LONDON BUS DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1937, Page 9

LONDON BUS DISPUTE

REPORTS PUBLISHED

NEGOTIATIONS EXPECTED

fßrlHßh Official Wirelens.V RTJGBY, May 25. Developments in the London bus dispute today included the publication of the report of the court of inquiry arid the iasue of a statement by the executive of the Transport and General Workers' Union .following the resumed meeting of the delegate conference, of omnibus men. ■ ■ •■ "'.:>- The report confirms the-finding, previously announced in the interim reports that the claim for a seven and a half hours day on the groundiof health was not' proved, but, nevertheless, that a prima facie case was made out for further and immediate investigation by a qualified body • into the, medical aspect of the occupation. , The court also finds that standing times' and terminal facilities in some instances left much to be desired, and recommends negotiations on the 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 of some tribunal to which appeal could be made where in future the ordinary methods of negotiation fa\l to produce 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. After reviewing the recent discussions between the executive and the central busmen's committee, and between both and the strikers' delegates, the statement declares: —

"Having regard to all 'the facts and circumstances, the executive council has decided that it must resume the responsibility for the further conduct of the dispute and negotiations in connection therewith, and the council has instructed that the necessary steps be taken to implement that decision forthwith." . . ■.

The union statement is taken by Press commentators to indicate 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, will*'advise the strikers to resume work over the heads of the central busmen's committee.