The Week Number 14 Page 4

A.E.U. NATIONAL COMMITTEE: meeta in vorthing on April 27th, to start s fortnight's debating. 52 delegates represent the union's 26 territorial divisions, The fight for the demand for a £? 2 week increase for all male workers is likely to dominate the wages debate. 13 of the divisions have resolutions down on wages, and of these 8 make the coll for the £2 increase. Carron end other members of the Rational Executive will oppose this call and, instead, ask National Committes to adopt the same ‘solicy as lest year. This wee for higher minimum payments, and "progressive wage increases on @ long-term contract basis.” Aberdeen and Dundes division urges the executive te use ruthless measures if necessary to get & swift settlement of the claim now being considered by the employers. But the motion stresses that this should not be allowed to delay a new claim for £2 a wrek, There is alco a heavy crop of resolutions on shorter hours. These fell inte tro cetegories: those pressing for the 40“hour week in one zo this year, to be followed by demands for a 35-hour week: and those taking the line that the unions should simply continue to press the existin,: claim for a 40-hour week as a priority. The Gloucester Division urges that unless a 40hour week is conceded by June an overtine ban should be imposed, The Kent division has a similar resolution but gives September as the deadline. Twenty of the 26 divisions have tabled demands for improvements in the scale of holidays. Most of these call for a third week's holiday, and higher holiday paynents.