Wages of Railwaymen

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 65, 20 March 1944, Page 5

Wages of Railwaymen

WELLINGTON, March 18. Legislation providing for an important change in the methods of settling railwayman's wages and conditions is to be introduced by the Government before the end of the present session, according to advice received by railwaymen from the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser). Instead of negotiating with the Minister of Railways and the department, the four railwayman’s organisations in future will submit their claims to a tribunal which will possess statutory and mandatory powers. Its decisions will not be recommendations to the Government, as in former years, whenever railway conditions were investigated by special tribunals. The new system will be on the lines of the Arbitration Court and its decisions will bo carried out by the department. This method involves such a complete change that the Prime Minister recently informed the service organisations that it can only operate under special statutory authority. The classification of members of the department and tho determination of wages and salaries have hitherto been required to be fixed by regulations. “The Acts would require to be amended," added the Primo Minister's letter, “before the powers now vested in the Governor-in-Council could be lawfully transferred to any tribunal." It has also been made clear by the Government that in future all representations on service wages and conditions must be placed before the pro posed commission, and that if this tribunal, with mandatory powers, makes a decision involving an increase in wages such decision is still subject to the Stabilisation Regulations and approval by the Stabilisation Commission. Increased wages of 6d per hour for all its members is one of the major claims to be presented by the Amalgamated Society of Railwaymen, the largest service organisation. It will also ask for three weeks' annual leave, plus departmental holidays, full pay when off sick, a night allowance of os Gd for all members, and 15s where no kit is supplied, that employees living in huts be paid for travelling to and from their homes at week-ends, and that all juniors be paid an allowanco when