TRAMWAYMEN'S DEMANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1920, Page 6

TRAMWAYMEN'S DEMANDS.

?0R HIGHER WAGES. AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE. A conference between the Borough Council and representatives of the Tramwaymeu's Union was held on Friday evening in connection with a request by the union for higher wages and improved conditions- of work. His Worship the Mayor presided, and there were present: Councillors W. A. Collis, J. W. Hayden, F. J.. Hill, R. L. Parkin, W. F. Short, and A. E. Sykea. The union representatives were Messrs V. George, Davy, and Alsop, and Mr. J. Roberts, secretary of the New Zealand Transport Workers' Federation.

On the tramway representatives entering the council chamber the council took exception to the presence of Mr. Roberts, on the ground that he was not a member of the union, and the council, having received a request from the men in their employ, wished to discuss it with the men themselvesMr. George contended that the tramwaymen were entitled to have their representatives, and among them some representative who could discuss the question more ably than perhaps they could. It would simplify the matter for the council as wall as for the men.

Mr. Roberts, after'asking permission to "clear the air," said that on arrival cere he had been asked by the tramwaymen to' put their case and had consented to do so. The council really honored him overmuch when they objected to his being present. He did not look, a remarkably fierce fellow, and surely there was no objection to a lot of working men having what his Worship had been pleased to call him, an advocate. He said that as secretary of the advisory board of the New Zealand Transport Workers' Federation his right to ba present could not be challenged really, but he did not wish to press that point. He mentioned the large part he had taken in the settlement of other disputes. The Mayor. (Mr. Clarke) said that the point was that in this case there was not a dispute actually. Mr. Roberts said the union had submitted an amendment to the agreement and there must be a dispute. His Worship: Not until we have disagreed with it.

Mr- Roberts said that if he was not allowed to be present lie would certainly advise the men to leave the meeting, and then sooner or later the council would have to meet him or some members of the advisory board. At the request of the Mayor the tramways deputation retired, and the council again discussed Mr. Roberts' position. It was decided to allow him to be present.

The change of front by the Council accounts for no notice of the proceedings appearing in -Saturday's issue of the News. Our reponter was given to understand that the proceedings were to be in camera, but Mr. Roberts' explanation, and the Council's change of attitude thereafter altered the position of things after the News reporter had left th» building.

On the tramwaymen rf-onterin". Mr Roberts proceeded to state their" case He said that during the past two or three months there had been increases m wages and improvements of conditionsi of tramwaymen right throughout the Dominion. He was referring pnrticuarly to Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurcli, and he understood that at Dunedin also a settlement had been arrived at in the past few days. The wages asked for at New Plymouth were really only on a par with the earning power of the tramwaymen of Wellington and Auckland. It was also asked that two of the present grades should be cut out and the men classified as "first year and after," the reason being that in a year a man proved his efficiency. This applied to conductors, mofornien, and any other men employed on tramway work. THE CLAIMS. Mr. Roberts proceeded to defcl with the claims in detail, and, in the course of his remarks, said that he had found by investigation that th? cost of living was as high at New Plymouth as at any place in New Zealand, evcept Gisborne. Only house rent was lower at New Plymouth. Any overtime earned by a workman should not be included when considering his weekly wage. Shed and track men and cleaners had not been included in the last agreement, but it was asked that they should now be dealt with as members of the union. Regarding overtime, lie did not know why the tramwaymen did not ask for double time after the first two hours. At the conference between tramway undertakings and the union last December the minimum rate asked for was Is Bd, but the lowest rate being paid to-<lay was Is 9d. Mr. Roberts also complained thftt uniforms were not supplied as often as required, and said that the union asked that a tunic, trousers, and hat should be supplied every year and an overcoat every three years. The Mayor replied to this that the council already supplied uniforms, but jhadi latterly had great difficulty in get- > ting them. Regarding the cost of living hia Worship quoted figures of the Government statistician which showed New Plymouth was lower than Wellington and Auckland. He also stated that the tramwaymen had already received a -0 per cent, increase in wages, and were now asking for what was an equivalent to 70 per cent, on the 1914 rates.

Mr. Roberts contended that it could be proved that the cost of living had risen 08 or 70 per cent, if clothing and the whole of the necessaries of a working man's life were taken into consideration- ® The Mayor pointed out that it was suggested that New Plymouth should pay more than Christchureh and Napier. Mr. Davy 'said that in Christchureh -the men were receiving iy 3 d an hour niore than the rate fixed in the award of fhe Arbitration Court. Councillor Hayden asked what Mr. Roberts suggested in case the cost of living fell, say 20 per cent., and Mr. Roberts replied that they would then be pleased to meet the council and discuss t'he matter. He contended, however, that the cost of living was at present bounding ahead. In the course of further discussion it was pointed out on behalf of the council that the tramwaymen were given valuable concessions not available to ordinary workers. They were given clothing and free travel to and'lrom work, and eight hours of work p;-r day were guaranteed. Mr. Roberts remarked that the men would accept nothing lower than the Auckland rates.

It was pointed out in reply that there could be no fair comparison between the New- Plymouth and the Auckland syjtettis in regard to the amount of gltvrk rqujfjA «U&» »«.

couxni/s offer declined. After discussion Hie union submitted an amendment claim and the council made an offerThe council also offered the union the right to apply to the Arbitration Court at any time for a further increase, notwithstanding any agreement fixing the rates. The council's offtfr was declined, but in reply to the Mayor, Air- Roberts stated that lie had no objection to the union taking a ballot of the men upon the offer. He .stated, however, that he could not recommend the men to accept, the offer. He also remarked that he would report the matter to the executive of the federation. The conference thus proving abortive the council adjourned. Mr. Roberts expressed regret that no agreement shad been reached. The Mayor, in reply, said lie thought if Mr. Roberta hail not been present the matter would have been settled. Details of the various schedules of pay and conditions are given below:— PRESENT RATES. Conductors. —'First year, Is 6d; second year Is Bid; third year and over, Is 7d. Motormen.—First year, Is 7d; second, year, Is 7Ad; third year, Is Bd. Overtime.—After eight hours time and a half on above rates, after deducting the bonus of 2d per hour, which is included in above; Sundays time and a half. Holidays on pay, 12. Shedmen.— £3 las per week. Car Cleaners £3 15s per week. Trackmen.— £3 las: per week. (Clothing, oil coats and leggings free). THE NEW DEMANDS. The rates asked for by the union provided for an increase of 4d per hour on ordinary rates and of (id per hour for overtime, as at present overtime is not paid on the bonus of 2d which the men | are receiving. The rates asked for were:— Conductors.—First year, Is 10d; second year, Is lid. Motormen—First year, Is lid; second 2s. ' Overtime on full rates as above; overtime after eight hours, time and a half; Sundays double. Holidays on pav, 12. Shedmen,—Shed hands. Is lid' c a r cleaners, Is 9Jd. One penny extra for night work. Trackmen.— £4 15s per week. Holidays, 12. (Clothing, oil coats, and leggiugs free.) All employees to receive for Good friday and Christmas Day ordinary rates_ for eight hours, although not working. Employees working on above days to receive double time in addition to wages for the eight hours mentioned. THE AMENDED CLAIM. The amended claim was as follows: Conductors—First year, Is 9d; second year, Is lOd. Motormen.-First year, Is lOd; second year, U 'lid. Overtime after eight hours, time and a half on above rates: Sundavs double nme. Holidays on pay, 12. Shedmen—Various rates; car adjusteis, is lid; car cleaners, Is yd. 1 nickincn.— £4 la.s per week. Twelve days lea,ve in all cases. Good Fridav and Christmas Day, ordinary rates for eight hours, plus ordinary rates for time worked. COUNCIL'S OFFER, rataa^— """"'''l the foll °win.e Conductors. First year, .'s 9d; second .year, Is 81d; third year and over. Is !>d Motormen—First' year, Is 9d- second year, Is (I'/id; third year Is Uld Overtime—After eight' hours, time and a half; Sundays, time and a half Holidays on pay, 12, Shedmen.— £-i 3s per week. Car cleaners.— £4 3s per week, , ( rack men.— .£4 3s per week. Good Friday and Christmas Day, ordinary rates for eight hours, plus ordinary rates for time worked. RECENT CITY RATES. The new Auckland agreement provides for the following scale:— Forty-eight hour week. Coiductors.—First year, Is 9d; second year, Is Itkl Motormen.—First year, l s 10d- second year, Is lidShedmen.— Various rates; car adjustera, 2s; car cleaners, Is 9d. Trackmen, — £4 15s pep week. Twelve days' leave in nil cases The Christchurch new award is as follows: Conductors.—First and second year "Is 6Jd; over two years, Is 7d; 'ove-' five years', Is Bd. Motormen. First and second years, Is 7d; over two years, Is 8d; over five •years, ls 9d. Shedmen.—Car adjusters, day Is 7Jd night Is car cleaners, day Is 6Jd night Is 7d; car shed laborers. Is 7d Trackmen, Is 7d.