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

Car cleaners

2 nd

47

13 · 250d £2 – 12s – 5d PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER 1914

Job

Grad e

In wages 83% 93% 101% 97% 105% 115% 107%

Including reduced hours

Motorman Motorman Motorman Conductor Conductor Conductor Car cleaners Car cleaners

1 st 2 nd 3 rd 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 1 st

118% 135% 138% 133% 143% 156% 133%

2 nd

115%

136%

The TOTAL wages paid for the year under review = £23,314 which is equal to 55% of total expense. On March 27 th , 1919, the working week was reduced from 57 hours to 48 hours with no loss of pay. Other concessions granted were Sundays paid at time = one quarter, over-time at time and one quarter for the first two hours and then at time and one half thereafter. Four Bank Holidays with pay at time and one quarter, after the first full year of service, eight days holiday with pay. Note – these concessions cost the undertaking an additional £3,500 per year. From October 2 nd , 1919, Bonus payments were increased in accordance with the sliding scale agreement on the cost of living, which on June 1 st , 1920 amounted to an extra £2 per week. From August 4 th , 1921this bonus was gradually decreased and on November 1 st , 1923, was £1 – 5s – 0d per week. In conclusion I would wish to express my cordial thanks to you for your courtesy and consideration during this past twelve months, and to record my thanks to all members of staff who have contributed to the efficiency of the undertaking which has long characterised it and without whom this would not have been possible. The population of the Borough of Accrington at the 1921 census is given at 43,610 Yours respectfully, Harry Pilling (General Manager) November The Electricity & Tramways Committee heard from their Sub-Committee, that they had considered a minute passed previously by the Watch Committee then referred back to the Full Council, with a recommendation that a minimum fare of not less than 6 pence should be imposed as a stipulation for granting licences for Omnibus services to operate over the Clayton-le-Moors section of the tramway. The Tramway Manager then submitted the report of a ‘Special Tramways Tribunal’ with regard to conditions of service and wages. This had been considered and recommended for adoption by the National Joint Industrial Council for the tramways industry. The decision therein to be put into effect to and from November 18 th , with the exception of added pay for night work, which would operate from January 1 st , 1925. The cost to the Accrington Tramways Department would be approximately an additional £400 per annum. The Sub-Committee recommended this agreement for acceptance. The Tramway Manager also reported to the Sub-Committee that he had discussed with the Tramway Managers of Haslingden and Blackburn Corporations, the question of issuing cheap return tickets between Accrington and Haslingden, and Accrington and Blackburn. The Blackburn Manager had promised to recommend the adoption of the 8 pence return fare, but he Haslingden Manager hesitated to approve this move on behalf of his Corporation. The Tramways Sub-Committee recommended the adoption of the 8 pence return fare subject to gaining the approval of Blackburn Corporation, and also the suggestion of a cheap return fare between Accrington and Haslingden in the event of Haslingden Corporation giving the go ahead. It was resolved to accept the recommendations of the Sub-Committee.

298