THE RAILWAYMEN.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1920, Page 1

THE RAILWAYMEN.

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTE IN SIGHT.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 8. TIIIO railway dispute has nearly reached a. complete settlement. It will be remembered that when the men returned to work after the stoppage in April, the Government appointed Committees to. make recommendations regarding wages and conditions of employment for the three groups of raihvaymen—the clerical :staff, the railway staff, and the locomotive staff. The Railway Officers Institute and the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants accepted the recommendations of the Committees, but the locomotive branch—the E.F.'C.A. did not accept the draft agreeirient prepared by the Committee ivhicli considered its case. A ballot was takefi by the E.F.C.A.', and it is known, although no official announcement has bsfeii made, that the decision of the members of the loco branch was against the acceptance cf the agreement in. its original for^n. Delegates representing the branches 6L tiliS E.F.C.A; throughout the Dominioil met recently ih Wellington, and they decided to make certain representations to the railway authorities. Since then diSbuSsions have been proceeding, and lill the points in dispute have been sbttlCd With the exception of the hours question. The Committee recommended a forty-eight‘hours’ week; the loco men arc asking for a forty-folii' hour week. They will meet Die'. Minister of Railway's (Mr Massey) shortly, in 'order to make representations on this pdiiit.