Bus Operators Want 7s. 6d, Cut in Wages
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T.r was disclosed by Mr. E. R. L.
Fitzpayne, general manager of Glasgow Transport Department, on Monday, that both municipal and com pany-owned passenger-transport undertakings have lodged a claim for a reduction of 7s. 6d. a week in the wages of 'drivers, conductors, and maintenance men (excluding skilled workers).
It was reported in The Commercial Motor last week that the claim for a
substantial increase in pay and improved conditions for 90,000 employees' of municipal undertakings was to be referred to the Industrial Court.
This latest development is the employers' answer to the unions'.
demand for the abolition or reduction of standing passengers in buses. Mr. Fitzpayne is to state the case for the municipal employers before the Joint Industrial Council for municipal tindertakings in London on November 12.
Mr. Fitzpayne said on Monday that in 1948 the unions made,a claim for increased wages at a time when the GOvernment had issued a White Paper indicating that if there were to be advances in wages, these must be accompanied by increased production. This was achieved in the passenger transport industry by raising the number of standing passengers in buses from five to eight. The unions and the employees then agreed that on this understanding wages would be increased by 7s. 6d. a week.
The employers' claim now is that if standing passengers are not permitted, or if the number is reduced to five, the 1948 agreement is null and void.
The employers are hoping for an early decision by the Minister of Transport on this vexed question. If buses can continue to carry eight standing passengers, the application for the 7s. 6d. reduction will be withdrawn.