TRAMWAYMEN'S PAY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1838, 5 January 1920, Page 8

TRAMWAYMEN'S PAY.

UNIONS DESIRE RISE. A DOMINION MOVEMENT. The questions of improved pay and working conditions were discussed bv members of the Christchurch Tramwaymen's Union largely-attended meeting held in the Trades Hall yesterday. _; Recently the Tramwaymen s Federation sent delegates to a conference with representatives of the emplovers at Wellington. At that conference the matter of a Dominion agreement was considered, but nothing could be decided upon. Yesterday's discussion hinged largely upon; the Wellington proceedings. No definite decision was come to, but the men appear to be determined that their wages shall be increased. They point out that to-day a tramwayman's wage is far below that of a general labourer, and that a living wage can be earned only by working overtime. The men claim that they have.a right to a living wage without overtime. The Christchurch union is now guite willing to meet the Tramway oard in conference, but it has no power to come to an agreement with-, out the consent of the federation. Some time ago the union declined to meet the board in conference, but that, it is stated, was because the federation had issued no "instructions" on the point. Largely it remains for the unions of other centres to determine what the attitude of the men is to be if the employing bodies are not disposed to concede the demands made. A strike is not likely. The men do not want it, and, in any case, a strict adherence to rules has been found to be even more effective than a strike. That was the line of action adopted in Wellington, and also for a short term in Christchurch, towards the close of 1918. It completely disorganised the running of the service.

The Tramwaymen's Federation takes in the men of every town service in the Dominion.