MERIT SYSTEM IS FAVOURED BY MEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 15

MERIT SYSTEM IS FAVOURED BY MEN.

RAILWAY MEN SAY BETTER THAN OLD WAY. In connection with the merit system of discipline which it. is intended to in- | troduce into the railway service, and i particulars of which were published in [ the “Lyttelton Times” yesterday, a re- t porter who made inquiries amongst local railwaymen, found that generally the proposal is favoured by the men, who that whilst it will not be perfect, it will at least be an improvement on the present system. One of the main features of the present system of discipline is the imposition of fines, and these have been the cause of a great deal of dissatisfaction amongst the men. “The present system is obsolete,” said one railwayman, who added that about the only good feature this system possessed was the fact that the fines were paid into the railwaymen’s superannuation fund. At a meeting of the Christchurch branch of the A.S.R.S., held a few days ago, the merit system was discussed. The general opinion was that the system would be better than the . present one, and that it was at least ' worth a trial. Some criticism of the proposals was voiced at the meeting, the chief being that the sj’stem might lead to favouritism. The basis of the new system will < be merit and demerit marks. Record cards are to be kept for each map, and punishments recorded on them by a system of demerit marks. Verbal cautions are not to be noted on the cards. A written caution will carry one demerit mark, a reprimand three, and a severe censure five. Where a reduction imposition is made this will wipe off past demerits. Fifteen demerits may involve reduction in pay, and thirty reduction in position. Meric marks will be given as follow: —For each twelve months clear record after the system comes into force, two marks; special acts of merit will obtain for a man marks in accordance with the degree of merit of the case. Merit marks will cancel an equal number of demerit marks. For various offences there are different punishments varying in severity according to the gravity of the offence. It is stated that cases of neglect to observe, the rules and regulations regarding signalling ot trains or acts which may prejudice the safety of the travelling public, will be regarded very seriously. For the most serious offences, such as gross negligence, or dishonesty, there is one punishment, and that is dismissal from the service.