RAILWAY DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19182, 27 May 1924, Page 7

RAILWAY DISPUTE

THE STRIKE ISSUE, i'A REVOLUTIONARY OBJECTIVE. REMARKABLE DISCLOSURES SYMPATHY OF E.F.C.A. ALIENATED. (Per United pREna Association.' WELLINGTON, May 26. Mr W. M'Arley (general secretary of tho E.F.0.A.) stated to-day that his organisation had, prior to the strike, never been approached by tho A.S.R.S. for assistance of any description. Any statements to the contrary wore quite correct. On April 24, said Mr M'Arley, Mr Connolly (president of tho A.S.R.S.) asked leave to address the Executive Council of tho E.F.C.A., and this was agreed to. Mr Connolly asked tho Executive Council of the E.F.C.A. to instruct its members not to run trains with a member of tho A.S.R.S. who returned to work without authority. On being questioned us to his reason Mr Connolly stated that he was having trouble in holding Ida members back from working. He also made a statement that he was not concerned about the question whether they got a commission or not, as their chief concern was getting a change of Government. Upon it being pointed out that such a procedure per medium of a strike meant practically a revolution and would not bo as lasting as a constitutional way, and, moreover, would probably mean the wrecking of tho country, Mr Connolly replied that the country was only a capitalistic one and not worth anything to the worker, and the Alliance of Labour was only waiting to down tools at his request. The president of the E.F.C.A. then replied that the majority of the E.F.O.A. members were New Zealanders bred and born, and would not stand for such a procedure. He also felt sure that if the A.S.R.S. members heard their president’s statement made in such cold blood the majority would return to work. "This address of the A.S.R.S. president alienated all sympathy,” said Mr M'Arley. “that the Executive Council of the E.F.C.A. had towards tho strike issue. In view of tho statements being made behind closed doors and at political meetings of the Labour Party, it is only fair to my organisation that tho above facts should be given full publicity.” REPLY BY MR CONNOLLY. (Per United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, May 26. Aaked if he had any comments to make on the statement of Mr M'Arley, secretary of the E.C.F.A., Mr Connolly said ho was not responsible for the interpretation placed on his remarks when he was interviewing the E.F.C.A. executive. No record of the proceedings was taken, and Mr M'Arley, whoso interview was published, was not even present. Under the circumstances ho would leave it to the members of the service to judge as to tho correctness or otherwise of the statements. THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. INSTITUTION OF 48-HOUR WEEK. DEPARTMENT’S DUTY POSTERS. DISRUPTION IN A.S.R.S. RANKS. (Per United Pmss Association.) WELLINGTON, May 26. The aftermath of the railway strike is proving to bo more full of incident than the actual strike itself. The latest developments are tho preparation by the department of duty posters on the basis of the 48-hour week, and signs of disruption in the ranks of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. All the men in the second division of tho railway service with the exception of the locomotive drivers, firepicn, and cleaners, who are in a separate organisation from the members of the. A.S.R.S., and who did not g 6 out on strike, were put on tho 48 hours’ basis as from to-day. Those men affected are tho traffic employees, such as guards, porters, shunters, signalmen, maintenance men, storemen, and workshops employees. AH tho men affected will, of course, receive increases in their weekly wages proportionate to the increase in the number of hours to be worked from 44 to 48. The lowest rate of increase to the basic wage-earner is 7s 5d per week. This will mean that the basic wage in future will be £4 7s Id for 43 hours as against £3 19s XOd for 44 hours as heretofore. Tho men will be paid the ordinary hourly rate up to 48 hours, with overtime thereafter. An important point in connection with the decision to increase the hours of work is that it will not involve the dismissal of any men as retirements, transfers, and other change® which may take place in addition to the development and extension of the service, which will probably prove more easy of accomplishment under the new system than under ttie old, will enable the department to absorb the labour that is available, and any surplus that there might be consequent on ■ the rearrangement of the schedules following the incrase in the hours of work. The inauguration cf the 48-hotrr week passed off without incident at the Petone Workshops this morning, tho men resuming and proceeding with their work as before. ACTION OF A.S.R.S. EXECUTIVE. THORNDON BRANCH’S DEMANDS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 26, The following resolutions were passed by the Thomdon branch of the A.S.R.S.: — “ That the executive he asked to attend a meeting next Sunday and give the full details of the arrangements made with the Minister when the strike was called off; also a full account of all subsequent negotiations. Failing this, that the executive members be called upon to resign.” “ That the executive take no action as regards going before the Arbitration Court until a mandate has been received by it from either the membership or the branches.” “ That we protest against the. institution of the 48-hour week by the railway management before the case of the employees has been brought before a tribunal.” MOVEMENT FOR SECESSION. OPINION IN WELLINGTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.* WELLINGTON, May 26. Notwithstanding the statement made by the president of the A.S.R.S. regarding the acceptance of the board consisting of the Arbitration Court and one representative from each side to deal with tho claims submitted to the Government, no advice to this effect has been officially received from tho A.S.R.S. Executive. There is a movement on foot here similar to the one in Christchurch for secession from the A.S.R.S. Supporters of the present organisation claim that it will come to nothing. FORTY-EICHT-HOUR WEEK. MUST BE ACCEPTED. (Per United Press Association.) PALMERSTON N„ May 26. The 48-hour week in the traffic branches of tho railway services commenced locally this morning. The secretary of the local branch of the A.S.Xt.»S. stated: “Wo don’t like it. of course, but under the circumstances have no alternative at, present hut to accept it.” THE FRANKTON BRANCH. NO CONFIDENCE IN EXECUTIVE. (Per United Press Association.) HAMILTON, May 26. At Hamilton a meeting of tho Frankton bra noli of tho A.S.R.S. was addressed by Mr Connelly. dominion president. A irotion of confidence in the executive wa« defeated, and an amendment cairied by an overwhelming majority to the effect that the meeting considered it would be in the best interests of tho workers and the country if tho executive resigned immediately.

E.F.C.A. PROPOSALS. NEGOTIATIONS WITH DEPARTMENT. RUMOUR OF TROUBLE CONTRADICTED. (Pan Unitkd Puess Association.) WELLINGTON. May 26. Tho probability of trouble developing between the E.F.C.A. and the Government in connection with the claims presented to the Railway Department by tho association has been hinted at in the south, but the secretary (Mr M'Arley) stated this morning that there was no justification for the suggestion Tho southern statement is to tho effect that the KF.C.A. has been waiting for the A.S.R.S. dispute to he got out of the way before opening its own battle with the Government. Mr M'Arley said the association's claims were presented 12 months ago, and several meetings in regard to them had taken place. The proposals wore for 100 per cent, above tho basic wage of 15s 4d per day for engine-drivers, SO per cent, above for firemen, and 10 per cent, for cleaners. No hitch had occurred so far in the negotiations with the department, and no finality had yet been reached. There could be no suggestion or thought of “a row” until tho department made a definite reply. “Wo l ave found it tho beet policy for some years past,” declared Mr M'Arley, “to conduct our own disputes. To do otherwise than to fight on our own would be to implicate other unions, which we are not in a position to assist when they are in (rouble. If tho members of tho locomotive Association are desirous of extending a helping hand to the waterside workers, seamen, or miners, or to other branches of workers in the railway service, the executive cannot do otherwise than abide bv the decision of the majority, but so far they have expressed no desire to do so.” ALTERED HOURS IN DUNEDIN. ATTITUDE OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Tho members of the Railway Servants Society m Dunedin reverted yesterday to the 48-hour week. Under the new arrangement they will work 7 hours 20 minutes on six days, commencing at a-quarter to 8, and four hours on Saturday. These are tho hours that will be applied to the majority of the men, but there are exceptions. For instance, guards and others may be required to work 11 or 12 hours per day; but when this is done adjustments are made so that the time worked during the week does not exceed 48 hours. The traffic members affected are .guards, shunters, signalmen, sfcpiemen, and porters. Special arrangements will bo made for crossing-keepers, (ablet porters, and night watchmen, but so far no definite instructions have been received regarding these men. A member of the union stated yesterday that he understood that tho Chamber of Commerce had been active in attempting to biing a 48-hour week into operation in connection with all trades and industries. This assertion was brought under the notice of Mr Peter Barr (president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce), who gave an emphatic denial to tho statement. lie added that the matter had never been discussed by his body, and, furthermore, as acting president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, ho could state with the same confidence that the question had never been dealt with in any way by the dominion organisation. THE RAILWAY SERVICE. TO THE EDITOR. Sra.-y-I have never had much admiration for the Massey Government, more particularly in regard to railway management, but tho way it is facing the position and squaring-up the service calls forth my unqualified approval. Both the Minister and the General Manager must, or should have known, that a 44-hour week did not suit a carrying service, and could not produce a satisfactory result. It was weakness that conceded it. Now, force of results may he said to have put backbone in place of weak-kneed opportunism. So far as a business member of tho public can judge, the service is generally an easy, steady sinecure, with a safe provision for old age, provided to a considerable extent in the same manner as a pension—he., at the public expense. I am not prepared to say that a better wage could not be paid if the staff were reduced to proper dimensions, and business methods of getting business were employed. Until the management is put in effective hands, real reform and improved results cannot accrue. At present the whole rank and file are a chopping-block to cover up incapable management. It is to be desired that the Government will go to the root of the trouble.—l am, etc.. May 24. Otakou.