BRITISH RAILWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1929, Page 7

BRITISH RAILWAYS

PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT REACHED'. (British Official Wireless), RUGBY, Oct. 12.

As a result of a conference lasting for five hours, yesterday, between representatives of the railway companies and the l three railway- trade unions, the wages ; controversy was settled. A provisional agreement was reached to continue the two and a-lialf per -ent. reduction of wages and salaries for • a further period of six months, and then to revert to the former rates, with the condition that no apnlipnf ion for general revis’on of wages should he made before November of next year.

The arrangement requires the endorsement of the three unions represented at the conference, and also though this is only a formal matter, of the railway directorates. There is scarcely any doubt about the acceptance of the arrangement by the unions. In the first place the companies asked for continuation of the reduction for twelve months, as against only six months, now arranged. In July of last year a similar conference was held at which a reduction of wages and salaries of all those connected with the railways, including directors, was agreed to. The reduction was two and a-haif per cent, on the total wages hill of £1C0,000,003. With a view to reducing costs, the railway companies asked for the withdrawal of the remaining, war bonuses, cancellation of extra payment for overtime, night duty and Sunday duty, and the temporary suspension of the guaranteed day per week in return for a guaranteed week embracing all the time. On receipt of this demand some of the employees’ delegates withdrew, hut on resumption of the conference an all round reduction for twelve months of two and a-half per cent, was agreed to.