THE TRAMWAY STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 76, 29 March 1920, Page 4

THE TRAMWAY STRIKE.

The most inexcusable thing about Saturday's tramway strike was its suddenness. It was a pure example of what js called a'" lightning " strike. People travelling by car had no notice at all that the men intended to stop work; they did not even know that there was anything between the men and the management that might cause a strike. The 3' were suddenly, and without any warning, plunged into inconvenience. Passengers were put off cars and left to their own devices, and presumably if the men had not been persuaded by the Mayor to resume, the usual Saturday night crowd in iown would have had to get home as best it could. We put it to the tramwaymen, that, no matter what grievances they may have, conduct like this is inexcusable. It is immoral, because it shows a complete lack of consideration for the rights of the community. What was to prevent the men Ikying their complaints before the Mayor and saying they would abide by his decision, as they eventually consented to do? If they were determined to atrike, why should they not have given the public warning? It is a sinister feature of the strike that it occurred in one of the busiest times of the week. The men will always have the sympathy of the public in legitimate grievances. The public is well awaro that the lot of motormen and conductors is often difficult in these days, when there is more traffic than the rolling stock will comfortably carry, and it therefore requires that the men shiKl be dealt with considerately and tactfully. But the public expects consideration in return, and it will emphatically condemn such a gross breach of contract a? happened on Saturday night. The Mayor has considered and passed judgment upon the cases of alleged harsh treatment that gave rise to the strike. However juet his findings, are, the question of the effect of hie action on discipline ie bound to arise. There is a Tramway Appeal Board in the background; is it to be permanently ignored? The Mayor noted in his negotiations with the men, "opinions expressed and views held" about this body, but was it necessary to have a strike before these views and opinions could be expressed? Whether or not there is justification for this attitude towards the Board, the public will expect both sides to devise some method of preventing or settling such disputes as the one that upset the wholes trim service on Saturday. This is the. geeond time in a few weeks that disciplinary action has caused a stoppage. The Council will be expected to see that its officers do their work in such a way as to reduce friction to a minimum, but the men will also be expected to regard grievances with a due sense of responsibility. Mr. Gunaon eaye that the representatives of the men "admit freely the necessity at all hazards for the proper maintenance of discipline in the service " If this principle is loyally accepted there will be no more "lightning" strikes. If it had been acted upon on Saturday there would have been no stoppage.