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NEW DEADLOCK IN LONDON BUS PAY TALKS

22nd May 1964, Page 32
22nd May 1964
Page 32
Page 32, 22nd May 1964 — NEW DEADLOCK IN LONDON BUS PAY TALKS
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT

THE London bus pay talks, which unlike negotiations in other industries, never seem to follow a straightforward course, are running true to form again. After five long meetings to work out the recommendations of the Phelps Brown Committee of Inquiry report, the two sides broke up in deadlock last week.

Ironically, the only thing to emerge quite clearly was a threat that the ban on overtime and rest day working, which led to the setting up of the inquiry, might be re-imposed before the end of the month. For tempers among the militants are beginning to run dangerously short at what they consider London TranSport's procrastinations and attempts to evade the report's recommendation that busmen's earnings should be substantially improved.

What led to the deadlock was the question of rostered earnings. London Transport had offered an increase of l3s. in such earnings, plus another £1 week on average in various types of efficiency payments. Meeting before the last conference with the employers, the busmen's negotiating committee formulated in detail their own demands. Like everything else in these negotiations they were complicated. But they amounted to a total of between 24s, 6d. and 26s. in rostered earnings. Provided that there was agreement on these, they were ready to discuss the various technical developments. They rejected out of hand, however, two proposals put forward by the Board. The first was the suggestion that standing passengers should be allowed at any time instead of only at peak hours as at present. This, they thought, could be used as a pretext for cutting down services still further. The second was the proposal to have a five-day week of eight hours, In view of the traffic conditions in London the busmen preferred to adhere to an 11-day fortnight, but with each working day cut to 7 hr. 16 min.

When the two sides met—the meeting lasted nearly seven hours—London Transport went some way to meet the busmen and offered to increase fostered earnings by 5s. to 18s. a week. But to offset this the Board said it would have to cut back the efficiency payments to an average of 15s. a week, leaving the total increase in earnings at 33s. This proved to be unacceptable.

The Board also revealed some of the efficiency payments it had in mind. There would be a 48-seat standard for buses with 2d. a seat paid for any in excess of that figure. Thus, a 56-seater RT doubledecker would bring its crew an extra Is. 4d, a day or 6s: 8d. a week; a 64-seater Routemaster 2s. 8d. a day, or 13s. 44 a week, and a 72-seater RML 4s. a day, or £1 a week.

Drivers of one-man buses would get an increase of 15 per cent on basic pay plus, Id, per seat to give a total of about

£3 a week extra. On red central buse there would be a bonus of 3d. in till pound on fares taken. But for Greet Line crews, with their higher takings, thi would be only 214 in the pound.

The Board revealed that it wanted ti introduce its first experimental "standee' bus on the Victoria to Marble Arch run This would be a vehicle for 88 passen gers, 30 seated and 58 standing and i would have a uniform fare with passi meter entrance. Its driver would hay an extra 5 per cent on basic pay, plus Id per place. These were expected to giv him about £2 13s. a week extra.

All these proposals are now in abey ance while the two sides decide how t get themselves out of the deadlock. On possible move is a top-level meetin between Mr. Frank Cousins, genera secretary of the T.G.W.U., and MI A. B. B. Valentine, L.T.B. chairman.

Certainly something will have to h done quickly. For the central bus dele gate conference is due next week an without further progress the resolutio for another overtinte ban is certain strong support.

Another threat, however—to Whitsu Bank Holiday excursion buses—wa called off just in time. But though thi move as defeated the same delegate who will meet again next week made clear that they were fed up with the wa the talks had gone and were ready t take some action themselves.


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