from a rail correspondent
Representatives of 2,000 Southern Region locomen, meeting on October 18th, gave the British Railways Board one further meeting with leaders of their union, the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, to settle their long delayed bonus claim, After hearing reports from Mr, Rey Buckton, ASIEF assistant general secretary, and Mr, Bill Williams, an executive member, the delegates voted overwhelmingly against calling an immediate unofficial work-to-rule. Then,by 25 votes to one, they gave warning that unless a solution was reached at the meeting with the Board expected later this week they would call another meeting of Southern Region branches to consider what action to take, Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Buckton said: "The men are in an angry moode The delay is their real concern, But they are remaining loyal to the union," Confirming this, Mr, Jack Harmer, chairman of the London Bridge branch which called the meeting, saids "If the Board would only say that any settlement would be back-dated to September 29 all pressure would cease." On that day the report of a Court of Inquiry into the dispute said that only one further meeting between union and management was needed to reach a settlement. That meeting was held last Friday. Afterwards it was stated that a further meeting was necessary. We have looked in vain to see any press denunciation of the attitude of the Rails Board,