Bonus Extensions Refused By Board

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31376, 23 May 1967, Page 1

Bonus Extensions Refused By Board

An extension of the bonus payment to traffic staff, workshop tradesmen and inspectors was refused on the casting vote of the chairman (Mr J. R. Smith) at the Christchurch Transport Board’s meeting yesterday.

The finance committee recalled that the bonus was introduced in 1960 and had always been limited to employees who were members of the Tramway Workers’ Union. The only change had been that the board had recently reviewed the rates. The amended rates had been given to the traffic staff

because of the present nature of their work in traffic and with a view to retaining the services of drivers with two or more years’ service. “We feel that once the principle of a bonus has been established it should apply to all employees covered by awards," said Mr H. E. Denton, who was supported by his three Labour Party colleagues.

“What an extraordinary position,” said Mr Smith. “When the bonus was proposed I moved that every member of the staff should be entitled to a bonus if the operators were. I appealed for a seconder, but did not get one.” Mr R. H. Stillwell: We are entitled to change our minds. The bonus scheme had been introduced by a Labour board in 1960 and applied to the traffic staff, Mr E. J. Bradshaw said. It had been increased because of a study made of bonuses paid in other centres, and the difficulty of getting traffic operators.