HIGHER PAY FOR NORMAL HOURS: A.S.R.S. PROPOSAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 February 1950, Page 3

HIGHER PAY FOR NORMAL HOURS: A.S.R.S. PROPOSAL

WELLINGTON, Feb. 15 (P.A.)— Parts of the statement by the Minister of Railways (Mr W. S. Goosman) about the Railway Department’s losses did not make a full and true picture, said a joint statement issued today by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants at present in session in Wellington, and the general secretary of the New Zealand Engine Drivers’, Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association (Mr T. H. Stephenson). “The actual wage and penal rate in the general division of the service is low compared with the ruling wage and penal rates outside it,” said the statement. “This, together with the fact that the railway hours of work are irregular and do not allow lor the normal social life that is enjoyed by the rest of the community, make railway work unattractive. This .is responsible for the low staff recruitments and the resignations of experienced train-running staff. It throws a very heavy burden on those remaining in the service. “In some sections of the running staff two members are performing the work normally carried out by three men. Higher efficiency can only be achieved if and when a reasonable wage rate is paid for ordinary hours of work. If steps in this direction were taken, more workers would be attracted to the service and the resignations of trained staff would be reduced. This would result in a curtailment of hours and the resultant non-payment of penal rates. “The societies, without fear of contradiction, state that no section of the community has rendered more loyal and faithful service to the country under adverse working conditions than have the employees whom they represent.”