STRIKERS REJECT ULTIMATUM IN TRAM DISPUTE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22655, 4 June 1948, Page 6

STRIKERS REJECT ULTIMATUM IN TRAM DISPUTE

,(P.A.) DUNEDIN, June 3. ‘ Trams and buses were still not run' ning in Dunedin this morning when the tramways strike entered its third day.

A special meeting of the Dunedin City Council lasting just over an hour was held in committee this morning and/on the conclusion the transDort committee chairman, Mr. E. J. Anderson, released a statement calling upon members of the union prepared to return to work to do so by 7 a m. tomorrow.

“Non-corr.p'iance with this notice, the statement said, “will involve the dismissal of those who refuse duty, a call for staff to recommence the transport service and instructions to the cny solicitors to take such steps as are legal against those in the service who have broken the law ’

a onrok'mately 3GO men are involved in the strike.

The Tramways Union considered the council ultimatum and rejected it by 225 votes to 2 with one informal. Minister’s Proposal

A proposal conveyed to the special meetin° of tl e council this morning on behalf of the Minis.er of Labour. Mr. A. McLagan. that the council should agree to pav the amount claimed by the Tramwavs Union in the meantime without prejudice to the council's claim was not accepted by the council. The proposal was conveyed bv a letter from the Minister of Defence. Mr. Jones, who is at present in Dunedin. The union’s claim is for permanent payment at a higher rate for men who perform relieving duties as drivers. The letter from Mr. Jones wa» audressed to the Mayor, Mr. D. C. Cameron. and said: "Confirming our telephone conversation of last evening the following is the proposal which I have been asked by Mr. McLagan, Minister of Labour, to convey to you for the consideration of your council: Pay Without Prejudice “ ‘That the council should agree to pay the amount claimed bv the •uaiiiways Union in the meantime without prejudice to the council's claim. At the tribunal meeting which is to be held on Wednesday of next week the council could then put forward the claim that they are not required Oy i.,e award to make such payments and that the council should be entitled to recover payments it has made without prejudice for the purpose of securing a resumption of work. If the tribunal decided in the council’s favour it would be competent for the tribunal to award the council repayments of the amounts paid.’ ” - The council was unable to accede to the suggestion, said the chairman of the transport committee, in a press statement after the meeting of the council. The council l felt it did not touch really the main question of resumption of transport and reference of the problem to constituted authority.