TRAMWAYS AWARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13830, 18 February 1907, Page 2

TRAMWAYS AWARD.

APPLICATION FDR INTERPRETATION. A difforenco of opinion has arisen be* tweeti the various tramway companies in Duncdin and tho Tramway Union of Workers iu respect to the interpretation of oiause 1 of the tramway award, which roads as follows;—"Tho hours of work shall ba eight hours per day for all employees, but tho cmployor shall have the right to call on aJiy employeo' to work for ono hour, more on any day, paying for tho time «> worked at ordinary rates." The union maintains that in accordanco with tho strict i reading of tho clause, tho men aro entitled to a full day of oight hours, and consequently, if a worker works any part of a day ho must bo paid for tlio eight hours whether worked or not. The employers, on tho other hand, maintain that the underlying principle of tho award is " no work no pay," and that as the men arc paid extra wages for overtime they are not-entitled to bo paid for work not done.

To set tho matter at rest, the City Council lias agreed to meet the wishes of tho Trainways Union in the matter, and has, .conjointly with it, signed an application for an interpretation of the clause. It is lipped the court will hear the application at its sitting l this w-eck, and that tho matter may bo set at rest.