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

it to this Committee for further consideration. The Electrical & Tramways Committee met, when it was resolved the wages of the two Tramway Ticket Inspectors, Mr B. Crabtree and Mr J. J. Haworth, should be increased from £1 – 14s – 0d to £1 – 16s – 6d per week with immediate effect. It was further resolved the Tramway Manager should have all the tramway standards painted white to a reasonable height, during the continuation of the war-time street lighting restrictions. November At a meeting of the Electrical & Tramways Committee, an application was received from a neighbouring township requesting a free pass on Accrington’s trams for their lady health visitor. It was resolved to refuse this request as no other similar concessions had been granted. With regard to the rate per mile paid to Blackburn Corporation for the use of their cars whilst operating over Accrington’s lines, the Chairman reported on the negotiations which had taken place with their deputation. It was resolved the Chairman, Vice-Chair, Borough Treasurer and Tramway Manager were empowered to enter an agreement for future through running, in the basis of equal mileage by each Corporation’s cars over the other’s lines. They also considered an application from the Amalgamated Association of Tramway & Vehicle Workers on behalf of ‘certain’ employees for an increase in wages. The Vice-Chairman and Tramway Manager reported on the proceedings of a recent conference of the Lancashire & Cheshire Tramway Authorities relating to similar applications, when it had been decided to refer recent applications to the Committee of Production for arbitration. It was resolved the Tramway Manager should intimate to the Secretary acting on behalf of the authorities, that in regard to the actions already taken by neighbouring authorities in view of the fact that Accrington has a close relationship with them including through running arrangements, whilst desirous of wanting to show solidarity with the Lancashire & Cheshire Tramways Authorities, felt the need to follow the example of their neighbours in this matter. It was therefore resolved to recommend to the Council that the wages of all motormen, conductors, shedmen and cleaners should be increased by one half-penny (½d) per hour, with effect from the first full week of the month, and that this should be regarded as a ‘War Bonus’. The Vice-Chairman of Blackburn Corporation Tramways (Councillor Higham) and their Tramways Manager (Mr Cowell) met with this Committee to discuss the question of the terms for through running. The Chairman suggested that as an alternative to any increase over and above the 4 pence per car mile now being charged by Blackburn, that the two Corporations should enter into an agreement for the future continuance of through running, on the basis of an ‘equal mileage’ being operated by their respective cars over the other Corporation’s lines. The representatives from Blackburn expressed their willingness to recommend this proposal to their Council. It was resolved that, subject to confirmation, this agreement would come into force from and including January 1 st 1917. December At a meeting of the Town Council, the minutes of the Electrical & Tramways Committee were accepted with one exception. This related to the wage increase for tramway employees, which was withdrawn for further consideration by the General Purposes Committee. On receiving these proposals it was resolved to accept and adopt the suggested increase, subject to them being received in resolution to all other claims. At a meeting of the Electrical & Tramways Committee, the Tramway Manager reported that having met with several representatives of the tramway’s employees, he found they were not in a position to agree to the Committee’s proposal for an increase in wages, as a settlement made on their behalf by the Amalgamated Association of Tramway & Vehicle Workers. Following this the Committee met with three members of the staff in person, who confirmed the Tramway Manager’s report. They stated that any increase awarded must be taken without prejudicing the results of a general application for arbitration from the Committee of Production. Under these circumstances the Town Clerk was instructed to convene a further meeting of this Committee. At a later meeting it was resolved to withdraw the offer of an increase in wages as it pertained to the motormen and conductors who were members of the Amalgamated Association of Tramway & Vehicle Workers, and that all steps necessary in connection with the arbitration would be placed in the hands of the relevant officials. The Tramway Manager then presented a letter signed by twenty-three members working in the tramshed, which indicated they would be willing to accept the Committee’s proposed wage increases for them, and expressing their gratitude for this rise. It was resolved that this offer would be ratified with this section of the workforce. The Electrical & Tramways Committee met again when a letter was received from the Chief Industrial Commissioner’s Department, intimating the Committee of Production would hear the case relating to the proposed wage

236