TRAMWAY WAGES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 224, 16 June 1920, Page 7

TRAMWAY WAGES

COURT'S GISBORNE PRONOUNCE. MENT DOES NOT APPLY.

By Telegraph-Press Association,

Christchurch, June 15. in the Arbitration Court to-day, the Ghristchuith Tramway Employees' Union asked that the agreement with the Iramway Board, dated March G, 1920, be amended in order to adjust wages. I lie application was made to bring tho wages into accordance with the Court's pronouncement at Gisborne on April 27 os to tile basic wage and bonus to meet tlio increased coat of living. ?,••£*. T. Armstrong (for tho union) 6aid that the union itsked tho Court to give effect to its Gisborno pronouncement. '

Hi? Honour said that conductors, motormen, and other employees were not touched jjpon in the Gisborne pronouncement. fho conditions in tramway concerns did not obtain in ordinary industries, and it was ordinary industries that the Court referred to in its Gisborne pronouncement. The union luid had substantial increases under the agree-' ment, and tliey covered the Gisborne pronouncement; they were made on account of the cost of living. 'Mr. Armstrong said tho union might have gone in with the tramway employees in other places and secured the Aoncessr.oii they had secured, but it understood that the board, after the agreement was made, would not oppose application to the Court for increases. /His Honour said the Court could not go beyond its bounds. The only relevant consideration was tho increased cost of living sinco the agreement was made. Mr. Thompson (manager of the tramways) said Mr. Armstrong seemed to think the board had not kept faith with tho union, but the board had givon the Gisborno bonus of ljd. an hour ap soon as it was announced. He went furthor and allowed it on tho computation of overtime. Tho board, therefore, had done aifiro than oomply with the Court's pronouncement kis to the cost of Jiving. The present hourly wages in Christchurel) wore 62 per cent, in excoss of pre-war rates and were M per cent, higher than tho wages in the previous award. Tho Couft reserved its decision.