RAILWAY EMPLOYEES

Evening Star, Issue 22670, 9 June 1937, Page 14

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES

POSITION OF SECOND DIVISION HO UNREST AMONG RESPONSIBLE ORGANISATIONS GENERAL MANAGER'S OPINIONS [Special to the 4 Stak.’] WELLINGTON, Juno 9. “ I am satined that the statements published in Auckland suggesting cases of unrest among railway employees have not been made with the authority of the men’s responsible organise' tions,” declared Mr Mackley (General Manager of Railways). “ There arc three societies representing the second division of our staff, and they fully understand the position. They have participated in discussions of a preliminary nature in accordance with an understanding mutually arrived at between them and the Hon. D. G. Sullivan (Minister of Railways) prior to the introduction of the 40-hour week. It was recognised by the organisations at that time that it would be reasonable to allow the question of anomalies to remain in abeyance in the meantime, in view of the cost involved in the very substantial improvement in conditions and pay through the introduction of the shorter working week. It was also realised that this innovation itself would be likely to create some anomalies. That general understanding was formally confirmed by the Minister in communications addressed to the throe organisations representing the second division employees, and they agreed, on the understanding that the anomalies would bo reviewed some time subsequent to April 1, 1937, and prior to September of that year, which would be 12 months after the introduction of the 40-hour week. “ Carrying out this undertaking, the Minister of Railways arranged conferences of a preliminary nature between the management and the organisations. These conferences have been held, and

will bo continued. Thus it must be evident from actual happenings of recent date that an allegation of failure to honour the promise made in this connection is quite contrary to fact. Information which endeavours to support this incorrect statement is such that it obviously has no official origin from the service organisations, and whoever is responsible is not helping to make the conferences effective. From the men’s point of view many of the points mentioned as contributing to the suggested feeling of unrest are substantially the very points that are being discussed.” Mr Mackley expressed his satisfaction that the discussions so far had proceeded in the most amicable manner, and ho had had, he said, the assurances of the staff organisations concerned that they appreciated what had already been done for them by the Government and the substantial financial commitments it had involved.

Regrading of the first division, it was explained by the general manager, had been deferred under statutory authority during the economic depression, but was at present being carried out in accordance with the provisions of a later statute.