RAILWAY EMPLOYEES’ UNION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 447, 19 February 1890, Page 3

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES’ UNION.

REASON FOR THE COMBINATION. THE INSURANCE BILL, Auckland, Feb. 13. In these days of combination amongst those who live by labour, as distinguished from those who are the employers of labour, it is of peculiar interest to note the progress of any movement that is likely to have'an influence on the future welfare of workmen in this colony. The Railway Employees’ Union is a combination of labour called into existence about four years ago, and which has recently been brought into much prominence owing to the stand taken by its various branches on the subject of the proposed Railway Employees’lnsuranco Bill. It is proposed to hold a public meeting of all interested in the Union in Auckland at an early date, and there is to be a conference of delegates from the various branches at Christchurch in March next. Added to this, the Union have in view federation with the Railway Employees’ Union of Australia, and it must be apparent to all that the movement is not one to be treated carelessly or that should receive* other than the most careful consideration.

In the course of an interview which took place between a Star representative and Mr W. J. Edwards, Secretary of the Railway Employees’ Union,that gentleman contributed some valuable information on the subject. ORIGIN OF THE UNION. “The Railway Employees’ Union,”. Mr Edwards said, “originated in Auckland in ISB6. At that time vve tried to obtain the co-operation of the railway employees in the other centres of population, but without success, and the real necessity for such an organisation, having an influence extending throughout the length and breath of the colony, was not fully realised until very recently. “ What was the cause of this sudden awakening ?” “The Railway Employees’ Insurance Bill, chiefly. vVhen this measure began to be talked about, men in different parts of the colony wrote to the Auckland Union tor information respecting its constitution, aims, etc., and eventually the Auckland Branch voted a sum of money to enable me to go round the whole colony, and organise, unions on the same base as the-Auckland Society.” “ Do you belong to Auckland youreelf ?” “I was in the railway service here for ten years, before I took up my present position of Secretary to ;the Union.” “ How did you proceed after leaving this city ?” . ' “I left Auckland in December, of last year, and-1 succeeded in opening branches at Wanganpi, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Timaru, Qamaru, Dunedin, Inyerpargiß, Gyeymputh, Westport, Nelson, Piqton and Napier.” . STRENGTH OF THE UNION; “ Were you met by failure anywhere ?” “No. The Railway Employees’ Union has now a membership of 4,000. All the branches have adopted the Auckland rules, but it is proposed to hold a confer- | ence at Christchurch, commencing on March 6th, to revise these rules, make the rules applicable to the whole cojony, and to place the Union generally on a permanent basis, with a view of ultimate federation with the Australian Union. There will be an Intercolonial ’ Congress at Sydney in August next of the Australasian Railway Unions, and it is proposed tliat we should be represented at that Congress.” “ What is the strength of the Australian Railway Union ?” . “The Australian Union includes 28,000 railway men.” " ■ h “How many railway employees do you reckon there are in this colony ?” “ There are about 5,000.” “ And how many of these are in Auckland ? ’ “ About 300, and of that number about 260 have already joined the Union. A FEW’ GRIEVANCES. Have the railway employees in the colony any special grievances at present in addition to the proposed Insurance Bill ? “ Yes, the hours of labour require some regulation, and a somewhat objectionable practice at present in vogue is the employment of boys at about* 3s per day to do shunting and other work, in which carelessness or incapacity may result in loss of life or property. ” . “Are.the present hours of labour considered to be excessive ?” . “ The employees in the workshops and on permanent way work eight hours daily, but the average hours of labour in the railway service are fourteen hours per day, traffic and local. At Oamaru I came across a man in charge of a signalling box doing 42 hours’ duty without relief. There were five levers, a telephone, and a Winter block system under his charge.” “ But the man must have had some sleep during that period?” “ Well, he had to get his sleep the best way he could, and that is where the risk came in'. Suppose a man in that position should be asleep at the wrong time ?” “ Another grievance against the existing arrangements is the non-reckoning of what is called “standing time.” An enginedriver whose engine stands for an hour at an intermediate station, although not permitted to leave hie engine during that time, the hour is actually docked off his record. ” RAILWAY EMPLOYEES’ INSURANCE BILL. “ What are the objections to the Railway Employees’ Insurance Bill ?” “ We object to the Bill because it is a compulsory measure, requiring everyone in the railway service to insure, to provide a sort of retiring fund.” “Do you know the scale of subscription ?” “Yes. They take 2s per week off the pay of each man who earns up to-7s per day,and 3d per week for each Is per day above that wage, and employees are expected to pay these contributions for some years before they can claim anything, and by a misdemeanour an employee may be debarred from its benefits altogether. In fact, the restrictions are so severe that very few could benefit by it, and the measure has consequently been -very generally condemned.” The interview then terminated.