BIRMINGHAM MEN REFUSE TO WORK OVERTIME
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BY a majority decision, Birmingham Corporation's Transport operatives decided not to work overtime as from midnight last Sunday. This was not supported by the Transport and General Workers' Union. The emergency committee of the National Joint Industrial Council is due to meet in Birmingham on October 22 to consider the men's grievances. The employees were unwilling to wait until the committee had discussed the matter.
On Monday evening, during the peak period, about 180 motorbuses, trolleybuses and trams were lying idle, but movement of traffic proceeded fairly smoothly.
IDENTITY CARDS FOR • STAGGERED" WORKERS
THE problem of identifying passengers who are affected by the system of staggered hours has been solved in London by devising a special identity card.
As from October 20, workers who produce this card will be able to obtain concession rates for travel on London Transport's trolleyb uses, as well as on the railways and trams, between the time when the issue of workmen's tickets normally ceases and noon. When the holder is required to work afternoon or night turns of duty, the card will be endorsed to that effect by the railway concerned or by the Board.
MINISTRY STAGGERS HOURS
Pr0 thousand members of the staff ofiil the Ministry of Transport at Berkeley Square House are now working to staggered hours. Hours of duty are 8.45 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. 8.45 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. on :Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m, to noon on Saturdays. Thus, travelling during the peak period from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. is avoided. This is the largest move to stagger hours yet made by a Government Department.
FROM AIRCRAFT TO BODIES
A N order valued at 05.000, for 38 -rt single-deck, light-alloy, 32-seater bodies, has been placed with Scottish Aviation, Ltd.,, Prestwick, Ayrshire. Machinery installed to convert war-time aircraft to civil use is being employed.
SOME P.S.V. OFFENCES TO WATCH E Licensing Authorities have
'T'HE spacial attention to certain offences under the Road Traffic Act frequently committed by public-service vehicle drivers and conductors. They concern the following!—
. Not wearing their badges in a conspicuous position so that the distinguishing letter and number are easily legible; smoking in or on a vehicle during a journey or when there are passengers on board; conductor distracting the driver's attention while the vehicle is in motion; drivers, when picking up or setting down passengers, not stopping as close as may be to the near side of the road; driver failing to carry a work ticket when the vehicle is being used on a special occasion for the conveyance of a private party. These points are receiving increasing attention from traffic examiners, who do not wear uniform, but carry official warrants.
FUEL BAN ON MANX COACHES
HACKNEY drivers in the Isle of Man are protesting violently against a ban on petrol for coaches, imposed by the Petrol Advisory Committee. The Hackney Drivers' Associa"on has written to H.E. the Governor setting out the position and asking for advice. It disputes the authority of the Petrol Advisory Committee.
The petrol position in the island is still being discussed by the authorities in England.
AWARDS FOR LONG SERVICE
FIVE members of the staff of Mansfield District Traction Co., Ltd., were recently presented with £25 each as a gift from the directors in recognition of their having completed 25 years' continuous service with the company. This was the third similar presentation.
SPECIAL SERVICES FOR ROYAL WEDDING
A UTHORITY to operate two coaches In, front Leeds on a four-day visit to London, on the occasion of the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Lieut. Philip Mountbatten, has been granted by the Yorkshiie Licensing Authority :for Public, Service Vehicles to Wallace Arnold Tours, Ltri. hi support of the application, a list of the names of people who had inquired for such facilities was submitted.
There was opposition from the companies operating " pool " coach services between Yorkshire and London, but it was pointed out that the facilities proposed would include the extra advantage of hotel 'accommodation. • A similar application by Wallace Arnold Tours, Ltd., to operate from Bradford to London was refused, on the ground Nat need had not been proved.
Employees of Accrington Transport Department are to be guaranteed 48 hours scheduled work each week, pending the introduction of an 11-day fortnight or bonus scheme.