RAILWAYMEN’S HOURS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1924, Page 1

RAILWAYMEN’S HOURS

AFTER STRIKE DEVELOPMENTS .WELLINGTON, June 10. A strong protest against thu way in which railwaynion lost their forty-four week and eight-hour day was made by Air Connelly president of the Amalgamated Society, when concluding his opening address before the wages tribunal, presided over by Air Justice Fraser.

Tho society’s claim, said Air Connelly, was now amended to one of forty-four hours weekly, the eight-hour day and payment at the present rates for forty-eight hours which would he equiavlent to an increase of about G2 per cent, on pre-war wages and almost in line with that which statistical evidence would support. The abolition of the forty-four hour week and eigiithour day, ho said, took place within one month of the court sitting to consider the claims of the men although tho Minister for Railways was well aware that a court would lie set up. Tho conditions of settlement of tho strike on April 291.1 i.. contained no such stipulations, the interpretation of the Minister’s letter being that tho only condition for continuation of negotiations on the society’s demands was resumption of work. Subsequently the Alinister mentioned at an interview that lie had power under the regulations in put the forty-eight hour week into Operation hut would not do so until the matter had been reviewed by this tribunal, this assurance being repealed on May IGth. but on May 2Gth. the extended week was put in operation without reference to the men’s organisation.

AVhen the Alinister was interviewed on Alay Hist he was asked if any further interference with the men’s conditions would take place prior to the sitting of tho tribunal, and he gave an assurance that nothing further than four hours’ extension of the week was intended. The society then accepted a tribunal, but within forty-eight hours Hiev were informed that the eight-hour day had gone making a further inroad on the men’s conditions and anticipating any decision of the tribunal. “The actions of the Alinister and Department subsequently In the calling off of the strike" said Air Connelly, “have not been consonant with the principles of strict justice, lair l’l-O and straight dealing. AA'hat has been done amounts in our opinion to victimisation. and although there was an honourable understanding that there would lie up victimisation. If the Minister and Department contend it does not amount to victimisation they cannot deny they have shown most indecent. haste in interl'erring with the men’s "condition. They liavo usurped the functions of ihe court in the most important matters to conic before it.”