New LTB offer on five-day week
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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT
TONDON busmen, whose ban on overtime I-1 and rest-day working is now in its fifth week, have submitted a claim to London Transport for an extra £ 1 a week. This is equivalent to a rise of 6.6 per cent and would cost the undertaking nearly £2m. a year.
Talks on this pay claim were due to start in earnest today, but meanwhile an agreement between leaders of the TGWU and the Board for the introduction of a five-day week, on terms more favourable than those previously offered, was due to be put to a delegate conference of busmen yesterday (Thursday).
The five-day week, involving no increase in daily working hours, is due to take effect at the end of this year, and on Wednesday it was thought that the proposal would help to overcome the . unofficial overtime ban.
The men are now feeling the loss of overtime earnings and this has been reflected in increasing numbers of men leaving the service. According to London Transport, drivers have been resigning at the rate of 56 a week since the ban began— more than twice the resignation rate of the corresponding period last year—and conductors at a rate 50 per cent higher.
Meanwhile, suggestions by the Board to help alleviate the staff shortage included the recruitment of women bus drivers and of part-time crews.
These suggestions were put by the Board at the very start of the negotiations With the joint working party, but were leaked out at the weekend by the unofficial busmen's leaders. Threats of unofficial strike action should any of these suggestions be implemented then followed.
Timpson After Twirl Operators: Negotiations are taking place for the acquisition by A. Timpson and Sons Ltd. of Lewis (Farnborough) Ltd. and John aermett (Croydon) Ltd. who operate 12 and nine coaches respectively. Subject to the granting to Timpson of the necessary licences, it is hoped that the takeovers will be effected in time for Easter.