RAILWAYMEN’S CONDITIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 October 1945, Page 4

RAILWAYMEN’S CONDITIONS

TRIBUNAL’S DECISIONS. WELLINGTON, October 23. The decisions of the Government Railways Industrial Tribunal, released to-day, do not provide any general increase in wages, but classification adjustments have been provided in certain cases. Guards will now reach the maximum rate of 3/2.1 hourly, two years after appointment, and gangers will advance from grade two to grade one in the same period. Engine-driv-ers will'reach their maximum of 3/8£ hourly one year earlier than hitherto, and a new rate of 3/1 hourly is provided for train examiners after two years at 2/1 LI hourly. Leading tradesmen will receive 3/6 hourly in the first year and then 3/7 hourly.:.: A revised classification schedule has been provided for the Signal and Electrical Branch, while in workshops a rate of 3/2 hourly has been provided .for machine moulders and 2/10 hourly will be paid to gas cutters after the first year. A temporary increase of 2/per shift has been made in the coal jallowance paid to engine crews, subject to review in six months. Tool allowances varying from 2/to 3/- per week are provided for eight classes of tradesmen, and there are various adjustments in meal and other allowances. Three weeks’ annual leave after ten years’ service is provided for the second division. This will not be effective immediately but it is to be put into operation at the discretion of the General Manager, as soon as practicable. Double rate overtime after •12 hours per shift, or .54. hours per week, is another second division condition. Travelling time allowances of permanent way gangs will now cover each complete mile on both 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. The minimum (rest period of 10 hours ,at home stations is provided for all employees. The claim by the Railwaymen’s Tradesmen’s Association. for an increase of 4-Jd an hour for tradesmen, and an increase for apprentices was not allowed on the grounds that justification for the increase was not established.

The Tribunal also declined - applications by the Railway officers’ Institute for the new salary scales for officers and cadets, glassified in the Department’s classification list, First Division, sub-division two; also for male temporary clerks and women employees working under .First Division conditions and temporary ’draughtsmen. Other claims riot 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 capacity decision was disallowed, E. A. Whitlow, 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.