RAILWAY DISPUTE.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 April 1919, Page 5

RAILWAY DISPUTE.

MASS MEETING OF MEN.

DEPARTMENT’S OFFER' REJECTED

EXECUTIVE CALLED ON TO

RESIGN

A mooting of members of the Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway feeivants held on Sunday afternoon to consider the offer made by the management to employees of the service unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Executive to resign, and rejecting the offer of the management. The meeting was largely attended, and the discussion extended over several hours. Mr M. Lee, a member of the Executive Council of the Society, and also ox the North Island Railways Appeal Board, addressed the men. The resolution passed was as follows: “That this meeting of the Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, having hoard Mr Eec, |execufjivc councillor, and also having heard the (general secretary of the Society, are of the opinion that the time has arrived- when the president, general secretary, and eveeutivc councillors should tender their resignations, thereby giving members an opportunity to elect officers who are more in touch with the-popular feeling of members throughout jt'he Dominion. And 1 ,- further, thq|t this/ meeting is not in favour of adopting the schedule of wages and conditions as submitted by the Minister and, the management.’’

Discussing the matter subsequently, several of the men cxpi'dised grave dissatisfaction with the offer of the Department. They strongly stressed the necessity of a 44-hour week throughout tlie service. The concession in wages granted to 25 per cent, of the guards and shunters was considered to be an injustice to the remaining 75 per cent, and to have created another barrier which the men in the lower grades hold to face. Further, they pointed out that no steps had been taken to limit the time which a firstgrade shunter would have to put in before his promotion to guard.

The men contend that each man should be furnished with full written instructions as to the attitude of his branch on the question of wages and working-conditions and the Department’s offer. They suggest that for this purpose a special conference of delegates from all branches of the Amalgatcd Society of Railway Servants should be hold.

It. was stated at Yesterday’s meeting in regard to the recent tour of the Dominion by the president and general secretary of the Society that these officers put their views of the now schedule before the various branches without first consulting the Executive Council. The latter body has been summoned to Wellington, and it is understood will meet the Minister and management, in conference.