UNHAPPY TRAMWAYMEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 293, 2 March 1928, Page 9

UNHAPPY TRAMWAYMEN

BUS DRIVERS DISMISSED OTHERS PLACED ON TRAMS An unsatisfactory position exists among the Auckland tramway workers at the present time through several of the men on the bus section having been dismissed when the buses went off the road, and others having been suddenly transferred into the tram section. Two meetings have been held, and it is expected that a deputation will wait upon the tramway authorities as soon as an opportunity occurs. The unfortunate situation il when the City Council bus services •tailed recently, and seve. A of the junior men were taken from the buses and placed in vacant positions on the trams. When further buses were taken off the road, ami more men had to be retrenched, it was found that, although they were senior to the first batch, there wa< no place for them on the trams, and they were dismissed. This naturally hurt the men. \vl o met twice yesterday to discuss ti ■ situation. The vice-president aril acting-secretary of the union, Mr. I \ E Martin, says that there is n*» thought of trouble among the men m persuading the tramway authorities to meet their requests, and he volunteered the statement that the tramways department was doing everything possible to secure an adjustment of what was recognised to be an unfortunate position. It was the contention of the men. however, that when retrenchment was found to bo necessary, it should ho effected according to seniority of tlv 1 men. irrespective of the branch t*f the traffic to which they belonged. \ deputation was being arranged to approach the tramways manager, r* - questing him to reconsider his decision in dismissing the men. and if this failed the union had in mind a further suggestion for a remedy which M»\ Martin considered would be satisfactory to both parties, but which he declined to discuss this morning.