CAUSE OF RAILWAY STRIKE

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 887, 11 May 1903, Page 2

CAUSE OF RAILWAY STRIKE

The trouble seems to have originated in August last, when the Irvine Government first formulated its scheme of retrenchment. Among its proposals was a percentage reduction of salaries in the public service. This evoked from all employees of the State a loud protest, in which the railway men took the lead. A strike was only just averted. A month later the Irvine Government, having been defeated on a vote in the House of lfcpresentatives, appealed to the country for support of its economical reforms. The employees of the State joined with ,the Labor party in an electoral campaign against the Government, but this coalition was defeated, the Ministry being retained in .office by an I overwhelming majority, The railwaymon | still felt aggrieved at the reductions and ■ economics effected by the Government, and there was much smouldering discontent. A dispute broke out again in January

last, owing to the affiliation of the Victorian Locomotive Engine-drivers' and Firemen’s Associatibn with the Trades Hall. This Union had originally been affiliated to the Trades Hail, but had for various reasons drifted away from it. The Euginedrivers and firemen form one of the most important branches of the railway service, and by striking they could paralyse the whole system of State lines. The reaffiliation of their union with the Trades Hall within a few months of a threatened strike, and during a period when discontent was known to be fomented amour the men. was viewed with rub.

cihiuuq uiu uu2u. wad vieweu wuu suspieion in many quarters. It brought under public notice the fact that certain other unions were tbo Amalgamated Society of Railway Employees, the Victorian Railway Daily-paid Employees’ Union, and the Carriage Builders’ Society, A union of casually employed railway hands was also affiliated, but little regard was paid to this, since its members were not permanent servants of the State. After a consultation between the Acting Commissioner of Railways and the secretaries of the unions, each of the four unions of (permanent employees received from the Department a notification dated 19th February, 1903, in which it was contended that “ any affiliation or other connection, either direct or indirect, of anybody or association of railwav cmnlovres

uuuv ur association ul railway employees with the Trades Hall Council, or with any otaer body, society, or union which takes an active interest in politics is directly opposed to the purpose and spirit of regulation No. 32, which enacts that ‘No employee shall be a member of a political association of any kind.’ ” The unions were, therefore, desired to take at once such action as might be deemed neeessary to terminate such connection. The unions were disinclined to obey this order, and the Government, being anxious to avoid a conflict, gave them time to consider before definitely deciding.