Speed-up as the dustmen return

Workers Press no. 18, 22 October 1969 · scan page 2

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AS MORE London dustmen return to work this week, the councils are taking the opportunity to try and push through productivity deals and redundancy. -The donger ef euett deals are shown by the proposals put to the Ealing men last Friday.

The work force would be cut from 282 to 207 and drastic speed-up must inevitably follow.

Union officials are still trying to get the deal pushed through.

Mr Dave Ryland, regional officer of the General and Municipal Workers' Union, told the men last Friday that the gross wage including bonuses under the deal would be £28.

'Presumption'

town hall spokesman said afterwards that this was based on a 'presumption' that the bonus would be elevated by the increase in the basic wage.

The bonus is also conditional on job re-allocation.

When the work force is being cut, this can only mean more work for fewer men.

The council is trying to put on a friendly face to get the deal accepted.

It said it would support a call for an inquiry into the negotiating machinery municipal manual workers.

Local union branch officers are reported to be enthusiastic about the attitude of the councils.

A National Union of Public Employees branch secretary, Mr Harry Leggatt, said "the council has so far been very generous'.

Reject deal

This type of deal must be rejected as leading directly to speed-up and redundancy.

The wage increases paid for their implementation are soon whittled away by inflation.

Behind the so-called generosity of the councils lies the drive to cut back on public expenditure at the expense of the working class. and demanded their resignations.