RAILWAYMEN AT ODDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 12

RAILWAYMEN AT ODDS.

GUARDS ARRAIGN A.S.R.S. SEPARATE UNION PROPOSED. result of secret ballot. A postal ballot taken among the railway guards of both islands has returned a majority in favour of a breakaway from the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and the formation of a separate body, to be known as a Guards or Trainrunning Union. One of the prime movers in the defection stated yesterday that a good deal of dissatisfaction existed among the guards over their neglect by the A.S.R.S. Although the other breakaway section, tho Enginedrivers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association, had greatly improved the position of its members, the guards, who had stuck to the A.S.R.S., had practically stood still. "In 1923 there was a difference of 6d a day in the wages of firstclass firemen and guards," he said. " To-day, guards are paid 4s a day less than first-class enginedrivers. It means we have sacrificed our welfare for the sake of the basic wage-earners, and although on principle wo do not regret it, we refuse any longer to remain silent while the organisation to which we belong avoids our just claims." The duties of guards were no less arduous and responsible than those of enginedrivers, and should be remunerated equally as well, the official added. The introduction of automatic signalling in the metropolitan districts had greatly increased tho responsibility of tho guards, who, in the event of an error of judgment on the part of an enginedriver, were held equally responsible. Equal responsibilities and duties should carry equal pay. Ballot-papers numbering 461 were issued and 315 were returned, 146 members not voting. There were three informal votes. The result was as follows: — For the proposal .. .. 216 Against the proposal 96 Majority for .. ... 120 The result is beyond our expectations," commented an official yesterday. " Not a word of propaganda in favour of the proposal was sent out. If it had been, an even bigger majority might have been expected." The next step was to summon a conference, at which practical steps to form a new union would be taken. In the event of a new union maturing the railway employees in the Dominion will be divided into five separate and unaffiliated organisations—the A.S.R.S., the Enginedrivers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association, the Tradesmen's Association, the Train-running Union, and the Railway Officers' Institute.