Railway Officers' Unrest Alleged: Appeal Board Member Resigns

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1939, Page 2

Railway Officers' Unrest Alleged: Appeal Board Member Resigns

[Per Press Association. Copyright.'] WELLINGTON. This Day.

Charges of staff maladministration in the railway service, because of which he tenders his resignation from the position of Division 1 representative on the New Zealand Government Railways Appeal Board, are made by Mr J. S. Roscoe, in a letter to the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. Sullivan. . "Please treat this letter as my resignation from the position of Division 1 representative on the New Zealand Government Railways Appeal Board,” Mr Roscoe writes. "My object is to bring under your notice for immediate action the very serious position that has developed through staff maladministration over a considerable period, with a view to securing justice for the officers whose interests I am elected co serve, and securing the efficient administration of the service. That can be achieved only when this condition is fulfilled.

Causes of Disssatisfaciion

"In the light of more than five years’ experience as Division 1 representative on the Appeal Board. I •am sure the very grave dissatisfaction with the present staff control and administration is widespread m the railway service. “In the main, this dissatisfaction airses from; — “(1) Methods of promotion. (2) Long delays in' dealing with grieveances, including appeals arising out of the regrading of positions, which was due oh April 1, 1937. To date appellants have not received departmental replies to their statements of claims in reference to the value of positions, nor haye any of these appeals been set down for hearing. (3) The management’s refusal of the right of appeal, especially in one case where a member has been dismissed, and the board, by a majority decision, has held that there is the right of appeal. Confidence Needed. "Unless the staff can have confidence in the impartial functioning of the Appeal Board, the present serious unrest and lack of confidence will continue. "My personal relations with ray colleagues on the Appeal Board are the happiest possible. In order that tjiose whom I represent may immediately become aware of the reasons for my withdrawal from this Appeal Beard, I am handing a copy of this memorandum lo the Press."