Overtime Ban May Upset British P.O.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 13 May 1961, Page 11

Overtime Ban May Upset British P.O.

IN Z.P.A-Heuter—Copyright) LONDON, May 11. International communications will be disrupted when thousands of key members of the Post Office Engineering Union ban overtime from this week-end. Britain’s telephone, radio and television networks are expected to be thrown into chaos.

The ban has been imposed in support of a claim for wage increases ranging from 16s to £3 a week. It is opposed by the union executive. which recommended a token strike of a few hours instead, but supported by many of the union's 70.000 members. Tonight union branches, representing more than 4000 key engineers in the central London area alone, decided to support it. Some will ban overtime from Friday afternoon and others from Saturday. One branch tn central London, representing 1600 engineers, decided not only to ban overtime but also to withdraw all co-operation from the post office. An executive council member, Mr A. C. Simper said it was an example of “Post Office mis-management” that overtime was essential to maintain the essential services. Some engineers are working up to 20 per cent, overtime For them the ban will mean pay losses of up to £3 a week Among the services which will be hit is the Television Central Control which arranges national television link-ups: but essential services, such as fire, police and medical calls will not be upset. The main mass meeting tonight passed a resolution to ensure that these services would operate normally. One of the important branches supporting the strike was London City which was responsible for the installation of telephone and cables in central London,

said the “Daily Mirror.” The decision of one branch to withdraw all co-operation from the Post Office meant quitting all joint committees dealing with production, civil defence and the like, said the newspaper.