The decision reached by an emergency delegate conference of the
National Union of Railwaymen on Tuesday creates a serious situation. The conference decided by a large majority to reject the National Tribunal's award on the rail- waymen's claim to increased wages and improved conditions. The award granted minor concessions, but rejected the claim to a 5os. a week minimum wage and an improvement in hours. The conference's decision will almost certainly be repeated by the conference of the Associated Society of Engineers and Firemen, also in session on Tuesday, which is even more determined than the N.U.R. to enforce the claim. The question of strike action does not at present arise ; if such action were taken, it is probable that the railwaymen would concentrate on the wage claim alone. Their next step will probably be a renewed approach to the railway companies, with a renewed claim for the 5os. but no strike threat, and the drawing up of a plan of concerted action. The real danger of the situation consists in the intense dissatisfaction of the men with their present condi- tions, which may lead to unofficial strikes even in opposi- tion to their own representatives ; and the main plank in their demands—the 5os minimum wage—shows that the men as well as the railway companies have some reason to ask for " a square deal."
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