Way cleared for LTB o-m-o double-deckers
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• A week-long ban on overtime and restday working by 32,000 London Transport bus drivers and conductors was called off on Friday when garage delegates accepted a 17s pay rise from July 19 and another 3s from October 4 for all drivers, conductors and one-man operators.
The deal was accepted by 78 votes to 19 at a special delegates' conference called by the Transport and General Worker's Union. This followed top-level negotiations between Mr. Jack Jones, TGWU general secretary elect, and Sir Morris Holmes. chairman of London Transport.
The delegates also agreed to the adaptation of the 50 existing Leyland Atlantean / Park Royal double-deckers for one-man operation, starting this Autumn. Drivers of these buses will receive art extra £5 7s a week.
However, the major productivity con
cession was acceptance by the Union in principle of the introduction of 25 o-m-o double-deck buses designed specifically for this type of work. The Union agreed to the operation of these buses on an experimental basis for a period of six months starting not earlier than May next year. The introduction of the extra 3s from October 4 is subject to a suitable agreement for the payment of one-man operators of these buses.
Present basic rates range up to £17 5s 6d for top drivers, although average earnings range from 120 7s (conductors) to £21 16s (drivers).
Services which had been cut by about a quarter returned to normal during the weekend. But there was still disruption on several East London routes when 2,000 busmen staged another unofficial strike on Saturday in protest at new schedules.