INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17825, 6 January 1920, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

RAILWAYM EN'S WAGES. 'NEGOTIATIONS FOR STANDARDISING. Preas Association —Uv Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 3. Tho newspapers unollicially report the result of negotiations for standardising the railwayineu's wages, which has been proceeding sinco October. Tho strike resulted in a further increase of tho war bonus by 5s a week, making it 38s a week in all grades until September next, when it will bo periodically increased or reduced Is for every 5 per cent, increase or reduction in the cost of living; but wages, plus tho bonus, will permanently remain at least double the pre-war -wages. Thus the! lowest paid porter will receivo 56s a week until September, compared with 18s, tho pre-war wage. The subsequent minimum wago must never fall bolow 49s a week.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS RECOMMENDED. MORE ULTIMATELY IIEQUIRED. LONDON, January 4. (Received Jan. 5, at 9.45 p.m.) An official statement on the railwaymen's wages confirms yesterday's cable message. Branch delegates of the union will meet on Wednesday to consider the terms. Mr J. H. Thomas (Labour M.P.), addressing a mass meeting of railwayman at Birmingham, recommended the acceptance of the terms, although they were not all that was wanted, nor all they intended ultimately to get. A reduction in the cost of living was more urgent than an increase in wages.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GOVERNMENT'S OFFER REJECTED. MORE GENEROUS TERMS SOUGHT.

LONDON, January 5. (Received Jan. 5, at 9.45 p.m.) Mass meetings of East London, Rhondda Valley, Northhampton, Carlisle, and Newcastle raihvaymcii unanimously rejected the (.-rovernmont's offer, apparently on the ground that it was not as "enerous as the terms granted to the locomotive men, who received a "wage based oil the highest rate paid in cacli grade, instead of a wac;e based on the average grade. Tho effect of the Government's proposal is that thousands of men pet 10s per week immediate advance, with an additional 5s war bonus. This will cost the Government £5,000,000 annually. $ A significant feature is that a scheme has been evolved tinder which the cost of living will be determined. A factor in the permanent wage Tates whd!i the settlement is confirmed will be that £300,000 in back pay will bo distributed among the railwaymen.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THEATRICAL DISPUTE SETTLED. LONDON, January 4. , (Received Jan. 5, at 9 p.m.) The theatrical dispute lias been settled. A. and N.Z. Cable. THE SHIPPING TROUBLE. STEWARDS' AND PANTRYMEN'S DEMANDS. • SYDNEY, January 5. (Received Jan. 6, at 1.15 a.m.) The latest development in the shipping trouble is the ultimatum issued by the Stewards' and Pantrymen's Association, demanding increases in pay ranging from 22 to 27j per cent., overtime pay for Sundays and holidays, an t'ight-nour day while _at sea and in intermediate ports, and six hours while in terminal ports; a month's holiday for chief stewards and a fortnight for all other hands on full pay.