Statement By Railwaymen Who Are On Strike

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 December 1950, Page 5

Statement By Railwaymen Who Are On Strike

WELLINGTON, Last Night (P.A.) —The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and the Railway Tradesmen’s Association, whose members are ron strike, issued the following statement tonight: “Following the discussions that took place between the Rt. Hon. W. Nash and Messrs F. P. Walsh and K. McL. Baxter, of the Federation of Labour and representatives of the three general division organisations, it was arranged to meet the Prime Minister and Ministers of Railways and Labour. “The representatives of the men,” says the statement, “again pointed out to the Prime Minister that right through the proceedings they had acted in a constitutional manner, and were prepared to submit the agreement arrived at In conciliation with the general manager of railways to the Railways Industrial Tribunal in accordance with the provisions of the Government Railways Act. The manager had agreed in conciliation with the representatives of the men that certain aspects of railway work entitled general division employees to an allowance of up to sixpence per hour. “Had the government been sympathetic to this agreement going before the Tribunal,” says the statement,” the present trouble would have been avoided. “The representatives of the men regret that the Government’s complete refusal to meet the just requests of their employees has caused so much inconvenience to the public.” The statement was signed by Messrs J. A. Barton, president of the A.S.R.S. A. D. Hennessey, president of the R.T.A., J. S. Berry, general secretary of the A.S.R.S. and T. F. Gebbie, general secretary of the R.T.A. Messrs Hennessey and Berry said tonight that the executives of their organisations had been called, and in view of the fact that the Federation

of Labour desired to place its point of view before the executives, representatives of the federation would be present. “The national executives realise the seriousness of the position,” they said “and will continue to explore every possible avenue for settlement.” Mr Berry said indications from all branches of the A.S.R.S. were that they endorsed and supported fully the action taken by the national executive. Mr. Berry said the Government had stated during early negotiations that money did not come between the parties, and sent the railwaymens’ organisations back to the general manager (Me..F. W. Aickin) to negotiate. Conciliation negotiations, accordingly, took place and a settlement was reached, but the Government subsequently refused to endorse this settlement