RAILWAYMEN'S PAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 172, 15 April 1919, Page 8

RAILWAYMEN'S PAY

NEW SCHEDULE CONSIDERED TO BE INADEQUATE MEN'S EXECUTIVE ASKED TO RESIGN By TolcKraph-Preps Association. Auckland, April 11. The offer made by the management of the railways to tlio employees was strongly criticised at a meeting of tlie Auckland branch of the A.S.l'.m. yesterday afternoon. The meeting was a large 'one. Mr.«L. Lee, a member of the executive council of the society, and also a member of tho North Island Appeal Board, addressed the men. 1 lie Meeting passed the following motion almost unanimously:—"That this meeting, having heard Mr, Lee, and also having heard the general secretary of our society, is of opinion that 1 the time hits arrived when the president, general secretary, and the executive councillors should tender their resignations, thereby giving the members an opportunity to elect officers more in touch with the popular feeling of members throughout, the Dominion. I'm'thei',-" this meeting is not in favour of the adoption of the schedule of wages and conditions as submitted by the Minister and management."

A special conference of delegates from all brandies of the society is favoured by many of the men, the suggestion being that every delegate should be furnished with full written .instructions as to tho attitude of his branch on the question of wages and working conditions, and the Department's offer.

Duncdin, April 14. The Ofaigo branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants Ims passed a motion setting out' that it considers the proposed schedule of wages totally inadequate, in view of the fact that till) sovereign possesses but three-fifths of the purchasing power, and strongly adverting to the proposals submitted by the executive. If the present bonus is converted into wages the deduction due to superannuation will mean a reduction in the monthly waga. The' branch urges a special conference to deal with the matter.