RAILWAYMEN’S RATES

Evening Star, Issue 25621, 23 October 1945, Page 4

RAILWAYMEN’S RATES

CLASSIFICATION ADJUSTMENTS TRIBUNAL'S FINDINGS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 23. The decisions of the Government Railways Industrial Tribunal, .which Were released to-day, do not provide for any general increase in wages, but classification adjustments have been provided in certain cases.

Guards will now reach the maximum rate of 3s 2Jd hourly two years after their appointment, and gangers will advance from grade 2 to grade 1 in the same period. Engine drivers will reach their maximum of 3s Bjd hourly one year earlier than hitherto, and a new rate of 3s Id hourly is provided for train examiners after two years at 2s llfd hourly. Leading tradesmen will receive 3s 6d hourly in the. first year, and then 3s 7d hourly.

A revised classification schedule has been provided for the signal and electrical branch, while in the workshops a rate of 3s 2d hourly has been provided for machine moulders and 2s lOd hourly will be paid to gas cutters after the first year.

A temporary increase to 2s a shift has been made in the coal allowance paid to engine crews, subject to review in six months.

Tool allowances varying from 2s to 3s a week are provided for eight classes of tradesmen, and there are various adjustments in meal and other allowances.

Three weeks’ annual leave after 10 years’ service is provided for the second division. This will not be effective immediately, but is to he put into operation at the discretion of the general manager as soon as practicable. Double-rate overtime after 12 hours a shift or 54 hours a week is another second division condition.

Travelling time allowances of permanent way gangs will now cover each complete mile on both the outward and homeward journeys. First division employees are granted time and a-quarter between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and an increased maximum rate on Sundays and holidays. A minimum rest period of 10 hours at home stations is provided, for all employees. REJECTED CLAIMS. The claims by the Railway Trades!men’s Association for an increase of 4£d an hour for tradesmen, and an increase for apprentices, were not allowed on the grounds that justification for the increases was not established. The tribunal also declined applications by the Railway Officers’ Instituro for new salary scales for officers and cadets classified in the department’s classification list, first division, sub-division 2, and also for male temporary clerks and women employees working under first division conditions and temporary draughtsmen. Other claims not allowed were for overtime to all members, irrespective of salary, and furlough in addition to annual leave. The claim for an amendment in the existing advanced capacitv division was disallowed, Mr F. A. Whitlow. the. railwaymen’s representative, dissenting. The claim for long-service leave, by the three second division organisations was disallowed, and also the claim for full pay to -all workers when off duty through sickness or accident.