LONDON BUS DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23201, 27 May 1937, Page 9

LONDON BUS DISPUTE

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS PUBLICATION OF REPORT (British Official Wireless* RUGBY, May 25. (Received May 26, at 5.5 p.m.) Developments in the London bus dispute to-day included the publication of the report of the Court of Inquiry and the issue of a statement by the executive of the Transport Union following the resumed meeting of the delegate conference of omnibus men. The report confirms the findings in the interim report that the claim for a 7i-hour day on the grounds of health was not proved but nevertheless that a prima facie case was made out for further and immediate investigations by a qualified body into the medical aspects of the occupation. The court also found that standing times and terminal facilities in some instances left much to be desired and recommended negotiations on duty schedules and their frequency of alteration, and other matters. Finally the report suggests the establishment by agreement between the London passenger Transport Board and the men's union or some tribunal to which appeal could be made, where ordinary methods of negotiation had failed to produce a settlement. The union executive's statement shows that it has again confirmed its decision not to authorise any extension of the strike to the tramway or tube railway services. The statement declares that the council decided it must assume responsibility for the further conduct of the dispute and has instructed that the necessary steps be taken to implement that decision forthwith. The union statement indicates that the executive will open negotiations at once with the London Transport Board on the basis of the Court of Inquiry's report, and in the event of reaching an agreement fair and satisfactory in its estimation, it will advise the strikers to resume work over the heads of the Central Busmen's Committee.