The Bus Pay Dispute
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From Our Industrial Correspondent
THE Ministry of Labour took a hand last week in the dispute over pay and conditions of 100,000 provincial busmen employed by private undertakings. At the request of the six unions concerned. Mr. Thomas Claro, the Ministry's chief conciliation officer, saw union leaders at the Ministry.
At an hour-long meeting they warned him that unless negotiations could be resumed there was a possibility of strike action by their members. Mr. Claw assured them that he would consider what action to take and would contact them again later.
His most likely move is to get in touch with the employers and ask them to meet him to present their point of view. If there is any hope at all he will then call the two sides together at the Ministry under his chairmanship.
Such a meeting would seem to present the best hope of avoiding another strike But Mr. Arthur Townsend, national bus secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union, admitted after last week's meeting that "it might come to official action in the Iasi analysis."
Meanwhile, the parallel claim for 70.000 municipal busmen is still going through the negotiating machinery. although there has been little progress.
Another meeting of the National Joint industrial Council for the Road Passenger Transport Industry is to be held shortly. The claim may go to arbitration.