RAILWAY SERVICE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2787, 20 September 1924, Page 1

RAILWAY SERVICE.

BOARD OF INQUIRY’S REPORT.

FORTY-EIGHT HOURS WEEK NECESSARY. TO SECURE EFFICIENCY. DISCONTINUANCE OF SPECIAL NIGHT RATE RECOMMENDED. INCREASE IN OVERTIME RATES SUGGESTED. The report of the Hoard of Inquiry set _up under the Government Railways Art, 1921, to inquire into and report to the Minister for Railways whether, in its opinion, any all oral ions should lie made in the rates of pay and the renditions of work m operation in rospoei of members of the second division (other than employees of the locomotive running' bran eh), has been released for publication. *no report is in four parts —(a) The report of the board as a wnole: (b) the report of the majority of the board: (c) the report of the minority of the hoard: (d) a memorandum from Air Mason, the Railway Department's representative, in respool of two matters on which lie is unable to agree with the other members of the board.

The whole of the recommendations have been considered by Cabinet, and Government has decided to accept the recommendations of ilie board as a whole signed by all members, and the recommendations of the majority of the board signed by his Honour, Mr •Justice Frazer, and Messrs Mason and Scott.

REPORT ONE. P.oporr one is as follows, (lie claim ap- •. pearing first and the board’s decision next, both in some eases having been abbreviated owing ro (ho exigencies of . spare. Claim 5 (A.S.R.S.).—Tha( leading line- i erectors be classified and receive same pay as leading signal erectors. —Xo objection j by di'purtinem to claini when, classification | being reviewed: recommended accordingly. . Claim 7 (A.S.R.S.).— Thar on all -datu- 1 tory holidays tablet porters he paid from first booking on duty till finally booking off. —Mo recommendation as claim stands, but board recommends such porters he not hooked off duty for any period less than one hour on statutory holidays. Claim 9 (A.S.R.S.).—Casual quarry men and ballast pit employees be paid for wet weather: and treated in all respects us surfacemen —where such men travel to anti from work by ballast or other trains and no work is done owing to wet weather, they iliull be paid travelling tiin<? (inoluuing waiting time between outgoing and returning trains) to and from place of work on such day; where work commenced and was suspended owing to rain, men. if ordered stand by, be paid for time standing by; but in no ease be entitled to more than day’s wages for any day. Claim 14 (A.S.R.S.).—AII overtime rates be computed on schedule rate of pay.— Such he computed on classified houily, daily or weekly rates as case may Vie. Claim 16 (A.S.R.S.). Double time now granted for Sundays and departmental holidays be computed on schedule rate of pay, — SuiiiL* bo compiled Has-Kurd rates of pay. Claim 23 (A.S.R.S.).—Where any member is hooked off for le c s 1 1utn cig 1 11 hours a! home, station between shifts, be be granted 3 hours’ standing time (Regulation 115). Xo objection offered n> adding to regulation "provided, however, that when a guard is booked otl for - It--- than eight hours between shifts lie shall tie granted two hours’ standing time : recommended accordingly. Claim 25 (.A.S.R.S. Standing time at foreign stations iteitil with in regulation 115 he defined. -Substitute provision recommended when guard hooked oil duty for rest and entitled to night allowance, he paid three hours’ standing time at ordinary pay. if booked off duty period is less lliaii 8 hours; if guard booked off during shift lie paid standing time at ordinary pat for time booked oil up to four hours: in ncitlter ease shall such 'landing time he taken into account in eoniput ing overtime.

Claim 20 (A.S.R.S.). Working bout's of .'hunters not evened six per -hilt. Hoard of opinion ihai every effori should be made to equalise daily hours of simmers at -rations where work I' heavy and continuous: recommends accordingly.

Claim 30 (A.S.R.S.) —All linn- between 10 pan. and u a.in. be counted a? continuous and no deduction made for meals.- - Kmployee- oilier tlian shunters on night shift dealt with under claim 20: recommends shunters on night shift lietween 10 pan. and (i a.in., be given nine oil during' llieir sldil lor u un-id- 'iu-h lime not to exceed half an lintir: it le-s to he | ivated fls continuous lime worked. Claim 31 (A.5.R.5.).-Wilder period for gangers and surtuceiuru In- extended fi-inii 15th September to 15th October.— Recommended claim he granted. Claim 34 (A.S.R.S.) - Ganger- and surfacemen in suburban areas he granted Saturday afternoon as weekly half-holiday. —Recommended, instead of ilie.-e employees being granted day nil' every month, be granted, if majority of gang so desire, alternate Saturday afternoons oil; and be so arranged as to ensure half caeli suburban gang lie on duty for lull day every Saturday, so that the line noi lie left unwnleiiod for unduly long period.

Claim 37 (A.S.R.S..- Division harrier ex-i-sting between fir-st and di\i>ions be removed. —Board recognise; that, in a classified .service, sucli as llnit ot tile Railway Department, specialisation of duties i.-nminenees from the beginning' of a member's service, more especially as between the work of the first and second divisions, il,Mice it is apparent that tiny scheme for mollifying the conditions on which members of the second division can be promoted to the first division must of necessity apply only to junior members: they do'not. suggest that, .-o far as adult members are concerned, the general nature or standard of the examination should be altered in the direction of reducing its value as a test; they are, however, of the opinion that the matter of providing further facilities for promising members, more particularly junior members, of the second division to qualify for promotion to the first division is worthy of consideration, mikl recommend that it be referred to a special committee comprising representatives of the department arid A.S.R.S. The board lias not bad the material before it lo enable it to make any concrete recommendation for the amendment of regulation 49. -Claim 44 < A.S.R.S.)--Matter of tarring and painting viaducts in various districts be considered. —Recommended that tarring of viaducts bo paid for as dirty work; also that where, owing to high winds, employ-

ee3 engaged in painting viaducts are unable fir perform work without get ling t heir clothing more than ordinarily dirt\, they }i£ eonsirierod fop piiyinoiii of diH allowavioo. Claim 45 (A.S.R.S.) Regulation 67, subclause (b), be amended to include all gangers.—Xo objection; recommended are conlinglv. Claim 46 (A.S.R.S.)—Where gangers and surfacemen are taken off ordinary lengths ro perform special work they he paid travelling time each way.--Claim not objected ro: recommended accordingly. Claim 47 (A.S.R.S.)—AII gangers be brought within the provisions of regulation 92. Claim not objected to; recommended accordingly Claim 53 (A.S.R.S.)—That the latter portion of regulation 41 be given effect to. Departmental advocate slated that department gave effect ro regulation: hoard of ihe opinion that an employee -should tie notified at earliest opportunity of any adverse report, so that he may have time io correct any fault: therefore recommended lhai regulation lit- construed with utmost liberality. Claim 58 (A.S.R.S.)—Present restrictions governing privilege tickets as applied to members’ children be removed.— Departmental advocate intimated department was willing io delete speoml senlenee of regulation 154, but amendment should not affect regulation 150. Board recommended accordingly.

Claim 61 (A.S.R.S.; Where any dispute arise- between society and department, whether out of the interpretation of any agreement or any other matter, -noli dispute shall Lie referred to an independent tribunal, consisting of equal representation from the department and society, with a chairman to be mutually agreed upon, ilie decision of Midi board lo be linal until a new agreement is made.—Claim, as lorinulated, embodies principle of a Whitley Council, with exceedingly wide powers. Report of siib-eoininit tee of inter-depart-mental committee on the application of the Whit lev report to Government establishments, .submit tail to Imperial Parliament., w’lis to effect that W hitley Councils in the Civil Service must of necessity be merely consultative and advisory. If given wider functions the councils, would usurp those of the Minister, whose control of service must remain unimpaired, subject only I o ultimate parliamentary control. The claim, in its present form, cannot lie given effect 10. We think, however, that section 9 of Government Railways Amendment A el, 1921. provides machinery for the setting up of a hoard to inquire into matters on which (lie regulations are silent, or concerning which there is a ditlorence of opinion regarding the interpretation o! tlte regulations. With one dissentient (Mr Mason) we recommend the setting up of a board from time to time to consider such niatetrs as may be referred to it, and 10 report ihereon to the Minister. Claim 64 (A.S.R.S.) —Practice of paying olf casuals at one place and re-engaging I hem at another be discontinued.— Claim intended to cover case- of casual hands employed on ballast gangs and line gangs who arc transferred from place to place without continuity of employment being broken. Board recommends in .such eases men he paid for I ravelling time between station anti station; amount paid iti respect of wages ynd travelling time uoi lo exceed day's wages for any one day. Recommendation not to restrict department's right to determine casual employee's engagement, or any allowance beyond payment, of travelling time is lo be paid to any casual employee so transferred.

Claim 68 (A.S.R.S.) —Where any large number of men are employed a suitable dining-room lie provided.—Board recommend; that fund; be made available for coni inning this work as circumstances permit .

Claim 6 (Department).—Max imuin proportion of apprentices to journeymen in railway workshops be increased. —Board recommends instruction be given that proportion of apprentices to journeymen in cad) trade be so regulated a- to ensure sufficient number of tradesmen being trained for department’s requirements, without leaving uuabsorbed surplus: in no case shall proportion exceed maximum fixed by current trade awards or current general orders made under Apprentices Ad, 1923, by Court of Arbitration for the dill’enl'd trades.

On the following mutters the board has no specific rcuoiiimcndai ion to make, though some of them are the subject of brief comment:—

Claim 2 (A.S.R.S.) —All members of second division of (lit- Railway Service receive pay-dockets each pay day. indicating how their wages have, been computed, and details of deductions made. Claim 4 (A.S.R.S.) Leading hands in large yards be paid 6d per day extra. Claim 6 (A.S.R.S.)- Wages of men classified in schedules of Cla-i-iticat ion Act a; ‘‘other leading hands” he increased by 6d per day. Claim 18 (A.S.R.S.) -Time worked on departmental holidays be riot used in computing week's pay. Claim 24 (A.S.R.S.) All traffic members be allowed len clear hours off cintv before again being booked on. Claim 28 (A.S.R.S.> —In view of tablet: porters’ hours being forty-eight and

fifty-six respectively, time be counted as continuous without deduclion for meals. — Dealt witli under claim 29. Claim 33 (A.S.K.S.j--Hours and conditions of the railway refreshment rooms staff be reviewed. Claim 40 (A.S.R.S. —Definition of "member” in regulation 1 be defined as •any person who has been employed in the service for continuous period of tlyoe months or more."’ Claim 48 (A.S.R.S.) — Regulation 73 he applied to tablet porters; Depart mem til advocate stated that department applied this regulation to tablet porters. (.Maim 49 (A.S.R.S.)—Regulation 71 be reviewed. Claim 50 (A.S.R.S.) — Minister’:* veto in connection with the findings of the Railway Appeal Board be abolished. Claim 51 (A.S.R.S.) —Any member who has been fined £2 or loss, or has been puni-hed in any other way, be permitted to have his ease heard by the Railway Appeal Board, provided he deposits I'll) a. evidence of good faith, such sum in be forfeited if (lie appeal is dismissed. Claim 52 (A.S.R.S.) All casuals have same right of appeal as other members. Claim 54 (A.S.R.S. I—Spirit and intention of regulation luO be given eilect to. — Board is of opinion that provisions of regulations 105 and 172 (inclusive) are suijicienl to ensure justice being done to an employee charged witli misconduct or a breach of the regulations. Claim 55 (A.S.R.S.^—General manager’s right of selection be considered by board. Claim 5o (A.S.R.S.)- Chairman of all departmental inquiries be members of legal fraternity. Claim 63 (A.S.R.S.)— All members be granted right of retiring on superannuation after thirty-live years’ service, or on attaining age of fifty-live years.— Act at present empowers the Minister, in a proper case, to allow member to retire before completing full period of service. To give unconditional right of earlier retirement would place undue burden on superannuation limit, and affect whole I’ublie Service. Claim b 5 (A.S.R.S.)— Departmental method of dispensing with casuals of long service be considered; Departmental advocate stated that long-ser-vice casual not dispensed with on attaining sixty-five years if his report showed hi- health and conduct good and work satisfuctorv. Claim 70 (A.S.R.S.)-As t lie wages of employees depend largely upon profit- earned by department, members of second division be given some representation in management thereof. Claim 71 (A.S.R.S.i -All tradesmen be eligible for sittnii avenues ot promotion. Claim 72 (A.S.R.S.) Duties of night watchmen throughout the service be defined.- it is impossible to define, in general terms, a night willrhmaii’s duties, which ditler according to the class of premises on which fie is employed: substantial nature of his (Julies should be considered when a question arises a- to whether he is to be classified a- a labourer or night watchman. Claim 5 (Departmeiit). —Words "and horse drivers" be deleted from regulation 91. Claims 19, 22, 27, 32, 43, 57, 59 and 60 were withdrawn by the society’s advocate. No claims numbered 66 and 67 were presented to the hoard by the society. The foregoing covers all the matters on which the members ol the board, while not necessarily unanimous on every item, were able to' report as a whole, without recording individual expressions ol dissent or comment. -Mr .Mason, however® expressly disassociates himself from the recommendation of the board in regard to the society’s claim 61. The members ot rite board were unable to agree oil a recommendation in respect of the remaining matters.—The report is signed by J?. V. ('’razor, Wm. Scott, Hiram Hunter, Jas. Mason, M. •!. Maek. REPORT TWO.

Claim 1 (A.S.R.S.) -That forty-four-hour week hitherto existing in service be reinstated without any reduction in the pre;ent weekly rates ot pay. Claim 1 (Department).—Regulation 10/: Wunl "and employ oos in ibe traffic branch (other ilum night ■watchman) to be deleted. This means the abolition ot night rate” to till- extent. Workshops and works starts. v* itb one dissentient (Mr Mason) we recommend that locomotive, signalling and maintenance workshop- employees and works men be given the choice of two alternatives:— la.! A lorly-four hour week, with overtime at rale and a half for all time worked in excess of eight hours on each of the first live dav.- of the week and four hours on Saturday”. The hourly rates of wages to remain ns at present, and a guarantee* to be given of forty-four hours’ pay weok ly.

(I/) A forty eight-hour week, with overtime at rate and a hull' for all titrio worked in excess of eight hours and threequarter.- on each of the first live (.lays of the week ami four hours and a quarter on Sat unlay. The hourly rates of wages to remain as at present, and a guarantee to lie given of forty-eight hours’ pay weekly. We recommend that, a seoret ballot of the men concerned (excluding apprentices and juniors) be taken at as early a date as possible, ft is reeconded that the ballot be taken under the supervision ot the Department of Labour. In these two alternatives we recommend a substantial increase in the overtime rates, and recommend the taking of a ballot, for the following reasons:--

(a) The • claim as formulated asks for a fort v-four-h our week, with forty-tight hours’ pay. As the majority of the board caimoi recommend an increase in the rates of pay, which is necessarily involved in the claim, it is thought that the men concerned ought to be given an opportunity of saying whether they are still in favour of n forty-four-hour week. (b) A fortv-four-hour week is generally established in' New Zealand for tradesmen and their assistants, and, though we recognise that railway condition.- ddh-r widely from those obtaining outside the service, we do not desire, in the circumstances, to depart from the principle, unless the men agree. Maintenance (permanent-way).—W e recommend that line and relaying gangs work forty-eight hours per week at the present rates of wages. Overtime at rate and a half to be paid for all time worked in excess of eight hours on any day, except where, in accordance with the present practice, longer hours are worked during 1 the earlier part of the week in order to finish the week’s work sooner. Members of line gangs to commence and cease work at the appointed tune, and to be paid for travelling time, at the ordinary schedule rate, for the distances tor which they now receive a time allowance, and to be given one day off per month. Traffic and stores stall's.—We recommend as follows: —(a) Traffic stall -excluding employee's covered by paragraphs (b) and (c) — and stores -staff to work forty-eight hours per week, with overtime rates for all time worked in excess ot forty-eight hours in any week or tan hours on any day. Overtime to be paid for at rate and a half, and any time paid for as overtime over the day not to be taken into account in computing overtime over the week. No night rates to be payable. (b) Tablet porters to work forty-eight and fifty-six hours as at present, with overtime payment at rate and a half for all time worked in excess ol these hours. No night rates to bo payable. (e) Crossing-keepers, bridge-keepers, night-watchmen, femnle waiting-room attendants and messengers to work same hours as at present, with overtime payment at rate and a half for all time worked in excess of those hours. No night rates to be payable. Claim 3 (A.S.R.S.) —All way and works men be paid travelling time going to and returning from, their work at week-ends. —No recommendation in terms of claim, but recommend following proviso be added to clause 21 of the recommendation dated the 23rd June. 1920: of a former board of inquiry: “Provided also that, subject to the above restrict ions, such employees shall, wherever possible, be allowed to leave the work on Friday evenings, if the week’s work has been completed, in order to visit their homes for the week-end. Claim 3 (A.S.R.S.).— Gangers and surfacemen in maintenance department lie paid from trolly-stand to trolly-stand. Recommended all employees in each gang be required to start work at the same time at. the place where work is to be commenced for the day, and all cease work at. same time, starting and ceasing times being those fixed for ordinary day's work: and, in lieu of lime allowance being granted, travelling allowance at ordinary schedule rate be paid for distances for which these employees now receive time allowance; travelling time not to count lor

overtime. C'hd.ii IQ (A.S.R.S.)— Shunting gangs in largi i'llrds be composed ot not -less tliuu 1 1 1 fin .-la-sifted shunters. - No roc-oiiiuK-nda-t ion.

Oh-1 >■ 11 (A.S.R.S.) VVlnre there are three men or less continuously employed in s! .mting operations, they be classified as si . nters. and paid accordingly. (Regulation 91). No recommendation. Cl;., u 12 (A.S.R.S.)— Regulation 107 be amen ' >1 to provide for payment of time and i.no-half for ull time worked between 6 p.i. . and 6 a.rn., such penal rate not to b. laken into consideration when computin' guaranteed week’s pay.- —No recortn.i ndntion; matter dealt wiih under claim i. Clfii.it 13 (A.S.R.S.) —Regulation 113 be amended to provide for payment ol onehalf f..r all time worked in excess of eight urs. between 6 a.rn. and 6 p.m., such p.-nal rate not to be taken into considera- , i. ,u when computing the guaranteed week' pay.—No recommendation; matter lUjuh with under claim 1. Claim 15 (A.S.R.S.).—Tablet-porters be paid tor overtime ori same basis as all other member* of second division.—-No recommendation; dealt with under claim 1. Claim 17 (A.S.R.S.).— Regulation 114: l bat w here a member. is finishing or com im-m-mif a shift on Sunday, such member be paui it minimum of four hours at Stmii.iy rates for any time worked less lhau ft.or hours. Sunday time in all cases to stand by itself, and not to be taken into consideration when computing the guaranteed week’s [lay. —No recommendation. Claim 20 (A.5.R.5.).--Booking men off at their home station be abolished. —lie partn.cutal advocate intimated that minimum of two hours (including a meal-hour) was considered reasonable minimum.—Re cornu-ended accordingly. Claim 21 (A.S.R.S.). —Anv member called on duty on any one day he paid for a minimum of not less ilian four hours’ work. No recommendation in terms of claim. Recommended, however. . that duty -chednlcs shall, as far as practicable, be so arranged as to avoid unduly short periods of booking on. Claim 29 (A.S.R.S). —Meal-hours lie definitely fixed as follows: Breakfast. 7 to 8 a.m. : lunch. 12 to 1 p.m. ; tea. 5 to b p.m.; with duly one hooking-off in au\ one shift. The minimum mealtime to be thirty minutes and the maximum one hour. Recommended that employees greater portion of whose hour* of duty is between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. shall not. he hooked off for more than two meal intervals during their shifts, and. except where the exigencies of the service render il impracticable, second of such interval- shall commence niff less than three hours or more than five hours after the commencement of the lir-t. Kmployees the greater portion ol whose hours of duly is between 7 p.m. and 7 a.in. shall not be booked oil" lor more Ulan one meal interval during their respective shifts, such interval to he as nearly as practicable in the middle of the shift. A meal interval -hall he not less than half an hour or more than one hour, and if it is impracticable to give an employee a full half-hour for a meal, his time shall lie booked a.* eon tinuuiui. Shunters on night shift to ladealt with under claim 30. Claim 35 (A.S.R.S.). —Crossing-keeper-’ and bridge-keepers' hours and conditions be placed upon the same as tablet-porters’ : c laim 36 (A.S.R.S.)— special runs he abolished ; cltiim 38 (A.S.R.S.) —Sawmill, housefactory. refreshment-room, and Bake Wnkatipu staff's be placed on D.-3 list; claim 39 (A.S.R.S.). —Classification of “grinder” he inserted in the schedules of the classification Act.—No recommendation in each. Claim 41 (A.S.R.S.). —Stains of casual hands he considered with a view to having them placed oh the permanent staff after five years’ service.—Unable to make recommendation in terms of claim. Depart--mental advocate stated in practice casual tradesmen in workshops, if eligible. are appointed to permanent staff three years’ casual service. Claim 42 (A.S.R.S.).—Temporary transfers be abolished, with a view to paying single men night allowance for six weeks, as provided for by regulation 67; claim 62 (A.S.R.S.). —All employees who are eligible to be appointed to the permanent staff lie permitted to pay superannuation contributions mto a suspense account, such money to be transferred to the superannuation fund upon their being appointed to the permanent staff'; claim 69 (A.S IBS.) — Where a departmental doctor certifies that any member is incapacitated through sickness or accident full pay be allowed for all time off duty as a result of such sickness or accident. —No recommendation in each. Claim 73 (A.S.R.S.).—Machinists he classified and paid at the. same, rate as tradesmen. —Classification provides for grading of machinists, but can be carried out only by persons having an intimate knowledge of work done by individual machinists. Claim 2 (department).—Regulation 110: First sentence to be deleted. Subject to this amendment, regulations 110 and 111 to stand, blit time paid for at extra rate thereunder is not to be taken into account for tile purpose of calculating overtime on the week. —Recommend following words be prefaced to the first sentence of regulation 110: “Wlicre payment of tin extra rate ispcciallj” authorised on account of the nature of the work” : and that the following words be added at the end of the same sentence: “but otherwise ordinary rates shall be paid for such time.” Claim 3 (department).—Regulation 114 : Time worked as part of ordinary week’s work when shift runs into Sunday (whether at the beginning or end of the shift) not to count; as Sunday time, but to count as part of the week’s work. —No recommendation as claim is formulated, but recommend

that time worked on Sunday-as part ,of the ! ordinary week’s work, when commencing | or finishing a shift, be paid for at rate ami j a-ltall' instead of at double rates; time i worked on Sunday by employees specialty ! booked on duty on that day to be paid for ur double rates', us at present. Claim 4 (department). —Regulation 125: Oavs mentioned in this regulation for which double rate is paid not to be added to annual leave. Day not to be added to annual leuve if member is given one whole shift off duty, such shift being one finishing or beginning on a day mentioned in the regulations. —Recommend that employee required to be on duty on any of holidays referred to be given the opiion of (a) being paid at ordinary rates for time actually on duty on sucli holiday and having a dav added to annual leave, or ib) being paid u minimum of six hour.,' pay at double rates, ill which case a day shall not be added to his annual leave. We desire to add the following commentin regard to the mutters covered by the foregoing recommendations ;—- Hours and overtime.—We are of trie opinion that a forty-eight hours week is necessary lo ensure efficiency in the branches of <lie railway service coming u it bin the scope of our inquiry, with the possible exception of the work-hop- and works .staff's. Mr Mason is of the opinion that even this exception should not tie made, and accordingly docs not subscribe In it. The Court of Arbitral ion for several tears past has prescribed a foriy-l'onr-honr« week for workors in trades in which tin* work is of a continuously strenuous iuHui-e, 11 lore particularly the skilled trade-, and a I'orly-eight-hours week for other workors. Outside of the workshops and works stalls l|,e railway employees with whose eondi tious of work wo are coiioerneil come will*in the latter category.

We are further of the opinion that pay meiit of overtime rates in 1 ol all time on duty in excess of eight hours in anv day is unwarranted. lit industries wliere the work is continuous over ilw twenty-four hours of the day. and where the nature of the business necessitates tli" -hil ts being of unequal dural ion. it i« customary to'fix a limit (usually ten hour-) to llu* daily number ol liours that I,,HV Ui worked.' or to fix a spun of hours Ili um eleven to fifteen) within which the ««[»> number of hours must be worked, or to fix both a limit and a span. Overtime i-ate-are payable only in respect of nine w-orket in excess of tile number of hour* *‘> hxeil a* tile daily limit, or outside ot' the span of hours during which tin* days work is to be performed. In the case ot the ti'allu and stores staffs, il is unnecessary to h.x a daily span of hours, for the exi-ting rogu la lions are sufficient for tile purpnsti; nun il appears to ns that the fixing of a daily limit of ten hours is reasonable in view ot the conditions of railway work. he pro-vi-ion of a forty eighi-houis week, with overtime rates for all time worked in exec* > of ten hours in any day or of torlv,fight hours in any week, safeguards 'he employee against being required in wort* without overtime-payment longer than an average of eight hours daily, and tends to restrict the maximum daily hours of work to a number approximating' to that aver age. li may lie mentioned. in passing, that in manv industries there is no dan.' limit of hours, the provision of a weekly limit of fortv-eight hours meeting' all requirements. 'An exact eight-hours dav tiniviorkablo in a transport service such as lj„. rail wav service, and necessarily involve* a large!v 'increased vvages-Liill disguised as overtime. It tnav lie taken as axiomatic that a fair and reasonable daily or weekly number of hours of work, ascertained bv reference to the nature and conditions >J llie particular employment and by coul-jui-i.-riii with available standard*, should be I .-si j« | ini* at ordinary rau*- <»f wag***, and lime worked in excess of that number ot hum- should bo paid for al overtime late*. The nature and condition- of the employ ift<* ll f in the oust* with which w«.* aiv render it fair and reasonable that the day s work should average eight hours and tut t .-a*.inn hie and impracticable that il should i.,- exactly eight hours. lienee overtime late- should be paid only in i-espiM.-t ol time waked in excess of forty-eight hours weekly, which is equivalent to an average .if .fight hours on six days of the week. In m-der’ that the extreme daily number of in.iirs -liould not unduly exceed the ayertliu provision of overtime rate* altei a maximum of ten hours has been worked on any ifay has been recommended for toe traffic and store* staff’* generally, withyer lain exceptions that have been specially i ofe.rred to. . We have recommended the discontinuance of die payment of a special night rate. ft

i- not customary to pay overtime rate* to worker* outside the railway service lor -.liift work that has necessarily to he performed all round the clock Ihe wage fixed for these workers covers an ullowaui* t.,r the necessary condition* of their emplo.v merit. We have, however, recommended an increase of the general overtime Mite from rate and a-quarter on 44-48rlis ol the schedule rates of pay to rale and a-half on ihe full schedule rates of pay. This is in accordance with the usual practice prevailing outside the railway service, and is .i compensation to the men for the withdrawal of the night rate, Mr Mason expressly dissociates himself mini the recommendation of the majority of the Board in regard to the taking of a ballot of the workshops and work* staffs on the question of the weekly hours, and a -.'parite memorandum is annexed in which ■he .- .presses his views on this matter, and nl-o m regard to the recommendation of ihe i oard under claim 61 (A.S.R.S.). The r. port is signed by F. V Frazer, Wm. Scott and Jus. Mason.

REPORT THREE. The recommendations in this report not li.iving been agreed to have been considerably condensed for space reasons. Upon claims 2. 4 6, 18. 24. 28. 33. 40. 48. 4‘t. 50. 51. 52. 54. 55. 56. 63. 65. 70. 71. 72 and departmental claim No. 5, no recoin :c--nda!ion* are made; claim* 19. 22. 27. 32. y',. .57. 59 and 60 were vvillidrawn by the

-nrieiv. Upon claim* 5. 7. !) 14. 16, 23. 25. 2b. 30. 31. 34. 37, 44, 45. 46. 47, 53. 58. 61. 64. 63 and de|Jn.i't ment.d claim No. 6 i.-■mmnendations have been made. Claim* i,6 and 67 were not presented. In »* far a* the claims enumerated above tire concerned, whilst vve do not necessarily agree upon the . iinchi-iuris arrived at on every claim, we a. i- able to concur without recording our individual expressions of dissent or comment. We are. however, unable to agree

with the findings of a majority of the l. mil'll regarding claim* 1. 3. 8, 1(3. 11. 12. 13. 15. 17. 20, 21, 29. 35. 36. 38. 39. 41. 42. 62 69. 73. and dcpartmemal claim 1. 2. 3 anil 4. Claim 1 (society and department). Hours i.f work and wages etc. : After enumerating tlie findings as relating to vvot'kflhops and work* staff the report concurs with the recommendation so fur a* sit goes, but expresses the opinion that, in addition to the 'oregoing these men are entitled lo an increase in wages of 62 per cent., or 7s 3d per week over the basic railway rate in 1914. It concurs in the recommendation for the maintenance department, except that m. m should be allowed to decide hours per ■reek by ballot ; the wages reference being the same as for workshops, staff’, etc. A protest against the recommendations for die traffic branch is also entered, il being alleged that (hev strike against the principle of the eight-hour day. Briefly, the report contends for the retention of night pay, a ballot, as to hours per week and expresses the .opinion that (lie men are entitled to a 62 per cent, increase in wages. Summ.'ii'isal, it is recommended that a re (urn he made to the conditions existing prior to the strike with the exception that the penal rate of one-quarter lie paid on trie schedule hourly rate, plus an increase in wages of 7s 3d per week.

(Taint No. 3.—lt is contended that the recommendation of the hoard herein would he of little practical value and it is claimed that ways and works men he paid travelling time going to and returning from work at week-ends. The report contends that claims 10 and 11 that shunting gangs in large yards be of not less than three classified shunters and that where three men or less arc continuously employed iri .-hunting they be classified as .-hunters and paid accordingly, should be conceded. Claim No. 12. —These men should he paid rate and a-quarter on the schedule rates of pay between tile hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and penal rate of one-quarter should not he taken into consideration in computing the guaranteed week’s pay. (Taint No. 13. —Claim should he granted with the following except ion—-that the words “time and a-half’ ho altered to read

“lime and a-quartcr.” Claim No. 15. —There should he no dis-tinction-ns between tablet-porters and any other branch of the railway service. Claim No. 17.—A minimum of four hours at Sunday rates should be paid for any hift commencing on Sunday, and all time between 12 o’clock on Saturday night and i2 o’clock on Sunday night should stand by itself, and not be taken into consideration when computing the guaranteed week’s pay. Claim No. 20.—Men should only be booked off at their home station a minimum of half an hour and a maximum of one hour for meals. Claim No. 21: It ia recommended that any member called on duty on any one day shall be paid for a minimum of not less than four hours work. Claim No. 29: We recommend employees

shall not be booked off for more than one meal interval during a- shift, such interval i io be as nearly a, practicable in the middle of the shift. A meal interval »lmll not be less than half an hour or more than one hour, 'll it i= impracticable to give an eii'tiluvec a full half-hour tor a meal his iin.e '-.null be booked as continuous. ClVuni No. 35: The claim asks that the -i.xtv iiiieruiiticnv home of crossing-keepers and' bridge-keepers be reduced to hUy six hour* per week and we recommend accotu''fkiiin 36: We recommend Unit special be abolished, and these trainmen in exactly the same way a.- other 'Tiahn' I No. 33: It is urßeut that sawmill iioii'c-l'acfiirv and male relivslinit-m-room . if, nimble for pcrmum-iil appointment diould be placed upon 'the !>. 3 list. ( hum No. 39: No harm can be < <*•<« <*> iii'i'itilia' in the schedules ol the < hu.Mli,i,t ion Act the word “grinder, and we I'Cmend the claim be given effect to. ('•lain. No. 41: We are unable to eonctu i[ u . Jaeisieu of a majority of the board ' of (be fact, that it does not cmcasuals in the good*-shotU who are im-il-lc for permanent appointment when ,'t'mv first joined the railway service. 1 fie-e A,.;, )„ mans instance* have given long ,-,f faithful .service and are still , ;I "casual ” We therelme recom-

mend claim. , ... Cliiui 42: We are ol the opinion that this*is reasonable, and recommend accord "Tlaim No. 62: The claim asks that from ,j„. commencement of their service the. men ■(mid pa v their contributions into a suaaccount to lie opeiiccr in connection J. i« I. 11 Mr MnurninrmalioM linul. x;une |„. ivt unit'd to the einployeoci veil bout interest ff he i* . found ..n-Hiial.le for ficrnianeut appointment. The fund would thereby have the money ~.,,-„i„g interest, and the person unpointed would he relieved of a hardship when |K*rloancntlv employed. , ( Taint No. 69: Where a tlcpartnivniu doctor certifies that a member is incapacitated through sickness or accident, full pay be • lluvved for all time off duty an a result o ' „ sickness or accident, is t ecommemlerl for favourable consideration. . . ('lnirn 73: We are of the opinion that i. nielli nisi s should receive turlher cousider- : tion hi llie matter of wage*. Departmental Uhiim No 2: \\ <■ cannot. tfiis recommendation because it p-onces to deprive members of the nui.n--nance branch who are working !l regnl.it ,|,||l between 6 p.m and 6 a.m. of the ex tra. quarter-rate vvliieb they now i eeeive. Denartmetital Claim No. 3: \\ e. strongly l against the recommendation m ids claim. To do this means a reduction of tic overtime ride trout double rates to • ,:,t of rate and a hall for Sunday work toi'tiiiug part of the week’s shift. Departmental Claim No. 4 : \\ e oppose :'.e Board’s recommendation because, I ridic, it. means that a member will lie derived of one or more departmental holt- . ,vs to which lit* is now entitled undei ;1,0 regulations, and to this vve cannot-

Before arriving at the above conclusions ~. „ ,vc loim- and careful consideration to die claim.* niade. It will lie observed that v c have agreed to the conclusions arrived . . i„‘ respect to fifty-two of the claims, > hil.st in twenty-live we have either *upI .'eiin-.-ited the recouniieiida-tioiis of a majority «f the board or disagreed entirely, v.'illi few exceptions, the majority ot the , I dm* have been modified to ..cell an exi ut as lo vviiat we consider fair and reai liable under the circumstances. T in- report is signed bv M. J. Mack and REPORT FOUR.

I' iratii llHiiter. Iloitrs and overtime (Claim N.i. 1, ' 5.8.5.. in .-o far as it relate* to workshop# amt works daffs) : Hi* Honour. Mr .j ;*t|, e Fra/er and Mr Scott are ot the . ,mi.a, that a forty-eight hours week is i; . .s,-ary to ensure in the I. .-.iichea of the railway service coming V ill,ill the -cope of the board's inquiry, v..ih the po-sible exception of the work ops and work# staffs. 1 *ce no rettsoti v :,v an exception should be made it, regard 1., tfi.i worl.sliups and works staffs, timi li.ivi t: ere!..re difisenied from the re. ommendaT r.f ibe oilier members of t.be board i at a secret bailor .should he taken of the ember* of thcoe staffs on the question of w het her they desire to work a forty-four fortv-eigln hours week. Tiny forty-four 1.. ..,'.* week W'ii* not satisincfry, oand the .- perience in New Zerdatid in_ this regard v. is not singular, as exemplified in the c-*e of the New South Wales railways. ...here it wax abolished. If it. bad been shown that the working O; ;i j’oiiv-ciglit liOlU'rt Wt3L‘k b\* tile WOI'Kj, and work* staffs of the New ZeaInll*j Government reilvvaya was detrimental 1., their health, or that it depiived fhetn i.f ;i reasonable standard of comfort, I ..., not have supported a forty-eight |,..:ii-i* week; but there is no evidence in ti-.at diiection, atid in view of the fact that t am of the opinion that there is no legiti-i.-.ite reason why an exception should be made in favour of the stuffs in-question. Claim 61 (A.S.R.S.) : I have dissented n the recommendation of the other ~.embers of the board in regard to this Haim, being of the opinion that section 9 , ; f t),e Government Railways Amendment t. 1921. amply provides the necessary i.i uiiincry. The'report is signed by .Ta«. Mason.