THE TRAM TROUBLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10086, 27 September 1918, Page 5

THE TRAM TROUBLE

MO NEW DEVELOPMENTS I .■'TATEJMfiNTS AS TO MEN’S EARNINGS. There was no change in the tramway trouble yesterday. The correct position in, regard to the men's wages was placed before a “New Zealand Times” reporter yesterday by a number of motormen and conductors. The men get paid to-day, and the wages they are to receive are for the past ior might, and include overtime for me period before the tramwaymen de-emed'-not to work such overtime. The figures quoted below are surprising, particularly so ns they represent the earnings ox tramwaymen over periods mat exceed the ordinary time that should be worked. Tho first receipt form for a fortnight’s wages was from a -first-class motorman (a married man with four children, who has been in the service eleven years). This motorman worked 98 hours during the fortnight, and received £6 11s, plus 6s 7ct. war bonus, a total of £6 17s 7d for ordinary time. In addition be received 6s 7d for overtime. A second-class motor-man, who worked 100 hours' 12 minutes, ordinary time, for tho fortnight, received, with the war bonus, £6 os 7d. Another motorman of the same class received £6 Is 8d for a fortnight of 98 hours and 7 minutes; this m'an also is married and has children. A first-clas s conductor who worked 105 hours 20 minutes ordinary time received, with war bonus, £5 19s for the fortnight. Two second-class conductors received respectively £5 16s 7d and £5 17 8 8d for 100 hours 34 minutes and 101 hours 31 "minutes. These figures, which are exclusive of the small amount of overtime worked, except where mentioned, represent the average earnings of the four grades of tramwaymen. STATEMENT BY MAYOR. “COUNCIL WILL NOT NEGOTIATE WITH INDUSTRIAL REBELS.” The Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) told a “Times” reporter last night that having received misleading statements as to the wages paid to the tramwaymen, he wished to state the facts. Had tho union men accepted the 10 per cent, increase, the minimum wage would be a little over Is 3d an hour and the increases" on the other grades in proportion," which would be quite up to or better than the Auckland award, which has just been made in tho northern city. The tramwaymen travel free on cars to and from their work; they are provided with uniform and greatcoat; they have eight to twelve days’ leave on full pay each year. If they are laid aside through accident caused while on duty their wages are paid in full. In regard to overtime. Mr Luke said the men had always objected to a spare list, and at tho making of each new agreement refused to consider , it, which action compelled the council to call back men for rush hour duty. Recently, the - necessary men to relieve others during meal hoofs had been refused. ... “It is a matter for sincere regret,” said the Mayor, “that the. men are acting on - bad advice and disorganising the service-, a state of affairs that will not be,, allowed to continue. The council will not negotiate with industrial rebels. ISt tlie union get ‘on side’ ana carry out tho conditions of the agreement which was entered into by many men who are now engaged in the great struggle to destroy the brute force that tramples on agreements and violates sacred pledges. The union may think their tactics will win for them public sympathy. In that X am convinced thbv are mistaken. Such wrongs as may exist must be righted by constitutional means and not by tho present methods.” __