TRAM DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25021, 11 October 1944, Page 7

TRAM DISPUTE

STATEMENT BY UNION DISCUSSIONS WITH BOARD A statement that there had been a dispute for almost six months between the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Tramways Union and the Auckland Transport Board, on the question of payment for work performed on Good Friday and Anzac Day, was made yesterday by the secretary of the Auckland branch of the union, Mr E. A. \\ hitlow. The statement resulted from a discussion at Monday's meeting of the board, when it was decided to protest against the action of the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, in setting up a disputes committee without lirst approaching the board. Mr Whitlow said inconclusive meetings had been held between the union and l lie hoard's representatives. They had resulted in a deadlock on the question as to who should preside over a disputes committee. In a further effort to reach a settlement, the union's representatives had waited on the board as a whole on September 25. On September '28,. the board replied rejecting the union's demands, and in its letter said, inter alia, "that, if the union is disposed to take proceedings against the board the board "ill facilitate the hearing." At a large meeting of the union held on October 1, said Mr Whitlow, it was unanimously decided to accept the Minister of Labour's nominee as chairman of a disputes committee under the Strike and Lockout Regulations. "The question of holidays," added Mr W r hitlow. "is a burning one. and has

been a matter in dispute between the National Tramway Union, of whicn tne Auckland union is the largest branch and the Public Passenger Transport Association, on which the Auckland Transport Board is the largest transport authority. , "The union's claim for holidays evosy nine months for workers required to operate a service which functions every day of the year, Sundays and holidays included, has already been recognised by the tramway authorities m Cnnstciitirch, Wanganui and Wellington, where the increased holidays have b® e " granted in accordance with the spirit or the Government's Holidays Act. The need for such holidays is urgent 111 Auckland, where the increased volume of tramway loading has been greater than in any other centre.

"The seriousness ol" the position in Auckland," Mr \\ hit low said, "is well known to the union officials, who leel that the Minister's action in acceding to the union's request and appointing a chairman of a disputes committee under the Strike and Lockout Regulations in order to settle this matter is to be commended as a common-sense attempt to obviate what could otherwise have developed into a much more serious situation, such as recently occurred in Wellington." CARE OF WAR ORPHANS (S.R ) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Information as to whether the Prime Minister, Mr Eraser, would give favourable consideration to the suggestion of the Dominion Settlement and Population Association that New Zealand might offer a haven to numbers of war orphans was sought by Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition—Waitomo) in a question in the House of Representatives today. He said the association had stated that Switzerland was caring for thousands of war orphans.