RAILWAY WORKERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 December 1943, Page 4

RAILWAY WORKERS

NEGOTIATIONS IN PROGRESS WITH GOVERNMENT. STATEMENTS IN WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Head office representatives of the four railway organisations in Wellington were asked today to comment on an Auckland message regarding discontent in sections of the service. In the case of-the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants it was stated that negotiations were still proceeding and that the national president, Mr J. H. Terry, of Frankton Junction, had arrived in Wellington to continue talks. A similar statement was made on behalf of the Railway Tradesmen’s Association, and it was added that finality on points at issue was hoped for very shortly. Arrangements would be made foi’ the national president, Mr W. J. Tegg, of Auckland, to come to Wellington if necessary. A spokesman for the Railway Officers’ Institute said: “We don’t know here what was discussed at Auckland and so far as we are concerned we have no claims that have reached a stage where drastic action would be necessary.

Mr T. H. Stephenson, general secretary of the Locomotive Engineers’, Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association, said the wage question had held an important place in discussions at the association’s conference three weeks ago, when it was decided to ask the Government to set up a commission to go into the wages and conditions of locomotive men. The matter was still under’ negotiation.