THE LOCO MEN.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1924, Page 2

THE LOCO MEN.

Wage inch ease asked

[by TELEGRAPH —I’ER CRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Feb. 12.

On section of the railwaymen, which is seeking the re-adjustment of their rates of remuneration comprises the engine drivers and firemen. An explanation of their claims was made today by Mr IT. Carroll, the President of the E.F.C.A.. and Mr TV. MeArley. the General Secretary, who returned on Sunday from the South. At every meeting, they said resolutions were passed endorsing the Association’s policy in respect to wages for engine drivers and firemen. Negotiations had been in progress with the Government! for some considerable time on the lines formulated hy the Grand Council of the E.F.C.A.. and up to the present no hitches had oecured. It was reported from Christchurch last week that the F.F.C.A. was claiming an increase which it sought prior to the retrenchmentscheme. approximately 100 per cent, increase for drivers and oO per lent, increase for firemen.

| Iti reply to questions as to whether | it was really proposed hy the Associnj tion (hat the present rates of pay of i the drivers should l>o doubled, and I those of firemen increased hy half as much again, Mr MeArley replied in I the negative. What the E.F. and C.A. ! was asking, lie said, was that the enj gine-drivers in the service of the Raili way Department should he paid a wage I which was 100 per cent, above the j basic wage for unskilled workers. This ; would be affording due recognition and I status. Tlie Association was also urg- | ed that firemen should receive a wage i which was of) per cent. ’ iglier than the | basic wage for unskilled workers. These demands were the maximum for both grades, and. in putting them forward, the E.F. and C.A. was only asking for adherence to a principal which was in operation as far back as 1890. when a locomotive engine driver's maximum was 13s per day, as against the unskilled labourer’s rate of os. At the present time, some enginedrivers were receiving only 10? fid i>or day. Tlie maximum was 19- Oil per day. hut this could not be attained until 23 years’ service had I icon completed. A fireman had to serve 13 years service before they could reach 15s fid per day. which was their maximum. “As far as we are concerned.” said Mr MeArley, “everything is satisfactory Ik? tween us and the Department. There is no dispute.”