A DISTINCT ADVANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14026, 1 April 1919, Page 5

A DISTINCT ADVANCE

CONCESSIONS TO RAILWAY MEN. ACCEPTED IN CHRISTCHURCH. (By Telegraph. —Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. The largest meeting of railwayman held in Christchurch took place yesterday. when Mr. Hampton, national president of the A.S.R.S., reported oil the conference with the Minister lor Railways. The meeting having heard an explanation of the new classification proposals and improved working conditions, resolved that the Minister be urged to have Hie pror osals passed through Parliament at the earliest possible moment. The meeting aiso protested against a -on that legislation to give effect lo tiie proposals should b, delayed, as sufficient delay had already taken place, and further delay would cause irritation and discontent throughout the service. Speaking after the meeting Mr. Hampton said that, while unable to give details of the proposals, he was pleased with the way they had been received by the members. Certain sections were dissatisfied witli details of the wages schedule, hut recognised that the improvement promised in the working conditions so far as the whole service was concerned marked -a distinct advance on the present regime, and Hie general opinion was that the proposals should be accepted as an important instalment of reform. HIGHER WAGES AND SHORTER HOURS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Tuesday. 'The leading concessions to the raii•waymen, as published here, are: The war bonus of 3s Per day is made permanent, and applies both to married and single men; first-grade guards, 13s 6d to T4s 6d per diem; secondgrade 12s 6d to 13s; 50 per cent of the guards are to b e first-grade, and half of these, specially selected by the Department, will receive 15s per diem; first-grade shunters will receive an increase of fid per day; 25 per cent of the first-grade engine-dlrivers will be seelcted by the Department, and receive ]7s r>er diem; an eight-hav dav is established, except for tablet porters; all work between 10. p.m. and ,;.v6 >.m. counts as time and a-quarter; i ‘ 44-honr week will be observed in workshops—a reduction of four hours weeklv.; double time to be paid on Christmas Dav, Good Friday, King’s Dirt.hday. and I.al>onr Day, and time and a-balf on Sundays.