CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS

Otago Witness, Issue 4085, 28 June 1932, Page 59

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS

EXPIRY OF AGREEMENT

NEW TERMS PROPOSED BY BOARD. CHRISTCHURCH, June 22. The abolition of preference for unionists, an extension of the daily hours of work, and of the span in which that work may be done, a reduction of overtime rates for Sunday work, and a curtailment of holidays are the main alterations in the proposals which the Christchurch Tramway Board has submitted to the union for a new agreement to take the place of the one that has just expired. Though the actual rates of pay are not altered, Mr E. Snow, secretary of the union, told a reporter to-day that the proposals, if put into effect, would greatly reduce the men’s earnings. The union has drawn up counter-pro-posals, the gist of which is that the present agreement shall be continued, with the exception that the number of hours that can be worked a fortnight shall be reduced from 9G to 88 so as to keep all men employed. The union discussed the board’s proposals at meetings, and it is willing to meet the board in conference to discuss them.

Mr Snow said to-day that the clause dealing with preference to unionists runs as follows:—“Employees shall not be compelled to become members of the union. The union shall not allow any person to be a member thereof who is not employed in departments of the board covered by these conditions. No inspector, or other officer of the board, shall be a member of the union. In the event of a member of the union being appointed to the position of inspector or any office not provided for in this award he shall immediately resign from the union and the union shall forthwith accept his resignation.” The scale of wages proposed by the board is practically the same as at present, although the wages have been worked out with the 10 per cent, reduction on the old rates. The schedule is as follows:—Conductors, first three months, Is GJd an hour; next 21 months, Is 7|d; third and following years, Is B]d; motormen (on two-men electric cars), first and second years, Is B|d; third and following years, Is 9d; drivers of one-man cars and trackless trams, Is lid; petrol bus drivers, Is lOd. The board suggests that the weekday hours shall not be less than seven, and shall not exceed nine, to be worked within the space of 12 hours. The present agreement provides for a minimum of eight hours for a working day, to be worked within a stretch of 11 hours. The board proposes to pay time and a-half for all overtime, whereas at present traffic men received time and a-half for the first three hours and double time thereafter. In all other departments time and a-half is paid for the first two hours, and double time after that. For Sunday work the board suggests time and a-quarter in lieu of double time under the agreement just expired. The board proposes a six days’ holiday only, whereas the old agreement allows holidays of from eight to ten days for men who do «ot work on Sundays, and from eight to thirteen days for those who do, according to the length of time served. Under the heading “Interpretations” the board suggests that in case of a disagreement arising no proceedings shall be taken by either party until the matter in dispute has been submitted to a special committee comprising two members of the board and two representatives of the employees from the particular section that may be involved in the dispute. ECONOMY MEASURES USE OF ONE-MAN CARS. CHRISTCHURCH, June 23. The use of up to 25 one-man trains and a number of trolly buses to replace trams on several routes in Christchurch is an important economy measure contemplated by the Tramway Board. It is proposed to convert 25 cars into oneman cars. The board also aims to run more frequent services. At its next meeting the board will consider a motion to apply to the Local Government Loans Board to borrow £10,500 to convert 25 electric cars to one-man cars, and to install the necessary loops at certain termini. The board finds itself in the position that it must make economies, and experience has shown that it is unsafe to attempt this by reducing the services. The experiment in raising fares has not been successful. The new proposals will 1 make possible a considerable reduction in ■ the personnel with much lessened operat- . ing costs.