Several NUR members gave evidence that they had refused to join the ARU because they saw it as affiliated with Russia and inconsistent with Catholic beliefs.
[20] On 30 March 1933, the Industrial Court granted their application for registration, finding that because of their history they had the same rights as the Australian Railways Union and that they had shown that their members could not "conveniently belong" to the ARU.
[2][21] All the opposing unions immediately resolved to co-operate in an appeal to the full bench of the Industrial Court, which was lodged in early April.
[24] In media coverage following the decision, Skelton highlighted the union's detailed constitutional provisions against political activity, while Fletcher proudly stated that they had never resorted to strike action.
[28] On 13 July 1933, the full bench upheld the appeal against registration "with regret" on a technicality, as the NUR had "not accompanied [their application] with a list of branches of the National Union with appurtenant particulars.
[38] In March 1935, the union was successful in bringing their entire membership of NSW railway employees within the federal award and basic wage.
[44] By 1940, it was reported that the NUR had commenced organising in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, and a Tasmanian branch was inaugurated by dissident former ARU members that August.
[50][51] It was reported in October 1940 that the ARU-NUR conflict at the Launceston rail yards had reached the stage where some workers were refusing to complete work begun by members of the opposite union.