A HEAVY INCREASE

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 123, 25 May 1920, Page 7

A HEAVY INCREASE

The increases included in the above apply all-round. Comparisons in all grades are difficult, because the grading according ,to years.of service is different in the new agreement to the old. First and second year motormen now receive Is 10jd per hour ordinary time, as against Is 4sd, and senior motormen (those with six years service and over) 2s per hour, as against the former rate of Is 6d for up to seven years' service, and Is 6^d for over. Conductors with two years' service now receive Is 9£d (as against Is 4d), and those in the third year and over Is lOd (as against Is 4d, and Is 5d for over seven years).

Previously the men have worked nine hou#s before overtime was counted. Now overtime counts after eight hours' work. It is to bo paid for at the rate of time and a half up till midnight, and after that hour doubls time. All Sundays and holidays (enumerated) are to be paid for at double rates. This v.-ill raise tho rates of pay for Sundays and holidays for senior motormen to 4s per hour, and for conductors to 3s 8d per hour.

The City Council wishes the agreement registered under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. but the Tramways Employees* Union desires it to be registered under the Labour Disputes Investigation Act.

The increase in rates will mean a-.very oeavy additional expenditure on the tramways, nnd it is certain that fares, more particularly on Sundays and holidays, will require to be raised. This matter will probably be discussed tonight when the new scale and conditions of working will coma up for ratification by the City Council. The new agreement in many respects follows the Auckland agreement.