BRITISH RAILWAYS
HEAVY WAGE REDUCTIONS. THE COMPANIES’ POSITION. LONDON, Nov. 13. Stating as a simple truth that they cannot continue the present expenditure on labour, the railway companies have asked the Unions to accept heavy reductions in the grades. They propose an immediate reduction of 6s weekly in adult wages, 3s w’eekly in female and junior males, £2O annually for the salaried staff earning between £lBO and £250 annually, and £lO annually for the salaried staff earning between £BO and £l7O annually. The railways unions are preparing counter-proposals. The companies also propose that payment shall only bo made for time actually worked. The standard hours include Sunday duty, excess to be paid at time and a quarter. The companies cite the competition of other forms of transport and high operative costs. Wages were £47,000,000 in 1913 and £115,00.0,000 in 1919. Traffic receipts in 1930 would probably be £10,500,000 below 1929.
SECRETARY’S STATEMENT. Mr Cramp, the railwaymen’s secretary, says that the cuts will be resisted to the last ditch. He describes the demands as absurd and intimates that neither they nor anything akin arc acceptable to the union. He estimates that the cut would mean a saving of £7,000,000 in wages.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 7
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200BRITISH RAILWAYS Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 7
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