RAILWAY SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 8, 5 October 1926, Page 10

RAILWAY SERVICE

UNEASINESS AMONG LOCO-

MOTIVE MEN

“AN OMINOUS FEELING”

BETTER WAGES AND CONDITIONS DESIRED

Dominion Special.

Dunedin, October 4

The general feeling among the locomotive branch of the railway service, it is stated, is that the E.F.C.A. is a pretty solid body and that the time is opportune to make a move for better wages and conditions. Uneasiness is growing among the locomotive drivers throughout New Zealand, and a Dunediu member hinted at luturc movements to-day. When will the move be taken? he was asked.

“Only time will tell,” the loco, man replied. “The action to be taken will not be known until the Grand Council meets in Wellington in November. There is undoubtedly a feeling of dissatisfaction among the rank and file with the treatment being meted out to members of the H.F.C.A. by the Department.’’ He also said that the loco- men were the staff who were really making the railways a paying concern, and although the Department by its actions would not admit that, the reorganisation of the railways system, mostly in the locomotive branches, proved the men's claims. In one sentence he summed up the E.F.C.A. grievance. “The trains have been speeded up and hauls increased, ami the locos, have to ‘carry the baby’ without any extra remuneration for their services.’’ In the Dunedin branch the membership totals 236, and there is said to be an ominous feeling of unrest among the members. They believe that the time has arrived when’ a concerted move should be made by the men to obtain betterment of wages and conditions. The Railways Board, they say, has not appealed and never will appeal- to the men. It is described as a cold and unresponsive boclv. Reports from the E.F.C.A. headquarters in Wellington state that the board practically refuses to listen to the demands at atty time. “Satisfaction ■ can only be reached by negotiation, hut the board will not meet us,” said the Dunedin man.