HIGHER AND HIGHER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6488, 7 April 1908, Page 5

HIGHER AND HIGHER.

WHAT WILL IT COST? WELLINGTON BEFORE THE WORLD. Tho figures wo published in yeste-r----days issue demonstrating the position of tho tramway workers in this city as compared with those in other centres wore suliicliently instructive as showing what the present demands of tho men would entail upon tiro ratepayers. There are, moreover, quite a number of considerations which do not appear in tin; bare figures, and which serve to emphasise the position. VARIOUS ALLOWANCES.

In a report which has been presented to the Tramways Committee of the City Council by tho Tramways Engineer (Air S. Richardson), that gentleman expresses his opinion that tho night-foreman, timekeepers, dcspate-h----ens, and clerks should bo'regarded as on tho staff, and should bo deafit. with by the staff committee, and should i.ot bo members of tho Tramways' Union. As for motormen and conductors, they receive uniforms, coats, and caps free, so are really in a better position than clerics with the same pay. They are also well treated in the matter of time allowances. Air Richardson understands that tiro tradesmen in the service wilt probably ark for exemption from their own awards, so that they may oomo in under the tram-, ways agreement. WHAT WILL IT COST?

The following table, which ignores tho tradesmen who ought to be elsewhere, shows approximately what ‘ tho now demands erf tho union would entail on the city, taking the pay-sheet as at March 10th:—

A FEW COMPARISONS.

The motormen in Wellington are paid Is lid per hour (first-class) and Is Id per hour second-class, and they work up to nine hours peer day at tho same rate. In Auckland, Okristehuch, and Dunedin they aro paid Is per hour and work nine hours. The union demands that both classes should bo paid Is 2d per hour, but the engineer is averse to altering a system which has worked very well up to date, namely, of giving a bonus of id to those who have nossed an examination, and are capable of effecting minor repairs on the road.

Conductors in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin are paid 10)d per hour and work up to nine hours. In Wellington the nay is Hid and Is, and the union asks ihat It should be increased to Is lid for each class. Mr Richardson again Vjbjccts to the abolition of the first-class worker. In the cose of conductors these are men who can be employed as motormen on occasion (receiving then motormeirs pay). If the system were abolished conductors would have to servo a much longer time as second-class conductors before being, promoted. It would also entail considerable expense on the Corporation, as a larger staff Of motormen would have "to be maintained. and it would bo impossible to work them full hours without a large amount of shod duty.

A RUSH FOR EMPLOYMENT. Both motormen and conductors, Mr Richardson considers, are paid much better in Wellington than in any other centre. That they are well paid is evident from the fact that there are now three thousand applications for positions as conductors in the service. Men are actually giving up their trades to enter the service.

On subsidiary points Mr Richardson is of opinion that employees other than casual men should be allowed to travel free on the oars to and from duty. All except those in uniform should bo provided witb passes for the purpose. Tn the matter of complaints it is considered undesirable that officers of the union should 1 be allowed to represent men at departmental inquiries. Employees arc paid at schedule rates for the time occupied in reporting personally if the charge is not substantiated, hut Mr Richardson considers if the charge is substantiated this concession should not be made. THE APPEAL BOARD.

Mr Richardson does not agree at all with the suggestion that the Council should part with any of its power over tho undertaking by allowing a representative of tho union to sit on the Appeal Board. The Board as at present constituted should remain in force.

Number Weekly employed. increase £ b. d. Motormcn 96 26 14 0 Conductors 336 74 16 0 Night-shift foramen... Car-equipment adjust2 0 14 0 erg Power • house firemen 12 6 3 0 and greasers 6 1 18 0 Pewter - house handyPermanent - way repairors 11 7 Fitters and turners ... 17 6 11 9 3 2 Fitters’ labourers 6 Car cleaners 15 Emergency linesmen... 2 2 10 0 15 0 Power-house trim'ers 2 Cash clerks, 1st class... 6 4 14 0 Cash clerks, 2nd class 3 3 0 4 Cadet clerks 2 Increase per week ... £144 6 5 Increase per annum ... ±.7,o04 10 a