THE RAILWAY SERVICE

Otago Witness, Issue 3395, 9 April 1919, Page 25

THE RAILWAY SERVICE

DEMAND FOR, REFORMS. AUCKLAND. March 31

The Auckland branch of the Enginedrivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association discussed the Minister's offer regarding improved wages and working conditions yesterday. The meeting, which was hold in committee, passed a vote of confidence m the general secretary' (Mr M. J. Mack). When questioned the men, generally seemed to regard the proposals favourably.

MEETING IN CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, March 31. The largest meeting of railwaymen yet held in Christchurch. took place yesterday, when Mr Hampton, national president of the A.S.R.S., reported on the conference with the Minister of Railways. The meeting resolved—" Having heard the explanation of the new classification proposals and the improved working conditions, the Minister be urged to have the proposals passed through Parliament at the earliest possible moment." " • The meeting also protested against the suggestion that legislation to give effect to the proposals should be postponed, as sufficient delay had already taken place, and any further delay would cause irritation and discontent throughout the service. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Hampton said that while he was unable to give details of the proposals, he was pleased with the way they had been received by members. Certain sections were dissatisfied with details of the wages schedule, but recognised that the improvement promised in the working conditions, so far as the whole service was concerned, marked a distinct advance on the present regime, and the general opinion was that the proposals should be accepted as an important instalment of reform.

DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSALS. "~ WELLINGTON, March 31

The Minister and General Manager of Railways to-day met the executive of the Engine-drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association, and placed before them the department's programme of revised pay and conditions of employment.

The pj the executive asked .for time to consider the proposals, and this was agreed to, the executive being informed .that it could discuss details with the management.

CONCESSIONS TO EMPLOYEES. WELLINGTON, April 1. The leading concessions to railwaymen, as published here, are: ' The war bonus of 3s per day to be made permanent, and applied to both married and single men. First-grade guards, 13s 6d to 14s 6d per day; second-grade, 12s 6d to 13s. Fifty per cent, of the guards are to be firstgrade, and half of these, to be specially selected by the department, will receive 15s per day. First-grade shunters will receive an increase of 6d per day. Twenty-five per cent, of first-grade enginedrivers will be selected by. the department, and receive 17s per day. An eight-hour day will be established, except for tablet porters. All work between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. is to count as time and a-quarter. A 44-hour week will be observed in the workshops, a reduction of four hours weekly. Double time will be paid on Christmas Day, Good Friday, King's Birthday, and Labour Day, and time and a-half on Sundays.

NEGOTIATIONS STILL PROCEEDING. WELLINGTON, April 2. Negotiations between the three railway societies and the management of the railways have not concluded. The General Manager will meet representatives of the "Railway Officers'. Institute to-morrow, and it is reported that an agreement is expected to be reached without much difficulty. The position regarding the locomotive men is less definite. The department has not conceded the demand for preference to unionists nor the demand for the removal of the barrier between the first and second divisions. The abolition of the Minister's; acts was not agreed to, and the department does not agree that apprentices may qualify in the department's time. Generally, the effect of the concessions made is that the war increases aro being made permanent, and the men will be allowed" to keep their 3s per day war bonus.

WAC4ES FOR FIRST DIVISION. WELLINGTON, April 4

Representatives of the Railway Officers' Institute met the management of the department to-day to discuss proposals for a new schedule of rates of pay. The conference was quite satisfactory, and the institute delegates adopted the department's proposals.

TIMARU BRANCH SATISFIED. TIMARU, April 6.

The Timaru branch of the A.S.R.S., nfter hearing an address by Mr Hampton (national president), agreed, by an overwhelming majority, to accept the Minister's proposals respecting classification and service conditions.

RESOLUTIONS BY UNION'S BRANCHES.

PALMERSTON N., April 7. The PaJmerston North branch of the Amalgamated Society ■of Railway Servants unanimously resolved —"That this branch of the society, as an industrial union, stand by the Engine Drivers, and Firemen's Association in any action it may decide upon to obtain better_ working conditions." The branch is dissatisfied with tho conditions under the new regulations, and has circularised branches, asking for co-operation for the purpose of a special conference with regard to pay and working conditions. WELLINGTON, April 7. Members of tho A.S.R.S. at Petono Workshops carried a resolution to-day—- " That this meeting urges upon the executive the saving to the department of working five days per week of 44- hours, thereby also giving the men the full value_ of the four hours, as granted by the Minister of Railways." OAMARU, April 7. A largely-attended meeting of the Oamaru branch of the A.S.R.S. discussed the new scale of pay and conditions of work proposed by the management, and the branch unanimously decided that the new proposals were not satisfactory.