PAY RISE DEMAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20629, 3 December 1941, Page 7

PAY RISE DEMAND

EXTRA 6d AN HOUR AUCKLAND RAILWAYMEN MINISTRY CRITICISED (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Demanding an immediate increase in wages of at least (id an hour to meet the higher cost of living, Auckland railwaymen have decided that if no reply is received before December 15 “definite action suitable to the demands”' will be taken by the combined railway unions of Auckland. A meeting in the Newmarket railway social hall was filled when it was explained that the purpose “was to register resentment at the apathy of the Government in procrastinating many months over the demand made by the men for a substantial increase in wages and salaries to meet the high' cost of commodities ’ Mr. J. Shepherd presided. It was stated that repeated requests had been made at intervals since February last to the management and the Minister of Railways. Some of those present suggested direct action and others advocated a go-slow policy to focus public attention on the question. Wanganui railwaymen telegraphed an assurance of united support in any action taken in Auckland. One railwayman stated that the meeting was the largest since the 1924 strkie. NO ACTION ELSEWHERE (Per Press .Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. An officer of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants stated that no similar meetings to that at Newmarket had taken place in the Wellington district and no information had been received of meetings elsewhere.

The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants had made representations to the Government on the question of wages and the matter was under consideration.