TRAMWAYMEN'S ITEMS.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 45, 19 January 1912, Page 13

TRAMWAYMEN'S ITEMS.

News from Auckland, and References to Wellington and Christchuroh. Tlit Christinas holidays havo been rtriaiuiuii iUid uu\y for us tramway folk's. Any way, tlie tramway trouble is ail off. said everyiiung is practically eottled lor another I- months. Tii<- Union's delegates and the V.h. representatives fought out the battle with tho company's nfliciais for better conditions during the holidays, and laid the resulte before a Union meeting on January 3. Two large meetings turned, out,"to which the secretory (Mr. A. Bosßerj read his report. There are many gains n } tno working conditions to the Union, in addition to the increase in wages to the extent of £11,000 per ainiuiii. TJiese are as follow;— Absolut* preference clause, (52) overtime in the traffic to count after b£ hours at time and a-lialf rates, and iv the other branches after 8 hours; (3) balancing of "overs" and "shorts" to conductors at the end of the weeJc (previously conductors had to pay all "shorts.' ; ' and the company presented ''overs" to the Sick and Accident Society); (4 > abolition of the "spare Jiet," and a guarantee of 8 hours within 14 to all "spare" motorinen and conductors-; and (5) equal distribution oi eiinday work throughout the service. The "spare list" men raised a very ttrong objection at both meetings to the 8 hours within 14 part of the programme, and said that they should be. guaranteed an 8 hours' day within 12. Feeling ran rather high upon the point, and some bitter things were said, the "spare list" evidently being under the impression that tho delegates had -Hit done their utmost for them. A regrettable incident occurred when Comrade W. Parry's right to be in the Union meeting 'was challenged by a man who ought to have known better. Parry and Fraser said a few well-chosen words which went straight to their mark and left a sting behind. It was decided to take a ballot on the question of accepting or rejecting the company's proposal on Friday at the depots, which had the following result :— Depot. For. Agnst. Infl. Ponsonby ... 144 26 2 Kpoom 133 33 I Track 70 0 1 Power house 12 3 1 Bymonds st- 37 1 0 Totals ... 396 63 6 This ballot has practically terminated the struggle between the Union and their employers, and I regard the agreement obtained as it great and lasting triumph for the federation of Labor. Taking it from a broad standpoint we have, from my point of view, obtained more concessions and cash than any tramway union in New Zealand, aud will compare favorably with any agrcetoent signed betwixt employer and wage-slave in N.Z. during the last 20 years , ; The majority of the votes against acceptance were "spare list" men, but already, 1 am prepared to Bay, quite a number of them are beginning to recognise that they havo got the. best obtainable at the present time. In short, they have gained more than any other branch of the service, and I liope in 12 months that they will be. guaranteed, not eight hours in 14 or even 12, but a straight shift like the regular men. Still 1 want to emphasise one point and that is. although tho Tramway Union may seem to be very strong, 1 *m satisfied that there is a good deal cf spade work to be got through. Our greatest foe is Ignorance, and we Lave any amount of ignorance in the Tramway Union, and there' is plenty of opportunity for the propaganda of Socialism and Industrial Unionism in our ranks. Any way, we have VI months to preach the gospel of .Revolt, aud ihow the Tramway Union that our only hope is One Big Union with interests as a class, and not as a trade or craft. The X.Z.F.L. must have o\ir thoughts first aud foremost, our Union second, Mid lastly individuals. 1 think that Comrade 'Parry was somewhat disappointed at the attitude taken up by a few members of the Union, and some of the reflections hurled upon him by men who know no better, but I think that "once ignorance is dispelled the Tramway Union will live up to its glorious" past and become a star amongst unions for its militancy and its revolutionary spirit.

I see the Wellington men have taken op a. strong attitude over Inspector Fuller's case, and I am glad to see it. !A dose of Direct Action, would shake «p those dilatory souls, the bourgeois councillors, and make them take a little interest in the aifairs of the public'servants who have a just grievance fcnrl want it remedied.

"Wellington tramwaymen, we want you in tJie Federation of Labor. Yon Lave good material in your ranks. We want you and you want us.

I SCO the Christchurch trannvaymen Hidn't do badly before tlio A. and C. Court, thanks to the proposed agreement brought into existence in Auckland. But the cheek of the Court in giving the Tramways Board power to dierate any employee to «■ lesser grade! IK>ii't yon think, tramway men, that it h time lo disrate the Arbitration Court, •h? Where would we have been in. Auckland undo.]' the Court? Would ire bave abolished tlie spare list or got an absolute preference clause, or established a precedent of 9s. a day for laborers with a free travelling pass, or

obtained payment, of overtime over eight hours.' .Not likely, eh: . The eminent road board philosophers around still want to entice the Laborer-,' Union to ll.y back inlo the meshi's oi ,Siiu : s spider parlour, liui uk hiLon.is mc not takjiig any, thank you. Good luvk, Auckland laborers, you arc gni:ig to win, and io: , Uod's sake, working men, whrii the municipal and road board elections come round, pin your own men in and turn tlie boss nut. lie's been there too long. Hurrah for the revolution, com i -ados!—Sl'ANWl HE.