Engines and Men/Chapter 21
Chapter XXI
Certain important resolutions were adopted by the Executive in October of 1918, and some of there should be recorded here. One referred to the large number of locomotivemen transferring from the N.U.R. to the Society, and the desire to give them facilities to join the Orphan Fund. It was therefore resolved:—
"That all members of this Society, new members and transfers from other societies, be allowed to join the Orphan Fund on payment of sixpence entrance fee, and one penny per week contributions, and be entitled to immediate benefits on receipt of the entrance fee at General Office. That the sum of £1,000 from the Protection Fund be set aside for the purpose of paying 4s. 4d, into the Orphan Fund for each person joining the Orphan Fund, and thus enabling them to receive immediate benefit in accordance with rule."
This assistance was given at a very important time, for England, in common with the rest of Europe, was just enduring another of those frightful waves of "influenza," so-called for want of a better definition. This rapid fever caused pneumonia to supervene in large numbers of cases, and all too frequently death came within few days. It was highly infectious and the thousands of victims caused all men to seriously think about their dependants in the event of themselves being struck. We never have had such a sad stream of obituary notifications in the history of the Society as in the last few weeks of the world war. The timeliness of the Executive's provision will therefore be more fully realised.
The next one I wish to quote had special reference to the increasing restlessness under the prolonged duration of the Truce of 1914:-
"Resolved that the General Secretary place before our Solicitors the Truce agreement and all subsequent agreements since September 30th, 1914, affecting the Truce, war bonus, war wage, and eight hours agreements, for a definite opinion if a notice to terminate the agreement of the 1st October, 1914, by six weeks notice would be valid, and if not, why not? Also what powers we have to enforce the drafting of a new scheme of negotiation for our members; also what steps should be taken to allow us to put forward demands for improved wages and conditions of service for our members? Counsel's opinion to be taken if necessary."
Mr. Bromley spent his holiday in Scotland that year, and blended duty with pleasure by addressing quite a series of useful open and branch meetings, and by interviewing the General Manager of the N.B.R. in regard to several grievances. The Postal Censor stopped the transmission of the "Journal" abroad until the General Secretary visited the department and obtained a permit. One gets the thrill of the coming of peace to the nations on discovering a resolution like this:—
Peace.
"Resolved that the Executive Committee, heralding with joy the signs of coming Peace amongst the sorrow-stricken and exhausted peoples of Europe, on the just and equitable basis set out in the 14 Points of President Wilson, and further recognising that a just and lasting peace cannot be brought about by Capitalist Governments and secret diplomacy, but can only be brought about by organised Labour in all countries, respectfully urge upon the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress and the Executive Committee of the Labour Party to bring about a meeting with the full International, at the same time and place as that of the Plenipotentiaries of the belligerent Powers, such Plenipotentiaries to include one appointed by organised Labour, so that the workers of the nations shall have that voice in the settlement which is theirs by right, and which will, in our opinion. bring into existence such machinery as will for all time prevent a recurrence of the circumstances which were responsible for bringing about the present horrible carnage, suffering, and death."
Steps were taken to assist widows, dependants, and pensioners to secure more adequate allowances from the State, and the Committee dispersed with a view to re-assembling on January 6th, 1919. But the historic event of November 11th, 1918, the signing of the Armistice by Germany at 5 a.m., which led to the "cease fire" along all fronts at 11 a.m., changed everybody's arrangements and outlooks. It was a day of deep thankfulness, marked by a general closing of factories and works, but the railways ran on, with every man on the footplate feeling intense joy and relief that the world's greatest ordeal by battle had ended at last. The next day found the Committee assembled in London, specially summoned in consequence of the great change, and for further considering the sliding scale addition to war wage. On Tuesday, November 15th, the familiar sliding scale arrangement was signed, providing an increase of 1s. for every five points rise in the cost of living, the war wage standing on November 1st at 33s.
On this matter the efforts of the sub-committee were accepted, and the General Secretary and President were empowered to sign the agreement. Special circulars were sent out to branches on November 28th, November 29th, and December 12th, giving the story of proceedings on this matter and in reference to the eight hours day. The National Programme was revised forthwith, the new points being sanctioned by the Conference of October, 1919.
A General Election was imminent upon the signing of the Armistice, and the Society was represented by three official candidates, Mr. Bromley in North East Leeds, Mr. Gregory at Nuneaton, and Mr. Mason at Chester. How disappointing to Labour that election of December, 1918, proved to be is now a matter of history. It was a khaki and Coalition election, the dominant issues being the amount of German indemnity and the punishment of the Kaiser. It came hard upon the eight hours day victory previously described, and Mr. Geo. Moore, the Assistant Secretary, and father of the Orphan Fund, hit upon the very happy idea of celebrating the victory by every member devoting one day's pay to augment the Orphan Fund, upon which recent years had taken heavy toll. It is one of the priceless departments of the Society, and the idea caught on at once. Some gave a day's pay, some gave donations, some promoted special enterprises and subscription lists, and the total result was a magnificent fillip to the deserving fund.
The Report for the year 1918 showed total funds to have reached £241,893, an increase during the year of £11,465. The membership stood at 39,940, an increase of 3,236 during the year, and there were 338 branches, an increase of fourteen. The value per member at the close of the war era was £6 Is. 2d., a position which compared most favourably with other unions. Superannuation benefits had been increased by £681, and three elections had cost £1,552. The circulation of the "Journal" had risen to 15,240 copies per issue, and all indications were of even greater progress in the future. Unfortunately, seventy-eight of our members were killed on active service during the year, as compared with 47 during 1917. In a New Year letter to branches, dated January, 1919, Mr. Bromley wrote:—
"The great European War is ended, and our members will be shortly returning from Army Service to their old occupations, and they will have to admit that our Society, at least, has not forgotten them, or been idle in efforts for their welfare during their absence; for not only have we kept unbroken their membership without contribution, and cared for the dependants of the fallen, but have prepared a better footplate life for them on their return. They will come back to an eight hour day, greatly increased wages, standardisation of conditions of service, and great improvements in footplate life generally. We have emerged with an increased prestige, a broader outlook, and with fixed intentions for the future."
So away went the Society on the adventures of a new year, with the hope of obtaining 50,000 members, and none realised then what a strenuous and adventurous year 1919 was destined to prove. On the night before the Armistice, when the whole world was on the qui vive for news, the Lincoln branch had presented to the General Secretary a very fine dressing-case, an engraved umbrella, and a leather pocket-case. This nice example of appreciation was emulated in other centres, and it culminated in far more substantial presentations of a national character later on, including a solid gold watch, duly inscribed, with gold albert, and other gifts to Mrs. Bromley and himself.
On January 15th the sub-committee interviewed Sir Albert Stanley in reference to the National Programme, as a result of which letters passed which indicated a grave state of unrest owing to the long delay. Special meetings of branches were held on February 2nd to consider the matter, and many resolutions of protest against further delay were sent to the Executive. Other subjects intervened for a few days, one being the Nationalisation of Railways, which had been quite positively announced by Mr. Churchill during his campaign in Dundee: another was the negotiation with the Army authorities for the release of soldier members to their employment, as their absence was impeding the progress of the eight hours day. Then the shipping deal made by the Government, under which £20,000,000 worth of shipping passed to private firms, came under condemnation. The London & Provincial Union of Licensed Vehicle Workers asked the Executive to receive a deputation, and to consider the advisability of an arrangement between the two societies in the London district, which arrangement was made and approved. It provided that to enable the two unions to better protect the interests of their members employed by the London Combine of Tramways, 'Buses and Electric Railways, they should assist each other in offensive or defensive action, and act jointly when necessary:—
(A) The A.S.L.E. & F. agree, in the event of the need arising, to call out its members on the Tube Railways and District Railways.(B) The A.S.L.E. & F. to call out members on the London electric trains of steam railways.(C) The L.P.U.L.V.W. agree to call out all 'buses and trams, and, should necessity arise, any other section of their members.(D) The L.P.U.L.V.W. to call out any other effective section if necessity arises.
The agreement received the sanction of both Conferences in May, 1919.
Another serious intervention was the strike of London Electric Trainmen. The Executive had met the Railway Executive on January 7th, to adjust problems which might arise in the operation of the eight hours day, when it was understood that meal-times should continue until more evenly adjusted during the national negotiations. It was also understood that where brief meal reliefs had been given to electric trainmen, or brief stoppages on busy shunting engines for meals, the same would continue pending national negotiations. On January 30th, the President (Mr. Cooke) and General Secretary wore informed by Sir Albert Stanley that the negotiations would commence on February 12th, and that an arrangement had been entered into with the N.U.R., and signed, dealing with the question of meal-times and overtime. It contained the following clause:
"In calculating the eight hours, time allotted for meals will not be counted in cases where time has hitherto been so allotted, for example:—
1.—A man hitherto booked on at 6, and working continuously until 4, will, if booked on at 6, cease working at 2; or, if he works later, will be paid overtime rate from 2.2.—A man hitherto booked on at 6 and working until 5, with a meal hour between (say) 12 and 1, will, if booked on at 6, cease working at 3 (with an hour meal interval); or, if he works later, will be paid at overtime rate from 2."
Sir Herbert Walker was then called in, and it was understood that it only affected shedmen who had regular allotted meal-times. upon which Mr. Bromley signed. Sir H. Walker then said he considered it should apply to electric trainmen, to which reply was given that it would then cause serious trouble. It afterwards transpired that before the Society knew of the agreement, instructions had been issued on the electric companies that no meal reliefs were to be given with pay, and that there was to be an actual eight hours working day. Further, the L. & S.W. service conditions interpreted the agreement so that overtime on the eight hours day would only be paid at ordinary time rate. Friday, January 31st, was spent in negotiation with the electric railways, with Sir A. Stanley and Sir H. Walker, but the Railway Executive would not concede the claim of the Society, holding that it must be an eight hours working day, with no pay for meal reliefs.
Members on all the London Tube Railways struck on Sunday night, February 2nd, followed by the motormen on the L.B. & S.C.R.. the District and Metropolitan remaining then at work. The Executive met on the following day, and made the strike official, calling out the members on the District Railway in support of those on the Tubes. Next the Executive decided to call out all steam men on the L.B. & S.C.R., and all the members on the L. & S.W.R., to prove their determination on this principle, and promised, if necessary, to follow this with a national strike of all the 42,000 members.
The District men struck and closed the line at once, and at the appointed hour the L. & S.W.R. men and the L.B. & S.C.R. members did the same. The arrangement worked with wonderful precision, and London became totally dislocated and undone. Extraordinary scenes were witnessed on the streets, every sort of vehicle being pressed into service, and still many thousands had to walk. A meeting was arranged with Sir A. Stanley at 3.30 p.m. on February 5th, and it continued until 9 p.m. On the following day the Railway Executive and Sir Robert Horne (Minister of Labour) attended the Conference, and on February 7th all members were to be called out, but at nearly midnight the opposition yielded the claim "that no break whatever should take place within the eight hour day, with payment therefor," but contended that the break or relief should not be called a meal time. The following agreement was then made:—
"The Underground Trainmen to be booked on for eight hours work. Meal time will not be included in the eight hours, but in the new conditions of the eight hours day the companies will offer all reasonable facilities to meet the ordinary physical needs of the men."
A. H. Stanley.J. Bromley.6th February, 1919.
Major Gilbert Szlumper, Secretary of the Railway Executive Committee, then wrote a letter applying the terms to the electric sections of other railways. In my view this is one of the most remarkable demonstrations in the history of the Society. It won an important principle single-handed, and it did it by wonderful marshalling of forces one after the other. There was abuse, of course, showers of it, and great strength was needed of mind and body to carry it through, but it was carried through with ability and courage. London, of course, was intensely pleased to get its services back, and for a few days it remembered the strength of the man at the front of the train.
Inside the next four months 6,000 new members had enrolled, and in Ireland Ivor Gregory had opened five new branches with 250 new members.
The next great and central business of 1919 was the standardisation of wages and national conditions of service. These constituted. without any question, the greatest, the most prolonged, and the most important negotiations ever embarked upon in the history of the Society. They began on February 12th, and concluded on August 28th, the official report of the proceedings extending to 1,543 pages. The result of it, too, furnished the finest charter of service that the locomotive workers of the United Kingdom had ever enjoyed. A mere summary of the case as presented by the representatives of the A.S.L.E. & F. extended to a volume of over six hundred pages, whilst a survey of the evidence given and questions asked and answered on four days in May—the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 27th—filled a handbook of 116 pages. My task, therefore, in focussing a miniature of these extended operations into this volume is a very considerable one.
Those engaged in the proceedings were:—
On March 18th our General Secretary (Mr. John Bromley) issued a statement to branches, which contained the following:—
"The first Conference was held at the Board of Trade on February 12th, when our National Programme was explained in detail to the representatives of the Government.
"Owing to our wages demand being so much higher than that of the N.U.R. for Loco, men, we were asked to meet and endeavour to agree on one Loco. programme. We agreed to meet N.U.R. Loco. men only, and did so on two occasions, but were unable to get them to increase their Loco. wages claims. We, therefore, had to proceed with the two programmes. The highest rate for drivers asked by the N.U.R. was the same as that for signalmen, viz.:—15s. per day.
"The full Conference again met on February 21st, when the Loco. question was further considered in detail, and we were told that our demands on wages alone meant an annual increase of £12,887,775, and the full demands for all railwaymen an annual increase of £120,000,000. We again met on February 26th, when it was suggested to us that as much of our claim was based on the increased cost of living, we may consider the advisability of increased wage rates with the continuation of a war wage on a sliding scale, which would disappear as cost of living declined, leaving the higher wage rates for work performed. It was also suggested that a Loco. Sub-Committee should meet to go more closely into our claims, and, if possible, make a recommendation to the next meeting of the full Conference. This was agreed to, and the Sub-Committee, consisting of our own Sub-Committee and myself, two Loco. men from the N.U.R. and their General Secretary, several Loco. Engineers, and three General Managers, met on March 3rd, when certain national wage rates for drivers and firemen were suggested from the other side as a basis of discussion. As these suggestions still contained classification, and the rates were not high enough, we were unable to agree to any recommendation thereon. Your E.C., however, later drew up a further suggestion on the lines already indicated, in an endeavour to bring the negotiations to the concrete, which suggestion was submitted to the resumed Conference on March 6th. We were then told that if we could modify our demands on Sunday, overtime, night duty, etc., the Government would be able to offer higher daily rates for Loco, men.
"We again met on March 13th, when the discussion on side issues was resumed, and certain offers made for our consideration. It was then agreed that the case for other grades should have attention for a few days, and your representatives withdrew, leaving the N.U.R. to deal for other grades.
"Your E.C. submitted counter proposals on the side issues, to be discussed at next Conference, if the other side will offer sufficiently high wage rates to balance. Hearing that the N.U.R. were breaking off negotiations, your E.C. have notified the Government that nothing must be allowed to delay the negotiations on behalf of Loco, men which this Society, representing the majority of such men, desires brought to a speedy issue."
For purposes of this Conference, the following programme was tabled:
Wages.
Enginemen and Electric Motormen.
20s. per day (of 8 hours), plus sliding scale increase.
Enginemen or electric motormen reduced to firemen or electric trainmen to suffer no reduction in the above scale.
Firemen and Electric Trainmen.
16s. per day (of 8 hours), plus sliding scale increase.
Any man working as a fireman or electric trainman who has been in the service for 15 years, and not promoted to engineman or electric motorman, to be paid the engineman's or electric motorman's scale.
Firemen or electric traînmen reduced to cleaners or electric train gatemen to suffer no reduction in the above scale.
Cleaners and Electric Train Gatemen.
10s. per day (of 8 hours), plus sliding scale increase.
Payment When Engaged On Higher Duties.
Firemen and electric trainmen, when employed as enginemen or electric motormen, to be paid as the enginemen or electric motormen, Each turn of duty to be recorded, and after completing 313 turns as such, consecutively or otherwise, or 15 years in the service, whichever comes first, to be paid the same as enginemen or electric motormen.
Cleaners or electric train gatemen, when employed as firemen or electric trainmen, to be paid the same as the fireman or the electric trainman. Each turn of duty to be recorded, and after completing 313 turns as such, consecutively or otherwise, or 6 years in the service, whichever comes first, to be paid the same as firemen or electric trainmen.
Cleaners or electric train gatemen, when employed on work other than cleaning, firing, electric trainmen's or electric train gatemen's duties, to receive the wages applicable to the duty they are called upon to perform, or their own rate of pay, whichever is the highest.
The Cost of Living.
The cost of living during October, 1918, shall be the unit.
Every 10 per cent. increase in the cost of living from that date shall warrant a 10 per cent. increase in the standard rate of pay, reductions to be on the same basis.
No reduction in the rate of pay shall take place if the cost of living falls below the October, 1918, Board of Trade returns.
A memorandum of the cost of living at the date of such agreement to be made. The Board of Trade returns to be accepted as the basis of future negotiations for increases or reductions.
Special Rent Allowance.
5s. per week special Rent Allowance to be granted to all men in the London area and in other expensive industrial centres.
Mileage Rates.
120 miles on express passenger trains to be paid for as one day.
90 miles on local passenger trains and express goods trains to be paid for as one day.
All miles run in excess in either case to be paid for at the rate of 10 miles per hour.
Lodging Allowance.
That lodging away from home be abolished; but if through unforeseen circumstances such is impossible, each man shall have at least 9 hours, but not more than 12 hours, off duty away from home, and also receive the following allowances:
If lodged at the Company's expense at a suitable hotel, 4s. per day.
If men provide their own accommodation, 10s. 6d. per day.
Men not to be lodged in places where quietness and cleanliness is not maintained, and private lodgings as at present existing to be abolished.
All cases where men are booked off more than nine hours, the men to be paid at the same rate per day as if they were on duty.
Holidays.
14 days' holiday, with pay, to be allowed to each man after 12 months service.
Meal Times.
That all duties shall be so arranged that a minimum of 30 minutes shall be allowed for the partaking of food between the 3rd and 5th hour of booking on duty, without loss of pay.
Clothing..
That three suits of combination overalls be supplied and laundered at the expense of the Railway Management, one top coat, one reefer Jacket, and two caps to be supplied. These to be supplied annually.
Ill-Health and Retirement..
Enginemen, Motormen, Firemen, and Electric Trainmen who, from ill-health or defective eyesight brought about by their employment, are taken off the footplate, shall be retained in the Company's employment, and be paid not less than the rate of pay they were receiving when taken off the footplate,
All Footplatemen and Motormen shall be compelled to retire from their work after 35 years service, and shall receive not less than two-thirds of their wages as a pension on retirement. That all rights, privileges, customs, practices, and conditions not affected by the aforementioned wages and conditions shall remain in force as heretofore.
Monday, March 24th, saw the final conference in the renewed negotiations between our representatives, Sir Albert Stanley, and the Railway Executive. The interpretation of the Government's offer had been decided, and to that extent an agreement was reached, The representatives of the National Union of Railwaymen and the Associated Society of Locomotive Enginemen and Firemen again met Sir Albert Stanley (President of the Board of Trade) and the Railway Executive at the Board of Trade. Sir Auckland Geddes and Sir Robert Horne (Minister of Labour) were also present.
At the conclusion of the conference, after seven o'clock, Mr. Bromley said: "A general agreement has been reached. It is not a final settlement; it is only an understanding so far as we have gone. I am more satisfied to-night with the progress that has been made than I have been hitherto all through the negotiations, as we have at last arrived at something tangible.
"If the same spirit is kept up during future negotiations as bas predominated during the last few days, I am convinced that a final amicable settlement will be arrived at. I think, from the assurances that have been given us by the representatives of the Government. that our members will have nothing to fear from a little more patience. Personally, I feel that what has already been practically agreed upon, if ratified by the Executive Committee of my Society and the representatives of the other unions, should be immediately put into operation, so that the men could gain the benefit from it at once."
Sir Albert Stanley issued the following statement:—
At the meeting between representatives of the Government, the Railway Executive Committee, and the Railway Unions, the whole of the concessions offered by the Government were reviewed, and agreed interpretations arrived at.
These terms now await ratification by the two unions. If ratified, it is agreed that the negotiations on the remaining items in the programme shall be continued at once, and the Government undertake that every effort will be made to secure a fair and speedy settlement of those items. The following are the agreed interpretations above referred to:—
(1) Guaranteed Week.—The standard week's work to consist of 48 hours. The standard week's wages, exclusive of any payment for overtime or Sunday duty, to be guaranteed to all employees who are available for duty throughout the week. But turns commencing and finishing on Sunday shall form part of the guaranteed week.
In the event of a strike affecting the work of any grade, either generally or in any district, the question of suspending the operation of this article shall be referred to the General Committee to be set up under Article 7 of this memorandum.
Guaranteed Day.-This to be further discussed.
(2) Overtime.—All time worked on weekdays in excess of the standard hours to be paid for at the rate of time and a quarter, each day to stand by itself for overtime purposes.
(3) Sunday Duty.—(Twelve o'clock midnight Saturday to twelve midnight Sunday). Time and a half, without addition to rate for overtime or night duty, the same to apply to Christmas Day and Good Friday. Hours worked on these days in excess of the standard number of hours shall not be computed as part of the hours of work of any other day.
(4) Night Duty (Weekdays).-(a) All ordinary time worked between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. to be paid for at the rate of time and a quarter; (b) all overtime worked between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. to be paid at an inclusive rate of time and a half.
(5) Rest.—In all regular duties a period of twelve hours rest to be shown on the rosters at the home station, but in other cases a minimum of nine hours.
(6) Holidays.—One week's holiday with pay after twelve months service, to include all casual employees who are regularly employed, without prejudice to those men who already have a longer holiday under their existing conditions of service.
(7) Management.—The negotiating committees of the two unions will be recognised as the medium for dealing with all questions affecting rates of pay and conditions of service while the present negotiations are proceeding. A committee shall be appointed to consider and report:—
1. As to the continuance or discontinuance of the Conciliation Boards, consisting of representatives of the Railway Executive Committee and the two unions, to deal with any questions that arise in regard to rates of pay and conditions of service of the men within the conciliation grades, as from the day when these negotiations are concluded and the time until some final arrangement is arrived at in regard to the future position of railways.
2. As to the continuance or discontinuance of the existing Conciliation Boards. When the new Ministry of Ways and Communications is set up, it is the intention of the Government to provide an organisation for and to avail itself fully of the advantages of assistance, co-operation and advice from, the workers in the transportation industry.
(8) The present wages to be stabilised until December 31st, 1819, and any reduction of the War Wages under the agreement of November, 1918, to he waived.
With regard to standardisation of rates of pay and the removal of present anomalies, this can be dealt with only in connection with a revision of permanent wages, and, therefore, it is proposed that the present negotiations shall be continued for fixing new standard rates, so as to insure that all men throughout the country shall receive the same payment for the same work under the same conditions.
This will involve a transfer of a part of the War Wages to the Permanent Wage, but the Government agrees that up to December 31st, 1919, no man shall receive less in weekly rate of wage, plus war wage, then he is receiving at present, while anyone to whom the new war wage and new rate yields more than they are receiving at present shall receive the advantage as soon as an arrangement is arrived at.
At the end of the year the whole situation will be reviewed. The war wage will have to be looked at in the light of the circumstances of the time generally, and it will be open to the men to ask for a revision of the new standard rates if they think a case can be made for it, but the anomalies of varying pay for similar work under similar conditions will have been removed, and future negotiations will be rendered much easier through there being only one set of figures to work upon.
(9) Other Items in the Programmes.—These to be discussed at further meetings.
On March 26th the General Secretary reviewed the position in the following terms:—
"We have now reached agreement on the following side issues, and the agreed improvements will be at once put into effect for the benefit of our members without waiting for the general settlement:—
"We have obtained an understanding that some arrangement may in future be made towards the men having a voice in management, but as yet it is all very vague and nebulous."
Thus by the end of March very material concessions had been won. I fear it would be ancient history now to reprint the very able negotiating points and speeches advanced by all the Society's representatives. The result was the greatest compliment to their service, for each one of them won their place in railway history by it.