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The week
Page 46
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Busmen's direct challenge on
IVages legislation from our industrial correspondent 0 An unofficial strike by Newcastle busmen, and the prospects of a tough line on the further introduction of one-man buses in London, were among the early results of new, clear directions from the Prices and Incomes Board and the Government that further pay increases must be linked with definite commitments on productivity. The unofficial strike of 1,400 Newcastle men, following last week's Incomes Board report on the pay of municipal drivers and conductors, posed the first direct challenge to the Government under its Prices and Incomes legislation. The strike was in defiance of a Government Order -freezing" the men's El -a-week rises.
Mrs. Barbara Castle, Minister of Employment and Productivity, was expected to urge quick intervention by the unions when she met leading bargainers to discuss the P1B's recommendations on Wednesday.
The FIB found that the rises were not corn p-atible with wages policy. The Government can invoke powers to extend its delaying Order for a further three months. But obviously, it will try and get the busmen to renegotiate the deal with greater productivity concessions.
It is illegal to strike or take other industrial action to force or persuade employers to pay rises delayed by the Government: unions or workers can face fines of up to £500 on conviction for intimidation.
The Newcastle strike started as a half-day token stoppage. But it was likely to continue at least until yesterday (Thursday)—or even into next week when TGWU bus delegates are due to meet in London to discuss the FIB findings.
There is clanger, too, of a spread of unofficial action to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Lancashire towns.
Mrs. Castle is expected to stress the futility of strike action to the unions and to urge fresh productivity talks, The TGWU has ordered a complete halt on efficiency negotiations because of the Board's findings.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Mr. Richard Marsh, Minister of Transport, gave a final "no" to the proposed £1 -a-week pay and productivity deal for 33,000 London Transport busmen—and he has challenged the men's union to find ways of improving their productivity further.
The decision was announced in a letter to Mr. Alan Thomson, national bus secretary of the Transport and General Workers' U nion.
Mr. Marsh reiterated the ruling given by his predecessor, Mrs. Barbara Castle, that while the Government was willing to allow 10s a week increases for more one-man bus operations, the further lOs could not be paid unless further productivity improvements were negotiated.
It is likely that the TGWU leaders will now take a tough line on one-man bus progress in London.