LONDON STRIKE CONTINUES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 429, 10 May 1937, Page 5

LONDON STRIKE CONTINUES

EXTENSION FEARED TRAMS, TROLLEYS AND TUBES Huge Protest Meeting In Trafalgar Square Press Association —Copyright. Received May 10, 10.35 a.m. London, May 9. Headed by a motor car bearing a coffin on which lay a busman’s cap and a white coat, thousands of busmen to-day marched from the Embankment to a protest meeting in Trafalgar Square. Despite negotiatloons' las: ing throughout the diaiy and a conciliatory offer from the Transport Board, (there is every prospect of the bus s'rike continuing throughout next week, according to a member of ithe central bus committee, with which ithe decision reets. Moreover, if a settlement is not reached at the beginning of the week it is understood that there is a serious possibility of the stoppage extending to trams, trolley buses and the tube railways. Transport Board officials have announced their readiness to discuss the court of inquiry’s report regarding the speeding up of srvices, over.frequent alteration of schedules, irregularity of mealtimes, inadequacy of standing times and terminal facilities and to examine with the union duty schedules which are regarded as being unduly cnerous. Health Conditions. They added that if no agreement could be reached thereon the board was willing that matters be referred to a court of inquiry or o'her arbitrative body. The board is also prepared to negotiate on. other mat! ters apart from a reduction of the working day and to establish with the union a properly qualified body to investigate conditions regarding health. After discussions on this basis the meeting broke up, a bus committee man stating that although the board had suggested a few modifications’ they were insufficient to induce the calling off of the strike. Busmen’s delegates 'discussed the situation for three hours and adjourned until 3 p.m. on Sunday. Mr Beyin stated that delegates had decided to consult members of the board on Sunday or Monday regarding whether they 'would authorise negotiations for- a new agreement • blis-ed on the Transport Board’s offer or would continue the strike for a 7£ hour day. The Transport Board intimated that they had given a final janswer. Delegates will meet at 5 p.m. on Monday to receive reports from branches.