AUCKLAND TRAMWAY DISPUTE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16216, 20 May 1918, Page 8

AUCKLAND TRAMWAY DISPUTE.

» TERMS OF SETTLEMENT.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND, May IS. An agreement in the Auckland tramways disputo 'was signed this morning as a result of tho sittings of the third committee, consisting of three representatives of each party, and tho Hon. C. Fov/Idsas chairman with a casting vote.

This morning Mr Fowlds announced that after considerable discussion it was found that the parties were unable to agree regarding tho rates of wages, and ho therefore iutmiated that he was prepared to support an increase of wages on the following basis:— Where wages are at present less than 13d per hour, an increaso of ljd per hour; where wages aro 13d per hour, but less than Jsd, an increase of IJd per hour; whero wages are 15d per hour and over, an increase of Id per hour; that the present bonus of Ss per week in addition to tho scale of wages provided for be continued during the currency ,of tho agreement about to bo concluded.

I The Bcale was adopted throughout, with , a few minor modifications.

After a discussion on tho conditions of work, the chairman intimated that ho was not prepared to support any material alterations which would have the effect ot substantially increasing the cost of operating tho' tramways, beyond tho increase in wages, or would necessitate a further call upon tho man-power of tho city. With regard to tho claim that eight hours' work bo provided for broken shifts within twelve hours, after which overtime should bo paid, it was agreed that in at least 50 per ! cent, of broken shifts the eight hours shall be completed in twelve hours, and the- remaining 60 per cent, in thirteen hours, after which ordinary overtime should be paid. -—It was also agreed that the time in which an employeo ehpuld be continuously on duty without a break should be reduced from ten to nine and a half hours. • In the case, of night shift depot workers, it was agTced that eight hours per_ shift should include half an hour for meal time. It was decided to add a new clause providing that the rank Riid promotion of all employeea engaged Bincc the commencement of th« war will bo liable to adjustment when men sowing with the Expeditionary Forces return to resume work. A number of minor amendments and modifications were agreed to, the agreement to be made binding for two years.