TRAMWAY WAGES INCREASED

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25250, 31 July 1947, Page 6

TRAMWAY WAGES INCREASED

MR RIGG’S DECISION

TIME-AND-A-HALF FOR SATURDAYS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July SO. Wage increases, higher shift payments, time and a half for Saturday work, and the inclusion of Sunday in the 40-hour week at double time rates are granted to New Zealand tramway workers under the terms of an interim decision given by Mr A. B. Rigg, Conciliation Commissioner, in the national tramways dispute. His decision was given as chairman of a disputes committee under the Strikes and Lockouts Regulations. The committee failed to reach agreement. Mr Rigg said wages would be placed ' on a uniform figure on the basis of the highest existing rate,'increased by l|d an hour. This was in line with recent decisions of the Arbitration Court. The shift allowance for traffic staffs would be increased from Is 6d a shift to 2s. As agreed between the parties, meal reliefs df half an hour were to be provided, 15 minutes of which were to be paid for by the employers. Mr Rigg said this was an interim ■ decision. Certain clauses concerning.s the spread of hours, the system of rostering. provision of uniforms, and travelling time had been held over for decision later, after evidence had been heard in various centres.