CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 488, 22 April 1909, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES.

WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF LABOUR.

(by TEtnamrn—ntEss ABSooiATioN.i ■ ~

, Chrlstohurch, April .21. . A conference between., representatives of the Tramway.: Board of the, Tramway, Employees' Union was held last night to discuss matters connected with conditions • pi) labour and rates of pay.. These matters have been before tho Conciliation Commissione? for some' time, and have been the subject of discussion before him, acting as an.arbi-ti-ator in an informal manneri \ Last night at the conference between- tho-representa-tives'of tho two parties the recommendation* of tho Conciliation Commissioher were, sub- - mitted and were adopted, the agreement afr rived at being satisfactory . to both sides. •The matter, was a; complicated one, and.has' taken; a, month to bnng to a satisfactory concluskraY;',; •■-.•/--^■. .'.,- '.••;,:,;!;.• -..' v.

Tho principal..alterations in the new agreement aro'tbe adoption in regard to wages of a graduated scale based on lengthy of' service, the object being to encourage the'best men to remain in the board's employ. Some-, what higher rntos than- those ruling under tho agreement at present in force have been fixed, but to some extent these increases are equalised by a reduction of tho rate of payment for; work done on Sundays, which was under tho old agreement at the rate of double time, and. is under the now one at tho rate of time and a half.' In order,'however, •that .tho' men. at present hi the board's em. ploy shall not suffer: any reduction in the amount they received 1 under- the old! agreement, it is provided that none of the men who have been in the board's employ over 'one year»; shall; receive less'-under 'the,'new' agreement., than . under ' the r ' : but ■the;-.wrages of- mori' entering"the"-'board'sr'serr'' vice' alter the agreement. comes'- into opera-' tion'Will v start at the rates fixed'''. by. tho new agreement. Tho reduction in the'rates of • payment for Sunday-work, brings tho Uhristchurch tramway employees into ' line with those in other centres. Recognising that the wear and-, tear of: the ■ uniforms is greater than that of motbrmen's, it was;agreed that conductors shall be supplied with uniforms at a quarter cost, mbtorraon and others at half; cost. The alteration' m ,the clause dealing, with preference to unionists-relieves the; board of any responsibility in the event '■'of an: employee leaving the union. The union will havo a case against such an,employee, but the board will not bo compelled to dismiss him, Regarding holidays, tho old agreement provided eight days annually oh half pay, Tho new one .gives six days on full,pay.; '