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

increase for tramway employees on December 21 st next. It was resolved that the Tramway Manager and the Borough Treasurer would attend this meeting to present whatever evidence they felt relevant. At the meeting of the Committee of Production held in London on December 21 st , 1916 before Sir George Askwith, Chief Industrial Commissioner, he was asked to arbitrate in a dispute over wages between the Association of Vehicle Workers and several corporations including Accrington. Since no agreement had been reached the Committee had been requested to arbitrate, and having given considerable time scrutinising the facts, they had found there was a big difference between the pay and conditions of the applicants. These included Bolton, Bury and other townships in the County. The Commission felt that it had neither the time nor the authority in order to fix matters in order to equalise the terms and conditions, but at some stage after the war would be looking towards achieving parity. With regard to wages, some corporations had awarded permanent increases, some had given increases as war bonuses, whilst some had done both. The Committee then came to a judgment that as of December 31 st , male employees over the age of 18 would receive an increase of 6s – 6d per week, whilst those under 18 would receive 3s – 3d. However, there would be NO increases to the wages of female employees. When questioned by an Observer reporter Mr Becket, the Borough Treasurer, stated that this was a serious blow to the finances of the Corporation’s tramway, and it would result in an operating loss. (A note on War Bonuses. During both major conflicts inflation ran high and in order to alleviate hardship amongst lower paid workers, bonuses were introduced to offset the increases in food prices. In some industries these were perpetuated through to the end of the Second World War. Municipal operators negotiated wages and bonuses with the Unions, through the National Joint Industrial Council for the Road Transport Industry). 1917 (Despite the deprivations and tribulations directly associated with the ongoing conflict there was a national attempt to reconcile those striving to keep all public services including transport running. In order to placate those on whom no doubt a greater burden of work was falling, the Government introduced a War Bonus as means of reward. Far from resolving the issue it became a contentious issue itself, with wrangling over those, including female workers, which initially were excluded. The subject of wages was widened with the proposed introduction of ‘area agreements’ and the Unions became more influential in the outcomes of all manner of negotiations. Some of the agreements entered into at the beginning of electrification were now up for review, and these too would take up the attention of the committees concerned. During 1917 Mr Pilling, who was against “unsightly advertising”, decreed that all such adverts should be removed from Accrington’s cars. The contract was thereby terminated as he specifically was opposed to any promotion of alcoholic beverages. Neat internal cards were still permitted however.) January The Town Council received a report from the Town Clerk in which he stated that the recent application for ‘War Bonus’ which had been offered to certain members of the tramway staff had now been withdrawn. Referring to the offer which had now been suspended in as far as it affected members of the Amalgamated Association of Tramway & Vehicle Workers pending a decision by arbitration from the Committee of Production affecting tramway workers in Lancashire & Cheshire, the Town Clerk now submitted the findings and the award of that Committee which was as follows - “That from December 21 st , 1916, a further increase shall be given as will bring the advances as already made during the period of the war, either by ‘permanent’ increases in wages or war bonus, or war wages up to 6/6d per week in the case of male employees over the age of 18 years, and up 3/3d in the case of males who have not yet attained this age. Such further increases should be regarded as ‘War Bonus’ due to the nature of the abnormal conditions prevailing as a consequence of the war, and are recognised as dependent thereon. Also the Committee should make no changes in the wages or War Bonus at present being paid to all female employees.” With regard to the 23 shed employees who had already accepted the Corporation’s offer, the Chairman, Vice-Chair, Town Clerk and Borough Treasurer were authorised to adjust their pay to bring them into line with this decision. At a meeting of the Electrical & Tramways Committee it was resolved that all insurance policies relating to the Tramway Department should be renewed. The Borough Treasurer reported that the Sinking Fund for the tramway undertaking was at present computed at 3% and

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