RAILWAYMEN’S CLAIMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 November 1943, Page 4

RAILWAYMEN’S CLAIMS

DISSATISFACTION REPORTED

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 18.

Reports that- dissatisfaction among important sections of railway workers might lead to the threat of a strike were referred yesterday to the secretary of the Canterbury branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants (Mr. A. B. Grant). Mr. Grant said there was dissatisfaction among members of the organisation and a leading article in the society’s journal had asked for the backing of the rank and file for the national executive council in any decision it might make in the interests of the men. A special meeting of the Canterbury branch would be held on Sunday to discuss this request for support. The article to which Mr. Grant referred appears in the latest issue of the “New Zealand Railway Review” under the heading “Patience Fails— What Now?” A footnote says publication of the article has been authorised by the executive council of the society. It concerns the claims of the society that conditions for its members have not been brought into line with those in other industries. Mr. Grant said it was true that railwaymen were incensed at what, they thought was dilatoriness in rectifying what were considered by the society to be anomalies. Mr. Grant said yesterday that the Government had made concessions to the railwaymen since it assumed office, but there were a number of matters outstanding. For instance, adult railway workers received 2/2| an hour for two years before they received 2/4A. Another example was that it had been a matter of agreement that junior porters should not be employed in shunting, but, junior porters earning 1/8 to 1/9 an hour were being employed as the third men in shunting gangs, the most dangerous job. For that they received an extra penny an hour. The conditions of road service drivers were well below those of drivers working under awards. The average rate of pay of surfacemen, labour gangs, and crane drivers was 2/4| an hour, and these men had the worst conditions of any workers in New Zealand. They were given a hut allowance of 3/6 a night while they were away, and on that they had to keep two homes going. Often they were away from home all the week, losing much of their social life. WEST COAST POSITION “The position is just the same on the West Coast,” commented Mr A. E. May.ell, secretary of the local branch of the A.S.R.S., when the above report was referred to him this morning. He added that a meeting would be held on Sunday. when the situation would be fully discussed.

Mr Mayell drew attention to a further reference in the “Railway Review” which states: “All approaches to the vxovernment for increased wages and anomaly removals having failed, the A.S.R.S. has now approached the Federation of Labour and has been promised full support in a course of stronger action.” The Executive Council had been informed by the President of the Federation that full support would be accorded the Society’s case in its presentation to the Government. The November issue of the “Review” reached Greymouth only this morning, and the man have not yet had an opportunity of studying the article. It will be recalled that representations for an improvement in conditions was made by the local branch of the A.S.R.S. some time ago.