John R. Raynes

“ This will involve a transfer of a part of the War Wages to the Permanent Wage, but the Government agrees that up to December 31st, 1919, no man shall receive less in weekly rate of wage, plus war wage, then he is receiving at present, while anyone to whom the new war wage and new rate yields more than they are receiving at present shall receive the advantage as soon as an arrangement is arrived at. ”

“ Firemen and electric trainmen, when employed as enginemen or electric motormen, to be paid as the enginemen or electric motormen, Each turn of duty to be recorded, and after completing 313 turns as such, consecutively or otherwise, or 15 years in the service, whichever comes first, to be paid the same as enginemen or electric motormen.
Cleaners or electric train gatemen, when employed as firemen or electric trainmen, to be paid the same as the fireman or the electric trainman. ”

“ Sir H. Walker then said he considered it should apply to electric trainmen, to which reply was given that it would then cause serious trouble. It afterwards transpired that before the Society knew of the agreement, instructions had been issued on the electric companies that no meal reliefs were to be given with pay, and that there was to be an actual eight hours working day. Further, the L. & S.W. service conditions interpreted the agreement so that overtime on the eight hours day would only be paid at ordinary time rate. ”

“ The present wages to be stabilised until December 31st, 1819, and any reduction of the War Wages under the agreement of November, 1918, to he waived.
With regard to standardisation of rates of pay and the removal of present anomalies, this can be dealt with only in connection with a revision of permanent wages, and, therefore, it is proposed that the present negotiations shall be continued for fixing new standard rates, so as to insure that all men throughout the country shall receive the same payment for the same work under the same conditions. ”

“ When the new Ministry of Ways and Communications is set up, it is the intention of the Government to provide an organisation for and to avail itself fully of the advantages of assistance, co-operation and advice from, the workers in the transportation industry. ”

“ They will come back to an eight hour day, greatly increased wages, standardisation of conditions of service, and great improvements in footplate life generally. We have emerged with an increased prestige, a broader outlook, and with fixed intentions for the future. ”

“ As to the continuance or discontinuance of the Conciliation Boards, consisting of representatives of the Railway Executive Committee and the two unions, to deal with any questions that arise in regard to rates of pay and conditions of service of the men within the conciliation grades, as from the day when these negotiations are concluded and the time until some final arrangement is arrived at in regard to the future position of railways. ”

“ A Boon to Members—Chafing Under the Truce—End of the War—The Improved National Programme—A General Election—London Traffic Agreement—The Tube Strike—National Programme Presented—Story of Famous Negotiations.
Certain important resolutions were adopted by the Executive in October of 1918, and some of there should be recorded here. One referred to the large number of locomotivemen transferring from the N.U.R. to the Society, and the desire to give them facilities to join the Orphan Fund. ”