RAILWAYS DISAPPOINTED

Evening Star, Issue 18741, 17 September 1924, Page 8

RAILWAYS DISAPPOINTED

NOW WORSE OFF FINANCIALLY. NOT TALKING STRIKE ANY MORE. [Special io the 1 Stab.’] CHRISTCHURCH, September 16. Railwayman are : keenly disappointed with the recommendations of the Special Inquiry Board, but they are not talking strike any more. Many of thorn arc “ whipping the cat ” over the strike, and wishing that that method of enforcing their claims had never been decided upon. The recommendations of the board that have been adopted are not all in the direction of penalising tho men. Some rather important points have been conceded to them by the board, but in the main the men contend they have been given a good hiding for their breach of discipline in going on strike. Railwayman for tho most part are inclined to take up a philosophical attitude. Most resentmint is expressed regarding the abolition of t.re special rate of pay for night work This has been a quarter above the ordinary rate for work done between 10 p.rn. and 6 a.m., and the board has recommended that this special rate be abolished, but that the overtime rate bo raised from lime and a-quartcr to time and a-half.

Shunters and signalmen will suffer most by cutting out the night rate, and they will probably lose an average of about 12s 6d per week in their pay. The traffic men are not greatly concerned regarding the fovty-oight-hour week, as they have never actually had tho forty-four-hour week. When the last agreement was made a schedule was drawn up for working a forty-four-hour week, hut on account of tip shortage of men it was not found possible to limit the work to forty-four hours. The opinion among tho maintenance and permanent way men is divided in regard to tho forty-eight-hour week. Some would prefer to go back to forty-four, with a consequent reduction of pay of 7s 3d per week, while others prefer to receive the extra money. But the opinion is practically unanimous that they are entitled to receive the pay they at present receive for ■ the forty-eight-hour week for forty-four hours. That the department will now find a difficulty in securing sufficient shunters to carry on its work was tlm opinion freely expressed. It was stated that, although a few concessions had been granted, practically all the men will be worse off financially as a result of the now conditions.