THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19452, 7 October 1926, Page 12

THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

EMPLOYEES DISCONTENTED.

LOCOMOTIVE MEN'S GRIEVANCES

[RY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

Remarks made by the general secretary of the. New Zealand Engineers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association, Mr. A. McArley, to-day confirmed the report that there was discontent among the men of the railway service regarding their wages and working conditions. Claims for increased wages had been met with the reply that there was no money available. The" men also wanted the 1922 cut restored. «

The speeding up of trains, pooling of engines, inferior coal and oil, the general increase in the tightening up of their work, inadequate facilities at the depots, lack of accommodation for the men in the way of clothes lockers, bathing facilities, etc., were contributory causes toward tho discontent which existed, said Mr. McArley. He y also stated that draw-gear failures between engine and tender had been too frequent for the men's liking, and many of the engines with a new gear were so rough that the men were shaken up badly. Derailments of waggons on trains had worried them considerably, as they were asked to explain the cause and attend inquiries. The locomotive men, lie continued, considered they were on a wage fixed bv tho commission of 1920, and they wanted the same standard applied now. The allowance paid to men who were compelled to remain awav from home was only 8s for bed, breakfast, dinner and tea, and they were out of pocket in all cases.