RAILWAYMEN’S CLAIMS

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22393, 6 July 1944, Page 4

RAILWAYMEN’S CLAIMS

FIRST MEETING OF TRIBUNAL Mr J. H. Terry, of Frankton, national president of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, resumed today from Wellington, where he attended the first sitting of the Government Railways Industrial Tribunals, established under the Government Railways Amendment Act, 1944, for the purpose of determining wages and working conditions of railway employees. Mr Terry said that 25.000 railway employees were concerned in the tribunal’s deliberations. The preliminary meeting had been very amicable,, and he was confident that good would result from the sittings. Discussions had taken place between members of the tribunal, representatives of the railway staff organisations, and representatives of the Railways Department concerning the tribunal’s future activities. There were 20 principal claims to come before the tribunal. These dealt with increases of wages, allowances and working conditions. These claims had been lodged by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. Other claims were in course of preparation. The Amendment Act provides for counter-claims by the general manager of Railways to be lodged within one month, and the duty is then placed on the tribunal to appoint a day and place for hearing of the claims. Mr W. F. Stillwell, S.M., of Wellington, is chairman of the tribunal. It is expected that sittings will commence early in August.