WIDELY WELCOME

Southland Times, Issue 22489, 25 January 1935, Page 7

WIDELY WELCOME

IMPORTANT AGREEMENT. RAILWAYS AND TRADE UNIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, January 23. The agreement which the railway companies and three railway trade rmions unanimously reached upon the machinery for dealing speedily and effectively with disputes of every kina, is regarded as one of the most important collective, bargaining agreements ever reached in Britain. The railway industry includes 400,000 workers and one of their officials described the Conciliation machinery now established as a “fine model for any great industry.” . The agreement which is the outcome of negotiations extending over two vears, forbids a strike until every possibility of negotiation has been exhausted. Features in the machinery include a National Council, representing the unions and companies, to consider all major questions of wages, conditions and other matters of mutual interest to the staff and management and a national tribunal with an independent chairman and two independent members one nominated by each side to which problems not settled by the council can be referred. The a B r ®®* ment is welcomed by all-sections ot the industry and also by the public.