TEAM EMPLOYEES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 July 1924, Page 5

TEAM EMPLOYEES

WAGES AND CONDITIONS. NEW DEMANDS MADE. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 3. The Tramway Union’s claim for increased wages and new conditions was before the Conciliation Council yesterday. The union’s demands in respect of wages for the traffic section, with the present award rates in parentheses, were as follows: Motnrmen.—First year, 2s per hour (first and second years Is B£d), and thereafter 2s Id (over two years Is 9id, over five years Is 10R1)/ Conductors.—First year, Is lid (first and second years Is 7ljd), and thereafter 2s (over two . years* Is Bid, over five years Is 93d). The Hon. John Barr said that the hoard could not see any way in which it could deviate from the present wages. The matter would have to go to the court. The increases asked for meant between £15,000 and £16,000 to the board. ■ The Commissioner (Mr W. H. Haggar) said that recently in every instance the employers had agreed to slight increases/ and the court had granted the increases. Mr Barr: ‘‘We have fullv considered that,” Mr >. Hobbs, foi- the union, said they were asking that the men should be paid in accordance with their responsibilities. After some further discussion Mr Hobbs said: “I say quite candidly that we have little faith in the Arbitration Court. The iudge is biassed in favour of the employers.” The Commissioner: “You should not make such statements.” Mr Barr: “Very inadvisable remarks.” Mr Hobbs: “Well, when I see the employers so keen on going to the court I cannot help feeling that they know they have an advantage.” ' : / The Commissoner: “You do not want such statements to go before the court before you go yourself, do you?” Mr Hobbs: “We have said so before.” No agreement was arrived at regarding wages, but a few minor claims were agreed to.