Cut in B.R.S. Meat Vehicles Withdrawn A STRIKE of 2,500 drivers
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of meat vans in London, which was threatened to start at midnight on Tuesday, was called off when agreement was reached between the Transport and General Workers' Union and British Road Services for a resumption of work by over 500 London-meat-van drivers and mates on Wednesday.
The B.R.S. workers struck work last Saturday night against the 10-per-cent. cut in the number of B.R.S. vehicles on the road. The British Transport Commission announced on Tuesday night that they had Withdrawn their instruction with regard to the meat haulage section.
In a statement issued by the B.T.C. after talks with officials of the Union in London on Tuesday night, they said they had been informed by the Government that, because of the special nature of the meat-carrying section. they could not expect a rigid observance of their request for a 10-per-cent saving in oil fuel in this field until fuel rationing came into force.
The position was later put to the men and they agreed to resume work.
A union official told The Commercial Motor on Wednesday that there had been no consultation "on details" of the Commission's plan to reduce the B.R.S. fleet on the road before it was put into effect. He emphasized that the cut would still apply to other sections of B.R.S.
It is expected that the unions will watch the position closely when rationing comes into force.
Mr. J. Davies, general secretary, told The Commercial Motor that the United Road Transport Workers' Association were fully with the authorities in their fight to save fuel. They had asked B.R.S. for joint consultation between the unions and the managementat both national and local levels,
A 4uggestion that had been made by the Association was for increasing use to be made of the available trailers. and for the employment as mates of men who had been displaced from their normal work as a result of the cut in the number of B.R.S. vehicles on the road.
MR. BIRCH ELECTED
I T was announced on Wednesday that the Minister of Transport had accepted Mr. J. M. Birch to serve on the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee.
He was nominated by the Public Transport Association, Pass en ge r Vehicle Operators' Association and National Road Transport Federation. and represents passenger-vehicle operators other than the British Transport Commission.
Mr. P. H. R. Turner has been elected to represent the Road Haulage Association on the committee (The Commercial Motor, October 2.1).