TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 34, 4 November 1919, Page 3

TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES

NATIONAL AGREEMENT WANTED

SCHEDULE OF DEMANDS

Tho demands of tho New Zoalnnd Fedora ted Tramway Employees' Association far a national agreement to cover wages and working conditions in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Duncdin, Now Plymouth, Wanganui, Napier, and Invercargill have been circulated. From the proposed wages schedule it is apparent that the association is seeking to reduce tho number of grades of motormen and conductors. Motormcn now start at Is. i\A. per hour, and the proposed new rate, is Is. lOd. The maximum rato now is Is. Gd. (after four years) and Is. Gld. (aftor sevon ye.irs), whereas tho association asks for 2s. all round for the second year and after. The increases demanded- for conductors are in proportion, and are governed by the saino principle. Following is tho wagev schedule, some of tho existing rates, as decided upon after the dispute which took placo about twelve months ago, in parentheses: . * Traffic.—Signalmen, 25.; motorinen and grip-men, second year and after. 2s. (Is. old.), first year Is. lOd. (Is. 43d.); conductors, second year and after, Is. lOd. (Is. .IJd.), first year, Is. Bd. (Is. Jd.). Depots.--Car adjusters ami examiners doing electrical work, 2s. (Is. Cd.); pitmen and car maintenance men, Is. lOd. (Is. 5d.); car cleaners ana shed labourers. Is., Bd.. (Is. 3Jd.). Workshops.—Tradesmen, electricians, and ear Adjusters doing electrical work, 2s. Gd.; car maintenance men. Is. 10d.; labourers, Is. Sd. -Permanent vfliy.—TVrmanent way repairers, Is. lOd. (Is. . r >Ul.); labourers (casual) and trackmen, Is. Bd.; cable car linesmen or greasers, Is. Bd.

Overhead—Linesmen, 2s. (Is. Vd.)j assistant linesmen and wagon drivers, Is. lOd. (Is. Cd.); labourers," Is. Bd. Power-house.—Eleetncians, dynamo, switchboard, and substation attendants, 25.: firemen, handymen, and storemen. Is. 10d.; trimmers and labourers. Is. Sd.

Under the heading "Hours of Work" there are in the new demands provisions for an eight-hour day and 48-hour week, as in the present award, and the definition of a. "straight" shift remains the same. As far as a "broken" shift is -concerned the association asks that it should commence prior to 8 a.m., and spread over eleven hours instead of twelve. Another important clause reads: "Continuous time shall be paid for callback or call-forward duty attached to straight runs, and a break of not less than two hours must elapse between tho straight and the special." At present tho. break,is ono hour only A new cliiuso provides that conductors shall receive a. receipt for all moneys paid in, whereas at present the moneys are paid into the machine. As regards Sunday work the new demands ask for double time, with a minimum of six hours, 'as against the ruling practice of time and a half with a minimum of four hours. Tho overtime clause reads: ''All time worked in excess of eight hours shall be paid for at time and a half rates for the first two hours, and doublo time thereafter." Now the men may 1)9 worked for nine hours at ordinary rates, and double time is paid only for work done after midnight. The clause reading: "Traffic employees shall not bo called upon to do car cleaning or shed work," is new.

The present holiday arrangements provide for a maximum of twelve • days per annum and a minimum of eight days. 'The proposed new clauses are:— ''All employees required to work on statutory holidays shall receive annually a minimum of 14 consecutive days' (Sundays excepted) annual leave on full pay. In the event of an employee leaving tho STvico or being discharged, ho shall be allowed and lie paid such proportion of his holidays as is due to him at the time of his leaving the service. "All employees not required tn_ work on statutory "holidays shall be paid for such days at ordinary rales of pay. • "It: shall be- arranged that no employee'will lie required to take his annual leave during the months of May, Juno, July, August, or September." , At the present time employees absent on account of accident receive full nay, but the association wants the privilege extended to those employees on sick leave who produce a medical certificate. The following clause dulling with promotions is new: "When s vacancy occurs in anv department, notices calling for applications to fill the position shall Ims posted, and the senior employes in the department applying shall be appointed, provided he is fitted to do tho work." As regards meal reliefs it is des'red that the time allowed should ba extended from 21) minutes lo, : 3fl minutes and paid for. The meal relief docs not now count in working lime. The period worked without relief shall, it is asked, be reduced from !> to 41. hours. A clause of general interest is: "No work to be performed by any employee covered by this agreement on Good Friday or Christmas Day." Tt is important to note that whereas the present award provides th.it thera shalUie no spare li«t. this i= withdrawn lU one of the matter? for consideration in relation to the ouestion of overtime, stand-by men, and holiday and sick reliefs. The appointment of a Pismires Committee is also down "to be considered." , .

The preliminary conferei-oe between both aides will be kobh in "Wflliuffi-on, probably about the middle of Hie month.