§ 59. Mr. Monslowasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding the strike on Rhodesian Railways as it affected railway workers in Northern Rhodesia and particularly the effect of the decision to reduce strikers to the lowest level in their wage grades.
§ Mr. MaclayOn 24th September, 1956, the Railway African Workers' Union called a strike in protest against an arbitration award fixing new rates of wages and allowances. The council which made the award was recognised as an arbitration tribunal under Northern Rhodesian law, and the reference to arbitration was with the consent of both parties. The strike was only partially effective in Northern Rhodesia where all the African railway workers had returned to work by 28th September, without any reduction of rates of pay or of grade. They have been paid wages and allowances at the new rates with effect from 1st September in accordance with the award.