TRAMWAY DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25056, 21 November 1944, Page 7

TRAMWAY DISPUTE

FINDINGS OF COMMITTEE MORE DETAILS ANNOUNCED Further details of the finding of the Emergency Disputes Committee which was set up under Mr J. A. Gilmour, S.M.. to settle matters in dispute between the Auckland Transport Board and the Auckland Tramway Employees' Union, were announced by the Transport Board yesterday. Although, as was published on Saturday, the union was successful in its claims for increased annual holidays, it was pointed out that the decision in matters relating to payment for work performed on Anzac Day and Good Friday, which was the original basis of the dispute, was made in favour of the board. The union's claims in this connection were divided into two parts:—(l) Claims in respect of men rostered in the ordinary way for duty on those days, and (2) claims in respect of men who would ordinarily have been off duty on those days, but who were required to work in accordance with the Tramways Modification Order. 1943. In regard to the first claim, the union asked for a minimum of eight hours' work on Good Friday and Anzac Day of this year, while the hoard contended that the existing practice of providing work on those days should be adhered to. Under an agreement entered into 19 years ago the board had divided shifts on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day into three or four so that the full quota of employees would receive work on those days without any loss of wages. In order to give full effect to the arrangement, the practice was to make payment for all work performed on these days at double time rates, but each employee on duty had received at least eight hours at ordinary rates. In his finding. Mr Gilmour stated that the workers' representatives admitted that this arrangement had been accepted by the union without question up until the time of the dispute. In his opinion, it was only fair and equitable that the practice should be made to apply to Good Friday and A nzac Day of the present year. Regarding its second claim, thj? union asked for payment for 20 hours of cancelled days off on Good Friday and Anzac Day of this year. On the other hand, the hoard contended that, as these holidays could not t be regarded as "additional" days, it was not required to pay a minimum of 12 hours at ordinary rates. At the hearing, however. the board's representative indicated his willingness to agree to pay the workers concerned for a minimum of 16 hours. "According to my interpretation of the agreement, the board's offer to pay for 16 hours' work is a liberal one." stated Mr Gilmour. "and 1 adopt it for the purposes of my decision." Tt was agreed that in future Sunday. Christmas Day. Good Friday and Anzac Dav should not be regarded as "additional" days.

RESERVE BANK RETURN STERLING £987,590 HIGHER (P.A.) WELLINGTON*, Monday The Reserve Bank return for the week ended Monday, November 13, with variations in the figures compared with those in the previous week's statement, is as follows: LIABILITIES Variation £ £ Gen. reserve .. 1,500,000 Same Bank notes . . 37.959.336 -92,923 Demand liabilities— State . . . . 9,104,350 -1,204,641 Banks . . . . 26,750,525 +1,975,105 Other . . .. 750,818 +154.904 Other currencies . 77,837 +31,832 Other liabilities . 2,045,584 + 723 Total . . 75,221,450 +897,900 ASSETS Reserve—• Gold . . .. Q. 801,877 Same Sterling- Ex. .. 35,505,399 +987,590 Subsidiary coin .. 61,021 -20.96S Advances — Marketing .. Same Other . . .. 25,885,000 Same Investment .. 11,737,113 Same Other assets .. 2,231,040 - 68,721 Total .. 75.224.450 +897,900 Proportion of reserve to notes and other demand liabilities, 51.249 per cent (50.554 last week). The principal items in this week's return are compared with those at the corresponding date last year in the following table: — (OOO's omitted) 1944 1943 Variation £ £ £ Notes .. 37.959 34,850 +3,139 Deposits— „ State .. 9,104 15,840 -6,736 Banks .. 26,756 27,987 -1,231 Exchange .. 35,508 2(,608 +7,500 Advances— Marketing .. - 1.391 -1,391 Other ■ • 25,885 37,735 -11,850 Ratio (per cent) 51.249 35.33S +12.911