Months after the amalgamation of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, questions are being raised regarding the company’s adherence to the guarantees made by its promoters during the merger process. The matter was brought to attention in the Chamber of Commerce’s recent meeting, where concerns about the treatment of Limerick’s Locomotive Works were aired.
The Chamber, comprised of prominent local figures who had been vocal opponents of the amalgamation, confronted railway authorities with inquiries regarding alleged workforce reductions and changes in working hours at the Limerick workshops. To bolster their concerns, they referenced remarks made by Judge Adams during the last Quarter Sessions, in which he critically commented on the railway company’s handling of their commitments.
Responding to these concerns, the secretary of the Railway Company issued a statement to the Chamber of Commerce, asserting that the company had invested substantial sums in wages at the Limerick workshops post-amalgamation. However, this response fell short of mollifying the Chamber, and Mr John Hayes presented a serious claim based on his investigation. According to Mr Hayes, the number of workers in the fitters’ shop had dwindled from 25-30 under the old Waterford and Limerick arrangement to only five or six at present. Similar declines were reported in other departments like painting.
Furthermore, Mr Hayes stated that the remaining workers were operating on reduced hours, with many on three-quarters time, while the workforce now primarily consisted of young boys. He suggested that this replacement of adult labour with youthful apprentices had become a norm. Mr Hayes’s assertions added weight to existing doubts about the company’s commitment to preserving employment at the Locomotive Works.
The Chamber of Commerce demanded detailed information from the Railway Company about the pre-amalgamation and post-amalgamation workforce status, though it remains uncertain if such data will be provided. The company’s initial response, penned by Mr Ormsby, failed to dispel the widespread belief that they might not have upheld their commitments in the realm of Limerick’s employment.
While legal action could potentially hold the Railway Company accountable for any deviations from the amalgamation guarantees, it is acknowledged that pursuing such a route could prove costly and complex. Mr Holliday, among others, contended that public sentiment should exert significant influence. It is emphasized that the Railway Company has a responsibility to transparently address the concerns and doubts surrounding the fulfillment of their promises, assuring the people of Limerick that their faith has not been misplaced.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 02 January 1906
