RAILWAY DISPUTE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21185, 4 November 1938, Page 8

RAILWAY DISPUTE

Trouble at Otahuhu Officials Reticent By TelW-’rarn -Pr**» A-wnno: WELLINGTON. November 3. While officials connected with the Railway Trades’ Unions are not prepared to discuss tlie merits of the dispute which has ied tu a stoppage of work at the Otahuhu railway workshops, it has been ascertained from other quarters that the men fear dilution of their skilled ranks by the appointment of semi-skilled workers at tradesmen's rates of p- y. Owing to the serious shortage of skilled artisans, it was stated that the Railway Department had come to an understanding with skilled tradesmen that temporary appointments of their semiskilled helpers might be made, and that these men should receive the lowest rate of tradesmen's pay if. after two months’ experience, they satisfied the workshop’s manager regarding their competence for higher class work. It was also a definite part of the undertaking that when the shortage of fully-trained tradesmen had been overcome, these temporary appointments would be cancelled and the men concerned would revert to their semiskilled positions. It is suggested that the crisis has arisen through fear of over dilution of the skilled tradesmen’s ranks by semiskilled workers, and that the arrangement is likely to be permanent . When questioned, Mr S. Ingram, general secretary of the Railway Tradesmen's Association stated: "We are dealing with the Government, and are optimistic that we will get a satisfactory settlement with the least possible delay.” No Progress Made No progress was made In the dispute, and the 1600 men Involved were idle throughout the day. A position of stalemate had virtually been reached to-night, neither side accepting the conditions stipulated as a preliminary to the opening of negotiations. During the day the men communicated with three southern workshops to ascertain the attitude of tlie staffs there on the issues of the dispute. The men assembled at the workshops at the usual hour this morning, special trains for workers running as , usual from the outer suburbs.

A mass meeting was held shortly after 7.30 a.m., when a message from the Minister of Railways (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) was submitted. It was,to the effect that discussion could t*>t be opened until the men resumed work unconditionally. This was rejected by the meeting and the committee, acting for the men, subsequently issued the following statement: — “The committee responsible for conducting the negotiations in connection with the stoppage of work consider it essential at the outset to issue definite instructions to all the staff affected that it was their bounden duty to maintain discipline, and protect Government property.” ’ "The committee is pleased to say that this instruction is being obeyed implicitly, despite rumours to the contrary. The present state of the dispute, from our point of view, is that we are prepared to resume work pending official negotiations, provided that the department agree to allow the men to resume work under the conditions prevailing prior to Wednesday. This decision has been communicated to officials of all our organisations, including the Federation of Labour in Wellington, which is busily engaged with the Minister endeavouring to. bring about a settlement with the least possible delay.” It was explained that wild rumours had been current in the city and suburbs to the effect that men had been destroying property. Men’s Conditions. The conditions on which the men were prepared to resume work required the Department to withdraw the instructions under which two labourers were assigned to jobs in the boilermakers’ shed at wages lid an hour less than the prevailing trade rates. Chief interest in the afternoon was the payment of the fortnightly wages due. Strict disciplinary measures were brought into force, and pickets were stationed at various points to guard property and ensure that no unauthorised persons entered the yards. A strict watch was also maintained over commodities brought into the premises. There was greater freedom allowed the men by the management, and no objections were raised against men leaving the works when they presented reasonable reasons. Neither the management nor the committee and pickets would countenance a general departure tor home until close on the usual hour for ceasing work. LITTLE SUPPORT IN DUNEDIN DRASTIC ACTION ILL-ADVISED By Telegiapn—Press Assoc'ailon DUNEDIN. November 3 While officials were reticent when approached this afternoon with regard to the position of the employees at the Hillside Workshops, the general opinion among the men indicates that there is little possibility of any action being taken in Dunedin to support the Otahuhu workers in the strike. In fact, it was stated by one of the men who was in a position to know that 95 per cent, of the men at Hillside had no sympathy with the northern strikers, and it was considered they were distinctly ill-advised in taking the drastic action they had. NOT LIKELY TO SPREAD POSITION AT HUTT WORKSHOPS By Telegraph —HTt-sF Association WELLINGTON, November 3 Work is proceeding as usual at the Hutt Railway Workshops, and it is thought unlikely that there will be any action in sympathy with the Otahuhu workshop strikers.