CRISIS LOOMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 277, 23 November 1943, Page 4

CRISIS LOOMS

PAY OF RAILWAYMEN GRAVE DISSATISFACTION Protesting the Government had failed to rectify anomalies in pay, in spito of an admission that these actually existed, and pledging itself to support the National Executive should the need arise for extreme measures, the Blast Town Workshops branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, together with other employees at the shops, carried the following resolution, with only a few dissentients, at a mass meeting yesterday: “That this large meeting of the East Town branch of the A.S.R.S. accords its fullest support to tne National Executive and urges the immediate calling of a special meeting of the executive body with a view to appropriate action being taken in the present crisis. “The profound disquiet throughout the service, due to the Governmc it’s vacillating methods in handling our members’ just and honourable claims for adjustment of anomalies has brought about a desperate position of the gravest importance. ‘‘Direct action in war conditions is to. be deplored, particularly in a transport service, but we pledge ourselves to support the executive should the need arise for such extreme measures.” It was stated last night that the railwaymen’s claims were long overdue for settlement. Repeated approaches had been made to the Government, but nothing had been done, beyond an admission that the claims were justified. To avoid embarrassment for the Government before the elections no action was taken by the A.S.R.S. at that time. It was also suggested that the Government was now maintaining that as the stabilisation regulations had been enforced no increases could be granted in railwaymen’s pay without upsetting the purpose of the legislation. In reply to this railwaymen say that the anomalies should have been rectified before stabilisation was introduced.

The main grievance is that the ordinary hourly rate of 2s 9d paid to tradesmen does not compare favourably with wages for fess skilled work outside the service. Cases have been quoted of men cleaning windows and cutting grass receiving more than skilled tradesmen with the responsibility of turning out locomotives, cars, vans and other rolling stock in perfect running condition. With overtime, it was stated, gross earnings could be increased, but the men claim that they should not be required to work 50 hours or more a week, to earn a living wage. One tradesman at East Town, after years of experience, had only £8 9s clear in his fortnight’s pay recently. This was after taxation and life insurance deductions had been made.