REDUCTION IN WAGES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 144, 14 March 1921, Page 5

REDUCTION IN WAGES

> UNITED STATES RAILWAYS MEN PLAN T 0 TAKE STRIKE BALLOT By Telegraph— Press Aesociation-Oopyright-Chicago, March 11. Probably 150,000 men will be affected by the wage reduction announced -.by practically every Western and several important Eastern railways. The reductions in many cases amounts to 22 percent., and never less than 12J per cent. The movement is the result of extraordinary efforts by the railways to reach tho profitable basis following the return to private ownership after the war. Wages were greatly increased during the Government management, and, when the railways were returned to the owners, the Government compelled them to take up huge deficits. The workers’ organisations are protesting 'by all available means, and plant to take a strike vote. ,

The Federal Board, controlling wages, must give its approval before the reductions can be enforced. The board, in one or two cases, has refused to permit reductions, but it is felt that it will probably be compelled to approve the general reductions, in order to save the railways from inevitable bankruptcy, of, at least, acute financial stringency.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SCOTTISH IRON AND STEEL LAST WEEK’S BUSINESS WORST ON RECORD. London, March 11. The Scottish iron and steel manufacturers report that this week s business is the worst on record. Continental quotations are much below those nt home. There is no alternative to ctosing down, unless wages and -raw material are immediately greatly reduced. Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.