TRAM SERVICE IN AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXIIi, Issue 25214, 19 June 1947, Page 3

TRAM SERVICE IN AUCKLAND

BOARD MEETS UNION REPRESENTATIVES NO FURTHER CURTAILMENT IN MEANTIME

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, June 18. No further curtailment of Auckland’s services will be made in the meantime, unless the labour position becomes, worse. This decision was made at a meeting of the Auckland Transport Board after the secretary of the union, Mr E. A. Whitlow, had requested that action be deferred until a national agreement, including settlement of the question of employing women, was reached in about 10 days. A second factor affecting the continuation of the present tram services was settled softer the board had received a report on the electricity supply in committee. It was decided to inform the Auckland Electric Power Board that further restrictions would be deferred, and to point our the substantial savings -already made. “There is no need to consider further cutting of the services as far as power is concerned.” said the chairman, Mr W. H. Nagle. Although a recommendation that, because of staff shortages, Sunday trams should not begin until 1.30 p.m., and cease at 8.30 p.m., was made to the board by the general manager, Mr E. B. Foster, on Monday, it was decided to make a last minute appeal to the union to appear on the question of the employment of more women dn a temporary basis. The meeting was adjourned until to-day, when Mr Whitlow appeared, with two other union representatives. His organisation had no objection to the employment of women on equal pay with men, said Mr Whitlow. The New Zealand Tramways Union, of which he was vice-president had decided. however, that it was a subject for negotiations for a national agreement, which would be concluded about the end of this month. His national organisation considered that the matter should be deferred, pending the outcome of negotiations for a Dominion agreement. It had been felt that women might be employed at wages which would not attract men qnd that some dilution of working conditions might result, added Mr Whitlow. The Auckland union was only a section of the National Union, and would abide by the national council’s decision until the matter was dealt with in negotiations. .There was every prospect of a satisfactory arrangement being reached. “When did the Auckland board ever prppose to employ women at lower wage than men?” asked the chairman. There had been no suggestion of diluting conditions for males or females. It was a question to be resolved by the Public Passenger Transport Association and his national union, representing organisations throughout the Dominion, said Mr Whitlow