THREATENED IN BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 19, 23 January 1926, Page 7

THREATENED IN BRITAIN

UNION DELEGATES DECLINE

AWARD OF NATIONAL WAGES BOARD. (UNITED PRIS9 ASSOCIATION—COFIMOHT.) ( RBUIBH'i TELEOKAM.) LONDON, 21st January. Trouble has arisen again in the railway world. The branch delegates of the National Union of Eaihvaymen, -at a conference to-day, rejected the award of the National Wages Board, which, after considering the companies' claims for a reduction of wages, and the men's counter-claims for an increase, issued a report on 9th December practically maintaining the status quo.

It is noteworthy that the men's leaders, Mr. J. H. Thomas (ex-Colo-nial Secretary) and Mr. Dobbie, signed the board's report. .

Though to-day's conference is generally regarded as the most critical since the last big strike, it is gathered that its decision merely reflects a movement aiming at the reopening of the negotiations. The delegates are not anxious to commit the union to strike action.

The decision creates a delicate situation, as the award is due to come into operation on let February.

The conference is to meet again tomorrow to consider the next move, though it is believed that no decision regarding strike action will be taken until the union's executive has met the companies and endeavoured to reopen, negotiations, or secure the postponement of the application of the ■ award. Later. The decision of the railwaymen raises issues of the utmost gravity, but it must not be regarded as final, as the companies may be persuaded not to operate the award on let February. The companies already have announced theyl adherence to the award. The railwaymen's position is complicated by the fact that they are now rejecting the advice of Mr. Thomas and Mr. C. T. Cramp. It is understood that the chief reason for dissatisfaction is the scale of base-rates arranged for lower grades of workers, but these apply only to men who join the companies in future, as present employees receive c. bonus, based on the cost of living. The railwaymen apparently fear that new workers, earning lower money, will displace men receiving the slidingscale bonus.