TRAMWAY AWARD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 233, 20 June 1918, Page 7

TRAMWAY AWARD

CASE OP TRAVELLING TIME. In the afternoon the Court heard an application by the Tramway Union to interpret a portion of the award. The case, briefly, was this: "A" if. ntlachc-d to the Newtown sheds, and is "rostered" to sign on at Lambton Station, and then proceed to the Thorndoii shed to take a car to the Thorndon Railway Station. He is allowed travelling time between Lambton and Thorndon, namely fivo minutes. As "A" is attached to Newtown sheds, should he not receive thirty minutes' travelling time, as provided in sub-clause (e) of the award for broken shifts ? Mr. J. O'Shea, City Solicitor, appeared lor the Tramway Department, Air. .1. Hutchison for the union, and Mr. I!. T. IJnilny represented the Labour Department, Jir. O'Sliea staled that in the case as set down for interpretation there was an error, in (hat thoro was no allowance of five minutes between Lambton and Thorndon. Mr. Hutchison contended that the taking up of duty by a motorman or a conductor should be when he actually takes ■ control of a car, and not at a booking office.

His Honour pointed out that special places, . including G.P.0., Courtenay l'lnee, and Lambton Station, were mentioned in the award as places where a man might take up duty. The employee was paid from the time he signed on, and it could not bo claimed that he should be paid twice over. His payment could not begin earlier than when ho signed on. The Traffic Manager (Mr. M'Gillivrav) explained the working of the shifts in detail, and the allowances for travelling time. ■ The members of the Court took some time in considering the question, and the President said that it seemed a rather complicated matter. With regard to the interpretation of the clause, the question asked was whether in the specific case mentioned the worker 6hould not receive thirty minutes' time. The answer of the Court .was: "No, he was not entitled to travelling time. Time, was not allowed when duty was taken up at G.P.0., Lambton, or Courtenay Place. Taking tip duly meant that directly a tramway employee signed on he look'up duly, because his wages commenced then, and if ho met wilh an accident after signing on he would bo entitled to compensation.'