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Page 241 3661948, the Railway ExecutiPage 24 ± of 366. ¿c Unions concerned (the National Union of Railwaymen and the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen) and undertook a new line of approach. This had two main features: (a) willingness to consider reduction of lodging turns on slow- moving trains, and (b) the definite statement that lodging turns on high-speed long-distance non-stop trains, both passenger and freight, were an essential feature of railway working, and. that if the Railway Executive wore to provide the facilities necessary to the travelling and trading public, certain fresh lodging turns would be needed on these types of train.
The Railway Executive have been prepared to discuss with the Unions the operation of the arrangement of the lodging turns before putting them into operation.
The fear of redundancy
It is felt that much of the opposition to lodging turns arises from the fear that any large extension of such turns will create redundancy. The Railway Executive state, however, that the working of lodging turns does not in itself of necessity lead to redundancy.
Frequency of lodging turns
An essential principle in framing lodging turns is that the men should be away from homo as short a time as practicable consistent with proper rest at the "away" terminal. In a typical case (one of the turns which the Gateshead men have refused to work) the crow would have been 7 hours 27 minutes on duty on the outward journey; 13 hours 45 minutes resting in London; and 7 hours 20 minutes on duty on the return trip a total time of 28 hours 32 minutes away from home.
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For the purpose of engine working, the crews are arranged in. "links", the duties of the men in each "link" changing weekly in rotation, and, by agreement with the men, the lodging turns are confined to specified "links". Thus, at the two depots (Heaton and Gateshead) primarily involved in tho present dispute, only 26 men out of an aggregate of 924. would have been required to work lodging turns The average frequency of lodging would have been 8 nights away from home in 6 weeks in the case of the Heaton men, and 7 times in 7 weeks in the case of the Gateshead men.
Enginemen's pay
Enginemen working long distances receive additional payment beyond their normal pay. They are paid on "mileage" rates, the first 140 miles being considered equal to 8 hours, and subsequent mileage at the rate of 15 miles equalling one hour's pay.
Lodging allowance
In addition to pay, each man receives a special- lodging allowance to cover cost of hostel accommodation and meals;
this allowance is based on length of time away from home. Within the past three weeks the Railway Executive have negotiated an amendment to the National Agreement, granting increased lodging allowaricos, the N.U.R. and A.S.L.E.F. being parties to this amendment. In the case of the Heaton and Gateshead lodging turns now undor discussion, the allowance would be 9s. per man for each round trip.
Page 241 charge in railway host Bage 241 of 366r bed
and ls. for each main meal.
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