THE LOCO MEN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 196, 14 May 1919, Page 8

THE LOCO MEN

DISPUTE ABOUT WORK AND WAGES / / APPEAL TO CABINET A THREAT OF STRIKE UNLESS TERMS ARE IMPROVED A definite threat to strike was made by a deputation representing the executive of tho Locomotive Enginedrivers, firemen, and Cleaners' Asfociatjun, which waited on the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Alien) yesterday. The association has been negotiating for some time with tho Minister of Railways, (the Hon. W. H. Hemes) and the Department, with regard to proposals for a new schedule of pay and working conditions, and no agreomont has been reached. The Department made certain proposals ■ to the association, and the association has decided by a very large majority to reject them. The deputation went to the ActingPrime Minister yesterday to ask for an outside arbitration on the questions about which they cannot agree with the Minister and the management of the Department. Mr, E. Henderson, president of Ihn association, was tho first speaker. He thanked the Minister for having received the deputation, and expressed the opinion that the meeting was probably the most Important that had ever been held in the history of any railway organisation in this country. The executive of the association had been meeting in Wellington, and they .had requested him to make tho following stateinont:—■ The Union's Views. "I have the honour to convey the information to you that in compliance with Hie desire of the members of thn New Zealand Locomotive Engineers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association a. ballot was taken to , ascertain their opinion of the proposals submitted through their executive by the Minister of Kailways. The .men decided by practically a ui:r.i:imous vote that the proposals do not meet with .their approval. Some of the proposals have no indication that there is a desire to meet the men's demands, hit, on the contrary, they indicate that the Government's are in the ooposite direction. Aβ intimateH to the Minister of Railways, some of the proposals givo the indication that the Government have a desiro to meet their demands, yet on tho other hand there is an indication that much is to be taken away. "Tho men resent any proposal which alms at lowerinj the wage of a man vho hae become unfit to perform tho highest duties, and which unfitness Jias been brought about by ttio conditions of the man's work. N "Many of these men performed higher duties for the inferior rate of pay, hiid it does appear to the men that this is a distinct*iujustioo and not in accord with tho intentions of the Government as expressed by the AriiTTster of Justice in the conditions 'for the police. "The men also resent a proposal which aims at lowering tho wage of- cleaners, eith'or present or future. "The siwEnge of staff in the locomotive department compels the men now in service to work much overtime, r.nd which ; is injurious to their health; 'therefore,' you wit!'readily understand.why the men strongly resent nuy proposal which will discourage recruiting of cleaners. "With regard to the proposal to make a percentage of tho engineers earn a wage of sixpence a day more than tho. others in the same grade, I have the honour to intimate to you that this proposal was rejected by this union it-hen tho late lloiu J. A. Millar was Minister of Eailways. Therefore the reintroduction of suoh a proposal is particularly resented by the men. The introduction of sucli a proposal, and which was already re-' jeeteel by the men, at tho present juncture when the men wero showing so much feeling in regard to their wages and conditions of work, appears to tho executive council as being most indiscreet, and will not tend to bring about a peaceable settlement of tho dispute. "Tho fixing of the bonuses to wages does not meet the claims of the men and which wero beforo the Government by means of petitions in the year 1913. It would bo impossible at this interview to explain the whole of tho proposals in detail to you, but on broad lines, it may be possible to give somo indication of the men's desires. "With iregard to overtime , rates, I have to respectfully draw your attention to Hie decision of the Arbitration Court, which provided for timo and onn-hitlf for all overtime, whereas the Minister's proposals provide for time and one-quarter, and which has not had the desired effect in reducing overtime. The men have no desiro for overtime, which undermines their health. Experience has proven that heavy penal rates <lo reduce overtime on the railways, and in fact in many instances abolished the overtime. Therefore, in the intercsl's of the ineifs healtfi. it is their desire that timo mid one-half be the penal rate for all overtime. "It is the desire of the men that a more generous consideration of their demands be granted. "I have also to advise you that every peaceable means of obtaining justice for tho men has been taken advantage of by 'the men's representatives. "I have to advise you that the men have decided by a majority vote of 05i per cent, to cease work until their demands are given more generous treatment. . "As there are still other avenues by which a peaceable adjustment can bo made, I desire, on behalf of the executive council, to appeal .to you to grant the use of a couciliator, who would bo acceptable to the organisation. Judge Stringer or Judge Sim will bo acceptable. "In conclusion I desiro to assure you that we, as tho men's representatives, do sincerely desire that tho dispute shall be fixed up in an amicable way, which will be satisfactory to both parties m tho tepUle '" MINISTERS REPLY APPEAL TO REASON. Sir James Allen eaid that he wae dad to receive the deputation. "I hope," he said "that whatever, has come of your uegotiations with the Department so tar, nothing will be dono by you to create a disturbance in railway traihe. I hope you will believe that tho Minister ot Railways and the Department have very carefully considered the claims -vou l'five made and have made an honest o.lort, so I am assured, to ineet your cnse and oeal with your difficulties. I understand jou have 'somo doubt as to whether tho kmister of Unilwnys and tho manager are in earnest about tho proposals they have mttdo to you. I have spokeiv to Mr. Herries about this, and J. want to give the assurance that tho Government and Mr Hemes and Mr. M'Villy are quite ia earnest, and that it is their intention to carry out what they proposo. m tho most liberal spirit. 1 want to give that assurance from Mr. Hemes and also from myself as leader of tho Oovernm"it,have seen the file covoriug yonr case and on that file is a statement made by you to Mr. Hemes when you met him. The statement you have just made to me contains portion of that statemont, but it contains something more. ! Of course, I cannot go into the question of your p«y, except to tell you what you. already know that the Railway Department has agreed to make the war bonus of three ehilhnge n day par of your pay. I understand tins has broiHit you into the position in which ome 121 per cent, of your drivers w.l bo receiving -17s. a day, and the ath.ej» lGs. 6d., which is higher, I aw told, than is paid in any individual State in the Commonwealth of Australia, except in Queensland, tho tropical part of Australia. The Bailway Department are nnite in earnest about that agreement, and the administration of ,t, so far a I am concerned, will ho w literal «* it is possible to make it. I under,? and that, a very great concession has been mnd'p which" I am sure you appreciate, and that is Ihe coiiecwon with rejnrd o overtime. As T undersbind it up til now vou received overtime oulv ntrci yon'had worked 48 hours in any week. Tlip concession now mnde is that ntter eieht hours' work on any <lnvovertime will bo allowed at thn rnto of timo and a quarter. You have nsked for timo and a half, nnd no doubt you have represented this to tho Minister of Railways and his Department. I am satisfied they have given it every consideration, and

that they have represented lo you what they beiicvo to bo a, fair deal in tho matter. The Strike Threat, "As to tho other part of your statement to me, I do not know whether it was represented to Mr. Hemes or not. I presume that all these difficulties which you have put into this statement have been told to llr. Ilerrics. I can't go into details. I don't understand railway management, and it must bo a. matter for him to advise the Government about those proposals in t'etail. The Minister asked whether the part of tho statement referring to 95.V per cent, of tho meji having voted in. favour of a strike in the ewit of no satisfactory settlement being reached had ever boon represented to Mr. Hemes. Mr.. Henderson: No, sir. Wo represented to him that 091 per cent, of the men had voted for rejection of Hie proposals of the Department. Sir James Allen: All I can say with regard lo that is this: In the first instance I must submit this lo Mr. Herrips and to Cabinet. I would like to ask you to consider the situation. The Government wants to bo friendly to its employees, and wants the employees to be friendly to the Ministers and those who administer' Departments. At a time Like this it is essential-for us to hung together. The railway service has been a, great credit to New Zealand, and so long .is we can carry on srrvices as the railways have been carried on there is encouragement for the State to enter into other businesses. And I would ask you railway men, even thotifrh you think you have to make some sacrifice for the time beine to consider whether it is not advisable to accent yVit is apparently the final offer of the "Minister. I can only assure you that if in the course of tram it is found that this is not a fair and square deal to you, you can rely on the Qoverr.lnent, whatever Government may' be in power, being- -willing" to listen to you again. Promise of Consideration. "I can. make, no promises to you except that the matter will be submitted to the Minister of Railways and to Cabinet 1 hope that the indication you havo given as to the attitude you will take up will not be adopted by you, and that you will continue to work and keep the service goins;. 1 can't say more. "You know that I am in a more or less difficult position in that I do not administer the railways. I should like to say lo you that as far as my judgment goes Mr. Hemes is friendly to you, and so is tho Government, but wo have our responsibilities to the State and the country generally, and between the two we havo to pick out a courso which seems to. us right mid to pursue it notwithstanding what the consequences may be." The Conciliation Proposal, Mr. M'Arley said that the association was desirous of using every amicable means of coming to a. settlement betorft the extreme step was taken by tho men. It was impossible for them to come to an agreement with the Minister of hailways in tho attitude he had taken up. They would bo prepared to abide by Ino recommendation .of a conciliator, provided that an agreement had beeiMonched round tho conference table.. Sir James Allen: What do you mean *Mt *M'ATley indicated that what was intended was that there should be a conciliator, and that if tho parties came to an agreement the association would abide by it. It would be'quite impossible for the association to arrive at any conclusion in regard to tho proposals unless the Government appointed somebody to conciliate Tho two gentlemen who had been named were held m high esteem both by the working class find the employing class. The association did not ask for α-man biased towards the Labour side. Tho association had placed beforethe Minister a demand for increased wages for loco, men, but tho Minister had gone- in the opposite direction and had reduced the wages ot some of the loco. men. So also the Minister had been asked to grnnt automatic increases in accordance with the method adopted Australia, but ogain the Minister h.id cono in the opposite direction, llus point he wished to stress. No employer in this country during tho last six years m<l proposed to reduce wages when a request was made for increases. It was -a scandalous, thing that a -Minister of.'Hailwni* should now make such a proposal, ro was referring specially!to the clean,?, who would, wider the proposes oi I lie Departmtnt, receive,less than they wero at present receiving. Their present .wage was ss. f<l. per day, with 2s. war bonus, and under the proposed new schedule t>y were being offered Gs. Gd. a day. No other employer of labour would mako such a scandalous proposal. _ Tho Minister: I am not going to stay here and listen to language of that kind. You must speak courteously to me, and von must speak courteously of your Minister. The word "scandalous I am not Koine to permit. ' Mr. M'Arley. I don't know what other word I enn nee. ' ~ , The Miniver: Please don't use that language. There is no need for it. An Objectionable Offer. Mr. M'Arley dropped the point. He said that the proposal that 12* per cent, of the drivers should be raised into a special grade hud ken made to the society in the timo that the late Mr. Millar was Minister of Railways, rind tho men had rejected it. Yd the Minister was reintroducing it now. . The Minister: Is. there any objection on your part to some of the men being specialised and {rating :m « tra Ba ' nonce a., day for it? ... ■ ■, Mr Henderson: Tho. conditions round it in working make ib unacceptable to us. The Minister: It seems to be inadvisable that you should refuse to accept, if. An Early Reply. Mr M'Arley repealed that unless a conciliator were appointed (lie society could make no headway in the dispute. The Minister: The two points you make about u conciliator and about m«es will be represented to Cabinet. Mr. M'Arley: When can we have a "rile Minister:.! don't know. Mr. Tierries has gone to Tauransa to-day, ll'orc is usually a Cabinet meeting on Tiics'"jlr' 'Henderson: It is imperative that we should have a speedy reply. As president of the association T have used my influence to prevent trouble, and I wilt coutinuo to do so. The Minister: I hope you will. Mr Hondorson: I give you my personal assurance that I will do so. , Sir James Allen: I think r can promise a reply not later than lucsday. Mr Henderson expressed satistaclion with this promise. Ho said they belioved that they had hir .Tames Aliens, sympathy. They Jiad noted what he •hiul said in Dunedin in regard to unitley committees. They had for a Hong time been asking for n similar board in the service. Tho position was very serious at present. The men h-ul decided by a majority of 991 per cent, to reject the Minister's proposals, and !K', per cent, of them had volod in favour of going on strike in the event of there being no settlement. He knew what the conditions were in the Labour world outside the serrice,valid he did not want to cause trouble. . Keeping the Peace. Mr. M'Arley said that the executive of the organisation had been requested by sections of the society to go out. on strike, and the executive had refused. 'Some of thesu sretions had been very hard to restrain. The executive had done their best to restrain them, in order to give the Government an opportunity of dealing with the whole matter. Ho hoped the Minister would appreciate the fact that fho executive hud tried to keep the peace. . The Minister said ho hoped the executive would 'continue to endeavour to keep the peace. He knew that sometime tho leaders of organisations had trouble in restraining the rank and file. He could assure them that every member of the Gnvernment was anxious to prevent trouble. llr. M. Dcmiehy said that (ho Minister might be informed that the men did not fully understand the proposals of the Department. This was not so. The interpretation put on the schedule by the men was exactly (ho inlorprptathn put upon it by the Department in reply to specific inquiries miulo by tbi> executive. Tho men thoroughly understood tho proposals. ■ "Ono stir? way to break up that Irish Eepublic would"be for the British Gov. eminent to approve it."—"Nashvillo Banner."