RAILWAY OVERTIME.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1287, 4 May 1878, Page 3

RAILWAY OVERTIME.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sir, —Your leading article of the 2nd instant certainly deserves the thanks of every railway employee in this Island. Before the publication of your issue of that date none of the hands knew of the order relating to payment for overtime, and with respect to the Southern men (Oamaru in particular), they were anxiously awaiting the vouchers for the payment of overtime, as promised distinctly by the Hon. Mr Larnach, for work performed in March and April. Now we hear, through the public press, that heads of departments are to keep a record of overtime, but, as far as I can find out, no such communication has been sent or given by the said heads of departments to their subordinates ; and if the record is kept, and forwarded to Wellington, is that any guarantee that the overtime work will he paid for ? If I may judge by past experience in the Government service I should 81l y —Xo ! Do you or your readers happen to know that, during the pressure of work entailed by the grain season, men have been taken from Christchurch to up-country stations to load trucks on Sundays on the promise, from railway officers, of what is termed time and a half, i.e. Is 6d for Is per hour, and that the powers that be have repudiated the promises of their officers, and simply paid the men Is per hour ? Sir, the grievances which the railway employees labour under would, if written, fill more of your space than you could afford for days; but, whilst the Farmers’ Society and others write and agitato for more trucks and greater facilities, &c., would it not be as well to see into the matter of men to do the necessary business arising from a greater amount of traffic, and to saddle the administrative powers with the neglect they complain of, instead of the general manager and officials of the Christchurch section, who do all in their power with the means at command ? I am, &c., FLYING SHUNT. Christchurch, May 3rd.