MERIT SYSTEM

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1926, Page 4

MERIT SYSTEM

.discipline tx railway SERVICE. AY EI A A N GTOX. Juno 21. A now diseliplinary system is being iiitnidmed in the Railway Department which will remove several causes oT dissatisfaction -among employees. Tiro chief of these is the'imposition of fines for Urea dies of regulations. Another source of difficulty has lieen the genexii 1 feeling among the men that once a hlnok mark appeared on their record it was a handicap throughout their railway career. Efforts have been made for nujny rears by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, to place a time-limit on consideration of these marks, so that by a. clean record for 11, definite period, a railwayman could he said to have a clear sheet. It is due lo the initiative of the -Minister of Railways, the Right Hon J. G. Coates, that these reforms have been brought about in association with a complete system of merit marks shortly to operate. Railwaymen "'ill not be lined in future for offences, nor will they he suspended unless for offences which are likely to cause dismissal. Thes comprise gross negligence, insubordination, intoxication, incapacity, dishonesty, persistent misconduct, absence without leave.

The range of punishments will comprise, in order of severity:—Verbal caution, written caution, reprimand, severe censure, reduction in pay without change of classification, reduction in grade, dismissal. Verbal cautions will not he noted in the records, hut the next three grades of offence involve denlerit marks which, if they accumulate without being set off by a period of efficient service, may lead to a reduction or even dismissal. MERIT MARKS AVAILABLE.

So far the system is merely similar to the old disciplinary , method except in Its detail, but an important innovation is the awarding of merit marks for certain periods of clean record, and for special acts warranting recognition. These will be set off against any demerit marks, so that it will ho possible for a railwayman’s marked record to. lie made clear. It is recognised that members of the traffic staff run special risks of incurring demerit marks owing to the trying nature of their duties, consequently their merit marks will be double those obtainable in the same period, say, by a surfaceman or a workshops employee having fewer chances of running into trouble.

The scheme has been under discus* :sion by the railwaymen’s trade unions, which have all heartily approved tho principle, though suggesting in some cases modification of , detail. The .merit system, is in operation on some American railways with great success, .and the Railway Department’s plan .appeals to bo based on what is known ; as the Brown disciplinary system.