Shortage of Cre ws Will Continue
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THE shortage of bus crews in London, now estimated at between 5,000-6,000, would not be solved until London Transport offered a substantial improvement in wages and working conditions. A leading .official of the Transport and General Workers' Union told London Transport this at a meeting in London, on Monday.
Afterwards, Mr. S. Henderson, national bus officer of the T.G.W.U. said that union representatives had made the point that if London Transport were going to compete for labour with other industries they must do so on a fair basis.
It was pointed out that the differential between London bus drivers and conductors and motormen and guards on B10 the Underground had increased substantially over the past few years to a figure of £2 14s. a week. No specific increase figure for busmen was put forward, he added.
Both sides agreed that the manpower shortage was serious and likely to worsen because of the continual wastage and falling off in new recruits.
In the meantime the initiative had been taken by the Central Road Services Committee of the T.G.W.U., in London last week. They agreed unanimously to set in motion an immediate wage claim on behalf of the 37,000 London busworkere Although no• figure was mentioned it is understood that the claim would befor a larger amount than that usually requested.