TRAMWAYMEN'S WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1919, Page 4

TRAMWAYMEN'S WAGES.

UNION DISSATISFIED WITH COUNCIL'S TREATMENT. "GO-SLOW" POLICY ADOPTED. SERIOUS DISORGANISATION. Matters in connection with the New Plymouth tramways, and the men's demands for increased wages, which have been before the public somewhat of late were brought to a head yesterday morning by the men adopting a "goslow" policy, resulting in a very much disorganised service. Upon the matter being reported to the manager he at once investigated the report for himself, and subsequently a special meeting of the Borough Council was held to consider what should be done. Mr. Bartley explained that the mattef had been reported to him at 7 o'clock in the morning. He spoke to two motormen about it and they replied that they were running according to regulations. He pointed out that the only regulations under which they could claim to go slow were those relating to rounding corners and taking loop lines. The speed between those points was regulated by the time table which hitherto had worked satisfactorily and he knew of no reason why the usual average of nine miles per hour could not be maintained, and the ordinary timetable carried out. Nljj The matter was freely discussed, during the course of which the following letter from the men was put hefore the meeting: "Before taking further action th« executive of the Tramway's Union respectfully ask the Council to again reconsider their decision in regard td the request of the Union for the minimum wage ol Is 4d per hour with the present sliding scale, overtime rates of time-and-a-half for Sunday, and all time over 8 hours per day. Will you kindly place this matter before your Council at to-night's meeting. A reply to-morrow, March 4, will oblige, as we are holding a'meeting on the conclusion of the 1 p.m. shift midnight. The above letter was dated Monday, March 3, and addressed to the tram* ways manager. It was handed to the Mayor, at the Council Chambers, at about 5.30 on Monday afternoon, with a request that he would hand it to Mr. Bartley. Mr. Bartley was in Stratford on Council business at the time, and did not, arrive at his office again until after 7.30 that evening, when the Council was then sitting. He read the letter and placed the same before the Council, but in view of the heavy order papef the Council had before it, it was felt that due consideration could not he given to the tramwaymen'9 letter that night, and it was resolved to hold it over until the following Monday night. This decision was communicated to the men by letter the same night, Mr. Bartley replying to them as follows:

"I received your letter dated 3rd inst. late this evening. The Council had a great deal of business to transact and it was thought desirable not to crowd in the matter contained in your letter at the present meeting. The Council will give your letter full consideration at its next meeting on the 10th inst., and in the event of any variation in its decision, the same can be made retrospective' After careful consideration of the position, and the attitude taken up by the men, the Council came to the following decision, the resolution being carried unanimously: That the Tramway Union be informed that unless the normal running of the tramway service be resumed by 8 a.m. on March 6 (to-day) the Council will decline to even consider their application for increased rates of pay, and will leave the Union to apply to the Arbitration Court to settle the question.

THE POSITION UNCHANGED. j Throughout yesterday the tramway men continued to "go slow," and by bo doing greatly reduced the number of trips run.' A number of people had long waits at some points for ears, and ia other eases they relied on "shanks' pony" and for the most part took the inconvenience philosophically. The publia temper, however, is not 1180*117 very Ion?-suffering, and it will not be strrprising if a somewhat different attitude develops to-day should the policy of the men he continuedInquiry late last night failed to reveal any change in the position. The men, in facial conversation, state that they jflTe prepared to <ro on as they started yesterdav unti! the matter is settled by arbitration. On the other hand, although no communication has bfen received from. then,, the authorities believe that the men will soon see the unreasonableness of the attitude they have taken up, and return to constitutional meats in striving 'or what they judge are their rights.