the Industry
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BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT THE new pay claim of 53,000 London bus workers came as a surprise to the industry. No demand was expected at least until December, when the executive of the Transport and General Workers' Union meet, as they usually endorse all wage claims. However, the rank and file of an Union considered their case for a 25s. a week rise so urgent that it could not wait two months. They called upon the finance and general purposes committee to make an immediate decision.
The committee's action in approving the demand is regarded as a partial defeat for union leaders, who were planning joint action by London, provincial and private bus workers. Top officials had already made it known that they intended to call a conference of the three groups to decide on a joint approach to the employers.
But the finance committee went over their heads by rejecting the idea of united action. Previously, union leaders had been given an insight into the London attitude when a garage delegate conference overruled a suggestion from their headquarters that caution should be exercised over "leapfrogging claims."
The last increase for London workers was granted in January, when they were awarded 7s. 6d. a week at a cost to the London Transport Executive of more than flm. It is estimated that £4m. would be needed to cover the new claim.
It is understood that the demand is being based on the rise in the cost of living, the effects of the credit squeeze, and the 7 per cent. Bank Rate. There is no doubt that the claim will be powerful backing to the round of demands already under way, headed by that of the railwaymen.