NEW DECEMBER 2020. In the early years of the twentieth century, the government became very concerned about the rise of railway trade unions - they feared their growing power and militancy. In 1907 they passed an Act for the setting up of Conciliation Boards, hoping thereby to avoid strikes. The GER and other railway companies were to arrange for the various grades of their workers to elect representatives. These would meet with company officers to discuss pay and conditions. If agreement could not be reached on a matter, it would go to arbitration. The first such Boards were set up in 1908.

What we have here is the report of a Royal Commision set up in 1911. It was to take evidence on how the scheme was working and recommend amendments for the future. Its 24 foolscap pages include an assessment of those first three years, with submissions from the unions and employees on the one side and the railway companies on the other. This is followed by detailed proposals for a modified scheme. At the end is an appendix which gives the original agreements signed up to back in 1907 by the railway companies and by some unions. You can read the full Contents List HERE.

This file is word-searchable and has bookmarks to the main parts. It will be available to download as soon as payment has been made. You go to your account and click on ‘Downloads’. New customers create an account as they place their order.