RAILWAYMEN’S WAGES

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14256, 6 January 1920, Page 5

RAILWAYMEN’S WAGES

AN ACCEPTANCE URGED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received Jan. 5, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 4. An official statement on the railwaymen’s wages confirms yesterday’s cable. The branch delegates of the union will meet on Wednesday to consider the terms. Mr Thomas, addressing a mass meeting of railwayman at Birmingham recommended the acceptance of the terms, although they were not all that they wanted or all they intended ultimately to get. A reduction in the cost of living was more urgent than an increase in wages.

MEN REJECT THE OFFER. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received Jan. 5, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, Jafiuary 5. Mass meetings of the East London, Rhondda Valley, Northampton, I Carlisle and Newcastle railwayman i unanimously rejected the Government’s , offer, apparently on the ground that it is not as good as that granted to the loco men, who received a wage based on the highest rate paid in each grade instead of a wage based oh the average grade. The effect of the Govern- ! rnent’s proposal is that thousands of I men will get 10s a week advance im- | mediately with an additional 5s war bonus, which will cost the Government £5,000,000 annually. A sfeniflearit i feature is that a, scheme was evolved i under which the, cost of living would I be the determining factor in the per- { manent wage rates. When the settle- ' ment is confirmed £300,000 in back pay will be distributed among the railwaymen.