RAILWAY WORKERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 October 1926, Page 4

RAILWAY WORKERS

CLAIMS OP LOCO. MEN

FOR lITGIIRR WAGES

(By Telegraph.-Speaial to The Mail.)

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

Asked by a reporter today if he had any comment to make on the, claims of the locomotive men to more wages, and what effect they would have on members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, Mr S. Seholfield, who represents South Island traffic men on the national executive of the A.S.R.S., said he hail nothing to say as to the claims of the loco, men, but he believed if the Railway Department had money 10 increase wages the claims of the A.S.R.S. should receive attention. Mr Sehnlield pointed nut that guards with an equal length of service were paid approximately 6d an hour less than drivers, and a large number of firemen were paid higher wages than the guard who was in charge of the train. In the case of storemen. signalmen, and shunters the difference was more pronounced. "Many of our members—crossing-keepers, tablet porters, :uid labourers in the workshops --receive only £4 a week, which is admittedly below the bread line," said Mr Scholfield. "Other sections of the service may have their legitimate grievances, but* I believe that'the claims of the A.S.R.S. should receive every consideration."