Page:Engines and men- the history of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. A survey of organisation of railways and railway locomotive men (IA enginesmenhistor00rayniala).pdf/213

 that reinstatement, they would withdraw their labour. Driver James was refused permission to accompany a deputation to Mr. Potter and, and on November 30th, at Swansea, a further mass meeting asked the E.C. to negotiate the reinstatement of James with the G.W.R., failing which they would withdraw their labour. Reynolds then decided to report for duty, but on doing so was told his services were no longer required. This looked like victimisation, and Driver Squance led the strike previously decided upon to challenge that arbitrary attitude. Complete reinstatement was secured, and views expressed about the limits of the sympathetic strike method. Generous funds were also raised by the Society and its members for the Dublin strikers. The Executive first contributed £200 and then £100 weekly until it sent £1,400, supplemented by over £600 given by the members in separate branch efforts.

The National Union of Railwaymen came into being on March 29th of 1913, the negotiations having proceeded during 1912. It comprised three of the four railway unions, the A.S.L.E. & F. adhering to the maxim, "Organise your trade, Federate your industry," an attitude which was perfectly consistent with Conciliation methods, and of great advantage to members. The avowed object of the N.U.R. is organisation by industry, a principle which in practice leads to many incongruities. The ballots to secure fusion were long drawn out, owing to the need of securing a two-thirds majority under the Act of 1876. As in our Society, the ruling body is the Annual General Meeting, the Executive Committee, consisting of the President, the General Secretary, and 24 other members, chosen by ballot on the single transferable vote system for six electoral districts. In each of these districts the members are classified into four groups: (1) Locomotive, (2) Traffic, (3) Goods and Cartage, (4) Engineering shops and permanent way. The 1912 Constitution has been several times revised, Mr. C. T. Cramp has become Industrial General Secretary, as chief lieutenant to Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., P.C., and the Executive cannot now conclude settlements without the sanction of a General Meeting.