Page:Engines and men- the history of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. A survey of organisation of railways and railway locomotive men (IA enginesmenhistor00rayniala).pdf/261

2.—All existing conditions of service to remain unaltered pending

the decision of a Committee to be set up as soon as possible to review wages and other conditions of service of railwaymen

in Great Britain.

(Signed) Ernest J. Moggridge.

Board of Trade, S.W.,

6th December, 1918.

On behalf of the Associated Society of
Locomotive Engineers and Firemen,

W. W. Cooke, President.

6th December, 1918.

Thus a gratifying victory was won after a long and trying effort. By such struggles are the rights of men secured. The effects of the agreement were to reduce working hours by 18 hours weekly on the Caledonian and Great North of Scotland; by 24 hours weekly on the Highland, and by varying amounts on the different English and Welsh lines. The contest reduced the hours of all railway workers, for as the Society delegates walked out with their documents, the N.U.R. walked in. That was how point one of the points of the National Programme was won. Now let us see how others were won.