NOISE MONEY WANTED

Chronicle (Levin), 12 December 1946, Page 5

NOISE MONEY WANTED

— Press A.ssociation

— -T* ORAILWAY WORKERS' CLAIM

By Telegraph ■

WELLINGTON, Dec. 11. A elaim submitted by the General Alanager of Railways in respect of the retiring leave and free rail passes for railway employees, was consented to by the four respondent railway service organisations at the ■ Railways Industvial Tribunab Tlie applicant's claims were . submitted by Alr. N. L. Steventon. The purpose of the subniissions, said Alr. Stevenson, was to preserve for those members of the railways staff who elected to cease contributing to the Government Railways SuperannuatioTt Fund, the same privileges in respect oi retiring leave and free rail passes as were granted to a member retiring 011 superannuation. The members concern ed, however, must qtialifv under equivalent coiiditions for railway members reeeiving superannuation in respect of age, service or medical unfitness. An allowance of 2d an hour for noise incidental to the type of work carried out in the railway boiler shops and boiler erecting shops, was claimed for all staff employed in these shops in subniissions to the Tribunal. Tlie Amalgamated -Society of Railway Servants aud Railway Tradesmen 's Assoeiation were the applicaats. The respondent was the General Alanager of Railways. V • ( For the applicants Alr. H. R. Bisliop said in the past 110 special allowailee of the nature claimed had been pit)vided for employees engaged in boiler , shops alid boiler erecting shops. Some of the work was nerve-racking and uoisy with the result that after a period of years of continually working in this atmosphere, the men we.re affected with deafness. As far as could be ascertained 110 industrial avVards in other industries provided for payment to: workers in respect of .either a noise allow-ance or higher rate of pay for work in uoisy surroundings, said Alr. 'N, L. -Stevenson who appeared on behalf of the respondent who submitted that in his opinion the provision of an ailowance would in no way remove the situation which had given rise to the elaim. Decision was reserved.