THE TRAMWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1920, Page 5

THE TRAMWAYS.

AN AGREEMENT REACHED.

HOURS AND PAY QUESTION,

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, JLasfc Night. The Tramway Conference concluded to-day- It considered an offer made by tUs employers. Certain amendments were made, and the representatives of the tramway workers then agreed to put the offer before the men and arrange for a ballot on the question of acceptance.

The agreement includes the following provisions:—

Wages—Motormen, gripmen (incliuLing drivers of track cleaners and freight cars): first and second years Is 7d per hour; over two years, Is Bd. Conductors (including attendants on track cleaners and freight cars): first and second years, Is GJd; over two years, Is 7d. Cable car linesmen and ropemen, Is fid: assistant linesman (cable car), Is 6Jd. Hours—Motormen, conductors and gripsmen: (A) A minimum of 96 hours shall be provided each fortnight of not less than 8 hours for each day for twelve days, except that (B) Men shall be entitled to each alternate Sunday off to abandon the 'go-slow' policy and 96 hour fortnight, and employees (Shall be allowed one working day off duty in lieu of such Sunday work. The employer shall have the right to call men back for duty on such day off at overtime rates. (C) All work done over and above 8 hours in any one day shall be paid for at time and ai-hailf rates. (D) Men volunteering to work on Suntheir AG hour fortnight, shall be paid day, wfien such day is not included l in a minimum of four hours, or if they report for duty and are not required to work, shall be paid for two hours. This clause shall not apply in the case of cable tramway employees engaged on repair work. (E) All work done on Good Friday and Christmas Day to be piad for at double ratea.

The agreement provides for referring future disputes to a Disputes Committee, consisting of tljree representatives of each party, who shall elect a chairman. A decision of a majority of the Committee is to be binding. This Committee may refer a dispute to an independent person. If his recommendation is not accepted by the parties the dispute will be referred to the National Disputes Committee, the decision of this Committee to be final.