WELLINGTON TRAM SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 197, 18 August 1908, Page 7

WELLINGTON TRAM SERVICE.

SETTIJiMEXT OF [DISPUTE. WAOBS OF TH£ STAFF. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WKLLIXGTOX, Monday. After months of negotiation a settlement cf the dispute between the Tramways Employees' Union and the ( ity Council appears to be in sight. The Union has practically decid-ed to accept the conditions laid down by the Tramway Committee of the Council, with one minor exception. The proposals will shortly be submitted to the City Council for confirmation, and it is anticipated that.the dispute wil be brought to a close within the next week or two. The original demands of the Union meant to the Council an increased expenditure of upwards of £3000 per annam. They Jiavo' not nil been acceded to, and in no instance has the existing rate of pa-y been reduced, but in several instances important advances, involving a considerable increase in the cost of running tlie trani"vvayis, are proposed. The only point on which a difference of opinion exists is with respect to trackmen. The Union asked that they be paid 1/tH per hour. At the present time they are" earning £2 5/ ordinary time., and are -working four hour=' overtime on Sundays at time and a-half rates, briiif,'in" tlieir total earnings up to £2 11/. The cxtni cost to the City Council of niacin" the wage at 1/0-1 would be 10/7 per wee.k. or £50 IS/4 per annum for the 10 linesmen. A difficulty which presented itself with regard to clerks, tiuiekeepers. and. night foremau has been obviated by excluding them from the agreement, and permitting them to come in"on the City Council staff. First-class motormen are to receive J/\!x per hour, and many second-class men are to be promoted. Second-class motormen will get 1/1 per hour, and third-class motonnen UJd per hour. Car equipment adjusters will receive 1/1 (an increase of id), men employed at controller work 1/1? (an increase of Jd), linesmen 1/3, power-house firemen 1/2 (leading man 1/3). greasers 1/2, "handymen" 1/2, electricians 1/0. wiremen 1/4 "'(increases of 3d and Id respectively), titters 1/4* (increase of lkl), engine suutlu 1/4 (an increase of id), engine smith strikers 1/1 (an increase of Id). ■ car cleaners 1/. emergency linesmen £.3 .->/ per w«ek of seven day?, pointsmen £2 15/ per week of -seven days, power-house trimmcre ]/ per hour.