BRITISH RAILWAY CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 1, 26 September 1919, Page 7

BRITISH RAILWAY CRISIS

A STRIKE ULTIMATUM

THE GOVERNMENT'S REPLY

AN ELEVENTH HOUR CONFERENCE

By Toleirash-Prooß AE»ooifttion~Oopyrifrh» London, September 24 The railway men have rejected the proposals made in reply to their demands, and havo sent an ultimatum to tho Government that unless a favourable reply is given by noon to-morrow the men will bo ordered to strike.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Roc. September 25, 7.30 p.m.) London, September 24. The railway-men's ultimatum learns the Government either to declare its willingness to negotiate, or make a fresh wages offer. . The newspapers state that the executive is empowered to call' a national strike within twenty-four hom> without reference to members throughout the country. Prior to the issue of the ultimatum Mr. J. R. Thomas, secretary of the Eailwnyrnen's Union, issued a warning of the probability of a strike, pointing out that the February agreement, which stabilises wages 7>y the inclusion of the war bonus until December, enabled both side? to negotiate on a new basis of standardisation. The Government fully recognised that the revision would be an upward one. The settlement of ■ the locomotive section was already based on this principle, but the new proposals, after half a year's negotiation, reverse this policy for other grades. The ultimatum states that the Government offer will ultimately mean such * serious reduction in the pay of many members that it will not. ollnw them to maintain the present standard of lifo A. conference is proceeding between Sir Erie Geddes and Mr. Lloyd George regarding the crisis. The Locomotive Engineers' Society and other transport workers' organisations were not aware that an ultimatum was being issued. There is no indication that they will strike which fact renders the success of the railway «ninl«ve<"!' demands very doubtful—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' GOVERNMENT'S REPLY CLAIMS NOT JUSTIFIED. (Rec. September 25, 7.30 p.m.) London, September 24. The Government's reply to tho railwaymen's ultimatum states that the claims arc not justified, and that an advance of wages for the wliole of the railway. staff would involve the companies in an additional payment of over JM5,000,000 per annum, • p/s compared with the prewar figures, this not including any portion of the war wage which.might be continued under tho agreement of last March. It is estimated that other concessions, already granted, would cost another .1120,000.000. The passenger rates havo already advanced 50 per cent, in the case of ordinary bookings, and might have to bo extended, to all passenger fares, and goods rates advanced probably over 50 per cent, to meet tho increased pay. Such increases must be borne by tho community and the country's export trade.—Reuter. STRIKE DECISION WIRED TO BRANCHES. ' (Rec. September 25,11.15 p.m.) V.ondon, Soptember 25. The decision to call a strike to-morrow was telegraphed to all the railwaymen's brandies in the Kingdom. Subsequently Cabinet proposed that the National Union of Railwaymen should confer with Sir Eric Geddes to-day. It is believed that-negotiations will thus be resumed. —Reuter. OUTLOOK IMPROVES. (Rec. September 25, 11.45 p.m.) London, September 25. The railway outlook has. improved. Tonight Cabinet sent an explanation to the union executive, which is expected to lead to fresh negotiations. Sir Eric Geddes will meet the railwaymen's leaders to-morrow morning.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

A POSSIBLE'MISUNDERSTANDING (Rec. September 25, 1.10 a.m.) London, September 24. Though the contents of the Government's communication are not disclosed, it possibly contains an explanation on the lines of an official statement issued through Mr. Marwood, who is now Mo economic adviser to the Ministry of Transport. According to the statement tliero apparently had been a misunderstanding. The railwaymen seem to havo assumed that the war wage would automatically bo abolished at tihe end of tho war, resulting in a loss lo the men now receiving more than the new standard wage, but the agreement does not say bo. There is -aothiug to prevent men trying to raise the standard wage or securing a revision of the war wage in order to meet the cost of living. Mr. Marwood adus: "Tho question of continuing to revise tiho ivar wage will bo considered before the end of tho year, and'"will apply to others besides the railwaymen.'" Ho indicates that Sir Erie Geddes will discuss the.jsatter to-mor-row with the railwaymen's executive.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A CLOSE SHAVE. (Rec. September 26, 1 a.m.) London, September 24. Mr. J. ■ It. Thomas, replying to the Board of Trade's statement, declared that the railwaymen's ultimatum was issued because the executive oelieve<i that the Government had said its last word. Ho was now confident that that was not so. but the Government should know that a. strike would be inevitable if the Dresent offer was not improved. Mr. Thoaiao added: "Tho Government must act quickly." The executive of the associated society of locomotive men attended a meeting of tho National Union's executive.—Aus.X.B. Cablo Assn. "VERYIRGENT" lltcc. September 26, 1 a.m.) ' London, September 25.The "Daily Telegraph".states that although the.associated society has its own agreement it is considered 'likely that it will co-operate with the National Union. Cabinet discussed the situation to-uight for three hours. The Government's letter was marked "very urgent," and then delivered to the National Union's headquarters, but Mr. Thomas had already left, and the letter will not bo opened till to-morrow.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.