Accrington on Rails - The Tramways: A Complete History - Robert Kenyon

Corporation shall give the same period of notice, except in a case of misconduct or neglect, in which case the offending party will be liable to prosecution. Absence from duty without prior permission is strictly prohibited. 4. Staff must be neat in appearance, polite and abstain from improper language and misconduct whilst on duty. 5. Staff found visiting a public house or under the influence whilst on duty or in uniform will be subject to instant dismissal. 6. Staff must be on duty 10 minutes before the start of a duty, and will operate a two shift arrangement. First shift 5am to 7am then 30 minutes for breakfast, then commence again at half past 7 ending at 2pm. Second shift to commence at 2pm and end with the final cars of the night. Staff will have every alternative Sunday off. 7. Any member of staff wishing to take time off must give 2 days’ notice to the Manager. Any staff not giving the statutory notice and obtaining permission will be liable to instant dismissal. 8. In cases of sickness, a written notice must be given to the Manager before the commencement of a shift. If any journey or part thereof is lost as a consequence of an omission to forward notice, there would be a day’s suspension imposed upon him. In the case of a second offence the suspension would be for three days, and for a third offence there would be a dismissal. 9. Staff must not allow anyone else to perform their duties, and must be constantly on the lookout for persons wishing to board at stopping places and adjacent side streets. 10.Staff will be paid as follows - The Tramway Manager, (Mr James Wilson) would be paid £200 per annum. Inspectors for a week of between 54 to 60 hours, up to £1 – 11s – 1d. 11.This classification would depend upon cleanliness, good timekeeping, good conduct, the amount of electricity consumed per mile and returns. Advances would be made at the discretion of the Manager, and those deserving promotion would receive it after a period of six months. 12.Conductor’s Way Bills must accurately record the number of tickets issued and the amount of fares received, to be paid in at the designated locations. Conductors must not divulge these details to Drivers or any other unauthorised persons. 13.Conductors must show the utmost diligence collecting fares and when compiling Way Bills, and will be held responsible for any shortfalls. 14.A Conductor will behave in a civil manner to all passengers at all times, as they have the right to question him about the service. If an answer is not forthcoming the passenger may be referred on to the Manager. 15.Every passenger and especially ladies and children will be treated with due courtesy when boarding or alighting from a car, which should not be allowed to move before all elderly people are safely seated, thus removing the possibility of accidents. 16.Passengers must never be allowed to stand upon, descend to or alight from the forward platform of a car, or to sit upon the guard rails or staircases. 17.Drunken people or those behaving in a disorderly manner must not be allowed to board a car. Upon receiving any complaints the Conductor must act immediately to remedy the situation using a little force as is necessary. If this does not remedy the situation then the police should be called whilst all noise and confusion should be avoided if possible. 18.The Conductor must not allow the distribution of circulars or advertisements upon his car. 19.All lost properties including monies should be deposited at the tramways office at the first opportunity after any articles are found. Drivers 1st class, 6½d per hour for a 54 hour week, (£1 – 9s – 3d). Drivers 2nd class, 6d per hour for a 54 hour week, (£1 – 7s – 0d). Conductors 1st class, 5d per hour for a 54 hour week, (£1 – 4s – 9d). Conductors 2nd class, 5d per hour for a 54 hour week, (£1 – 2s – 6d). Cleaners, 5½d per hour for a 59½ hour week, (£1 – 7s – 3d).

142