BUS DRIVERS’ AWARD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22583, 11 March 1948, Page 3

BUS DRIVERS’ AWARD

IMPROVEMENTS GRANTED WAGES AND CONDITIONS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 11. A considerable improvement in the conditions for rural passenger bus drivers and improvements also for urban drivers were embodied in a complete agreement reached in Conciliation Council for the New Zealand Road Transnort Drivers' Award. Mr. A. Melville, secretary of the New Zealand Drivers’ Federation, represented the workers, and Mr. C. G. Camp the employers. Mr. A. B. Rigg, conciliation commissioner, presided. The employers agreed to the workers’ proposal for the merging of all three parts of the award into one, thus establishing uniform conditions for town and country drivers. As proposed by the workers, it was agreed that where any small firm might suffer nardsbip under the new system, the hones of work could be varied by agreement with the union. The agreement provides for a 40hour, -five-day week, Monday to Saturdal, with Sunday outside the 40 hours. Saturday work is to be paid for at half-time additional. Any work done on Sundays will be paid for at double time with a minimum of four hours. The daily spread of hours has been reduced from nine in 12 hours to eight and a half in 11 and broken shift payment is increased from Is 6d to 2s. Wages are increased by 7d to bring them to £7 5s 4d a week. A comnlcte settlement was reached also in the terms of the award for urban and rural local body drivers. Under these settlements an increase in wages of approximately 3s a week is nrovided. Increases are also provided in snecial allowances and rates, and provision is made for improved conditions.