“NO OFFICIAL NEWS.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17351, 16 May 1924, Page 13

“NO OFFICIAL NEWS.”

E.F.C.A. CIRCULAR. UGHT ON RECENT RAILWAY STRIKE. The attitude of the Loco Association (the E.F. and C.A.) during the railway strike was the subject of much discussion and speculation. The policy of tire association was stated in a circular issued to members by the general secretary, Mr W. M’Arley, on April 11. It stated :—- ‘'Enquiries have been made by one or two branches of the E.F. and C.A., regarding the attitude of the association in respect to the officials of the A.S.R.S. declaring a strike. I have the honour to state that- the policy of the association has not altered. Every member is instructed to do his ordinary work as a locomotive man. no more or less, until instructed to the contrary by the association. Any member \yho disobeys this instruction is acting in the same manner as one who refuses to obey the association’s instructions to cease work, when a strike is decided by the association.

Up to the present no official information has been received at this office as to the nature of the dispute between the Government and tIieA.S.R.S. Unofficially, we understand that the A.S.R.S. is asking for jo, cost of living increase of 2s 6d per day, and the Government countered with an offer of forty-eight hours at a forty-four hourly rate, which would give them 7s 2d more per week. The forty-eight hour week as put forward is an alternative to an increase, and members should not be led astray by catch cries that the Government is forcing a forty-eight hour week on the railwaymen. That is the position as we understand it from the newspapers here. The members of the E.F. and C.A. should fully understand the principles which govern a strike vote of the E.F. and C.A., a 90 per cent, majority is demanded, and every member’s name must be on the ballot paper. The signature is adopted by all genuine votes taken on a strike issue. Therefore, members should not be led astray by votes of other unions which do not conform to those principles, and which ere more or less catch votes. Members should also know that the E.F. and C.A. has never refused its support to other railway organisations provided they agree to comply with the above conditions regarding a strike rote, and acknowledge and place in the foremost the demand of the E.F. and C.A, for a wage of 100 per cent, over the basic for engineers, 50 per cent, for firemen, and 10 per cent, for cleaners as a maximum mte for these members, and must be included in the settlement of a strike. These percentages prevailed when the locomotive men linked up with the A.S.R.S. in the year 1888, and -were neglected and allowed to decline by the in favour of the men of the basic rate. That is all the E.F. and C.A. asks for its support. Please see that every member understands the position”