8s. More for Company Busmen
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DRIVERS and conductors employed by private bus companies have been awarded an increase of 8s. per week by the Brierley tribunal, set up by the National Council for the Omnibus Industry. The council adopted the tribunal's recommendations on Monday.
The 8s. award also applies to grade L semi-skilled workers. Grade 2 semiskilled workers receive an increase of 75. 6d., and grade 3 semi-skilled workers and cleaners 7s. The basic rates of skilled maintenance workers governed by the industry's model agreement are raised to £6 15s. 6d. per week.
The industry's national agreement on conditions, says the tribunal, shall be amended to provide for two weeks' holiday with 88 hours' pay after three years' continuous service, and six public or local holidays with pay, instead of five as at present. In addition, skilled maintenance workers should get two weeks' holiday with 88 hours' pay after 36 months' o6ntinuous service.
, The wages award takes effect from the first full pay period after August 30. Certain benefits agreed by the national' cohncil before the submissicin of differences to the tribunal will also be iput into effect.
In the proceedings before the tribunal, the Transport and General Workers' Union maintained that there should be no difference between the wages and conditions of municipal and company staffs. There could be no justification in departing from the principles established by the Foster and Gorman tribunals.
The employers contended the opera lions of companies were entirely different from those of municipalities. They mentioned the many rural routes operated and the lower number of passengers per mile compared with those on municipal services.
Major F. J. Chopple, chairman of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., has stated that the new award will cost the company between £75,000 and £76,000 a year in Bristol alone. The company's staff lifted its ban on overtime working when the increases were announced.
8s. 6d. OFFERED TO L.T.E. WORKERS
THE. London Transport Executive has offered motorbus, tram and trofleybus platform staff a pay increase of 8s. 6d. a week. The Transport and General Workers' Union has decided to submit the offer to 140 branches. It is known that the T.G.W.U. is anxious to reach a decision by negotiation without
recourse to arbitration. .
A recent offer of 7s. per week was rejected. The 'branches will consider the latest proposal individually' and should the majority approve," it will be accepted.
BRUSH CUTS BODY ' OUTPUT
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BECAUSE of the increasing demand for the products of the Brush Electrical Engineering Co.' Ltd., Lough.borough, it has been decided to cut down production of bus bodies. The output of Brush battery-electric vehicles will not be affected. The company's bodybuilding section has sufficient orders on its books to keep going for 12 months.