Tribunal Report Rushed to Both Sides
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BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT EMPLOYERS and Union leaders involved in the provincial bus strike will study the findings of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal'over the week-end. It is only two days since the Tribunal met, which shows that the Minister of Labour is treating the stoppage as a top priority matter.
Earlier this week instructions were given that the Tribunal should furnish both sides with their report without delay. Another dispute booked for hearing by the Tribunal on Wednesday was immediately postponed as part of the campaign to reach an early settlement in the bus strike. Lord Terrington was the chairman when the Tribunal's private session was held to consider the busmen's claim for increases averaging £1 a week.
Other members were Sir Patrick Branigan, Q.C., Prof. A. S. Shimmin (former Professor of Economics at Leeds University), Brigadier Mandleberg (who sat on the recent engineering and shipbuilding Courts of Inquiry) and Mr. J. Kitts (Derbyshire miners).
It is hoped that the Tribunal's verdict will be the basis for re-opening negotiations between the two sides, although the Unions have demanded a court of inquiry to investigate the claim. Mr. Frank Coyle, secretary of the road passenger group of the Transport and General Workers' Union, favoured this procedure because he believed it would reveal the unfavourable position of the busmen when their wages were compared with those which are paid in other industries.
As the Unions made only a token attendance before the Tribunal there seems little likelihood at the moment of an early settlement unless some com promise can be achieved. But this appears unlikely in view of the Unions' statement that "stalemate has been reached."
Municipal Talks In the midst of the chaos caused by the strike, more busmen have been holding pay talks. Representatives of 77,000 men employed in municipal undertakings have put in a similar claim to that rejected by private employers, and yesterday their negotiations continued.
Already the municipalities have offered 7s. 6d. in settlement—an increase of 4s. 6d. on the private employers' bid --but it has been rejected. If these discussions break down, the Unions concerned are bound by constitution to take the matter to arbitration.
No settlement is expected between the municipalities and their employees before the company strike ends, so the talks can have little effect on the provincial stoppage.
Among the private companies who have agreed to pay increases are Robin Hood (Coaches), Ltd:, Nottingham. They are paying their employees the extra £1 a week which forms the basis of the claim. In Leicestershire, Gibson Bros.. Market Bosworth, are paying lls.
1328 a week, J. Robinson and Sons (Burbage), Ltd., 10s., and Brown Bros., Leicester, 11 s.
More than 100 men have been dismissed by the Green Bus Co., Rugeley, Staffs, following their unofficial strike in support of the main provincial stoppage. The decision was announced by the joint proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Whieldon, after the men tad driven a double-deck vehicle across the doors of the garage.
[Other strike news appears on page 849.]
T.R.T.A. CALL FOR INDEPENDENT INQUIRY
THE Traders' Road Transport Association is not satisfied with the Ministry of Transport's decision to hold a public inquiry in the autumn into loading and unloading restrictions in
certain London streets. It wants an independent investigation.
The inquiry is to be held by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, who proposed the restrictions.
Mr. L. G. Broomfield, the delegate of Bromley Chamber of Commerce who attended a special meeting of the Association last Friday, said: "A public inquiry would be presided over by the Traffic Advisory Committee, who would virtually be judge and jury. What we want is one held under an inspector appointed by the Minister of Transport."
Counsel is being briefed by the Association to act on their behalf and object to the restrictions which, said Mr. Broomfield, would mean that thesame tonnage of goods would have to be delivered by traders in a fewer number of hours, thus doubling the number of vehicles required.
MORE " HORSES " FOR CHIEFTAIN
A LARGER-CAPACITY oil engine rib. developing 81 b.h.p. has been introduced by Albion Motors, Ltd., as standard for the Chieftain range without any increase in price.
It is claimed that a fully laden Chieftain will be able to climb a gradient of 1 in 3.9 in first gear.