AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS.

Wairarapa Age, 28 July 1936, Page 5

AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS.

SHORTER HOURS & HIGHER FARES. DECISION OF CONTROLLING BOARD. AUCKLAND, July 27. On the recommendation of its assessors, the Auckland Transport Board today adopted the 40 hour week for all employees of the board, and a new agreement is to be drawn up for the period from September 6 next until March 31 next. In a report on their negotiations with the union assessors, the board’s assessors said that the extra net cost for the seven month period mentioned would be £20,464. The manager, Mr. A. E. Ford, had made strong representations that as a matter of prudence, the working of 40 hours one week and 48 the next for a trial period should receive serious consideration, as this would reduce the additional eost by half. The assessors reported that all claims by the union regarding working conditions had been satisfactorily adjusted and the union assessors had agreed to recommend to their general body acceptance of the new agreement as drawn up, which ' was without material alteration to present conditions except as to consequential amendments arising out of the introduction of the 40 hour week. In order to meet portion of the additional costs to the board, the board’s assessors recommended that the price of workers’ weekly tickets be increased from 3s 3d to 3s 6d, that transferable workers ’ tickets be withdrawn from issue and that further consideration be given to the issue or otherwise of special yearly passes and other tickets. At a special general meeting of the union, the terms of the suggested agreement were accepted, said the chairman, after the assessors’ report had been read.—(P.A.)