RAILWAY INNOVATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 343, 2 May 1928, Page 1

RAILWAY INNOVATION

SICK BENEFIT SOCIETY DEPARTMENT’S SUBSIDY N.Z. LEADS THE WORLD (Special to THE SUN) WELLINGTON, To-day. For every day which a railwayman loses through accident which occurs on duty he loses three because of sickness or accidental injury suffered while not at his work. Recognising this, the Railway Board proposes to establish a railway sick benefit society, the first t>tate body of such sort in the world, and a vote is now being taken among the members of the service. To be created by a four-weekly levy on all members not exceeding 2s 6d, and to be subsidised by the department at the rate of 10s in the £l, the fund created will be applied to the relief of railwaymen who are absent m such circumstances as would rob them of all pay. It is proposed that the whole fund should be devoted to such men, and, alternatively that an allowance not exceeding 15s a week should be paid to members who are in receipt of workers’ compensation for accidents. Which course will be followed is to be decided by popular vote. The department’s subsidy will not exceed £B,OOO per annum, and will be payable when it is satisfied that the society is fully representative of a3l branches of the service. Administration of the fund will be in the hands of one representative of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, of the Locomotive Enginedrivers’, Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association. and of the Tradesmen’s Association, together with two appointees of the department. Membership will be open to all members of Division 11. except apprentices and to temporary employees who are entitled to receive privilege tickets. The contributions will be collected fi'om the men’s pay and the whole cost of administration will be borne by the department. Members who do not join up within six months will be subjected to medical examination and will pay a higher rate.