LIVERPOOL BUSMEN ARE STIRRING
1959The NewsletterWilliam Hunter Read the scan at ETOL (PDF) →Read from the scan by machine and not corrected: headlines and words can be misread, and a caption or advert can run into the text. For anything you quote, read the scan.
INDUSTRY rank-and-file organization in the shipyards.
LIVERPOOL busmen are growing more and more uneasy over the state of affairs in the Corporation Transport Department. Results for the year ending March 1959 disclose a decline in passenger traffic.
The general manager says that the reason for this is the increase in television and private car owners. However, apart from an estimated loss to the transport department of £40,000 owing to last winter’s fog, there was an overall net surplus of £28,351.
The management, anticipating a continuing decline in passenger traffic, made a five per cent. ‘economy’ cut in services.
Busmen declare that services are being cut on routes which are admitted to be paying their way.
They recall that in the past local Labour Party leaders declared they would hold a public inquiry when the party gained control of the City Council.”
The Labour Party has been in control of the Council since 1955, but held an inquiry in private which it never concluded.
The unions having accepted the service cuts, the management: have now brought forward proposals for a limited all-night service. This has further angered busmen.
Rank and file bus unity needed The cost of such a service is estimated in the region of £28,000. If this service is put on, busmen ask, are we going to be faced with further cuts to pay for it?
Proposals for bigger buses add to the dissatisfaction. There are three types to be tried and they have an increased seating capacity of one-third above that of the normal fifty-six seater. The unions have agreed to give them a trial, but under pressure from the rank and file have refused to take standing passengers pending a national agreement.
Liverpool’s busmen are organized in two unions—the