AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17319, 20 May 1918, Page 5

AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS

DISPUTE SETTLED. INCREASE OF WAGES. (Pmb Unit-id Ijbkss1 j bkss Assooiatioh.) AUCKLAND, May 18. ,An agreement in the Auckland tramways dispute was signed this morning as the result of the sittings of the third committee lasting from Wednesday. The committee comprised threo representatives of each party, and the Hon. Mr Fowlds was chairman, with a casting vote. This morning Mr Fowlds annoiuiced that after considerable discussion it was found that the parties were unable to agree regaining the rates of wages, and therefore intimated that ho was prepared to support an increase of wages on the following basis: Where the wages at present are less than 13d per hour, an increase of lAd per hour; where the wages are 13d per hour but less than 15d, an increase of lid; where the wages are 15d per hour and over, an increase of Id; that the present bonus of fivo shillings per week, in addition to the scale of wages provided for, be continued during the currency of the agreement about to bo concluded. The scale was adopted throughout with few minor modifications. After a discuesion on the conditions of work, tho chairman intimated that ho was not prepared to support material alterations, which would have the effect of substantially increasing the cost of operating tho tramways, beyond tho increase in wages, or would necessitate a further call upon tho man power.

With, regard to tho request that eight hours' -work bo provided for broken shifts within 12 hours, after which overtime should bo paid, it was agreed that in at least, 50 per cent, of broken shifts eight hours shall be completed in 12 hours and tho remaining 50 per cent, in 13 hours, after which ordinary overtime shall be paid. It was also agreed that the time in which an employee should be continuously on duty without a break should bo reduced from 10 to 9J, hours. In the case of night shift depot workers, it was agreed that eight hours pot- shift should include half an hour for meal time. It was decided to add a now clause providing that tho rank and promotion of all employees engaged since the commencement of the war will be liable to adjustment when tho men serving with the Expeditionary Forces return to resume work.

A number of minor amendments and modifications were agreed to. Tho agreenrujni is to be ma/Je binding for two years.