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Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen should be set up to examine all rosters which include lodging-turns.

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The N. U. R. however, rejected the proposal on grounds that they were not in agreement with the principle of lodging- turns, and the Railway Executive on Tuesday night issued the attached further statement. (Annex C). This sets out the terms of the notice which the Railway Executive is displaying at locomotive depots.

WAGE CLAIM

Turning to the negotiations on the N. U. R. wage clain, as my colleagues know, the Railway Executive in rejecting the demand for a 10s. Od increase all round, expressed their willingness to discuss increases for the lower-paid workers if the Union would withdraw its demand. This the Union were unwilling to do, and on Tuesday, in order to assist in the settlement of the dispute, the Railway Executive proposed to the N. U. R. and to the other Unions representing railway workers discussions on the lower-paid grades, without insisting on the prior withdrawal of the 10s. Od claim. The Unions have responded to this overture, and talks on this new basis will now proceed, without prejudice to the original claim.

To complete the picture I should remind my colleagues of the "go slow" movement at London Road, Manchester, Nino

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Elms and Southwark. These stoppages took place without warning, and the N. U. R. was asked to deal with them. The N. U. R. I understand, hope that normal working will be renewed as a result of the résumption of wage nogotiations on the basis now proposed by the Railway Executive.

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Ministry of Transport, W.1.

1ST JUNE, 1949.

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A. B.

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