Municipal Busmen's Claim Rejected
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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT
LEADERS of 70,000 busmen employed in municipal undertakings received a fiat turndown of their two-point claim when they met the employers at a meeting of the National Joint Industrial Council for Road Passenger Transport in London last week.
The first part of their claim was for a third week's holiday with pay. It was pointed out to them that a third week's holiday was still unusual for manual workers in other sectors of industry.
On the second point, which was for an extension of the guaranteed day from 6 hours 40 minutes to 7 hours, they were told that it would have the effect of increasing earnings. The employers contended that both claims would add to their labour costs and might involve an increase in fares. The talks were adjourned to the New Year to enable leaders of the two unions, the Transport and General Workers' Union and the National Union of General and Municipal Workers, to consider the employers' answer and their next move.
A similar claim lodged on behalf of 100,000 men and women in private bus companies has already been submitted and an. answer is expected next month. In their case there is a third demand for an industrial pension scheme.
The claim for a ." substantial " pay rise and an 80-hour fortnight for London busmen was presented to the London Transport Executive on Friday.