On Friday, December 21st, the National Railway Wages Board issued
its decision on the prolonged arbitra- tion which it had undertaken between the claims of the companies for a reduction in their employees' wages, the National Union of Railwaymen's refusal to allow this claim, and the counter-claim of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers for higher wages. The decision was, on the whole, favourable to the N.U.R., although certain modifications in the working conditions demanded by the companies were granted. The decision was signed by the representatives of all parties, and it has been immediately accepted by the delegate conference of the N.U.R. The companies will, it appears, abide by the decision. The Society of Locomotive Engineers alone felt unable to accept the decision, and a ballot of members is to be taken, without any recommendation from the officials. It seems possible that the Board's decision may be rejected, in which case a strike would automati- cally be called on the enforcement of the new terms, i.e., on January 20th. As, however, the N.U.R. has accepted the new terms a strike would only be a very partial one, and would have little chance of success. Hence it is not thought that the Society of Locomotive Engineers will press matters to such a conclusion.
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