Municipal Pay Decision Deferred
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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT
SEVENTY THOUSAND busmen employed by municipal undertakings Were offered a pay rise of 7s, a week, when the National Joint IndustrialCouncil met in London last week. But their claim for a 40-hour working week was rejected.
The pay offer was in reply to a demand for a " substantial " increase. Leaders of the two unions involved, the Transport ii-id General Workers and the National Union of General and Municipal Workers, had in mind an amount of 10s. :6 12s. and were, therefore, disappointed.
Both sides agreed to refer the offer to
joint wages committee for further detailed examination. That committee will be meeting next Wednesday. The wo sides are not really anxious to reach in agreement in advance of a settlement )f the London busmen's claim. Protine at busmen do not want to see any 'urther widening of the differentials letween themselves and tier London
Any agreement reached now, which tuned out to be inferior to the London ,ettlement, would only cause more rouble later. The same applies to the 00,000 company busmen, who are still iwaiting a reply to their claim from the imployers.
But there has been one settlement in he bus industry. At a meeting of the filling Joint Group Committee, the 'mployers' side agreed in principle that ime and a quarter should be paid to all
clerical and supervisory staff on wages scales who were rostered to work Saturday afternoons.
To allow the local managements of the four companies in the group time to complete consultation, the scheme will come into effect from the first full pay period after May I. From the same date equal pay for the majority of women staff, which had previously been agreed in principle, is to come into effect. QOUTH WALES local authorities are
strengthening their organisation to resist applications by bus companies for fare increases which authorities consider unreasonable.
The South Wales Area Joint Committee of Local Authorities dealing with bus fares and services decided at a 90-minute private meeting at the County Hall, Cardiff, last week to reconstitute the committee.
" The object is to strengthen the committee in its organised combined opposition to any unreasonable increases ", the secretary, Mr. Geoffrey Hockin, said.
Visiting Coaches PRINATE cars and motor coaches visiting the United Kingdom from abroad are to be exempt from vehicle excise duty for periods up to a year instead of the 90-day-limit now in force. This is one of a series of concessions made as a result of two International Conventions to take effect on April 15.