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

resolved he should endeavour to recommence services as soon as was possible. The General Purposes Committee met again to report the Mayor had received a deputation from the employees of the Tramway Department that afternoon, with a request that he might arrange for them a meeting with the Full Council, with a view to discussing the present situation. The Committee then received this deputation and listened to their views. The Town Clerk then submitted the minutes of the Tramway’s Sub-Committee of this date. It was resolved that subject to the amendment now indicated these could be approved and adopted. The Tramways Sub-Committee with the addition of Councillor Lambert were then authorised to communicate the Council’s decision to the representatives of the employees. The Tramway’s Sub-Committee then received this employee deputation again, to inform them of the Council’s findings. The deputation then stated they would again meet with the staff employed in the Tramway Department and convey this decision. Inspector Haworth, for the employees, then called upon the Sub-Committee and intimated that the employees had decided they would accept the Council’s terms, the details and arrangements to be left to the Tramway Manager to deal with. The Sub-Committee met again when the Tramway Manager reported that as instructed three days before, he had taken steps to commence a ‘restricted’ service of tramcars on the next day (the 11 th ), and had engaged a number of ‘volunteer’ workers, on the understanding that their employment would be permanent. In addition to this seven members of staff had also resumed their duties. It was resolved that - i. That it be recommended to the General Purposes Committee that in the first instance a gratuity of £10 each should be awarded to each of the ‘volunteer’ employees, as are prepared to accept this as full recompense for coming to the aid of the Corporation during this dispute. ii. Regarding those volunteers who are not disposed to accept this offer, an instruction should be given to the Tramway Manager to re-adjust the hours of duty of the employees in such a way that the volunteer staff can be absorbed into the workforce. iii. That this monetary acknowledgement of an amount to be determined at the discretion of the Chairman and Vice-Chair, and should be extended to the seven members of staff who had responded to the Tramway Manager’s call for a return to their work. At a meeting of the Tramways Committee the Tramway Manager requested instruction with regard to the resolution recently passed by the Executive Council of the Municipal Tramways Association recommending the Tramway Authorities to reserve to themselves any obligations or conditions of service, under the Agreement of April, 1922. It pointed out that one of these conditions was – “That any employee who voluntarily left service should not be entitled to any allowance in lieu of holidays”, which covered all those who had gone out of work in support of the General Strike. It was resolved that the condition to which this missive referred would not be implemented. The Tramway Manager reported that the estimated net loss caused by the stoppage amounted to £854. June The Tramways Sub-Committee met and the Tramways Manager submitted an appeal from a local firm for permission to place posters on the tramway shelters. It was resolved not to grant this request. Finally, the Tramway Manager submitted samples and tenders for the supply of uniform clothing for the employees in his department. It was resolved that the one from Messrs Briggs, Jones & Gibson of Manchester would be accepted as follows - 1. 7 Inspectors’ tunics @ £2 – 1s – 6d each, pairs of trousers @ 19/6d each and overcoats @ £2 – 11s – 9d each. 2. 90 Motormen’s & Conductors’ tunics @ £1 – 11s – 6d each, pairs of trousers @ 18/- each and overcoats @ £1 – 18s – 3d each. 3. 19 Parcel Youths’ tunics @ £1 – 5s – 0d each, pairs of trousers @ 13/8d each and overcoats @ £1 – 16s – 3d each. The tender of Mr Albert Perry of Southport would be accepted for the supply of headwear as follows - 7 Inspectors’ caps @ 6/11d each and 99 Motormen’s & Conductors’ and Parcel Youths’ @ 5/4d each. On June 7 th , it was decided at a meeting of the Town Council to withdraw the minute of the Tramways Committee referring to the promotion of a Bill in Parliament to enable the Corporation to operate omnibus services, and to refer it back to the General Purposes Committee. However, further discussion relating to this subject took place, and it was moved and seconded that further consideration

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