Government steps into BRS dispute
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• The Government intervened last week in the strike of Midlands BRS drivers when it made it clear that it would veto any agreement to pay immediate bonuses to the 1000 drivers concerned. Mr Robin Chichester-Clark, Minister of State, sent identical letters to Mr K. Cook, managing director of BRS Midlands Ltd, and Mr Alan Law, the Transport and General Workers' Union commercial trade group secretary, saying that any settlement involving a pay increase implemented during the pay standstill would be vetoed under the Counter-Inflation Act 1972. The letters added that if it were possible to agree to a settlement after the pay standstill ends, then linplementation would be subject to Stage Two of the counter-inflation policy.
Last weekend talks between the warring parties offered some hope that a formula could be found for a resumption of work. The discussions centred on a pilot scheme to increase the productivity bonuses at a Birmingham BRS depot. Mr Cook said that the need for a review of productivity at the 18 branches affected was recognized and he promised that it would yield higher earnings and be implemented as soon as possible.
It appears that the union demand for £2.50 a week payment for possession of an hgv licence has not been insisted on quite so adamantly in recent talks, but its equivalent in terms of cash remains crucial.
Mr Law is reported to have changed his tune over the dispute: originally he was demanding that a payment would have to be made by BRS immediately the men returned to work, but earlier this week he said that he might recommend a return to work without payment if there was "an extremely enticing proposal". On Monday Mr Law said that any decision to return to work, however, would be left to a mass meeting which would take place in Birmingham on Sunday, following a meeting at Stratford-on-Avon today (Friday) between BRS and TGWU officials.