TRAMWAY SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1936, Page 8

TRAMWAY SERVICE.

CLAIM BY THE EMPLOYEES. NATIONAL UNION FAVOURED, Claims based on the application of the forty-hour week to the service are to be submitted in the near future to the Auckland Transport Board by representatives of the Auckland Tramway Employees' Union. The existing agreement expired on April 30 last, although it will continue to operate until superseded by another and at meetings yesterday morniii" and afternoon the men discussed draft claims for the new agreement. The meeting which were arranged to suit the convenience of all shifts, were largely attended by all sections of the union, including the traffic, workshops and permanent way departments, and it is reported that they were unanimous in decisions to apply for the introduction of the fortyhour week and to affiliate with the National union of tramwaymen which is being formed. On the question of hours it is explained that the traffic staff of the Transport Board at present works a 48-hour week and the permanent way and depot staffs a 47-hour week. Should the shorter week meet with the approval of the board it will be necessary to increase the staffs in the various depart: ments, particularly the traffic staff. The decision of the Auckland men to link up with the national union is in keeping with action along lines already taken by the unions in Wangauui, New Plymouth and Christchurcli. i