PROGRESS ON PROVINCIAL PAY CLAIMS
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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT
THE claims by 170,000 provincial busmen for higher pay, shorter hours and longer holidays are moving towards the decisive stage, following two meetings held in London last week.
At the first, of the National Joint Council for Road Passenger Transport, it was decided to refer the municipal bus employees' claims to a special meeting of the Wages Committee on January 31. At an all-day meeting of the Council the employers, it is understood, contended that there was no real justification for the claims when they were lodged in November.
Both sides agreed, however, that there now might be a basis for further consideration. What they had clearly in mind was the interim settlement reached in the case of the London busmen. But both unions and employers showed they were not unduly influenced by this.
The full Council is to get a report from the Wages Committee on February 13.
On the company busmen's side, leaders of the six unions decided to resubmit their claims and to call for an early meeting of the National Council for the Omnibus Industry. When they first presented their demands last November the employers rejected them out of hand. But here, too, the unions will argue, circumstances have now altered. Besides the London bus settlement, the unions will be able to quote the 6 per cent pay rise granted to the railwaymen. For although British Railways and the Transport Holding Co. now work independently, there is still a strong link between railwaymen and company busmen.
There was a definite impression after the unions' meeting that another turndown of the claims would not be accepted meekly. Mr. Sam Henderson, national passenger group secretary of the T.G.W.U., said that there had been " resentment " at the attitude of the employers last November.
"But having regard to all the changes in circumstances it was felt that we should ask for a meeting in order to submit additional facts on the three claims," he said.
Although the national officials steered clear of any threats, unofficial action was threatened by employees of Midland Red and Northern group companies.