HILL TRAMWAY COMPANIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17692, 1 August 1919, Page 3

HILL TRAMWAY COMPANIES

EMPLOYEES' WAGES. AGREEMENT ARRIVED AT. A conference was hold yesterday between representatives of the hill tramway companies and their employees. Mr W. H. Hagger (Conciliation Commissioner) presided. Messrs J. Hunter (Kaikorai) and A. Knowlea (Roslyn) appeared on behalf of tho companies, and Messrs Edwin M. Rix ■(president of the Tramway Employees Union), Charles Pearce, W. Abernethy, and F. Williams represented the employees. The Commissioner stated that tho conference was in reality a continuation of one which was opened in January, and was held under tho Labour Disputes' Investigation Act. A partial agreement had been arrived' at and filed in regard to certain classes of workers and certain conditions, but this did not cover tho whole of tho employees. The wages of tho men ployed in tho hill companies would not bo fixed until tho amended Order-in-Council was received enabling tho fares to bo raised. ' An agreement was arrived at as follows' Car repairers, Is 5d per hour; linesmen and greasers, Is 4d per hour; ropemen, £3 10s per week; conductors, first, second, and third year, Is 4d per hour; over three years, Is 4>>d per hour; motormon and gripmen, first year, Is 4j>d per hour; second year, Is 5d per hour; third year and over, I 3 per hour. This scalo is similar to that previously agreed upon in respect to tho City Corporation tramway omployees. It was decided that tho conditions in I the former agreement in regard to somo ! of tho workers be tho conditions governing the wholo of the employees in tho Dunedin City Corporation and tho hill tramways companies. It was also decided that the agreement arrived at as regards the wages should take effect from July 7, the date on which tho'fares wore raised.' and continuo in operation until December 31. 1920. Undor the Labour Disputes Investigation Act provision has to ho mad© for the settlement of any dispute arising out of the interpretation of tho agreement, and it was agreed to refer any such dispute to the Conciliation Commissioner for the district.