New Haulage and Bus Pay Claims Expected
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BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT HAULIERS believe that the unions are preparing to lodge a new claim " for a substantial increase in wages. This would not be related to the higher speed limit for heavy goods vehicles. Mr. F. Eastwood, of the Transport and General Workers' Union, told me this week that "at. the moment' no claim had been submitted. I believe, however, that one will not be long delayed.
Another application for increased wages by provincial company busmen is forecast by Mr. R. G. Cook, of the National Union of General and Municipal Workers.
Writing in the Union's journal, hc says that the bus employees propose "as soon as is practicable " to try to reduce again the difference between London and provincial busmen's wage rates. The unions representing both municipal and company busmen regard the differential fixed last July by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal as a maximum, he declares. Any increase in the differential caused by the award of higher wages by London Transport would not be accepted. Representatives of the T.G.W.U. on Tuesday considered the next step to be taken following London Transport's refusal of their claim for an increase of £1 5s. a week for busmen (see page 767).
Deadlock on "30" Work
On the road haulage side, deadlock has been reached in the unions' attempt to secure an increase in wages of IS per cent. in return for the operation of heavy vehicles at 30 m.p.h. No further meeting of the National Joint Industrial Council on the question of 30 m.p.h. working is likely for some time. Last week's meeting was adjourned without result. The hauliers' representatives reaffirmed their intention not to entertain the 15-percent. claim. The employers promised to try to secure further details of schemes introduced by hauliers to compensate drivers for operation at the higher speed. The union representatives, on their part, said they would collate data on alleged .breaches by hauliers of the undertaking given by the Road Haulage Association that no man would become worse off by the increase in the speed limit.
TALKS ON TRAFFIC TO CONTINENT
T ATEST developments in the field of Continental ferry traffic were discussed in London, on Tuesday, at a conference called by Continental Ferry Services, Ltd. The company's freight agents in Belgium, Holland and Germany attended the meeting to describe how the scheme was working at their end.
Eight British hauliers who make regular use of the service were also present. On Wednesday, the Continental representatives went aboard the " Bardic Ferry" to see how new ideas were being incorporated.