TROUBLE IN THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17570, 14 May 1919, Page 5

TROUBLE IN THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

LOCO. ENGINEERS DEMAND FINALITY.

REPRESENTATIVES INTERVIEW

ACTING-PREMIER

POSSIBILITY OF DRASTIC ACTION

INDICATED

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, May 13

A deputation from the New Zealand Locomotive Engineers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association met tho Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen) to-r]a,v, and informed him that the members of the Association had decided by a 95% per cent, majority to cease work until their demands were given more generous treatment. The Minister of Railways' proposals had been rejected by a majority of 99% per cent.

Mr. E. W. Henderson, President of the Association, said that in compliance with the desire of the men a ballot was taken to ascertain their opinion of the proposals submitted through their executive by the Minister of Railways. The men decided by practically a unanimous vote that the proposals did not meet with the;r approval. The men resent a proposal which aims at lowering the wages of cleaners, either present or future. . The shortage of staff in the locomotive department compels men now in the service to work much overtime, which is injurious to their health. Therefore you will readily understand why the men strongly resent any proposal which will disr courage the recruiting of cleaners. With regard to the proposal to make a percentage of engineers obtain a wage of 6d a day more than others in the same grade, this proposal was rejected by this union when the late Hon. Millar was Minister of Railways. Therefore the of such a proposal is particularly resented by the men. The fixing of bonuses as wages does not meet the claims of the men, which were before the Government by means of petition in the year 1913. With regard to overtime rates, I have to respectfully draw your attention to the decision of the Arbitration Court, which provides for time and one-half for all overtime, whereas the Minister's proposal provides for time and 'one-quarter, which has not had the •desired effect in reducing overtime. I have also to advise you that every peaceable means of obtaining justice £or the men has been taken advantage of by the men's representatives. As there are still other avenues by which a peaceable adjustment can be made, I desire on behalf of the Executive Council to appeal to you to grant the use of a conciliator who would be acceptable to the organisation. We' suggest either Mr. Justice Stringer or Mr. Justice Sim. In conclusion, I desire to assure you that we, as the men's representatives, do sincerely desire that the dispute shall be fixed up in an amicable way which will be satisfactory to both parties. . . ...

Sir James Allen said he hoped that whatever had come out of their negotiations so far, nothing would be done to create a disturbance in the railway traffic. I hope that you will believe that the Railway Department Has very carefully considered the claims that you have made and has mr.de an honest effort, so I am asjsured, to meet your case and to deal 'with your difficulties. I understand you have some doubt as to whether the Minister for Railways and the Manager of.Railways are in earnest about the proposals they have made.j I have spokea to-Mr. Herries about! this, and I give you my assurance that both the Government, Mr. Herries, and the Manager, Mr. McVilly, are in earnest in their intention to carry out the proposals in the most honourable spirit.' I ask you to take that assurance from Mr. Herries and from me, as acting-leader of the Government. lof course cannot go into the question of your pay, except to tell you, as you already know, that the Railway Department has agreed to make the bonus of 3s. part of your pay. I am informed that that has brought you into a position in which some 12V& per cent, of your locomotive drivers will receive 17s. a day, and others 16s 6d, which is higher, so I am told, than in any individual State of the Commonwealth of Australia, except perhaps in tropical Queensland. Then I undpmi"^'' there has been a very great- tuauu sion made, and that is in regard to the payment of overtime. Hitbe-*«o it has been paid only after 48 hours have been worked in a week, am' now it is to be paid at the rate of time and a quarter, after eight hours have been worked in a day. Sir James Allen said he did not knov; whether the men's representations on thia point had been made to theRai'way Department.

The Delegates: Yea, sir,

Sir Jas. Allen: Was the last part of your statement made to Mr. Herries?

Mr. Henderson: We represented to Mr. Herries that 99% per cent, of the men had rejected his offer.

Sir James Allen said he would submit the matter to Mr. Herries and to the Cabinet. "I would like to ask you to consider the situation. The Government wants to be friendly with its employers, and wants its employees to be friendly with Ministers and others who have the administration of Departments. At a time like this it is essential that we should all hang together. The railway service has been a great credit to New Zealand. So long as we can carry on the railway service as we have done there is encouragement for the State to enter into other business." He asked the railwaymen to consider, even though they had to make some sacrifices for the time, whether they should not accept what

wan apparently the final offer of Minister. He could assure th that if later it was found to be | fair, that the Government would I prepared to consider whatever ai jments they brought forward. ' I could make no promir^, but he hoj that the attitude they had indicg that the men would take up wo not be adopted, and that they wo i continue to keep the service got He could not say any more, and was in a difficult position himself, he did not understand the mana ment of the railways. He assui them that the Minister of Railwj was friendly disposed to them, a wished to do the best he could I them, and so did the Governme "We have our responsibilities, wards the State and the country, "j between them we have to decide' what seems to us to be the rij course and to pursue it, notwi standing what the consequences ri be." ■■; After some discussion, Sir Jai] Allen replied that the requests mi liy the deputation would be subri ted to Cabinet. Mr. Henderson said it was impe tive that they should have a spe< reply. As President of the organl tion he had used every means to g vent trouble. He knew the state Labour, both inside and outside railway, and he sincerely desired reach an agreement. He belles they had Sir James Allen's si pathy, judging by his speech in D 1 edin on the question of Whitley cc mittees. The representatives of 1 men had for years tried to obt such a committee for the settleml jof disputes between the men and j management, but they had been i able to reach finality. Mr. McArley said the Execut Council of the Association had 1 great difficulty in preventing strl] by sections of the men. Sir James Allen: "I hope you 1 continue to keep the peace." knew that the leaders in some ganisations aad difficulty sometin jin restraining the rank and file. W regard to the introduction of bet relations with Labour, he had I something to say on this already, s hoped to say more in the future, promised that the matter should considered by Cabinet not later tt [ Tuesday next.