1917 A.A.D. was the rejection of the Conciliation Scheme, which was accepted on behalf of the Society in March and May, 1916, and that this E.C. now definitely rejects such scheme; also, that we are not prepared to accept the scheme even if it should now be accepted in principle by the other parties to the negotiation, as such Scheme does not meet the requirements of locomotivemen. We also instruct the General Secretary to forward our new machinery, with a request for a meeting between the General Managers' Committee and this E.C. at the earliest possible moment."
Mr. Bromley next had an interview with Sir Francis Dent on the matter, and also on the extra food ration, and the E.C. set to work to draft certain clauses showing the method of election of delegates and of negotiations between local delegates, Delegation Boards, and other bodies mentioned in our approved machinery, the scheme then to be fully discussed. This was done, and the completed re-draft of negotiating machinery, as an amendment to the Conciliation Scheme, was considered, when it was resolved:—
"That the new machinery, as revised, be adopted, and forwarded forthwith to the Railway General Managers' Committee," which was asked to arrange an early meeting, not later than May 22nd. The meeting took place on May 24th, when the E.C. Sub-Committee discussed with the General Managers' Committee the machinery suggested by the Society in conjunction with the Conciliation Scheme. The Secretary of the Committee on Reconstruction, and Mr. Thomas, strongly urged the Society to give evidence before that Committee as to the desirability of the application of the terms of the Whitley Report to the railway service. Eventually the Advisory Committee, Section 3, was notified that Mr. Bromley would give evidence, and a statement was prepared and presented.
Up to the year 1918 the N.U.R. had been disposed to deride the National Programme and other movements of the A.S.L.E. & F., but in that year there came a change, and the N.U.R. began the great task of evolving a national programme for all its grades. It
