GRIEVANCES OF RAILWAY SEBVANTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13995, 30 August 1907, Page 3

GRIEVANCES OF RAILWAY SEBVANTS

'•'UNREST IN THE SERVICE." (From Our Own Correspondent.) . WELLINGTON, August 29. An "Ex-Railway Official," in writing to the Post, mate some statements regarding the- grievances of railway servants, which aro of considerable interest in view of the inquiry now being lield regarding the recent railway accident near Rotorua. He says:—"The fact that there k a great deal oE unrest in the railway service, especially in that all-important branch, the , traffic, is evidenced by the largely-increased I number of resignations recently. Snrely jthis of itself must be a matter for the 'earnest attention of the Legislature and management. The timo "is rapidly approaching when the department will find itsolf with a depleted and utterly inefficient staff to oopo with the steadily increasing traffic. When tho North Island Main Trunk lino is taken over iliere is every reason to fear that, a total break down in the service will -result, unless immediate steps are talton to stem the title of resignations, and so ensure that all the officered stations shall be adequately and efficiently staffed. , You will no doubt have a very vivid recollection of what took place upon the Wel-lington-Jfapier line during tho summer of 1897-1898, consequent upon the linking up of tlio 'Wejlington-Nnpier-fllow Plymouth section at Woodville, owing to the department's unpreparedness to meet the demands of the' traffic,-and also thoir futile efforts to do so at' the timo with a staff of boys and casjial labourers." I/AOK OF INDUCEMENT,

"It is well known to .the management," says the writer; "that youths with an ounce of ambition cannot bet induced to enter the railway servico as cadets, owing to brighter prospects and better remuneration being offered elsewhere. Consequently, bearing in mind that experienced officers are daily leaving the service, 1 and the engagement of an inferior class of lads to fill their positions tlie. travelling public must socn expect an %easy feeling concerning tho capabilities of the railway staff engaged in train-running duties." "It will come as a, surprise to most people to learn that tho railway stationmaster, clerks, and cadets work anything from nine to fourteen hours per day," runs a circular issued on behalf of the men. It is mentioned that the average stationma6ter in tho country may be kept on his ordinary routine duties from 6 a.m. till 9 p.m., and may be taken out of bed at 2.45 a.m. by such a thing as a "cattle special.". His eyes liavo scarcely a chance to wander from the into his own domestic circle. It ra , etatcd that in 1897 fhp lowest grade stationmaster received £150 a year and a house valued at £?5 per annum. In 1907 the emolument is £180, less .£2O house rent, an increase of £5 in ten years. It is held that £175 was a living wa.go in 1897: it is a starvation ■wage jn 1907, when allowance is made in the increased cost of tho necessaries of life. Comparisons aro given to show, that a. railway cleric or cadet starting at tho age of 36 with £W a year my rise to £180 at 30, while a. person with similar status in the Post and TelegTaph Department may go from £W to £220. In a. selection of nino townships it is indicated thai the stationtiiastcre' salaries range from £180 to £220, :,nd the postmasters' romnneratiop ascend from £220 to' £300 with "bouse free ,, in each ease. Briefly, the remedies suggested' for the adjustment of grievances are:—"(1) Limit of 48 hours for week; (2] stations to be staffed on a summer traffic basis; (3) abolition of all unpaid Sunday duty; (4) sufficient extra staffing in training at all large stations to cope with.all extraordinary vacancies; (5) leave as granted in the Post and Telegraph Department, olc." It, is recommended that the scalo of pa.y should ascend from £40 in the first year to £250 in- the twentieth, with 10s per week boarding allowance in the first and second year, 5s in the third, and 3s 6d in the fourth, with overtime in all cases as paid-in tho Post and Telegraph ■Department.