After you, Peter: No, after you, Ray
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THE McCARTHY tribunal's longawaited judgment on the locomotive drivers' precious eight-hour day does nothing to justify more Government grants to industrialists to build sidings, let alone aver more taxpayers' money for bigger dubious development schemes.
It gives ASLEF carte blanche to obstruct the British Railways Board's efforts to introduce flexible rostering while admitting the economic need for it. On the other hand, it warns the board not to stand on its rights. "Nothing we have said is intended to justify unilateral action or confrontation," the tribunal declares. Solomon would, I feel, have been more forthright.
The report is a classic example of the even-handedness that in another context has recently been roundly condemned. It pleases nobody except in giving every encouragement to muchincreased investment in roads that are desperately needed to stimulate industry and improve living conditions.