LT crews' anti-rowdy protest strike
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from our industrial Correspondent
• Garage delegates representing 33,000 London busmen decided on Tuesday to stage a token strike in protest at violence and abuse by passengers on late-night Saturday buses. The strike will take place between 9 p.m. and midnight on Saturday, December 21.
One-third of London's 7,500 buses will make their last runs at 9 p.m. and return to their 70 garages instead of continuing their journeys until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. on Sunday as is usual.
The decision was taken at the monthly meeting of the Transport and General Workers' Union central bus conference.
The strike motion came from Brixton garage where 420 busmen have already staged Saturday night stoppages in protest at abuse and unruly behaviour by passengers.
The busmen are demanding quicker police attendance at the scene of incidents; more experiments with two-way radio in drivers cabs; bus inspectors on duty in plain clothes; and London Transport's own police force to be strengthened.
They also urge the Home Office to send circulars to magistrates suggesting heavier punishments for those guilty of assault.
Among the incidents mentioned at Tues day's meeting were; a conductor stabbed, at Vauxhall; a conductress punched, at Norwood; a conductor kicked and lost an eye at Stockwell; a conductress hit and her spectacles splintered; and a driver who drove to Kennington police station when girl passengers were being molested.
Mr. Len Scholey, spokesman for the Brixton busmen, said, "Drivers and conductors throughout London have protested for ages about drunks and louts, but nothing has been done.
"I am delighted with the decision. We will receive a report after the token ban on December 21 and then decide whether to widen it to include every Saturday night."
A radio van patrol has been tried in the Elephant and Castle, Brixton, and Streatham areas. But it was not successful.
The idea of a radio link may run into productivity trouble because crews think they should have extra money for operating it.
Mr. Terry Allan, TGWU official, said: "We are gravely disturbed at the number of cases coming before the courts, the extreme leniency of the magistrates and the apparent _indifference of the general public to this
problem".
During the meeting, 12 conductresses marched in carrying banners saying "we refuse to be second-class workers". They broke up the proceedings before lunch with a militant demand to be allowed to drive buses and claim improved pensions and sick pay.
But rather than discuss their grievances, the men adjourned their meeting early, before the lunch break.
Last month, the bus conference voted against a proposal that "clippies" should be allowed to train as bus drivers. There are no moves at present to get the matter discussed again.