TAXI-DRIVERS’ AWARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 996, 12 June 1930, Page 18

TAXI-DRIVERS’ AWARD

EMPLOYER SEEKS EXEMPTION Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. That changing conditions have made it impossible for employers of taxidrivers to continue in business under the terms of the present award, was the contention of Mr. W. Hayward, proprietor of Rink Taxis, when applying in the Arbitration Court for exclusion from the provisions of the award or for the introduction of a skeleton award. After hearing evidence, the court suggested a conference of interested parties and submission of a scheme approved by all. Failing this, the court would give reserved decision. Mr. Hayward said six out of every seven Christchurch taxis were free of award restrictions, being either operated on share or hire system, or by owner-drivers. The others were being run under award conditions, and he had found this impossible. He declared that share-drivers worked such long hours that they often became unsafe as drivers. Evidence was given by several drivers under the share and hire systems of low earnings for long hours. It was stated that some drivers, working from 3 6 to 18 hours daily, earned only from £3 os to £3 a week. A conference was held between Mr Hayward and representatives of the i;niur\. bul v no.agr.eem.enl was reached. The matter was therefore left to the court.