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

to make a formal application for a conference to take place between your organisation and this Federation in order to discuss the following; - 1. An increase of 12 shillings per week in the guaranteed weekly wage for all employees over the age of 18 years engaged in Tramway and Omnibus undertakings of companies in this country. 2. An advance of 6 shillings per week for all employees under the age of 18 in these named industries. 3. That the qualifying period from minimum to maximum rates of pay for all employees aged 18 years and over shall not exceed six months. 4. That all increases paid during the period of the War, shall be integrated into permanent wages. I am directed by my Executive Council to ask that your Association should consider the foregoing ‘official’ application, and moreover indicate their willingness to enter into discussions with delegates from the National Transport Workers’ Federation in order that a settlement may be arrived at. “Believe me”! Yours sincerely, Robert Williams. The foregoing letter has received the attention of the gentleman who will represent this Association on the Joint Industrial Council for the Tramway Industry, along with representatives of the Conference of Tramway & Light Railway Companies as a ‘joint committee’. On the 7 th , this Joint Committee met with Mr Robert Williams and representatives of the National Transport Workers’ Federation, to hear the reasons behind this application. Immediately following this meeting I was directed to contact all members of the Association to ask for certain information with regard to pre-war and present rates of pay. This was rapidly forthcoming and tabulated before being submitted to a ‘special’ meeting of the Executive Council which was held in London on the 15 th . After careful consideration the following resolutions were passed – 1. This Council is unable to recommend the tramway & omnibus undertakings to accede to Clauses 1, 2 & 4 for these reasons. A. The cost of living has not advanced in the same proportion than that of the increases in wages granted to tramway employees. Further to which that on the date of the application, (July 15 th ) such costs had not increased in comparison to January last. B. That in the statement made by the representatives of the National Transport Workers’ Federation, “That wages were comparatively low for tramway employees prior to the War, was contrary to the facts. C. Therefore in the present circumstances the increase requested cannot be justified. 2. With regard to Clause 3, it was decided to authorise a ‘special’ committee to confer with the National Transport Workers’ Federation, with the object of fixing a maximum period for attaining the top rates of pay. Today I have despatched to Mr Robert Williams the following letter - Dear Sir, Following your application and the meeting between you and your colleagues and my Joint Committee held on the 7 th instant, I am directed to inform you that following

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