CORRESPONDENCE RAILWAY WORKERS’ RESOLUTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 23678, 11 September 1940, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE

RAILWAY WORKERS’ RESOLUTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I am very much afraid that “ 100 per cent. Patriot ” knows absolutely nothing regarding the wages and conditions of the railway workers. He refers to their meagre salaries in a very sarcastic manner, but I challenge him to produce any Arbitration award in New Zealand where the workers receive as small a wage as they do at the Railway Workshops, even before, the superannuation is taken off. He states that the main contents of his letter are “ the opinion of the general public.” 1 don’t remember any public meeting being held to discuss the matter. Then he refers to “ concessions that other workers can never hope to receive.” The point is that all workers receive concessions. Perhaps “ 100 per cent. Patriot ” works in a warehouse or shop, and buvs his clothes, shoes, and hats for his wife And family at 10 per cent, on cost price, while the railwaymen lie refers to pay just another 40 per cent, more. A friend of mine works in a local foundry, and purchased from that firm a range for his new bungalow at pounds less than a railwayman_ could hope to buy it for, so why all this fuss because the railwaymen have a free ride on their trains once a year? I am not a railwayman, but I wish them luck with their resolutions, and hope to see their lot improved before very long. I receive 10s more a week working for a private company than a friend in the Hillside Workshops doing exactly the same work. Also on top of this add the 5 per cent, increase in wages which the “ wealthy railwaymen ” have not received yet.'—l am, etc., September 10. Democrat.