PREMIUM BONUS SYSTEM

Evening Star, Issue 19664, 17 September 1927, Page 11

PREMIUM BONUS SYSTEM

RAiLWAYKEB'S OPPOSITION (..Special to the * Stab. 1 ] CHRISTCHURCH, Scgptembcr 10. Mr MDivridc (secretary of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants) addressed the men at Addington Workshops to-day. Speaking of the Workshops Committee, Mr MDivridc said the cooperation of the union and the committee was what was wanted by tho establishment of the Workshop Committee. It was not meant to interfere with the powers and privileges of the Union. Any decision of the workshop managers would not prevent the union from taking the matter up. One objectimi i<> the system which was raised was that the men appointed on, the eoinnnUee were unable to take an intelligent interest, in the affairs that were brought up for discussion, but ho wished to say that after a, few meetings these men became familiar .with the, work and objects of the committee, and proved themselves worthy of tho )M)siiinn. Another objection was that Die system would (end to bring about n break with the union, but cxpcrienca in other places had shown that this had not been tho ease. “ A matter that I want to touch on hi icily is the premium bonus system,” said Mr MDlvride. ‘‘All trade unions aro opposed to tho system of piece worlc, as it inevitably results in a cutting of the rales of wages. I have bad personal experience in this system of intensified labor, and ran say that in all countries where it has been introduced it has proved disastrous for tho worker. New Zealand raihvaymen are conscientious workers, and can carry on without this system. The premium bonus system promotes rivalry, and brings about disintegration with tho union. It results in a. fight among tho workers, tho power of unionism is forgotten, ami eventually you men have to accept the terms given you. In the proposed .scheme there lias been no mention by Die Government of the rates which you are to receive, and the only way to oppose this is to organise and stand together.”