Railwaymen's Good Sense
The National Union of Railwaymen, by its decision that in view of existing agreements it had no alternative but to accept the refusal of the national wages conciliation board to approve an increase of los. a week in wages, has done good service both to the repute of the trade unions and to stability in industry generally. At the same time the N.U.R. does not abandon its endeavours to secure some improve- ment for the lower-paid workers, and if possible a general £5 minimum. With the first part of this claim at any rate there will be some sympathy. The Railway Executive was at one stage of the recent negotiations ready to consider it if other far-reaching demands were dropped. They were not, but the Executive need not be too adamant towards the lower-paid workers. Railwaymen stand well with the public, and the general refusal to join in-a " go-slow " cam- paign a fortnight ago is a point in their favour. The other great nationalised industry, with an absentee rate of over 124 per cent.? shows up singularly ill by comparison, even when all the difference) in the nature of the work arc taken into account.
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