GO-SLOW THREAT

Evening Star, Issue 23041, 20 August 1938, Page 11

GO-SLOW THREAT

WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS TROUBLE UNION ULTIMATUM [Per United Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, Aug. 19. Tension has prevailed this week among members of the Wellington Tramway Employees’ Union folio * ing a meeting held last Sunday morning. In a letter to the City Council _ the union has intimated that, failing an indication by the Tramways Committee that it would meet representatives of the men upon certain matters in dispute, tactics would be adopted which would be detrimental to the smooth running of the city’s bus and tram services. Those who attended the meeting on Sunday morning are stated to have resolved unanimously on this course, and it is understood that the terms of the letter allowed the Tramways Committee seven days in which to agree to meet the men. The period cf ultimatum „s to expire on Monday. From inquiries made among the men, it is understood that the tactics proposed would be on the '.nes of the “ go-slow ” policy adopted in Wellington in September, 1918. Following a dispute wit! the than City Council respecting wages and overtime, the entire tram schedule was upset through / the trams oeing driven at little more than a walking pace, and the tactics continued for more than a week and were ended only with the intervention of the Acting Prime Minister, Sir James Allen. A statement of the attitude of the Tramways Committee was sought to-day from the Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop), who is chairman of the committee. He stated that the union had been advised that the committee would meet its representatives at its next meeting. A report on the matters in dispute was circulated among the members of the committee at its last meeting, and action was deferred to enable them to study the report. Under the industrial agreement between the Wellington City Council and the tramways employees disputes are dealt with by the union appointing representatives to meet I the Tramways Committee as representing the employers. The Tramways Appeal Board, presided over by- the senior magistrate, has its powers limited by legislation, and deals ; with such matters as appeals from dismissal rather than general matters arising, out of an industrial award or agreement. ' The complaint of the union on this occasion is stated to rest not so much on the points in dispute as on the alleged un .villingriess of the Tramways Committee to meet representatives of the men. Against this, the records show that re parties have met at least seven times since the present agreement began to operate. ,