LONDON BUSMEN STILL WANT MORE
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FADERS of London's busmen are expected to decide today (April 23) on the size of the new pay rise which they are to demand from the London Transport Board. Their key negotiating committee was due to draw up the details for the new claim which is to be submitted to the Board on May 5, writes our ladustrial Correspondent. The chances are that they will demand an increase of around 9 per cent—despite the Government's new limit on pay increases of 3 to 31 per cent. Many of the busmen feel that a 9 per cent increase is necessary if they are to keep in line with underground drivers who were given a similar pay rise last December. In any ease, they claim that they are covered by the exceptions listed in the White Paper.
The pay claim may be linked with a demand for shorter hours, although the 40-hour week came into effect only a month ago. In fact, until October, busmen will be getting a compensatory payment of Is. 3d. a week for working the extra lime which they were to gain under the agreement.
One suggestion being canvassed among the 70 central London garages is that a 35-hour week should now be claimed. The suggestion comes from Merton Garage, one of the biggest, who link the demand with a pay claim for an extra 30s. a week.