GO-SLOW THREAT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 218, 14 September 1944, Page 2

GO-SLOW THREAT

WELLINGTON TRAMS

ULTIMATUM BY UNIONISTS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A decision to operate as from next Monday a service in accordance with the traffic regulations, which means a go-slow policy, unless certain requests are met by tne management by Saturday was reached at a stop-work meeting of Wellington tramway men and women held to-day to consider conditions ot employment. There was an attendance of 628 out of a total membership of 750, which was regarded as practically a 100 per cent attendance when allowance was made for members on holiday, sick or exempted. The resolution was carried unanimously. The meeting lasted from 1.30 p.m. until 5 p.m. and the service was in operation again at about 5.30 p.m. In the meantime a great section of the public began walking homeward, causing extraordinarily scenes in the main thoroughfares. "The cause of the discontent was the uncompromising attitude of the general manager of the tramways regarding any requests concerning conditions oT work and the smooth running of relations between the employer and employees," said the president of the union, Mr. G. Amos, in a statement after to-days meeting. It was felt, in view of the long hours worked and the fact that there had not been a stoppage of work for 33 years, that the union desired more understanding consideration from the general manager. It was also the overwhelming opinion that the present manager lacked the practical knowledge of the operations of the transport section of the system of his predecessor. Three resolutions which were carried unanimously are to be forwarded to the management. Failing a reply satisfactory to the union by Saturday, extra call backs and voluntarily overtime will be discontinued and the service will be carried on strictly in conformity with the tramway regulations as covered bv the citv by-laws. This procedure will be adopted for a week, when a combined general meeting will be held to reconsider the position. The Unionists' Demands

The resolutions passed are as folic vs:— That 25 per cent of the net profits of the tramways department for the year ended March 31, 1944, be passed back to the members of the union in the form of a wartime loading bonus, and that this practice be continued for the duration of the war. That the retiring leave allowance be brought into conformity with that operating for other members of the staff. That a demand be made to the City Council to adjust the holidays position in accordance with the Holidays Act and on a basis as set out in the proposals for a new award forthwith, and, further, that payment to car shed employees on night shift on Sundays be increased from time and a half to double time rates. That all the men returning in future from overseas who belong to the union and are in the superannuation fund who cannot continue with the department through war disability or sickness be given all the money that has been paid into their superannuation account up to termination of their services, and, further, that a written statement be obtained from the council to that effect. Resolutions regarding a merit bonus, passes for members on trams and additional manpower were referred to the executive for appropriate action.