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/349

 viding that employment under a local or public authority, where a person was not subject to dismissal except for misconduct or neglect, need not be brought under the Act. "This Amendment would appear to meet the claim for exemption put forward by your Executive Committee," wrote the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, "since it would clearly not be right or desirable to exclude from the benefit of insurance against unemployment railway employees whose conditions of service are not such as to bring them within the terms of exception, and are therefore exposed to the risk of discharge in periods of slackness." This was followed by further representation until the eve of November 8th, when the Act came into force. Then a certificate of exemption was suggested for all railway workers not subject to dismissal except for misconduct, neglect, or inability to perform their duty. However, some of the Companies criticised this, took legal advice, and eventually it was arranged that railwaymen should come under the Act during their first three years of service.

It had been decided early in the year to submit the following items to the Central Wages Board:—(1) Wage rates as per National Programme; (2) Retiring allowance; (3) Ill-health or eyesight causing removal; (4) 14 days holiday; (5) Payment for night duty, 6 p.m, to 6 a.m.; (6) Sunday duty pay and overtime rates; (7) the Guaranteed Week; (8) The Mileage Rates. The case for these was laid before the National Railway Wages Board on May 18th, 19th, 20th and 27th.

There were present Members of the Board: Sir William Mackenzie, K.B.E., K.C. (Chairman); Sir Herbert Walker, K.C.B.; Sir Henry Thornton, K.B.E.; Sir I. Thomas Williams, Mr. D. A. Matheson,Mr J. H. Thomas, M.P., Mr. W. J. Abrahams, Mr. W. J. R. Squance, Mr. W. Stevenson, Sir Thomas Robinson, M.P., Mr. E. Manville, M.P., Mr. H. J. May, Mr. W. Davis (on 19th, 20th and 27th only), Mr. G. T. Reid (Secretary).

Mr. C. T. Cramp represented the National Union of Railwaymen. Mr. J. Bromley and Mr. W. Worthy Cooke represented the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen.