AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS DISPUTE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 117, 22 May 1918, Page 7

AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS DISPUTE.

TERM S OF NEW AGREEMENT. (United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 18. The agreement in the Auckland tramways dispute was signed this morning ;is"a result of the sittings of the third rommitte e lasting from Wednesday. There were three representatives of each party, the Hon. O. Fowids being chairman with a casting vote. This morning Mr Fowids announced that after considerable discussion it was fowxi that the parties were unable to agree regarding rates of wages, and he therefore intimated that be was prepared to support a n increase of wage* on the following basis: Where wages are at, present less than 13d per hour, an increase of 1-J,d per hour ; where wages are 13d per hour, but less than 15d, an increase of 2^i; where wages arc 15d per hour a.nd over, an increase of Id ; that the present bonus of 5s per week i„ addition to the scale of wages provided for be continued during the currency of the agreement about t» be concluded. The scale was adopted throughout, with a few minor modilications. After a discussion on co.udi i.ions of work, the chairman intimated that he. was not prepared to support material alterations, which would have the- effect of substantially increasing th* cost of operating the tramways, beyond the increase in wages, or would necessitate a further call upon the manpower of the city. With- regard to the claim that eight hours' work. b<> provided for broken shifts within 12 hours, after which overtime should be paid, it was agreed that in. at least 50 per cent, of the broken shifts eight hours shall be completed in 12 ■ hour* and the remaining 50 per cent., in 13 hours, alter which ordinary overtime should b e paid. It was also agreed that the time in which employees should be continuously on duty' without ft'break should be reduced from ten to nine and half hours. In the case of night-shift depot workers, it was agreed that eight hours per shift should in elude half an hour for meal time. It \w decided to add a new clause pro vidin R that the rank and promotion of all employees engaged since the com mencement of the war will be liable iv adjustment when men serving with the Expeditionary Force return to resume work. A number of minor amendments and modifications were also agreed to. The agreement is to be made binding for two years.