AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13395, 25 January 1907, Page 3

AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS UNION.

CONFERENCE WITH THE COMPANY. PROPOSED CONCESSIONS TO BE SUBMITTED TO BALLOT. Meetings of the afternoon and morning shifts of tho members of tlio Auckland Tramways Union were hold yesterday morning and evening for the purpose of considering the proposals recently made by the company as a result of the conference between Mr. C. G. Tegetmeh?r (chairman of the company) and Mr. P. M. Hanson (managing director) and Mr. A. Rosser (secretary of the union) and the Management Committee of the union. The text of the proposed concessions has already been published in these columns, but since then certain supplementary concessions have been submitted by the company as follows: —Tho night shift men at the depots (ear examiners, cleaners, etc.) to be allowed a spell on day shift for at least three monthly spells in each year; now men taken on at the bains to be given the first four weeks at day shift so as to got thoroughly broken in, but after that period to be transferred to night shift if suitable positions are available; and lockers to lie provided at the burns for the .-.ale custody of the men's clothing. At tho meetings of the union, which were well attended, it, was decided that a ballot be taken of the whole of tho members of the union to decide whether the proposals shall bo favourably recommended to tho executive of the Federated Tramways' Association of New Zealand for acceptance. All the tramway unions of the colony are now affiliated to the association, one of the rules of- which is that, no change in the working conditions of any one union can be accepted by any individual union without reference to the central executive, which at present is located in Wellington. In reply to an inquiry as to whether the proposed concessions will be given by the company in the event of the union deciding to carry the case to the Arbitration Court, Mr. Rosser has received the following communication from Mr. Hansen:—" I have to state that the company is prepared to adopt the proposed new regulations in addition to lie provisions laid down in the award nutlet' which the service is at present worked, but, it must be understood thai if the union decides to proceed further and to appeal to the Arbitration Court, for a new award any and every modification of the provisions of the present award which may be demanded by the men would necessarily be open to discussion and tho decision of the Court obtained on all points.'' Mr. Hansen also adds that the clause providing for six annual holidays on half-pay will apply not only to motormen and conductors, but. to all regular wages men who have boon continuously in the service of the company for one year.