THE TRAMWAYMEN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 201, 20 May 1920, Page 4

THE TRAMWAYMEN

BIG INCREASES OF WAGES

FARES MUST GO UP

Although no official statement hag been made respecting the new agreement between the City Council and the Municipal Tramways Union, it is pretty well known-indeod the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) has announced the fact—that tho advances conceded to the men are considerable,. and will have an effect on tramways finance during the current year. It is understood that under tho new agreement senior motormen are to receive 2s. an hour for an eight hours day, and all time over eight liours (instead of nine, as formerly) is to count as overtime; with time-and-a-half for over-, time, and double time for Sundays and. holidays. The same conditions practic. ally are to apply to conductors, only that their pay is to be Is. 3d. per hour, flio; agreement is said to be made retrospective to January. 1 last, so that almost every man in the service lias a nice lutto cheque to lift. As the roster for each, week includes two three-hour shifts, and men are on duty every other Sunday (when the niotormen's wages are to bo 4s. per hour), it will be.seen that the. tramway workers have, from their point of view, made a good agreement with the council. , Working only roster time and every other Sunday, a first-class motorman will be able to earn in the vicinity of .£6 6s. a week, and as there is usunlly a good deal of overtime (at 3s. per hour) there will be no serious obstacle in the way of a motorman earning over £7 per week. All nioloniien, conductors, and powerhouse workers received double time for the Thursday and' Friday when tho Prince of Wales was in Wellington. The tramway inspectors, who liavd their own union, have also advanced claims for increases, and with the above agreement now arranged their case will receive consideration. It is said that nothing is surer than that tho fares will have to be raised sections shortened, and that this problem will have to be faced forthwith if. the tramways are to pay their way.. It' has been suggested that the overcrowded j city section between Lambton Station:, and Courienay Plnce (or the top of Cuba.", Street) might be divided into two penny; sections—tho first to end at the junction of Lambton Quay and Willis Street, and tho second at the eastern end of, Courtenav place or at the junction of; Cuba and Vivian Streets. The distance from Lambton Station to Courtenny: Place is 121 chains, nnd halving tliadj would give two 00-chain sections, wihicln is almost ns long as the Thorndon-Lambr ton section, and would be longer than nt ( least four other sections on the Possibly concession tickets, too. will have; to be readjusted.