RAILWAY SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 153, 25 March 1944, Page 8

RAILWAY SERVICE

Industrial Tribunal To Fix Pay And Conditions LEGISLATION INTRODUCED Tlie constitution of an industrial tribunal to hear and determine, subject to the approval of the Economic Stabilization Commission, representations from employees in the Railways Department concerning pay anti conditions of service is provided for in the Government Railways Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives last night. The findings of the tribunal will be mandatory on the Government, and as the Minister of Railways, Mr. Semple, stated when explaining the Bill, that will remove from the Minister and the Government the responsibility for wage fixation. The Bill consists of 24 clauses and provides that the tribunal shall be constituted of three persons, not being employees of the department or of any service organizations, and shall be appointed by tlie Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister. .One member is to be appointed on the joint nomination of the service organizations or in default by the Minister after consultation with them. Another is to represent the Minister and the third, who is to be chairman, lias to be agreed upon by the Minister and the service organizations and in the event of non-agree-ment will be selected by the Minister. Each member is to be appointed for a term of three years. The functions of the tribunal will be to hear and determine applications both from the railways industrial organizations and the general manager for general orders governing pay, overtime, holidays, allowances and conditions incidental to employment. The tribunal may also deal with rentals for departmental dwellings subject to any special statute covering them. The four service organizations are to be entitled to be represented at hearing of applications by assessors who will act in an advisory capacity and also by advocates. Both these must be chosen from members of the department or the general secretaries of the organizations or their assistants. Provision for Apples.

The purpose is that each service organization will obtain a general order in the nature of an award to remain in force for 12 months. Provision is also made for appeals by employees who are not recommended for promotion. The General Manager’s powers on appointments are not affected by the new provision.

In a bridf explanation, tlie Minister said it was impossible for any Minister in ebarge of tlie department to have a complete anti definite, knowledge of the numerous technical questions aud matters which eropped up in tlie railway services. It was therefore thought advisable to establish this tribunal, for which the services had been asking for some time. He made it clear that assessors aml_ advocates would have no vote in the findings of the tribunal. AVhile nothing dcliidte had been decided it was quite" possible that a Suprqiue Court judge might be elected as cliairmnu. but that was not a provision of tlie Bill. If it was found that the tribunal was unworkable, then the Bill could be amended by the House. As it was drawn lie'considered it was worth a trial.