being unable to procure coal of a better standard, we protest against the great quantity of inferior coal they have bought, and are still buying. Had they bought only sufficient to tide them over any shortage that may have existed, they would have retained our sympathy, but owing to the inferior coal now in use we request the management to immediately grant to all firemen, nnd drivers having inexperienced,firemen with them, twentvjninutes extra allowance, both preparing 'and putting away engines, and 2s. per dav extra when burning inferior coal. Seeing that this matter has already been represented to the General Manager by correspondence and deputation. we notify the General Manager that unless these requests are granted by noon on Saturday, January 22, firemen will cease work at midnight. Sunday, January 23. Representatives of the firemen waited on the General Manager of Railways (Mr. R. AV. M'Villy) yesterday; and placed their demands before him. Mr. M'Villy replied that in, the absence from Wellington of the chief mechanical engineer "(Mr. E. 15. Gillon) the matter could not be dealt with at the moment On M- Gilloil’s return from the north about the. end of the week, however the question would receive attention, and it would afterwards be possible to stat* what the Department proposed to do..