NEW AGREEMENT?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 187, 9 August 1932, Page 5

NEW AGREEMENT?

AUCKLAND TRAMWAYMEN

CONSIDERATION BY BOARD. MEN REJECT PROPOSALS. The Auckland Transport Board, after a discussion in committee this morning, decided to take the necessary steps to vary the existing agreement with the Auckland Transport Board's Tramway and Omnibus Employees' Union, or to enter into a new agreement. The whole question was referred to the eommittei of the whole board, with power to act. The committee reported that for the past three months discussions had been held with the union in respect to variations in the agreement necessary to meet economically the changed conditions of traffic. Recommendations were adopted in respect to alterations in shifts and o.ther detailed matters concerning the running of the various services. The following clauses were included in the adopted report: — To Avoid Dismissals. (1) To provide for present extraordinary circumstances, all clauses in agreement relating to rates of pay on Sunday, Christmas Day, Anza.: Day and Good Friday shall be amended to provide for itme and a half rates in lieu of double time rates. (2) That if, in the opinion of the union, conditions become more favourable than at present, negotiations shall be opened between the parties with a view to restoring in part or whole the conditions now waived. The foregoing proposals have been designed to avoid the dismissal of 20 men on the traffic staff. If the proposals are adopted, these men will in present circumstances be retained in the service, and the earnings of the whole of the traffic staff will be reduced slightly. The union representatives have undertaken to place the proposals before the men and leave them to decide the matter. "By Large Majority." The secretary of the union wrote stating, inter alia: "The proposals for variation were submitted to two general meetings of the union held on July 13 and July 2(5, when it was resolved that the proposals be placed before the members Of the union and that a ballot of the whole of the members be held to ascertain the opinion as to whether the members would agree to accept or reject the proposals. This ballot was held on August 5, end I have to advise that the proposals were rejected by a large majority."

Mr. A Hum saicl a reply would be sent, giving the board's decision, and expressing extreme regret that the ballot had been unsuccessful.