THE NEW SCALE OF RAILWAY PAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2039, 6 September 1880, Page 3

THE NEW SCALE OF RAILWAY PAY.

Intimation of the revised scale of remuneration to the railway employes was furnished to the various departments on Saturday, and considerable anxiety was manifested as to its reception by the men. "Various rumors were afloat—one to the tffeot that after the arrival of the express trail from the south a meeting of the locomotive department men would be held. Subsequently a meeting took place in the large room at the Kingston Hotel, Colombo street south, at a qua ter to nine on Saturdoy evening, to which olr reporter was refused admission. It transpired, however, that no immediate action will be taken by the men. A further meeting of the employes will take place, but at present the date is not fixed. It is understood that a meeting of the employes on the Dunedin section will take place at Dunedin this evening. The mechanics contend that if they are paid the same per day as their fellow craftsmen wh'o are employed by private engineers, they ought also to be placed on the same footing aa regards overtime, and whilst there is on their part no wish to " turn out," yet they consider their just claims (of which payment for overtime is considered one) should not be overlooked. In the locomotive department, fitters, turners, smiths, and other artisans have not hitherto received less than 10s per day, whilst some strikers are paid 9s. L ihorcrs ore reduced Is per day, viz, from 7s to 63. For cleaners the rate is virtually the same; whilst as regards firemen the minimum pay waß 83 6d as «gainst 7a 6J, the maximum being also reduced Is per diem. The enginemen are thus affected —First year, 10a 6d, instead of lis; second year, lis, instead of lis 6d; third year, 11a 6.1, instead of 12a; fourth year, 12« i, instead of 12s 6d ; fifth year, unaltered, except that the number of men ir.cluded in this class must not exceed a fourth of the whole number. As regards this last regulation, the men are anxious that it should be distinctly d. fined as pertaining to each section—so that Christchuroh should not suffer to the benefit of Dunedin, or vice versa, or in tho words of one of the men " That all the 13a men should not be picked out from one favored spot." The employes most affected by the .new scale ure those on the Dunedin section, where in seme cases the reduced rates will make a difference of 3s a day per man. At Lyticlton the men mot in the accountant's office, at half-past seven o'clock on Saturday night, to hear the station -master read out the new scale. Long after the meeting was over the new schedule formed the absorbing topio among those affected by it, and groups of men were to be seen in the immediate vicinity of the railway station until a late hour discussing the various reductions. The " Daily Times " of Saturday published the new scheme under which the railway employes will in future work. It is as follows : I

The efficient working of the traffic and the proper conduct of the business of the lines is considered to be of eo much importance, and in ■ such a lurgo degree to depend on the capacity of the men engaged, that the following conditions under which employment will in the future bo given and promotion take place have been approved. • It has been considered advisable to olassify the employes of the different branches with a fixed minimum and maximum rate of pay for each class, and promotion from one grade to another will be according to capacity and general good conduct. The number of classes, with the wages pertaining to each, will be found under the different headings.

Tbaffio Bbanch, btationmaßtebs.

Stationmaßters should, in addition to a knowledge of the office work, possess thorough acquaintance with outside duties, such as signalling, shunting, loading and unloading of general traffic, and the marshalling of trains; so that men in inferior grades acquiring such general railway experience will be eligible for promotion to this class. An acquaintance with telegraphy will greatly conduce to promotion, good conduct being in all cases indispensable.

The stations are divided into four classes ; the salary attached to each is given below:— 4th class £l5O a year 3rd „ 175 „ 3nd „ 200 „ Ist „ : 250 „ First-class being in all caseß the maximum rate of pay. Where houses ara not provided house allowance will be given in addition to the above rates, the allowance being £SO per annum for Ist class, and £25 per annum for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th classes. Increase of salary will only bo obtainable by promotion to higher class stations, whioh will take place as vacanoies occur, and according to efficiency and good conduct. OTTTDOOB STAIT. Foremen (Coaching and Goods). —Minimum rate of pay, 103 j maximum, 12s per day. Passeriger Guards.—First year, 8s 6d per day; 2nd year, 9s per day; after two years and up to seven years, 9s 6i; after seven years, 10a per day. year, 8s 61; after second year, 9s per day. HOBSB DBIVEBS, SHUNTEBS, AND SIGNALMEN. 3rd class 7s per day 2nd „ 7s 6d „ Ist , 8s 6i „ Head thuntera ... 10s „

Porters—3rd olass, including laborers, 6a per day for Ist year ; 6a 6d per day for 2nd year. 2nd class, 7a per day. Ist olass, 7s 6d per day. Head porters, 10a per day. Lad porters may be taken into the servioe, not under 15 years of age, at wages_increasing by 4s a week after each year's service, from a minimum of 20a to a maximum of 36a per week.

Porters in charge of small roadside stations 48a per week, with house, or house allowanee of £25 per annum. Watchmen will be paid 42a per week ; gatekeepers from 30a to 36a per week. No one will be admitted into the traffic service for any position in the foregoing classification whose age exceeds 30 years, or who is unable to read and write.

Every applioant must undergo a medical examination, and produce a certificate from t v >e medical officer of the benefit society that he is free from bodily and mental infirmity, is physically able to perform tho duties of the position ho seoke, and that his eyesight and hearing are perfect. Guards will be soleoted from the class of porters or shunters; they must thoroughly understand signalling, the working of brakes, and the protection of trains. When sleeping away from their homes they will be allowed 4a per night. Locomotive Branch, workshops.

Competent workmen only will be employed in the shops. The minimum rate for fitters, turners, smiths, and other tradesmen will be 8a 6d per day, and the maximum 10s 6d per day. Machinists and strikers will be paid from 7s per day to 8a per day. Laborers will be paid 6a per day. Lads will be taken into the shops as required to learn the trades of fitter, turner, smith, &a., under the following regulations:— 1. No apprentice shall be taken on who is under fourteen or over seventeen years of age. 2. Each candidate shall produce a medical certificate of tho satisfactory state of his health. 3. Apprentices shall receive pay according to length of service, in accordance with the following scale : Ist year, 8s per week. 2nd „ 10s „ „ 3rd „ 12s „ „ 4th „ 14a „ „ sth „ 16b „ „ • 6th „ 20s „ „ 7th „ 25s „ „ 4. Any apprentice who before the age of eighteen shall pass the junior Civil Service examination, and before the age of twonty shall pass the senior examination, shall bo entitled to be placed in the drawing office, and to be in all other respects taught tho profession of a mechanical engineer. CLEANBRS.

Young men between seventeen and twentyfive years of age only will be eligible for appointmont as cleaners. Eaoh must undergo an examination by the medical officer of the Benefit Society, and produce a certificate that he is free from bodily or mental infirmity, is not affiicted with colour blindness, either by day or night, and he must be able to read and wiite. The rates of wages will be as follows : 4th class, Ist 12 months, 5« per day 3rd „ 2nd 12 „ 6s 6d per day 2nd „ 3rd 12 „ 6s per day Ist „ 4th 12 „ (maximum rate) 7s per day. When required, Ist class cleaners will be promoted to firemen, according to efficiency,

provided their oonduot has been good, and they are in other respects eligible.

FIBEMKN. Firemen must have served as cleaners, and as vacancies oconr eligible men from that class will be promoted. They must undergo an examination in the rules aud regulations applicable to enginemen and firemen, especially tho»e relating to the working of trains and signalling. The rates of wages will be as -indor : 4th class, Ist 12 months, 7s 6d per day 3rd „ 2nd „ 8s „ 2od „ 3rd „ 83 6d „ Ist „ 4th „ and upwards (maximum r<ite), 9s per day. New firemen must always oammecce in the 4th class.

As vacancies for enginemen occur, firemen, provided their oonduct has been satisfactory, will be promoted from the Ist class, according to efficiency. KNGINEMEN. No person will be allowed to undertake the duties of engineman unless he haß previously served as, and has worked to the Ist class of, fireman. He must undergo an examina'ion by the locomotive foreman a 3 to his competency to take charge of a locomotive engine. The rates of wages will be as under : sth class, for first 12 months, 10s 63 par day 4th „ from 12 to 24, „ lis „ 3rd „ „ 24, to 36 „ lis 6i „ 2nd „ „ 36 upwards 12s „

Tho position of Ist class engineman, which will consist of not more than 25 per cent, of the whole, will only be obtainable as vacancies in that grade occur. No man will be eligible for it who has not served as an engineman for five years. Wages, 13s per day. New enginemen must always commence in the sth class. Enginemen must qualify Jthemsslveß for the higher grades by acquiring such a knowledge of the principles, construction, and working of the locomotive engine, and of steam and its expansion, as will enable them to advance to the highest position on the footplate. Drivers and firemen, when sleeping away from their homes, will be allowed 4j per night.

Peemanbkt Way Bbanoh. Only competent workmen will be employed in the workshops or elsewhere. The wages will be at the same rates ao paid in the locomotive workshops.

lABOBEB3. The permanent way laborers must bo strong able bodied men, capable of performing rough hard work. They must have perfect eyesight and hearing, and bo of good character. Promotion will be in accordance with merit. The wages will be 63 per day. GANGERS. Suitable men will be selected from the class of laborers when gangers are required. They must be steady and reliable, able to read and write, thoroughly understand the work, and be quite competent to undertake the duties of the position. The gangers will be divided into three classes. The first class will consist of not more than 5 per cent, of the whole, and will be paid 10a per day. The second class will number not more than 5 per cent, of the whole, and will be paid 9a per day. The balance, consisting of 90 per cent., will be paid 8s per day. Promotion from the third class will only take place when a vacancy occurs. INSPBOTOBS.

Gangers will be promoted to sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors to inspectors as required, provided they are qualified to 'fill such positions. Sub-inspectors will be paid 12a to 15s per day Bridge inspectors „ 13s ~ Inspector. . 1 Permanent Way ... 17s „ <The above rates for enginemen, firemen, guards, porters, mechanics, and laborers are to be increased 25 per cent, for Westport and G-reymouth. Geneeai.

The clerical staff in each branch is to be classified, and promotions from one class to another will be made according to ability, but only when vacancies in a higher class occur.

„ , «, ( Minimum salary, £SO per [annum 3rd Class [ Maximum tj £IOO _ , _„ C Minimum salary, £llO per annum 2nd Class [ Maximnm ./'gieo* „ , . _,. f Minimum salary, £l7O per annum Ist Class ( Malimum |p J, £250 „

APPOINTMENT OP EXPEEIENCED MBN. The foregoing conditions, except as to medical examination, moral character, ability to read and write, &c, will not apply to persons who can produce certificates that they have served on other railways in any of the capacities mentioned, and are considered by the head of the branch competent to undertake the duties without any_ probationary career. Such persons after being appointed will not be promoted to a position higher than that for which they hold certificates, except under the same conditions as men trained in the colony. Every person in the Railway Department will hold his situation conditionally lon.his being subject to, and strictly observing, the rules and regulations established from time to time for his guidance, whether published with the general rules and regulations or otherwise; and every employe must consider the rules to bo of general application, and that all are binding upon him equally as much as those specially per. tabling to his own particular position or duties. It must be distinctly understood that in every case promotion will depend upon the person's capacity to perform the duties of the superior class or position, combined with general fitness and good conduct. T" merely serve the prescribed time in any cl*ss or position will not of itself qualify anyone for promotion.

INVKSTIGATIOH OF CHAEGEO. To secure to the employes a fair investigation of the charges brought against them from time to time, such as oarelessnessor misoonduct in working the tradlc, causing accidents, &s., a Board will be appointed, consisting of *ay two or throe officers and an employe selected from the class or grade to which the accused person belongs, whose duty it will be to inquire thoroughly into cases referred to them, take evidence, decide who is at fault and to what extent, and recommend punishment accordingly. In all cas?s, however (whether investigated by the Board or otherwise), employes in any branch of the service will have the right of appeal to the head of the department ahould they consider themselves unfairly dealt with. Wh, Conxebs, Commissioner of Railways, M.I. Anproved. *R. Olives, Minister for Pnblic Works.