Union to Call Out Tanker Men
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TN an effort to force a favourable settle]. ment in the London bus dispute, leaders of the Transport and General Workers' Union decided on Tuesday to widen the effects of the strike unless an agreement was reached by the end of the week. The Union's negotiating committee agreed to ask tanker drivers and , power workers in the south-east to consider striking in support of the busmen—a move which would affect all road traffic and probably bring the Underground system to a halt. Both these groups are attached to the Union.
Mr. Frank Cousins, general secretary. said: "In view of the serious situation that is developing, we shall hold ourselves ready to meet representatives of the Minister of Labour or the Minister himself if they feel inclined to invite us any time before the week-end. We have also made it clear that we shall be prepared to meet the London Transport Executive to resume negotiations on a sensible basis immediately they wish us to do so."
This message was sent immediately to Mr. lain Macleod, Minister of Labour, but he replied that no useful purpose could be served by his meeting the Union.
A spokesman for the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association pointed out that so far as some members were concerned the tanker drivers were already on strike. Coach operators were having to produce clearance notes before they could obtain Fuel supplies, and this was against some operators' principles. However, the Association had been arranging deliveries to these concerns, and this help would continue so that holiday work would not be affected.
The Trades Union Congress have issued a national appeal to affiliated unions to give financial assistance to the strikers. Both railway unions have refused to take industrial action in support.
FIRST REGENTS FOR TEHERAN HANDED. OVER THE first consignment of A.E.C. Regent Mark V double-deckers. representing part of an order for 250 gained last September in the face of intense international competition, was handed over by Lord Brabazon, chairman of the A.C.V. Group, to Mr. Esmail Rahimi Larijani, a director of the Teheran Omnibus Board, on Tuesday.
A prime condition of the order was that 40 vehicles would be dispatched by the end of this month. This has been accomplished. The rest of the buses will be shipped by April next year. The bodywork is by Park Royal, and the maximum seating capacity is 73.
Chassis features include a heavy-duty frame, an 11.3-litre engine and Monocontrol transmission. Braking is by Clayton Dewandre compressed-air system.
Tyres for 180 of the buses will be Michelin steel-cord 11.00-20-in. covers with 14-ply rating for the front equipment and 12-ply for the twin rear tyres.