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15

Euston Station (Strike) 10 DECEMBER 1948 Euston Station (Strike)

MOUSE OF COMMONS

Friday, 10th December, 1948

The House met at Eleven o'Clock ·

PRAYERS

[Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair]

PRIVATE BUSINESS

DUNDEE CORPORATION ORDER CONFIRMATION BILL [Lords] Considered; to be read the Third time upon Monday next.

DUNDEE HARBOUR AND TAY FERRIES Order Confirmation Bill [Lords] Considered; to be read the Third time upon Monday next.

EUSTON STATION (STRIKE)

Mr. J. Langford-Holt (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour what steps does he propose to take to bring to an early conclusion the unofficial strike at Euston, which is causing increas- ingly serious dislocation to Christmas traffic?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs): This stoppage of work has resulted from the unconstitutional action of 300 parcel porters and vanmen employed at Euston Station who are protesting against the duties allocated to their branch official under the roster agreed by the Local Joint Departmental Committee on 12th November last. The duties as vanman of this official have been discussed by the Trade Union with the Railway Officials concerned, and as a result it has been agreed that arrangements can be made which would enable him to carry out his local departmental committee duties which the men allege cannot be per- formed under the existing roster as it applies to him. The Trade Union have made it clear that they cannot support the action taken by the men and have instructed the men to return to work.

Any disruption of Christmas parcel traffic is of great disservice to the public, and I must emphasise that the duty of the men is to follow the advice of their trade union leaders and to resume work. Ample machinery exists for the discus- sion of any grievance that they may feel.

110 A 3

706

hon. Gentleman agree that one of the Mr. Langford-Holt: Would the right

features of this strike, and of other un- official strikes like it, is the apparent tri- viality of its origin; and, secondly, is he satisfied that

the negotiating machinery and also the relationship be- tween the Union and the men is sufficient and adequate to prevent the recurrence of such strikes and their immediate rapid spread which appears to happen each time?

Mr. Isaacs: The supplementary ques- tion is rather long and involves a num- ber of points, some of which I will try to answer. The relationship between the Union and the management is of the best. The relationship between the Union and its men is a matter of some question at the moment because of this outbreak. I would like to say that the Local Joint Departmental Committee which fixed this roster has representatives of the Union upon it. The Union is making strenuous efforts to get their men to fall into line, and I would like to back the Union appeal by saying that action of this sort is not only a disservice to the public and to the State but a disservice to trade unions themselves, who are trying to do their best in the circumstances.

Air-Commodore Harvey: If this un- fortunate strike continues will the right hon. Gentleman make representation to the Postmaster-General and to the Minis- ter of Transport to the effect that other means of transport must be implemented to carry out this work?

Mr. Isaacs: I would like to have notice of that question because while negotia- tions are proceeding it is so easy to add fuel to the flames.

Dr. Haden Guest: Is it not possible to settle this unfortunate dispute by direct approach and a little friendly conversa- tion?

A deputation which came to see me last night seemed to be very ill- informed and very excited, and I think that a little private conversation and con- ciliatory action might be able to bring the matter to a close more rapidly than through purely official channels.

Mr. Isaacs: We have been in touch with the Union and Railway Executive, but if any official action is taken which recognises unofficial strikes then the authority of the trade unions and any other machinery is gone completely.