[page 5]
Edinburgh busworkers are to refuse to implement cuts in services proposed Regional number of services have been scrapped in plans now wending through the Council. In addition a further increase in fares is proposed with the maximum fare rising from 20p to 25p.
These plans have angered the busworkers who have seen their numbers fall from 3,000 to 1,700 over the last
Particularly badly hit have been women, most of whom were previously employed as conductors, who have lost their jobs with the introduction of pay as you enter buses.
A number of campaigns have arisen in those areas, like Gilmerton, Clerm- Stockbridge, worst hit by the planned withdrawal of services.
The proposals have still to be voted on by the full Council and indications are that some Labour councillors will vote against them risking disciplinary moves. Several groups can be expected to demonstrate outside the Labour controlled Council when the plans come up for a vote.
The possibility of a campaign against both the service cuts and increases will be raised on the Lothian Federation of Trades Councils anti-cuts committee. One of the suggestions being discussed is a campaign along the lines of the one being run on the London Tube.
There. passengers pay the old fare and hand in a slip with their name and address promising to pay the increase if they are billed. London Transport then has the option of scrubbing the debts or posting out thousands of requests for five or ten pence.
Whatever happens campaign against the Council plans can be expected. It is not surprising when at fell swoop Lothian Regional one Council is adding to Edinburgh's jobless, stopping people travelling and hitting the pocket of nearly everyone in the city.
CHRIS BAMBERY