RAILWAYMEN'S PAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 60, 5 December 1918, Page 6

RAILWAYMEN'S PAY

POSITION OF THE A.S.R.S. CORRESPONDENCE WITH MINISTERS The following letter has been addressed jointly to the Primo Minister (the lit. Hon. W. F. Massey), the Minister of Finance (the Ht. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward), and the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. H. Hemes) by the general secretary of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants:— "Gentlemen,—l notice that the matter of locomotive men's wages and conditions is being brought prominently before yourselves, and also before the general public per medium of the Press, and 1, as representing the Amalgamated Society of llailwfly Sen-ante, wish to draw your attention to the following facts, viz., thnt my society represents more than twice the number of men than do the other combined railway organisations. It repiose'nts the lowest-paid men in the railway service, a very largo number of whom have not yst received a definite eight-hour day—men who are not entitled to receive overtime rates, no matter how long they may be employed in any. one day. If it is difficult for the higher-paid men, who have the above conditions, to live—how much more difficult is it for the men I have referred to to do so? I now wish lo draw your attention to my.letter, forwarded to the Acting-Prime Minister and Minister of Railways, dated August 29, copy of which is enclosed, and to advise you that if tho schedules of the Classification Act am to bo amended this .session, my society most certainly wishes to bo consulted, and desires to call evidence in support of their claims. We also desire to do tins in an amicable and reasonable way, but -any attempt' to Ideal witli one small section of tho service, to the exclusion of my society, can only be regarded as a hostile action, as far as we fire concerned, and that, as I hnvo pn , - *iousjy. stated, our loyalty and patriotism is being taken, advantage of. We sincerely trust that your Government will not attempt to interfere with the Classification Act unless we are al?o (riven the opportunity that I have asked for.- I may say'thnt we are. ready and prepared to discuss this matter, and at as curly a doie as possible, but we do not desire to take smy advantage of fho m'Pscnt situation to push this matter, bul- most certainly, when tho war is definitely concluded, my organisation will flpiimml and e.tnect to receive nfc flip. bauds of the Government liberal and miich improved conditions as compared with thos3 they now enjoy." (Enclosure.) "Sir, —I am instructed by my executive to draw your attention to the action of the United States Government in connection with railway hour:; and conditions in that part of the world, and to especially draw your attention to the increased wages, the method or computing' time, and the hours to be worked l>y the men referred to. lam also'directed to advise yourself and the Government that whiUt my society desires to .-issist the Government in every possible way to bring the war to <i successful issue, they will, at the conclusion of the war, endeavour amicably, by arrangement between the Government, the Railway Department, nnd ourselves, to obtain a definite oight-hour day—all time in excess of that to be paid for at overtime rates, tho amount of which to be a matter for, discussion between the parties concerned. I have stated, on behalf of the Executive Council, that they will endoavour to bring this about by amicablu and loasonable arrangement with those in authority, but, at tlio same time, most respectfully desire to impress upon you, that every means at our disposal will be used for this purpose, because we feel that our loyalty and patriotism is being taken advantage of, as indicated by tho railway returns, on a. reduced staff, and the Government's action in conscripting the labour of men entitled to retire on superannuation. Wo are communicating this to von at the present time, in order that the Government and yourself may have ampin time to consider the matter, so thnt there shall bo no excuse, wlipn the demand is made., that wfucip'it notice has not been given to (liable the Government to fully consider tho matter." ■ -