Mr. Wills Warns Against Strike 'Folly
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WITH another pay claim from com
pany busmen already under consideration, Mr. J. S. Wills, chairman of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., warned on Wednes. day against a repeat of last year's strike. In his annual report he pointed out that the " folly " of another stoppage would certainly affect the level of employment in the bus industry.
Last July's strike did much to accelerate the fall in traffic carried by B.M.M.O., he said. Coupled with the increase in private transport, the effects of television, and the autumn influenza epidemic, it cost them 30m. passengers compared with 1956. At the same time, costs went up by £379,000.
Dealing with last year's I Is. award to busmen, Mr. Wills criticized the Industrial Disputes Tribunal for not giving the reasons for their decision. In November, 1956, they thought 5s. was enough, and there had been no real change in economic circumstances when they recommended a further 1-Is. Without any explanation it was inevitable that the .employers should think the Tribunal were likely to be more generous to the men with a strike in progress.
There would be disastrous effects if this supposition were generally accepted, for it would mean the end of arbitration.
At present, 65 per cent. of the B.M.M.O. services and 43 per cent, of their mileage were run at a loss, mostly in rural areas. The blame for this position could be placed directly on the Government, who still refused to cut the tax on fuel.
To reduce costs, B.M.M.O. were increasing the number of one-roan buses in operation, whilst the total fleet strength had been reduced by 16 vehicles during the year. Prototypes of a new double-decker and coach had been completed, and production was now under way. Several unusual features were incorporated in these designs, and further technical developments were in progress.
SUNDAY SERVICE MAY GO
BECAUSE they say it is uneconomic, the Midland General Omnibus Co. wish to withdraw a service from Alfreton to Chesterfield on Sundays. Six local authorities will oppose the company's application to do so when it 'comes before the East Midland Traffic Commissioners on Monday.
Mr. H. 0. Hawkins, clerk to Chesterfield Rural District Council, said last week that the company should look at the service over the whole week.
PLEA FOR ONE-MAN DRIVERS IN an effort to put more one-man-oper1 ated vehicles on the road, Hull Corporation have invited conductors and trolleybus drivers to volunteer for train-. ing as motorbus drivers. This follows difficulty in recruiting men from the regular driving staff for the new vehicles. The one-man buses are due to begin work on May 18.