TRAMWAYMEN’S DEMANDS

Evening Star, Issue 26043, 6 March 1947, Page 4

TRAMWAYMEN’S DEMANDS

3D HOUR INCREASE AND SHIFT MONEY CONFERENCE, MARCH 18 (I*.A.) WELLLINGOTN, March 5. Seven tramway authorities throughout New Zealand have now received the claims of the New Zealand Tramway Employees’ Union for a national agreement to supersede the various district awards. ! It is learned from the tramway authorities that the union will claim 3d an hour increase in wages for most workers, and will ask for shift payments of 3s a shift, in addition to wages. The payment of shift money was a major matter in dispute when there was the threat of a strike on the Wellington trams last Christmas. Shift money is again the principal subject in dispute in Auckland. / In the new claims which the union has put forward, the wage rate for conductors would be 3s an hour for the first six months and 3s Id thereafter,* for motormen, 3s 3jd, and for one-man operators and trolly bus drivers 3s 5Jd an hour. Increases are sought on a similar basis for cable car men, workshops, and depot men, permanent way, the power-house and overhead workers. These wages are claimed on a 40-hour week basis. The union has . proposed a conference with the tramway authorities, which will be held on March 18 in Wellington. i