72. Offences Against Discipline, Etc.
"Men charged with misconduct, neglect of duty, or other breaches of discipline, shall be permitted to state their defence, to call witnesses, and to advance any extenuating circumstances before their officers prior to a final decision being arrived at. Where doubts arise, or where serious results to men are likely to follow, the case should, we think, be placed before the higher officials of the company."
If after such investigation an employee is found guilty, he has the right of appeal to a superior officer for re-consideration, the appeal to be made in writing. On a personal interview he may be accompanied by a fellow-workman, or by an official of his trade union. Matters of discipline, management, punishments, etc., not disposed of by such procedure, may be referred to the General Secretary and Executive Committee.
Clause 8 of the Scheme lays down the procedure for the selection of delegates to the Delegate Board, four from each district on the system, and the election being conducted by the Board of Trade. The scheme was to remain in operation for twelve months, and thereafter be subject to revision or termination on three months' notice being given by either side, a general election of each Delegation Board to take place at least once in every three years. The provisions for a Secretary of each side and for leading members followed broadly the scheme of 1911. Clause 21 provided for each employee to receive a printed booklet form of his rate of wages, hours and conditions, and a periodical print of all conditions. Clause 22 provided for all decisions, settlements and agreements to be posted at all depots, signed by the Chairman and Secretary of each side.
It would be convenient also to state here the National Programme decided upon by the A.A.D. of 1917 for locomotivemen and electric trainmen:—
Hours: 8 hours per day; Sunday duty to be paid for as double time, this also to apply to Good Friday and Christmas Day; time
