Discontent In Palace Staff

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30636, 30 December 1964, Page 9

Discontent In Palace Staff

LONDON, Dec. 29. Civil Service Union ' chiefs had appealed to the Minister of Labour, Mr Gunter, to seek an im- ' provement in the method of dealing with staff, re- ' lations at Buckingham Palace, “The Times” re- ] ported. At present all staff disputes |1 between the unions and Pal- : ace authorities are referred I to the Ministry’s conciliation 11 department ; i

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright)

But the Civil Service Union believed the refusal to allow the union direct access to their members, and direct communication with the Palace management, lead to exacerbation by minor staff troubles, “The Times” said. Recently the Royal Mews had been the main centre of staff discontent. There had ibeen some resignations and • some time ago 18 members of ithe mews staff signed a petition protesting against too ■much “bull.”

i “The Times” said that Sir ' Basil Smallpiece had taken 1 up his appointment as ad- ; ministrative adviser at the • Palace and among his respon- : sibilities would be that of implementing efficiency mea- ; sures proposed by a Treasury ’ reorganisation and methods ! team. The union hoped these de- ' velopments might lead to an • improvement in the staff relations arrangements. “The Times” said.