TRAMWAY DISPUTE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15982, 16 July 1912, Page 8

TRAMWAY DISPUTE.

GRIEVANCES TO BE CONSIDERED. ACTION BY THE BOARD. Yesterday the Christchurch Tramway Board took a further step in the direction of settling any grievances which its employees may have. At its previous meeting the Board decided to suggest a joint conference as the best method of procedure, on condition that tho Tramway Employees’ Union withdrew a letter, dated June 13, threatening drastic measures.

At yesterday’s meeting a letter was received from the Union stating that it formally withdrew the letter of June 13 and had appointed a committee of five to meet a. committee from the Board, the conference to have imvor to take evidonco and to finally report to the Board as to what steps mould be taken to remedy any grievances which, in its opinion, existed. Mr Gray moved that live inemoers of the Board should be appointed to meet the Union’s representatives. ATr Staples seconded the motion. Mr Flesher said that it was desirable that the entire Board should meet the men. The members were not liielv to waste time, and their training would assist the conference in dealing with matters which might arise. He moved as an amendment that tho board in committee should meet the committee from the Union. Air Pearce seconded Mr Flesher’s amendment. Tlio chairman said that it was evident. that the conference ca- to settle matters.

Mr Barr: To report as to wliat steps should be taken. The chairman: If the Board does not agree with the report it will have to discuss it all over again. Tho Union, so far, hare not submitted a list of the matters which are considered grievances.

Air Barr said that he supported Hie motion. Air Flesher’s amendment should provide that if the whole Board were appointed the Union should be represented by nine men The larger number would not tend to lessen the discussion. If the Union were informed of the Board’s intention to meet the representatives of the men a list of the supposed grievances would be submitted. Mr Flesher: I don’t care how many representatives tlie Union has. It can have nineteen if it wishes. Mr _ Gray said that the Board was magnifying the whole business. Tho matters involved wore well known to the members of the Board, and a committee of five could do the work instead of eighteen men. devoting time to it. The Union recognised that five was a majority of the Board. Tho amendment was carried, Messrs Pearce, Flesher, Sykes. Beavon and Booth voting for it and Messrs Gray, Staples and Barr against it.