HC Deb 02 July 1958 vol 590 cc1322-3
38. Mr. Bonham-Carter

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the settlement of the bus strike.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The strike was ended following an agreement between the London Transport Executive and the Transport and General Workers' Union, the terms of which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Bonham-Carter

In view of the statements which colleagues of the right hon. Gentleman have made outside this House about bus fares, would the Minister inform the House whether either he or his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport will make a further statement on the settlement of the strike?

Mr. Macleod

I am not sure that that point arises directly out of the Question, but the position as to fares has been made clear with the exception of what are called scattered sub-standard fares, about which there has been an announcement in the House. There is no intention of trying to recover the amount by a general increase in fares.

Following are the terms of the agreement:

1. Central Road Services drivers and conductors to receive an increase of 8s. 6d. per week with effect from the date of resumption of work.

2. Green Line single-deck coach drivers to receive an agreed increase with effect from the date of resumption of work.

3. A joint review of the wages of the excluded staffs to be carried out on the merits of the case. This review to start on the day before the resumption of work and to be completed not later than 1st July. Any increase agreed as a result of this review to be payable on and from 2nd July.

In an endeavour to remove any misunderstandings concerning the intentions of the review and to assist in securing an agreed and orderly resumption of duty, the London Transport Executive and the union agree that the intention of the review will be to provide an upward trend in wage levels.

In so far as the maintenance staffs are concerned, any increase arising from the review will not be less than an adjustment in wages which may be granted to London Transport Executive works staff and Railway workshops staff arising from the present negotiations. This is in line with normal practice.

In so far as the Country Services staff are concerned, it is not the intention that any decision arising from the review shall leave the wages of such staff in an unfavourable position compared with other staffs inside the London Transport Executive Road Services or comparable grades elsewhere.

4. Neither staff whose labour has been withdrawn nor staff who have reported for duty during the period of withdrawal of labour shall be prejudiced either by the Executive or by the union by their actions during this period. The Executive and the union to undertake to use their best endeavours to ensure that this agreement is observed in the spirit as well as in the letter.

5. It is agreed that the schedules posted for operation on 30th April, 14th May and 25th June will continue to remain as the basis of operation on resumption of work. Having regard, however, to the present financial position of London Transport and to meet the needs of the public and the staff, London Transport Executive and Transport and General Workers' Union agree to jointly examine the whole operation of the bus services, with a view to the necessary adjustments being made to provide a service commensurate with public demand.

Forward to