PAY RISE IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28268, 4 May 1957, Page 11

PAY RISE IN BRITAIN

Findings Of Tribunal LONDON, May 2. A Government court of inquiry today recommended that more than 3,000,000 British shipyard and engineering workers should get an unconditional rise of up to 5 per cent. (8s 6d a week) in their basic wages. The workers called off a nationwide strike a month ago. They had demanded a 10 per cent. rise. If the unions and employers agree to the recommendation for a 5 per cent, par rise, it is estimated that it will cost the two industries more than £50,000,000 a year. Many union leaders, however, have threatened to resume the strike unless their demands for a flat 10 per cent increase are met. The strikes were estimated to have cost the workers about £25,000,000 in wages, while the cost to employers in terms of lost production and lost orders was reported to have been “incalculable.” The National Coal Board and trade union leaders today provisionally agreed on a 5 per cent, pay rise. This may cost £10,000,000 a year, for 350,000 coalminers. The miners’ leaders will recommend acceptance of the pay offer to a national delegate conference. If approved, the pay rise will be back-dated to the beginning of March.