RAILWAY SERVANTS

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 38, 14 August 1919, Page 8

RAILWAY SERVANTS

RETENTION OF OLD HANDS

BARRING PROMOTION.

For some considerable time past the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants has interested itself in a matter which is of considerable public and Departmental interest —the retention in the service of men who have reached the retiring age and who have not been retired. i'3n loth August the general secretary (Mr. M. J. Mack) wrote to the Minister of Railways on the subject in the following terms: — "I 'am instructed by my executive council to urge that you will cause all of those members of the service who have already reached the retiring age, and whose superannuation will amount to £250 per year, or over, to be retired forthwith.' - The men I have referred to are now merely holding down the senior positions, are blocking jTromotion, stifling ambition, and indirectly, preventing tho employment of young and capable men to such an extent that not only will the junior members of the service suffer, but the welfare of the country, if not actually suffering, will most assuredly suffer as a consequence.

"We further assert that these men, by reason of their environment are out of touch with the trend of public opinion, and fail to read the signs of the times-as far as industrial conditions are concerned. This was amply demonstrated' at our recent interview with the General Manager, where numerous instances were given of a disposition on the part of senior officers to curtail and administer the recent concessions gained, so as. to make them, almost valueless, thus creating dissent and discord among a hitherto loyal and reliable body of men.

"In support of our request, we quote the General Manager himself, who, dealing with the age limit (50) for promotion to a higher grade, said that his responsible officers advised that it was inadvisable to promote men over 60 years of age.. If this is the case, there should be no exceptions^ and there can be no possible justification for retaining or promoting those men who have long since passed the Department's own standard of efficiency.

"I am also instructed by my executive to ask that you will be good enough to give me a definite reply as to what you intend to do in connection with this matter not later than tho 25th of the present month, in order that we may have an opportunity of bringing the whole .matter before Parliament, by way of petition, if necessary, during the coming session."