The Waipukurau Press. Friday, June 8, 1906. A WORTHY SOCIETY.

Waipukurau Press, Volume I, 8 June 1906, Page 2

The Waipukurau Press. Friday, June 8, 1906. A WORTHY SOCIETY.

The Amalgamated Society of Rail way Servants —the opening of a branch here is reported in another column —is to-day one of the strongest and wealthiest of its kind in the colony, arid was formed some twenty years ago to look after its members’ grievances and placing them on a footing with outride mechanics as regards hours of labour, rate of pay, etc. It 'is' really a trade union, but not operating under the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Acts, which, however, it can resor t to if it should desire to do so, but is is considered would deprive its members of advantages which they now enjoy. On 31st March last this society had 44.15 members, and every endeavour is being made to still further increase its numbers. As showing some of the difficulties to be contended with, the society has been fighting the question of 48 hours for its members for the last twenty years, and has at last been awarded the all-round fortyeijrht hours for all members of the service, this concession having been granted on April Ist, 1906 ; aud in some departments members also received substantial increments in pav, due to the society’s efforts. A conference of its delegates is held every two years, when matters requiring attention are discussed and afterwards placed before the Minister in charge of the Department.