MERIT SYSTEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1926, Page 2

MERIT SYSTEM.

IN RAILWAY SERVICE. [by TELEGRArn— i'EIt PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, June 28. A new disciplinary system is being introduced in the Railway Department which will remove several causes ot dissatisfaction among employees. Ine chief of these is the imposition of fines fop breaches of regulations. Another source of difficulty lias been a general feeling among the men that once a black mark appeared on their record ir was a handicap throughout their railway career. Efforts had been made for many years by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants to place a time limit on consideration of those marks, so that by a clean record for a definite period a railwayman could be: said to have a clean sheet. It is due to the initiative of the Minister of Railways (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) that these reforms have been brought'about. In association with a complete sys-

tem of merit marks, shortly to operate, railiva.vmen will not be fined in future for. offences, nor will they be suspended, unless for offences which are likely to 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 a m limit change of classification, reduction in grade, dismissal. MERIT MARKS AVAILABLE. So far the system is merely simitar 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 be possible for a. railwayman’s marked record to be made clear. Tt is.recognised tliit members of the Traffic staff run special risks of incurring demerit marks, owing to tire trying nature of their duties, consequently their merit marks will be double

those obtainable in the same period by. say, a surfaceman or workshops employee, having fewer chances of running into trouble. The scheme has been under discussion by the Railway-men’s Trade Union, which have all heartily iapproved the principle, though suggesting in some eases of modifications of detail. The merit system is in operation on some American railways with greatsuccess. and the Railway Department’s plan appears to be based on which is known as the Brown Disciplinary System.