DEADLOCK ON RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19328, 15 May 1926, Page 11

DEADLOCK ON RAILWAYS.

STOPPAGE TO CONTINUE.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT. ATTACK ON WAGES FEARED. EARLY AGREEMENT EXPECTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. May 13. The railwaymen have decided to remain on strike. The leaders of the raihvaynien held a conference with the Managers' Association and discussed the question of reinstatement. The conference adjourned until to-morrow without reaching an agreement. The executives of the three railway unions then jointly instructed all railwaymen to continue the strike until satisfactory assurances are received. The railwaymen declare that they will continue to strike until the companies withdraw the conditions of re-employment. Though necessarily there is some soreness meanwhile, and the position is unsatisfactory, it is most probable that there will be mutual adjustment before Monday. An explanation of the railwaymen's position points out that in accordance with the decision of the council of the Trades Union Congress the railway unions instructed the men to present themselves for work. This was done with a genuine desire to assist in the restoration of normal conditions as quickly as possible. It was expected that the action would be treated by the companies in the spirit of goodwill, as expressed in the Prime Minister's appeal, but widespread reports revealed that difficulties were placed in the way. In many cases re-instatement was refused and in other instances men were asked to sign agreements placing them in a compromising position, contrary to all past practice. No Wage Reductions. In consequence, the men definitely refused in large numbers to resume. The unions, therefore, instructed the men to continue the stoppage and the companies were advised accordingly. The railway leaders favour an early meeting of the companies in order to effect settlements. The London and North-Eastern Railway Company deny any intention to reduce wages or take the men back as entrants, which would deprive them of the benefits of seniority. The men accepted for reemployment would receive identical rates without loss of service.

Other companies announce that arrangements are being made to increase the services at the earliest practicable moment. They state that men will bo accepted, subject to the condition that every man who struck broke his contract of service and therefore the companies reserve all the rights they possess therein.

Tho companies also propose to examine acts of violence and intimidation individually, meanwhile reserving their decision thereupon. The companies declare this to be a necessary prelude in the interests of public safety, future peace, and discipline. Delay in Resuming Services.

An individual statement from the Southern Railway Company sets out that it is impossible to supplement the limited emergency service to any material extent before Monday. Fiactically all railwaymen have been notified by post to this effect, while reports from the provinces show that many trainmen have been informed that they should apply for work in the ordinary way. This position gave rise to a persistent rumour that the railways are refusing to accept the strikers unless they agree to lower wages. The joint companies, however, have issued an emphatic denial, but, in view of the conditions already named, the majority of the railwaymen have not resumed.

A conference of executives was hurriedly convened, and, after a conference lasting an hour and a-half, a telegram was dispatched from the headquarters of the National Union of Railwaymen to all executives, stating that, in view of the differences concerning reinstatement, the joint executive call upon all railwaymen to continue the strike until they receive a satisfactory assurance. RAILWAY PARTIES MEET DELIBERATIONS ABORTIVE. DEMANDS OF TRANSPORT UNION. (Received 11 p.m.) Reuler. LONDON. May 13. Regarding the railway position, a conference of railway managers and representatives of the three railway unions was held this evening, but it failed to arrive at an agreement. The deliberations will be resumed to-morrow. The Edinburgh railwaymen have decided io remain on strike. They carried a resolution demanding the release of all men arrested in connection with the strike. The Transport Workers' Union has instructed the dockers to remain on strike pending an agreement with the employers in regard to the complete reinstatement of all members and the immediate dismissal of free labour. The port employers of London have sent a letter to the Transport Workers' Union saying that, owing to the great dislocation due to the strike they are unable to guarantee the reinstatement of all members of the union, but they wi!l take on members for whom work can be found. They are unable to consider the immediate dismissal of free labour, and would do their utmost to fulfill the obligations implied in the Government statement to all who had done their duty by the country by working at a time of national crisis. HELPING THE STRIKERS. MONEY FROM NEW ZEALAND. [BY TKLECTCATH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Friday. The president of the New Zealand Alliance of Labour, Mr. A. Cook, stated this afternoon that the alliance had j»ist cabled £IOOO to the Strikers' Committee in England in aid of the strikers, adding that an appeal for financial support to the Labour organisations in New Zealand was meeting with splendid results. The Strike Committee in London was also advised that further sums would be forwarded if required. •;