N.C.0.1. Fails to Reach Pay Agreement
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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT
mEARLY seven hours of talks by the
National Council for the Omnibus Industry in London on Tuesday failed to bring an agreement on the three-point pay claim on behalf of 100,000 company busmen. A comparatively quick settlement had been expected following the disposal of the parallel claims on behalf of 70,000 municipal men for pay increases ranging from 10s. 6d. to 14s. a week.
The Council met first for just over three hours. But apart from turning down the demand for a shorter working week little progress was made. When they dispersed for a break, union leaders complained that no pay offer of any sort had been made.
A sub-committee of the Council resumed the discussions informally until
nearly 10 p.m. Although no agreement was reached, there was a general feeling that some progress had been made on the remaining claims for higher pay and better holiday entitlements.
Certainly there was some optimism that when the talks were resumed by the sub-committee yesterday (Thursday) there might be agreement on a joint recommendation to make to the full Council when it meets again next Tuesday. March 3.
The claim was first put forward last November. It was then rejected mainly on the ground that it had been lodged within six months of the last settlement. The claims were re-submitted on February 3, when the employers agreed that there was a case to consider,