Bus Pay Talks—Some Progress
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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT
THE long-drawn-out battle for higher pay and better conditions for Britain's 200,000 busmen continues to make rather slow headway on three fronts, but an agreed recommendation this week for company busmen suggests that they and the municipal employees may soon be in sight of an award.
Leaders of the 39,000 London men and women, who saw L.T.E. representatives again last Friday, met the expected strong opposition to any variation in the differential to be given to drivers, of whom there is a severe shortage. In fact, L.T.E. made it clear that they were prepared to go the other way—to increase the rate for drivers at the expense of conductors.
London Transport did, however, agree • to raise their pay offer to unit adjusters, one of the two sections of maintenance staff who had been offered a rise of 5s. a week; this was raised to 5s. 6d.
On the claim for an improvement in week-end working conditions the two sides agreed to set up a joint subcommittee. After five hours of talks the negotiations were adjourned until next Monday (April 16).
The second group of busmen-70,000 men and women employed by municipal undertakings—did no better when they met their employers again after an interval of several weeks, the talks being adjourned again without result; union representatives said that a complete breakdown was only narrowly avoided. .What apparently caused the sudden crisis was the introduction by the employers' representatives of the question of standee buses.
But the company busmen's claim made headway this week when the subcommittee of union and employers' representatives agreed on a recommendation to go to the N.C.O.I., where it will probably be accepted. This would clear the way for a municipal settlement also. The company talks produced no statement but I understand the agreed rise is about 6s. a week—some three per cent., or Is. higher than the earlier offer.