The Connecticut labor news. (New Haven, Conn.) 1921-1925, 1921-07-08
CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE AS
SEEN THROUGH WOMAN'S EYES
ABSOLUTELY NOT REPRESENTATIVE
BRITISH RAILMEN
KEEP RIGHTS WHEN
OWNERS TAKE HOLD
Tentatively Adopted
Provide Machinery for Adjust
ment OF Disputes.

London, July 8.-British railroad
lines are TO be restored by the govern
ment TO private ownership and opera
ton on August I. For some weeks the
employees and owners have been jock
Ieying as to the conditions under which
the roads shall be operated in the flu
ture. For one thing the workers are
determined not to lose the freedom
and other benefits gained during the
| five years Of government operation.
This week an important conference
was held in London and a tentative
plan for establishing national and cen
trail wage boards and railway councils
agreed upon. Representatives Of the
three railway trade-uniOnS and repre-,
ScntatlVeS Of the companies came TO-
gcther-
1t was agreed that for the purpose
Of dealing with subjects relating to
rates Of pay, hours Of duty and condi-
tons OF service, there shall be consti-
tuted a national wages board and a
central wages board.
The national wages board shall be
composed Of six representatives of the
of the railway companies, and four
representatives of the users of rail
ways, with an independent chairman
appointed by the government. The
four representatives Of the users of
the railways shall be appointed as fol-
lows: One by the parliamentary
committee of the Trades Union Con-
gress, one by the Associated Cham
bers of Commerce, and one by the
Federation of British Industries.
Must Decide in 20 Days
This board is supreme court and
deals with matters referred to it by
the central wages board upon which
agreement has failed. Either party to
the reference will be at liberty to raise
any point considered relevant, and
such points so raised shall be taken
into consideration by the board.
The national wages board shall
referred to it publish the result of it's
strike or other interference with
transportation shall take place before
the expiration of one month after
grievances have been referred to the
national board. The months of Au-
gust and September shall not be
counted, giving time for the plan to
function properly.
The central wages board is the trial
court for grievances. 1t is to be COM
posed of eight representatives of the
railway companies and eight represent
tatives of the railway employees four
being chosen by the National Union
of Railwaymen, two by the Associated
Society of Locomotive Engineers and
Firemen, and two by the Railway
Clerks Association.
Each Party Shares Expenses
Functions of the central board shall
be to deal with subjects relating to
salaries, wages, hours of duty and con-
ditions of service. Decisions of the
central wages board shall be arrived
at by agreement between the two
sides. Failing to arrive at an agree
ment the matter in dispute may be re-
ferred to the national wages board.
trail wages boards shall be shared
the railway trade unions.
A railway council shall be estab-
lished for each railway, or group of
railways, composed of not more than
10 representative of the employees
and not more than that number of
representatives of the railway or
group concerned.
A railway council shall deal with
the local application of national agree
ments; suggestions as to operating,
working and kindred subjects; matters
in which the company and employees
are mutually interested; we'll being of
the staff; general principles governing
recruitment, discipline and tenure of
service, and matters referred by a sec
tional council
Handling of Local Disputes
Five sectional railway councils for
the consideration of general depart
mental subjects may be established on
each railway or group, to each Of
which not more than IL representa-
tives Of the employees and similar
of road officials may be
chosen. The functions are to consid-
er local grievances and give applica-
ton to general rules agreed upon and
decisions of the wages boards
The plan shall remain in operation
until otherwise determined by -
months notice on either side, such
notice not to be given before January
I, 1922 All existing Cancellation
boards are terminated with the inau-
guration of this agreement.
While this agreement is left open
for amendment at a subsequent con-
ference, the Railway Review, official
paper of the British Railwaymen's
Union, predicts that it will be finally
without material change.