BUSMEN'S STRIKE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22724, 10 May 1937, Page 10

BUSMEN'S STRIKE

DEADLOCK IN LONDON

.ABORTIVE NEGOTIATIONS SITUATION CRITICAL DISPUTE MAY SPREAD By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received May 9, <>.ls p.ni.) LONDON, May 9 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 throughout next week, according to a member of the Central Bus Committee, with which the decision rests. Moreover, if 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. ■ Officials of the Transport 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 meal times, the inadequacy of standing times and terminal facilities, and to examine with the union the duty schedules ■which are regarded as unduly onerous. Transport Board's Proposals 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 stated that although the board had suggested a few modifications they were not sufficient to induce the calling off of the strike. > : Men's Delegates to Meet To-day The busmen's delegates discussed the situation for three hours and adjourned at 3 a.m. to-day. Mr. Bevin, union secretary, stated that the delegates had decided to consult the members of the union to-day and to-morrow as to whether they would authorise for a new agreement based on the board's offer or continue the strike for a seven and a-half hours day. 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 union.