Rebel busmen seek pay pact
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
NEARLY 5,000 bus drivers and conductors in central Scotland have drawn up a new charter for pay and conditions in opposition to their union officials. They will present it later this month to Jack Jones, president of the TGWU.
The charter calls for a basic wage of £35, a five-day week, another week's holiday and improved conditions. It was drawn up at an unofficial conference in Fife, attended by representatives from depots all over Scotland.
Mr John Foster, of Cowdenbeath, Fife district shop stewards' convener, said: "The men were very militant. Some were all for taking industrial action. We prefer to try negotiations, but if this fails there will almost certainly be a ban on overtime throughout Scotland plus guerrilla tactics which would disrupt services.
"The men want no more to do with the National Council for the Bus Industry, a joint management and union body which determines wages. They are convinced they are getting a raw deal. London bus drivers had their basic wage increased to £35.50. In Scotland we have an overall basic wage of £21.58 which with increments gives us a rate of £28 per week."