WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16550, 14 May 1914, Page 7

WORK AND WAGES.

TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES' UNION

Special meetings of the Christchurch Tramway Employees' Union were held at the,Trades Hall on Tuesday. Mr J. Nind presided. Both meetings were largely attended. Mr J. Nihd was elected as the Union's representative upon the Tramways Appeal Board in place of Mr G. Lomas, who had resigned on account of having left the service of the Tramway Board. Messrs A. Blyth and C Lamb were elected as auditors for the ensuing year and Mr C. Amyes was elected to the Executive Committee vice Mr A. Beere who had resigned. Circulars were received from the recent Conference of Arbitration Unions, also from the United Federation of Labour, inviting the Union to be represented at the Conference of Arbitration Unions which had been arranged to meet at Wellington on July 7. It was resolved by thirty-six votes' to nine, at the morning meeting, and unanimously at the night meeting, to be represented at the Conference. The delegate will be elected at the next meeting of the Union.

lhe question of tho alteration of cars by the provision of centre aisles was discussed, and the meeting was unanimously of opinion that while the centre aisle was a boon to both passengers and conductors, the existing legislation did not go far enough. At present one end of some of the cars was closed, which necessitated the conductor having to swing but on to the footboard to reach the passenger compartment. The d;ep and the running board of tho cars are on different levels, which is also a source of danger, and lias been responsible for accidents to conductors. It was resolved to again, make representations to the Public Work* Department upon the matter, with a view to having it made compulsory upon the Board to have a centre aislo from end to end of can;.

It was resolved to write to Mr T. H. Davey, M.P., thanking him for his past services m connection with tramways legislation, and requesting him to continue to urge further improvements necessary;

Messrs J. Niud, J. Crowley and 11. hunter, the, Union's assessors on the Conciliation Council, reported the result of the Council's sittings. The report was adopted, and their action in refusing to accept the Board's proposals regarding hours of work and other matters was. unanimously endorsed