WOMEN ON TRAMS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 88, 15 April 1942, Page 5

WOMEN ON TRAMS

POSITION OF UNION

ACTUAL RATES OF PAY

"In the first place, I desire it to bo known that the union is not the employment bureau through which the women will be employed," said Mr. F. Hackett, secretary of the Auckland branch and national president of the New Zealand Union of Tramwaymen, when asked to comment on the statement published last night relative to the engagement of women conductors. "That prerogative belongs solely to the engineer and manager of the board, Mr. A. E. Ford, but once having been engaged the employee becomes a member of the union, and from then on works in accordance with the agreement in existence," added Mr. Hackett.

Regarding conditions and pay, Mr. Hackett pointed cut that last night's article was more than a little misleading. In the traffic department three hourly rates existed, and for a 40-hour week as from Monday to Saturday the following gross payment was made:—Conductor, first 12 months, £5 3/6; conductor, after 12 months, and motorman, first 12 months, £5 8/4; motorman, after 12 months, .£5 11/8. When wage tax and compulsory club membership was deducted, or. in other words, when tfle men were on holidays, they received net £4 10/9, £4 15/2 and £4 18/2 respectively. That women conductors would receive the same conditions and pay as the men was the policy recently adopted at the annual conference of the National Union, and unless agreements were varied by the Industrial Emergency Council the present conditions and hourly rates must apply. "It is gratifying to note that, all things being equal, preference will be given to wives and daughters of men who were employees of the board and are at present serving with the forces, and undoubtedly the widows of employees who have made the supreme sacrifice will receive a greater measure of preference," concluded Mr. Hackett.