TRAM DISPUTE

Grey River Argus, 13 September 1944, Page 5

TRAM DISPUTE

STOP-WORK MEETING AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON,. Sept. 12. There appears little likelihood' of the Wellington Tramway Employees’ Union abandoning their decision to hoild a general stop-work meeting to-morrow, commencing at 1.30 p.m. The City Council met this morning to consider the position. The discussion w.as taken in committee. MAYOR’S VERSION WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. After the City Council meeting regarding the tram dispute, the Mayor, Mr W. Appleton, said the Council regarded the action proposed by holding a stop-work meeting as “the Union’s attempt to wield the big stick.” He said such tactics _ would get them nowhere, either with the Council or the public. The matters in dispute were before the Arbitration Court. That w.as the proper body to decide them. To attempt to use'the “big stick” when the disqute had passed through the Conciliation Council and awaited decision by the Arbitration Court, was extraordinary to say the least. The number of items contained in the claims by the Union was approximately 180. On many of these there was a distinct difference of opinion between the Union and the Council which the influence of conciliation was unable to break down. However, further talks had taken place outside of the Conciliation Council, and the parties were able to go back to the Conciliation Commissioner with only seventeen items unsettled. Of these seventeen items, six were wages items. Two were new claims. One was an anunal holiday provision. Tire remaining items were small.