RAILWAYMEN'S GRIEVANCES.

Evening Star, Issue 18627, 7 May 1924, Page 1

RAILWAYMEN'S GRIEVANCES.

TO THE EDITOII-

Sir, —The railwaymen’s grievances arc being considered by the Minister of Railways (Mr Coates). The fact that all tho A.S.R.S. (Second Division men) came out on strike removes an erroneous notion once held by tbc Government that tho men favored the last cut in wages. ]f wo look at ‘Hansard,’ No. 35, page 812 (1922), we read that the Minister of Railways said; "I he Engine Drivers, Firemens, "and Cleaners’ Association recognised the necessity of a cut. . . .’ They came forward voluntarily, and said; ‘We

will t:iko longer hours. . • The Engine Drivers' mid Cleaners Association camei to an agreement which provided that the Engine Drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners’ Association should suffer a cut, and forgo certain privileges which had been granted to them." The above extracts from ‘ Hansard’ show clearly that while the Public Adjustment Expenditure Bill was under discussion the Minister was influenced by that agreement. This was admitted by tho Minister ot Hallways 1932 ‘Hansard,’ volume 35, page 312), when ho said : “The Amalgamated Society of Kailway Servants stated, through their secretary and president, that they had not been paid fair wages in tho past in comparison with others, and that it would therefore bo unfair to make a cut in their wages. We had to tell them that what ever happened to ono section of the service would happen to tho others. 11 The above proves clearly why the cut was made, because ono section' agreed to it. As a result of the curtailment of the privileges mentioned, rule 108 of the railway rules and regulations reads; “ Overtime worked by depot chargemen, engine drivers, night foremen of cleaners, firemen, or cleaners, in excess ot twelve hours in any shift, or in excess of sixty hours in any week, will ho paid for at one and a-ha!f times ordinary rate in each case." Democrats who have studied Dunedin’s origin, and know that it was (he only settlement in tho Southern Hemisphere founded on an eight-hour-day, will naturally wonder why a twelve-hour day and a sixty-hour week have grown up under a, Keform Government. They, 1 think, will admit that the protest against long hours and cuts in wages by the Second Division was the completest and solidest thing known in history. —I am, etc., May 7. ’ Eiour-noun Dm.