Operators Warn "Unofficial" Strikers A NY employee who fails to
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report rA for duty at the proper time, without a good reason, and to carry out his duties in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Birmingham and Midland. Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., will be automatically dismissed.
Snell employees may be re-engaged on the same terms and conditions as when they left, if application for reinstatement be made within three days. Anyone who makes application after that period will be considered as a new entrant.
These conditions have been made by the company because of the disorganization of services caused when crews fail to region for duty at the proper time. In a notice to employees, dated July 7, Mr. D. M. Sinclair, general manager, declared:—
Unauthorized Absence "Many 'endeavours to improve matters have been made, but still the trouble persists, culminating in the majority of the crews at certain garages failing to report for duty twice within the past week, in most cases without any ,previous warning or subsequent explanation to the company."
Mr. Sinclair states that dismissal of employees who fail to honour their agreement with the company may cause a reduction in the already depleted staff. Temporary cuts in services might be necessary, but the management believes that the public would prefer a seivice on which it could depend for courtesy and efficiency, even at reduced frequency, rather than one of greater frequency without the other necessary attribute.
Other news of industrial relations in passenger transport is as follows:—
The operating stall at Plymouth of the Western National Omnibus Co., Ltd., returned to work on July 10. Strikes in other sections of the undertaking. including the Royal Blue drivers at Bournemouth, were called off earlier in the week. At a meeting held last Friday night, delegates from London Transport garages agreed to continue Sunday work at time-and-a-quarter rate.
It was stated that the Minister of Labour was setting up a special tribunal to deal with the demands of company bus operatives for parity with municipal workers. This connection of the London dispute with the grievances of provincial bus workers is a new development, although a fortnight ago company employees at Chatham ceased work in sympathy with London Transport's strikers.
The Board warned its employees that if they failed to carry out the terms of their agreements, they would themselves he terminating their contracts with the Board.
Strikers in north-ea–stern England were also informed that they would be dismissed if they did not resume work last Saturday. The threat was ignored, but the men decided to return to duty on Monday. Mr. G. W. Hayter, general manager of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., stated on Saturday that the men would be taken back, but that the question of loss of seniority would be considered as a possible penalty.
Drivers and conductors employed by the Economic Bus Co., Ltd., Sunderland, who struck work against wages and conditions, accepted an ultimatum from the Northern District of the Municipal and General Workers Union that they should return to work or be expelled.
It is understood that the Amalgamated Engineering Union has negotiated an agreement with the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., and associated companies, whereby engineers employed by the concerns are guaranteed a minimum of 2s. 6cI. per hour.
The question of the five-day or fiveand-a-half-day week, and consequent changes; has been referred to local depots for discussion between management and employees.