KEEN DISSATISFACTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27569, 11 December 1950, Page 6

KEEN DISSATISFACTION

Railway Wage Increase mass Meeting of otago ' BRANCH About 200 railwaymen attended a mass meeting yesterday of the Otago branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway, Servants and several resolutions were passed. Only two of these were allowed for publication. Both were concerned with the recent wage increase allowed by the Railway Tribunal. The first resolution stated: “That this mass meeting of the Otago branch of the ASRS registers a strong protest against this unsatisfactory wage increase as being an insult to the intelligence of the workers and totally inadequate to meet the upward trend in our living costs; and that the recent decision of the tribunal has caused a loss of confidence in that body; and that this branch supports any action the national executive may decide upon.” The second resolution stated: 1 That our national executive interview the Minister of Railways and ask him to consider granting an increase l on that granted by the tribunal, and, if he refuses, to ask that he order a rehearing of the claim by the tribunal immediately.” , _ ... Union officers explained to the Daily Times that a general wage order by the Arbitration, Court increasing wages would still leave the hourly rates for railway workers below those ruling in outside industries.