RAILWAYMEN’S WAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 January 1926, Page 5

RAILWAYMEN’S WAGES

AN AWARD REJECTED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, January 21.

Trouble has again arisen in the railway world. To-day’s conference of branch delegates of the National Union of Railwaymen 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 increases, issued a report on September 9 last practically maintaining the status quo. It is noteworthy that the men’s leaders, the ex-Minister, -Mr J. H. Thomas and Mr Dobbie, signed the Board’s report. Though to-days’ conference is generally regarded. as the most critical since, the last, big strike, it is gathered that the decision merely reflects a movement for the re-opening of the negotiations. The delegates are not anxious to commit the union to strike action. The decision creates a delicate situation, the award being due to come into operation on Febraary 1. The conference meets again to-morrow 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 endeavoured to reopen negotiations, or to secure a postponement of the application of awards