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Back-to-work busmen drop pay claim
Page 22
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• The 50 drivers and conductors employed by the Economic Bus Co, Whitburn, Co Durham, have called-off their five weeks' strike over a claim for a 15s a week wage rise. The return to work was decided upon by a small majority, and a union official stated afterwards that the men felt they had a duty to the public to provide transport.
The firm operates a coastal service between South Shields and Sunderland.
The trouble started some months ago when the platform staff said they should receive an extra 15s a week because of their willingness to operate one-man buses. The employers replied that as they had no plans for one-man operation, the employees were not entitled to the extra money.
The issue was referred to an industrial court which supported the company. The union, however, did not accept the decision and claimed that the Whitburn company was not paying the recognized basic rates to its employees. This was denied by the Economic Bus Co, which said its rates were the same as those paid by the Northern General Transport Co Ltd.
The firm issued a challenge to the union to take up the matter with the Northern Area Licensing Authority who, it was said, would take action against any bus company not paying proper wage rates. The challenge was not taken up, and instead the 50 drivers and conductors were called out on official strike. The company refused to change its attitude and the stoppage was eventually called off without the claim being met.