“PUBLIC IRRITATED”

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25081, 13 January 1947, Page 7

“PUBLIC IRRITATED”

“ Although there seems to be general appreciation that the London transport drivers have legitimate grievances that require redressing, the weight of public opinion supports the firm statement by Mr Isaacs that the men must return to work and abide by the decision of the Road Haulage Control Wages Board,” says the special correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association. “The general public has now become heartily irritated by ‘unofficial strikes,’ which cause the average man and woman in the street both inconvenience and annoyance—inability to buy their full meat ration this week-end is no laughing matter for thousands of families. The strike has been called against the advice of union leaders. “The possibility of its developing into something in the nature of a general strike now that troops have been called in is regarded as having a very unpleasant, unhealthy ring about it. Briefly, the position has arisen because it is three years since the transport drivers first raised their grievances, and nothing has been achieved. “Nine months ago the position was considered by the Road Haulage Central Wages Board, which has now advertised the proposed improved terms and conditions of payment. These are only proposals and they will have to

1 be considered by the district boards _ before the recommendations are finally submitted to the Minister of Labour for a confirmatory order. B “The transport workers want a 3 working week of 44 hours, a regulated 3 week, 14 days’ holiday with pay, and 3 an increased subsistence allowance, g They say that while they have a guar--1 anteed week they have not a guaran--1 teed day. This means they may have - to work 10 hours a day for four days 1 and eight hours on the fifth day. They g get no overtime for working 10 hours, t They want a guaranteed working day - of eight hours and a half, as well as a 1 guaranteed week. r “The board’s proposals include nine a days’ holiday with pay, with special f offers of pay for workers asked to work outside the recognised times. ’ “Because these proposals are rea garded as unjust, the strike has re--3 suited. Mr Isaacs has emphasised that y the compromise suggested by the board » is no more than a proposal, and de--3 dared that ‘the proper course is for » the men on strike to go back to work r at once and abide by the decision of i the board, with the assurance that it will be reached on a basis of a fair 3 and impartial hearing of their claims. “An emergency meeting of the board - has been called for Monday. Mean3 while, Mr Isaacs will not confirm any j move by the board while the strike > goes on.”