RAILWAY ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1924, Page 4

RAILWAY ENQUIRY.

ftndincs ok tiik hoard. Tiio .Minister of Railways lias made available to-dav tin- report of the Hoard of Inquiry into tin' rates of pay and conditions of work of railway employees as represented by the Amnion milled Society of Railway Servants. The following reports No I ■.unanimous) and No 2 fsinned by the three members) have heen approved hy the Mini-ler. I! KKOI’T I. Wellington, 2:lrd August, ID2I. Silt.— In pursuance of the notlie of appointment ami order of reference directed to Its, (lilted the loth day of June, 11121, \t hereby we were appointed and .authorised to infinite into and report to you whether in our opinion any, and, il mi, what, alterations should he made in the rates of pay and'or the conditions of work in operation in respect of memhers of She Koeoikl Division of the stall' of the Oovernnvnt Railways Department (other than emnleyoes of the Locomotive Illumine liraneh). having due regard to the public interest and the maintenance of the (luvo! iitneut Railways

as a business concern paying a reasonaide interest on the capital cost thereof. we have the honour to rep art as follow s: The Hoard < omtiionreil its sittings at the Supreme Court House at Wellington n the l‘’th Juno, l!'2l. and heard evidence and argument oil behalf of the Department and the Amalgamated Soviet v of Railway Servants. Mr 11. 11. Sterling appeared for the Department, and .Mr M. Connelly appeared for the Society. The Hoard continued its sittings until the -•lilt June, HUM. and from that date until the I Itli July, and from the Kith to the -.‘ird instant, it deliberated in committee on the several matters submitted for consideration. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants pfesoiitfd >cvc*ntv-titio and l!n* l)<*part mint, presented six claims, tor the consideration ol the Hoard. 'I he sev-ctity-soven claims have heen disposed of as follows: Claim N < A.S.H.S.): That letniing line-erectors he classified and receive the same rate of pay as leading signal-erectors. The departmental advocate inlimated that there was no objection to this claim being granted when the classification was being reviewed. The lluiird reci mi tile nils accordingly. Claim 7 (A.S.H.S. : That on all Matuniry holidays tablet-porters Inpaid from first bonking on duty till finally booking nil.

The Foard cannot make a recoin mendation in regard to the claim as ti stands, but recommends that tablelpnrters sltall lint lie biinked oil duly for any periml of less titan one hour on statutory holidays. Claim I) i A.S.H.S.): That all casual (piarrytiieii ami ballast pit cmp!o\ees In; paid for wet weather, and treated ill till respects in the -t.nn wav ns surfacemen.

The Hoard recommends that v. here these men travel to and from their work hy ballast or other train, ami u.i work is done mi any day by reason of wet weather, Midi melt he paid til velling time (including waiting--into between the outgoing and returning trains) to and front their place cl work on such day; and that where work lots been comm'.-nct'd on any day. at d tsuspended on account of wet -.eather, the men. if ordered to stand ->y. si till he paid for the time they a," - 1 ;: 11 hug by; lull so that, in tiny eti■. trey shill nut be entitled to receive more Dan

a day's wages for any day. Claim I I A.S.H.S.' ; Th.it iil ..o r time rates lie eoit"itttod on the schedule rate of pay. 'I lie Hoard recommends 'hat ad ic < rtiioe rates be computed oi, lied hourly, daily, or weekly rales ol pay. a- the rn>c maw he. Claim Kl t V’klLS.i I Do: li'u., now v.rallied I•,r Snndu- end depart ii ciii al holidays b • innpitl cd on the schedule rate nl p’y . The Hoard, while not making a rcn mmcndatieti in the precise terms of the chiiie, recommends that the rap's lor Sundays and depart mental hnliduvs !o comnuled on the classified rates of pay. Claim 2d A.S.H.S.): That where my nu mber is booked oil' for less loan right hours tit his home slalien between shifts, he lie granted three hours’ standing I line. (Regulation I li.) The Department’-, advocate intimated that no objection would be oll'ered In milling to Regulation I Ii (2) (Ii) (i) I lie Words "Provided, however, that when it guard is boohed off lor less than eight hours I,'tween shifts lie shall lie granted three hours' staudingtiine.” The Society's advocate staled that this would lie satisfactory. The Hoard recommends nerordingly. Claite. 2i (A.S.H.S): That standing lime til foreign slat ions as dealt w ith in Regulation II N shall be defined.

The Hoard recommends that Regulation 1 IN (2) (a) (iii lie deleted, and the following provision substituted therefor: "When such guard is hooked off duty for rest, under such circumstances as to entitle him to payment of night allowance, ho shall lie paid three hours’ standing-time, at his ordinary rate of pay, if the period for which he is booked olf duty is less 1 bail eight Ilnurs; and if such guard is hooked oil' duty during a shift In' shall lie paid standing-lime at his ordinary rale nl pay lor the time hooked oil no lo four hours; Hut in neither case shall such standing-time be taken into account for tlie purpose of computing over-

lime.” Claim 2!i (A.S.H.S.): That the work-ing-hours of all shunters shall not exceed six per shift. T’ne deparnieiital advocate slated that the hours of shunters til busy stations were, as far as pos-dbe, restricted to eight daily. In view of the nature of the work porformd by slttiuters, the Hoard is of pinion licit every effort should lie made to equalize their daily hours at -tations where the work i> heavy and continuous, and recommends accordingly. Claim do (A.S.H.S.): That till time hetween 10 p.m. and Ii a.in. bo counted as continuous, and no deduction made for meals. The Hoard has dealt with employees, other than simmers on night shift, under claim 20, and recommends that simmers on night shift between 10 p.m. and (i a.m. lie given time off during their shift for a meal: such time not to exceed half an hour, and it less than half an hour to be treated as continuous time worked. Claim di (A.S.H.S.): That the winter period for gangers and snrlaeemen He extended from loth September to l-ith October.

The Hoard recommends that this claim ho granted. Claim .'ll (A.S.H.S.): That gangers and surfacemen in suburban areas be granted Saturday altenoon as their weekly ball holiday. The Hoard recommends that, instead of these employees being granted a day oil’ every month, they he granted, if the majority of the gang so desire, alternate Saturday afternoons off. This can he so iii'rttllgod as to ensure that, half tif eaeli suburban gang will lie on duty for the full iliiy every Saturday, so that the line will not lie left unwatched for an unduly long period. ( laitti 1!7 (A.S.H.S.): That the Division Harrier existing as hetceu the l-'irsl and Second Divisions of the Hallway Service he removed. The Hoard recognises that in a classified service, such as that of the Railway Department, specialization ol duties continences from the beginning of a member's service, more especially its between the work of the First and Second Division-, lienee it is apparent that any scheme lor modifying the condition-- on which memhers of the Second Division can he promoted to the First Division must of necessity apply only to junior memhers. We do not suggest, that, so far as adult mem hers are concerned, the general nature or standard of the examination should he altered in the direction ol reducing its value its a test. We are, however, of the opinion that the matter of providing further facilities for promising memhers, more particularly junior members, of the Second Division to qualify for promotion to the First Division is worthy of eonsideralion, and we recommend that it he referred to a

special rniiimitiei* comprising representatives of the Department and the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. This Hoard has not had tinmaterial before it to enable it to make any concrete recommendation for the amendment of Regulation 111. ( hum 11 A.S.H.S.): That the matter of tarring and painting viain the various districts !»«•

considered. The Hoard recommends that the taiTillg of viaduct - -, in' paid for as dirty work. The Hoard also reciimti'.eiids that where, owing to high winds, employees engaged in painting viaducts are unable to pet form their work without getting their clothing more than ordinarily dirty, they he considered lor payment of dirt-allowance. Claim -lb (A.S.H.S.): That Regulation (17. subelause (b), lie amended to include till gangers. The departmental advocate intimated that this claim wa.s not objected to. The Hoard recommends accordingly. Claim 1,1 -A.S.H.S.): Thai where gangers and silrfaccic“n are taken oil' their ordinary lengths to perform special work they he paid

travelling-time each way. The departmental advocate intimated that this claim was not objected to. The Hoard recommends accordingly. Claim 17 (A.S.H.S.): Thai all gaugers he brought within the provisions of liogualliiill H-. The departmental advocate intimated that this claim was not objected to. The Hoard recommends accordingly. Claim •“>•'( (A.S.H.S.--: That the latter portion ol Regulation II he given cll'ect In. The departmental advocate stated that the Department gave died to t lie* regulation. The Hoard is ol the opinion that an employee should lie notified at the earliest opportunity of any adverse report, so that he may have lime to correct any lattlt. 1 In* Loatd therefore recommends that, the regulation lie const rued with the utmost liboralitv.

Claim id (A.S.H.S.): ilia! the pn

sent restriction' governing privilege tickets as applied In member' children be removed. Tlie departmental advocate intimated that the Department was willing to delete the m < olid .eutcuie ol Kcgll|:,lir,ll |.;|. lint thill lilts amctidnu nl . !i...iid in't ■in ■ i IK. "l is' 'l l,l Itoa: <1 ICC •> ol diligly. Claim I'd (A.S.H.S.)' That wli.-m any dispute arises between the Society and the Hailway Departlueltl. whether out ol interpretation of any agieoment or any other matter, siteh dispute shall he referred to till independent al. ci ii'isting of equal representation from the Department and our Society. with n . liairmati In lie miitu.iliy agrc"d up,in. the decision of such Hoard to lie final until a new agreement is made. This claim, as formulated, embodies I the priuciiib' of a Whitley Council, with exceedingly wide powers. 'I lie report of the silb-i oiillnll tee ol the In-ter-depart mental (’niiinii I! ee on tlie application of tli.’ Whitley Report in (oivernmeiit establishments, submitted to tlie Imperial I’arliament in K.llll. was to the effect that Whitley Councils In the Civil Sen ice mi,'si of necessity be merely - consultative and advisory. II given wider functions the Councils would usurp those of the Minister, whose citilio! of the s'lviie must leiiuiiu imimnaired. subject only to ultimate parliamentary (uni rnl. The Hoar,l is accordingly "f the opinion t hot the claim, in its present form, i uunot be given elici t to. We think, however, that section !l ot the t oiverhnionL Railways Amendment Act. 11)21, provides machinery for the selling up of n Hoaid to inquire into matters on which the regulations arc silent-, or (oncoming which there is a dillerence of opinion regarding the interpretation of the regulations. Willi one dissentient (Mr Mason), we recommend the setting-up of u Hoard from time io time to consider such matters as may be referred to it. and io report thereon to the Minister. Claim 01 ( A.S.H • That the practice of paying olf casuals at one place and re-engaging litem al another lie discontinued. This claim is intended to i over the ease of casual bauds employed -oi ballast gangs ami line gangs who arc transferred from place In place without the (-mtimiil v of their employment being broken. The Hoard recommends that, in such eases those men be paid I'nr travelling-time between station and station, provided the amount paid in respect of wages and travelling time shall not exceed a day’s wages lor any one day. This recommendation does not impiv tlmt the Department is to be restricted in any way in its right to determine a casual employee’s engagement. or that anv allowance beyond payment of travelling-time is to He paid to anv casual employee so transferred.

Claim CIS ( A.K.R.S.) : That where any huge number of men are employed a suitable dining-room He provided. Tt is understand that (lie Department is in sympathy with this claim, and is giving'effect to it wherever possible. The Hoard recommends that funds be made available for continuing this work as circumstances permit, more particularly when new buildings are being erected or existing buildings altered. Claim H (Department) : That the maximum proportion ot apprentices to journeymen in Railway

workshops ho increased. Tliis is a matter unt covered by the regulations. Tt is unreasonable to fix a uniform proportion of apprentices to iouriiovnion for all 1 ratios, anil tlio proportion limited by the awards of the Court *>f Arbitration differs for the different trades. The Hoard recommends that instruction he given that the proportion of apprentices to journeymen

in each trade shall he so regulated ns to ensure a sufficient number of tradesmen being trained for the Department’s requirements, without leaving tin unabsorhed surplus, but that in no ease shall the proportion exceed the maximum fixed hv the current trade awards or the current general orders made under the Apprentices Act. 1!)23. by the Court of Arbitration for the different trades.

On the following matters the Hoard has no specific recommendations to make, though some ol them are the subject of brief comment: — Claim *2 (A.S.H.S.) : That till members of the Second Division of the Railway Service receive paydockets each pay-day. indicating how their wages have heen computed, and details of deductions made. No recommendation. Claim 1 (A.S.H.S.): That leading hands in large yards be paid (id per day extra. No recommendation. Claim (i (A.S.H.S.): That the wages of men classified in the schedules of the Classification Act a. *‘utlt* r leading hands" he increased by (id per day. No recoinmemhitiull. Claim IS (A.S.H.S.): That time worked on departmental holidays he not used in computing the week’s pay. No recommendation. Claim 21 i A.S.H.S.): That all Traffit memhers lie allowed ten clear lie,ill’s olf duty before again being hooked on. No recommendation. Claim 2.H (A.S.H.S.): Thai, in view of tablet-porters’ hours being lor-ty-eight and fifty-six respectively, their time he counted its continuous without deduction lor meals. No recommendation. 'lbis matter has been dealt with under claim 21). Claim Ti (A.S.H.S.): That the hours and conditions of the Railway re-freshment-rooms stall he reviewed. No recommendation. Claim 10 (A.S.H.S.): That the definition of “member" in Reguhition I he defined ns “Any person who has heen employed in the Railway service for it continuous period of three iilontlis or more. 1 No recommendation. Claim IS (A.S.H.S.): That Regulation 72 he applied to tablet-por-ters.

No rociiminendation. 'I he departmental advocate stated that the Department applied this regulation to tablet-porters. Tim real question is as to what is sufficient time for a meal. Tablet-porters are generally provided with houses in close proximity to their stations, and the question can he settled oldv hy considering each case on its merits. Claim -ID (A.S.H.S.) : Thai Regulation 71 he reviewed. No i i-i-i 1 1 it ntctii In t ion. Claim 7)1 (A.S.H.S.): That the Minister’s veto in connection with the litidings of the Railway Appeal Hoard lie abolished. N'o recommendation. Claim 7.1 (A.S.H.S.) : That anv member who lias been lined £2 or levs, or hits been published in any other way be permitted to have his case heard hy the Railway Hoard fi Appeal, provided that lie deposits the stint of £lO ns evidence of good faith, such stun to he forlcitcd it the appeal is dismissed. Nil reeommendat ion. Claim 7)2 i A .S. It ,S.) : 'I hat all casuals havc the same right ol appeal as other members of the service. No lecointnemlatinn. Claim 7,1 ( A.S.H.S.) : Thai the spirit and intention ol Regulation Kill he given clfeet to. The Hoard is of the opinion that the provisions ol Regulations Km to 17 - J ( inclusive) arc sufficient to ensure justice being done to an employee charged with misconduct or tt breach of regulations. An employee should he given full and explicit particulars m any charge made against him. and if lie deities the charge lie should lie given tlie right to an impartial inquiry conduct,si according In recognised judieial p ittciples. This is provided for ill the regulations referred to. II the regulations are iut'Tpreted in aicortlatic,’ w ith the prim idles of iialur.nl justice, they ■•nitlain all that is necessary to ensure that an employee against whom n charge is made shall Ic given u fair trial before he is found guilty and punKlied. Claim .Vi IA.S.I’.S.t: Thai the (H-n----i ticral 'Manager' , tight ol : election he i on- idcrc d by the Heat'd. No ic oinui''ud.itmu. ( 1.1 tin .'ill ( A .S. I! .s.) ; That tlm chairmen ol all departmental inquiries fie members of (lie legal fraternity. No reeommendat ion. Claim lid (A.S.H.S.) : That all members lie granted the right of retiring from the service on superannuate,u alter .'to years’ service, or on their attaining the age ol .Vi years. No recoinmctidai ion. The Ail tit present empowers tin- Minister, in a proper case, to allow a iimnibcr to retire before completing the full tieriod of service. To give tut iiinoiiditional right of earlier retirement, a- set (lll | in this claim, would place ail undue louden on the Sup, ra iinun I ion Fluid, and would affect the whole Kllblic Service. Claim H 7) (A.S.H.S.): That the departmeiial method of dispensing with casuals of long service be considered.

The departmental advocate .stated that a long-service casual was not dispensed with on attaining the age of (ii years if bis report showed that Ids health and conduit were good, and bis work satisfactory. Tlie Hoard agrees that this practice is reasonable, and lias no further recommendation t.i make. Il is understood, of course, that the Deoarment. is not restricted in any way in dispensing with easuul employees for whom no lurtber work can t olive nielli I v lie found. Claim 7”.) (A.S.H.S.): That, as the wages of Railway employees depend largely upon the nrolits earned by the Railway Department, the members of the Second Division be given some representation in tbi> management thereof. No reeommendat ion.

Claim 71 I A.S.H.S.) : That all tradesmen be eligible for the same avenues of promotion. No re: ommeudation. Claim 72 (A.S.H.S.): Thai (lie dut ii*s of night-wait 1 1 me■ i throughout the Railway service be defined. No recommendation. It is impossible to define, in general terms, a night-watchman's duties, which ilill'er acenrding In the class of premises on which be is employed. The Hoard can only say that iln; substantial nature of bis duties should be considered when a question arises as to whether he is to He classified as a labourer or a night-wn tollman. Claim N (Department): That the words “and horse-drivers" be deleted from Regulation f)l. No recommendation.

Tiie following claims were withdrawn lie the Society’s adeocafe:— Claim 10 (A.S.I’.S.) : That where any guard or assistant guard is away from his home station on duty on any day or davs he shall not he hooked off duty, with a consequent loss of pay. hut work should lie provided for him. Claim :22 (A.S.R.S.): That special Sunilav duty under the regulations he defined. Claim 27 (A.S.R.S.) : That all shunters he hooked on in sufficient time to enable them to get a grip of the work before commencing duties. Claim :12 fA.S.R.S.): That all gangers and acting-gangers he allowed two hours per week in addition to their ordinary time for making up time-sheets and answering correspondence. Claim Id (A.S.R.S.) : That all hut allowances lie increased to Os per

night. Claim 7,7 (A.S.R.S.): That the qualifications for annual leave and free pass for those casuals who are intermittently employed he based on an average of 21 hours per week per year. Claim 7.0 (A.S.R.S.): That the retrietion governing passes as applied to a member’s family as a result

of leave being overdue he removed. Claim 60 (A.S.R.S.): That Regulation 141 he reviewed and amended in the direction of preventing sick and other leave interfering with a member's retiring-leave. No claims numbered 66 and 67 were

presented to the Hoard by the Society. 'I lie foregoing covers all the matters on which the members of the Board, while not necessarily unanimous on every item, were able to report as a whole, without recording' individual expressions of dissent or continent. Mr .Mason, however, expressly dissociates himself from the recommendation of the Hoard in regard to the Society’s claim (31. The members of the Board were unable to agree a recommendation in respect of the remaining matters, and the views of the different members are appended hereto. We have etc.. F. V. Frazer. Win. Scott. Hiram Hunter .fas Mason. M. .1. Mack. The lion, the Minister of Railways Wellington. (To lie Continued.)