HIGHER WAGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25940, 5 September 1945, Page 6

HIGHER WAGES

TRAMWAYMEN’S AWARD PRINCIPAL ALTERATIONS A general increase in the minimum wage rates lor employees of the City Council Transport Department is granted under the new Dunedin tramway and omnibus employees’ award, which has been issued by the Arbitration Court. The award embodies the terms of settlement arrived at by the assessors in Ccncilation Council. The increases in wages for tramwaymen and others employed'on the_ permanent way vary from 2.925 d to 5.705 d an hour. The provision for a 40-hour week has been retained, but the overtime clause has been altered. In future all time worked ove: eight hours on one day shall be paid for at the rate ol time and a-half for the first three hours and double time thereafter. All broken shifts are to be completed within l 11 hours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and 12 hours on Fridays and Saturdays, provided that the employer shall have the right to work the men over these hours at overtime rates. All broken shift work is to be paid for at the rate of Id an hour additional. A 10-minute “ smoko” is to be allowed permanent way men in the morning and afternoon. All employees are to be issued with a pass -or use on the transport system on the payment of 7s 6d a year. Employees required to work on public and statutory holidays are to receive three weeks’ (15 working days) holiday at ordinary rates of pay after each nine months of employment. Other employees not required to work on public and statutory holidays will receive a holiday of .13, consecutive working days. A special clause for employees on the Mornington line provides for the payment of an additional penny an hour to all conductors with not less than two years’ experience. Gripmen on the Maryhill line are also to receive an extra penny an hour. The minimum rate for bus drivers is increased to 3s 1.075 d an hour. Drivers engaged wholly or partially on observation tours or special trips will receive 3s 2.875 d an hour, but will not receive double time on Good Friday, Anzac Day, Labour Day or Christmas Day. The new wage rates are subject to the court’s second general order only. Regulations, dated March 31, 1942, are to be incorporated in the award. In regard to wages the award is made retrospective to April 1 last, but the general provisions are to remain in force for one year from August 31.