THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 May 1919, Page 5

THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

LOGO. ENGINEERS DEMAND

FINALITY.

POSSIBILITY OF DRASTIC ACTION INDICATED.

WELLINGTON. May 13

A deputation from the Now Zealand Locomotive Engineers, Firemen and Cleaners’ Association met the ActingPrime Minister (Sir James Allen) to-day, and informed him that the members of the Association had decided by a 951- per cent, majority to cease work until their demands were given more generous The Minister of Railways’ proposals had been rejected by a majority of, 991 percent. :

Mr. E. AV. Henderson, President of the Association, said that in compliance with the desire of the men a ballot was taken to ascertain their opinion of the proposals submitted, through their executive by the Minister of Railways. The men decided by practically a unanimous vote that the proposals did not meet with Their approval. The men resent a proposal which aims at lowering the wages of cleaners, either present or future. The shortage of staff in the locomotive department compels men now in the service to work much overtime, whjch is injurious to their health Therefore you will readily understand why the men strongly resent any proposal which will discourage the recnntjng of cleaners. With' regard to flic proposal to make a percentage of engineers obtain a wage of 6d a clay more than others in the same grade, this proposal was rejected by this union when the late Hon. Mjllar was Minister of Railways. Therefore the reinproduction of suck a proposal is particularly resented by the men. The fixing of bonuses as wages does not meet the claims of the men. which were before the Government by means of petition in the year 1913. With regard to overtime rates, I have to respectfully draw- your attention to the decision of the Arbitration Court, which provides for tjme and one-half for all overtime, whereas the Minister’s proposal provides for time and one-quar-ter .which has not had the desired effect in reducing overtime. I have also ■to advise you that every peaceable means of obtaining justice for the men has been taken advantage of by the men’s representatives.

Sir James Allen said he hoped that whatever had come out of their negotiations so far, nothing would be done to create a disturbance in the railway traffific. I hope that you will believe that the Rajlway Department has very carefully considered the claims that you have made and has made an honest effort, so I am assured, to meed, your case and to deal with your difficulties. I understand you have some doubt as to whether the Minister for Ralways and the Manager of Railways are in earnest about the- proposals they have made. I have spoken to Mr Retries about this. and I give 3 r ou my assurance that both the Government. Mr. Herries nnd the Manager, Mr. McVilly, are in earnest in their intention to carry out the proposals in the most honourable spirit. I ask you to take that, assurance from Mr. Herries and from me. as acting-leader of the Government. I of course cannot go into the question of your pay, except to tell you. as yon already •mow, that 'the Railway Department has agreed to make the bonus of 3s part of your pay. I am informed that that has brought you into a position in which some 12f per cent, of your locomotive drivers will receive 17s a day, and others 16s fid. which is higher, so I am told, than in any individual State of. ihe Commonwealth of Australia ,except perhaps in tropical Queensland. Then I understand there has boon a very great concession made, and that is in regard to the payment of overtime. Hitherto it has been paid only after 48 hours have been Avorked in a week, and now it is to he paid at flic rate of time and a quarter, after eight hours have been worked in a day Sir James Alien said he did not know whether the men’s representations on this point had been made io the Railway Department. The Delegates: Yes, sir.

Sir .Tamos Allen: Was the last part of your statement made to Mr. Herries? Mr. Henderson; We represented to Mr Hornes that 991 per cent of the men had rejected his offer.

Sir James Allen said ho would submit the matter to Mr. Herries and to the Cabinet. “I would like if. o you to consider the situation. The Government wants to bo friendly with its employers, and wants its employees to h<> friendly with Ministers and others who have the administration of Departments. He asked the railwaymon to consider, even though they had to make some sacrifices for the time, whether they should not accept Avhat was apparently the final offer of the Minister, He could assure them that if later it was found to be not fair, that the Government would be prepared to consider whatever arguments *hey brought forward. He could make re promise but ho hoped that the

attitude they had indicated that the men would lake up would not he adopted, and that, they would continue to keep the service going. He could not say any more, and he was in a difficult position himself, as he did not understand the management of the railways. After some discussion. Sir James Allen replied that the requests made by the deputation would be submitted to Cabinet.

Mr. Henderson said it was imperative that they should have a speedy reply. As President of the organisation he bad used every means to prevent trouble, He know the state of Labour, both inside and outside the railway, and he sincerely desired to reach an agreement. Ho believed they had Sir James Allen’s sympathy, judging by his speech in Dunedin on the question of Whitley committees. The representatives of the men had for years tried to obtain such a committee for the settlement of disputes between the men and the management, but they had been unable to reach finality

Mr. MeArley said the Executive Council of the Association had had great difficulty In preventing strikes by sections of the men. Sir James Allen: “I hope you will continue to keep the peace.’ - ’ He knew that the leaders in some organisations had difficulty sometimes in restraining the rank and file. He promised that the matter should be considered by Cabinet not later than Tueslav.