A MISUNDERSTANDING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10611, 9 June 1920, Page 6

A MISUNDERSTANDING

AUCKLAND TRAM STRIKE SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT ARRIVED AT. NEW AGREEMENT SIGNED. I’EE PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, June 7. The tramway strike is now off, and all cars are running to-night. Tho following official statement dealing with the settlement of the dispute has been issued:—On Wednesday, June 2nd, the secretary of tho Trainway L'nion advised the Mayor that ‘Taco specials’-’ would -not likely be run by tho tramwaymen. On tho following day, inst., the Mayor intimated that the council could not relievo the men, front spelt service, and that any failure on their part to curry out these .portions of their duty would be considered by tho council as u matter requiring disciplinary measures. The union secretary advised the Mayor Jitter, in. ,tjic, day that several members of .the. tramway executive had been advised-uf..the.flayer’s view,' and understood the position. On Thursday, June 3rd, at 1.30 a.m., the general manager visited' Epsom Barn on account of advice received that the men told off for race'traffic declined to perform these duties, and consequently the cars tor such did not leave the barn. The council view this as a direct challenge to the authority of its, management, and accordingly accepted tho same; also the consequent refusal of other men of the service to perform their ordinary work as a result of the earlier stoppage. The result was that on the morning of the 4th inst. the tramway service's entirely ceased. The question which confronted the council now was due recognition of the council’s authority and duo regard to the public interests by the earliest resumption of the service. This opened up the question ae to the terms on which the men might resume work. In the course of the deliberations of the conference tho representatives of the tramwaymen asserted that the stoppage on the 3rd instant arose owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding by the union officials in tho interpretation of communications between Auckland and Wellington, which led to an unintended action not in any way premeditated, and .upon which interpretation the officers of tho local union acted, but which subsequently proved to be contrary to any intention on the part of the Dominion Advisory Board and not in accordance' with th© judgment of the local union. The circumstances precipitated the crisis heforq the same could bo arrested, and once the. first group of men had by their voluntary action loft their jobs, the others m course followed. The officers of the union express regret for tho action, and tho men desire tho same to be considered. Apart altogether from their. ordinary attitude to the service or tho customary discharge of their duties, the men hereby give and tho council accepts an assurance that in future ' "‘'tlid'" “'"traiutvay service will be operated in accordance with the terms of tho agreement of May 4th, 1920, and under the instructions of . tho management. The council on its part in view of the position has no desire to victimise the men, and it-has been influenced by this to a settlement in terms as follows: —Taken in conjunction with* foregoing - statement. whichwill adequately establish the authority of the council over the tramways, and allow of the reinstatement of the service immediately. * In its decision the council has had regard to the loss and inconvenience, which, is being, jfnppscd upon the public-by,, the discontinuance of the service, and the fact that its suspension is not justified for a- period beyond that necessary to establish the ooun. cal’s position. Haying regard to all tho circumstances which have been fully investigated and in accordance with the fore- . going, .statement. Jbpjih,,parties noreby agree to .the.,sett!eaient,qf r the difficulty on the following .terras,, iraz. 1. The council agrees that tho men return to work forthwith, but they shall not receive p'av Jor't-unc lost. 2. The mem .agree Jo ', perform all tramway-duties, ..including race traffic which maydrom. timeato,time bo alio ted to them -by the- management. ‘ 3. This settlement shall-be operative forthwith, and tho terras, of this memorandum shall be incorporated in and become part of the agreement of May 4th, 1920, between tho council and <tho Tramway Union. - “A DIRECT CHALLENGE.” COUNCIL'S AUTHORITY MUST BE RECOGNISED. AUCKLAND, Juno 8. Tho agreement arrived at between the City Council and tho Trarawaymon’s Union representatives was submitted to a meeting of the union. Tho agreement sets -out that tho council regarded the action of tho tramwaymen as a direct challenge, and acccp.tcd.it ns such, tho question being one of duo recognition of tho council’s authority. Tho officers of . tho union expucss regret for the action, of tho men, and tho men desire the samo to bo considered. ‘‘The men ' hereby give, and tho council accepts, assurances that in tho future the tramway service will be carried on in accordance with the agreement, under instructions by tho management. The council has no desire to victimise the men on tho acceptance of tho settlement, and will declare they are reinstated.” Having regard to the loos and inconvenience caused to the council and the public, tho council agrees on the return of tho men to work forthwith, but the men shall receive no pay for time lost during the strike. Tho men agree- to perform all tramway duties, including race) traffic, which may bo allotted them. The settlement shall bo operative forthwith, and the terms incorporated }n tho agreement existing prior to tho When these terms were submitted to Mr Roberts, representing tho Transport AVorkcrs’ Federation, the Mayor intimated that they were final, and that tho tramway representatives had agreed to accept them. In a memorandum to tho strike settlement it is set out that tho. strike arose from the unfortunate misunderstanding o c a communication . between Auckland and Wellington, which led to unintended action, not in any way premeditated, hut which subsequently proved contrary to any intention- of tho Dominion Advisory Board, and not in-accord with tho judgment of tho local union. This precipitated a, crisis before the, same could.bo averted.