THE TRAMWAYMEN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 17, 15 October 1918, Page 4

THE TRAMWAYMEN

SETTLEMENT.'ARRIVED AT.

The Wellington City Council met yesterday afternoon in the Council Chamber, and, after a short sitting, ratified the agreement made by its representatives (Messrs. W. H. Morton, M. Cable, and D. M'Gillvray) with the representatives of the Tramway Employees' Union on Saturday last. Hie existing agreement provided an eight-hour day for motoriuen and conductors, who were paid as follow: Per hour. 1 , s. d. Motormen, first and second year 1 2£ Motormen, third year . 1 3 Motormeii, fourth year and over 1 3} Conductors, first and second year 1 lj Conductors, third year .' 1 li Conductors, fourth year and over 1 2 Motcrnien with over seven years' servico 1 i Conductors with over seven years' servic _1 2i The new engagement provides lor an increase of 'Hβ. per week 'to the flat rate as scheduled in the existing agreement, with the exception of motormen and conductors in the -higher grades, who are to receive an increase of lfls. par week on tho flat rate in the existiufi schedule. Tho existing bonus ie to be wiped out. Overtime in the existing ■ schedule B'fT! computed on a basis of time and a half. That is now to be increased by Id. per hour. It was also agreed that men outside the traffic department (principally those engaged in carshed work, permanent W.".y. and overhead equipment) should receivo an increase of IJd. per hour on their previous schedule, with a 5 per cant, bonus added. ■ The. agreement as now ratified by but]) bodies is to date from October 4. How far the increases granted to the men will affect the service as far as the public is concerned was not discussed at the-.meeting. . The extra amount needed to meet the big wages bill vill have to be paid, by the public in one form or other, and probably some indication of the amount it will cost, and how it is proposed to raise it, will be given at Thursday's meeting of tl'6 council. '■'■•.-