GO-SLOW THREAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23121, 20 August 1938, Page 17

GO-SLOW THREAT

WELLINGTON TEAMS ULTIMATUM FROM MEN STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR [BY ti:r.ht.lLU'lI —PJtKss association] WELLINGTON, Friday Tension has prevailed this week among members of the Wellington Tramway Jimploycss' Union, lolloping a meeting held last Sunday morning. In a letter to the City Council, the union has intimated that, failing an indication by the tramways committee that it would meet representatives of the men upon certain matters in dispute, tactics would bo adopted which would be detrimental to the smooth running of the city's bus and tram services. Those who attended the meeting on Sunday morning arc stated to have resolved unanimously 011 this course, and it is understood the terms of the letter allowed the tramways committee seven days in which to x agree to meet the men. The period of the ultimatum was to expire 011 Monday next. Previous Trouble From inquiries made among the men it is understood that the tactics proposed woiild be 011 the lines of the "go slow" policy adopted in Wellington in September, 1918, following a dispute with the then City Council respecting wages and overtime. The entire tram schedule was upset through trams being driven at little more than a walking pace, and the tactics continued for more than a week. The situation was ended only with the intervention of the act-ing-Prime Minister, Sir James Allen.

Attitude of Committee A statement upon the attitude of the tramways committee was sought to-day from the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, who is chairman of the committee. He stated the union had been advised that the committee would meet its representatives at its next meeting. A report on the matters in dispute was circulated among members of the committee at its last meeting, and action Mas deferred to enable them to study it. Under an industrial agreement between the Wellington City Council and the tramways employees, disputes are dealt with by the union appointing representatives to meet the tramways committee as representing the employers. Board's Limited Powers "The Tramways Appeal Board, presided over by a senior magistrate, has its powers limited by legislation," Mr. Hislop concluded, "and deals with such matters as appeals from dismissal, rather than general matters arising out of an industrial award or agreement. The complaint of tha union on this occasion is stated to rest not so much on points in dispute as on the alleged unwillingness of the tramways committee to meet representatives of the men. Against this the records show that the parties have met at least seven times since the present agreement began to operate."