SETTLEMENT PARLEY FAILS

Northern Advocate, 10 May 1937, Page 5

SETTLEMENT PARLEY FAILS

Prospect of Trouble Spreading

(Received 10 a.m.)

LONDON, May 7

In spite of negotiations which lasted all day, and* a conciliatory offer from the .Transport Board, there is every prospect of the bus strike, continuing through next' according to a member of the Central Bus Committee, , with: which; the: decision rests.' Moreover, !! a settlement is not reached at the beginning of the Week, it is understood there will be a serious possibility of the stoppage extending to the trams and trolley. buses and tube railways.. > ; V .< ■■■ ... W; • . “ '■ ;!

Officials of the Transpprt Board announce its readiness to discuss the report of the Court of Inquiry regarding the speeding up of services, the too: frequent alteration of schedules,' the irregularity -of mealtimes, the,inadequacy- of standing time and terminal facilities, and to examine with the upion the duty schedules which; are. regarded as unduly onerous. “ 1 Prepared To Negotiate; v

The board added ( that if no agreement was reached on these matters, it would be willing for them to be referred to the Court of Inquiry ,’ or other arbitrative body. The board also was prepared to negotiate on other matters, apart from a reduction of the working day, and to establish with the union a properly., qualified body to investigate conditions regarding the health of the men. After discussions on this basis, a meeting of the parties broke up; . A member of the bus committee states that, although the. board had suggested a few modifications, they , were not sufficient, to induce , the calling off of the strike. i s . -Final Answer. '

The busmen’s delegates discussed the situation for three hours and adjourned 'at 3 am. today. Mr. Bevin, union secretary, stated that the delegates had decided to consult the members of the union today ; and tomorrow as to whether they would authorise, negotiations for a new agreement, based on the board’s offer or continue the strike for a hours day. 1 • '* ; ’ ■

The board intimated that it had given its final answer. The men’s delegates, are to meet at 5 p.m. on Monday to receive reports , from branches’Of the uttipn.