Page:The Economic Journal Volume 1.djvu/239

 Note.— The men formulated their demands in a circular issued 10th September, 1890.

These demands were as follows:—

1. That a universal ten-hours day be the maximum day's work for all grades of the service. 2. That the custom of reckoning hours of labour by an aggregate fortnight's work be dispensed with, and that each day stand for itself. 3. That time-and-a-quarter be paid for overtime. 4. Time-and-a-half pay for Sunday duty; such to be reckoned from 12 p.m. on Saturday to 12 p.m. on Sunday. 5. That eight hours be the maximum for yardsmen, shunters, ground pointsmen, and locomotive men, and others engaged in busy shunting yards. 6. That more cabins at present working on the twelve-hours system be placed on the eight hours per day system. 7. That a universal agreement for regular annual holidays be put into practice. 8. That the running of trains on the 'trip' or contract system be abolished. 9. That a mileage system be arranged for passenger and goods trains. 10. That, owing to the whole time of all grades being at the disposal of the companies, it be a condition of service that all men be guaranteed a week's work, and when called out for duty at any time, or waiting orders by instruction, a full day's pay be paid, and the custom of booking men off duty for periods during the running of their maximum day's work be abolished.

The North British Railway has just (16th March, 1891) issued a statement of the concessions the directors are prepared to make. These are in the order of the foregoing. 1 and 2. Hours to be reckoned by a weekly instead of a fortnightly aggregate. The weekly aggregate to be 'seventy-two hours per week, or twelve hours per day. Time to be taken when the men commence duty by order, and when they finish the day's work, so that, taking into account the time occupied in resting, this will give a day of not more than ten hours' actual running.' 3. No extra pay for overtime. 4. Sunday duty to be reckoned from 12 o'clock midnight till 6 o'clock on Sunday afternoon. 5. Twelve hour day, time for meals included. 6. No definite arrangements. 7. No mention. 8. Trip system rendered partially optional. 9. No mention. 10. Men entering on duty by order, without their services being found necessary, to be allowed half a day's pay. The men do not appear to be satisfied with these concessions, and the subject cannot be regarded as closed. It is alleged on their behalf that the great question of long hours is not really touched. Even the concession that nine hours' interval of rest is to be allowed 'so far as the necessities of the service permit,' is regarded as delusive. The previously existing, but wholly disregarded, rule prescribed eight hours. Much will depend upon the actual working of the new rules. If the long hours continue in spite of them, trouble must speedily ensue—indeed, it is now brewing; if, on the other hand, they are more rigidly adhered to than the previous rules, the company may enjoy a time of peace to be occupied necessarily in reorganization in the department of plant and permanent way.