Industrial notes

from David Robinson. Bank Employees Consider Strike Action. Bank staff in West Wales have discussed industrial action at branch meetings in readiness for a rally to be held at Carmarthen on July 27 to consider pay and conditions. Oswald Davies, an Ammanford bank manager who will preside over the rally said: "Bank staff have come to the end of their tether, They want to discuss what action they should take. We have received information that at several branch meetings the possible forms of action discussed have included industrial action. This may receive a further discussion at the meeting on Thursday, and there is every Likelihood that there will be an aggressive resolution before the rally." The union's South Wales regional organiser, John James, said last Monday that bank staffs generally had not received an increase since April 1955 although senior staff had increases last July and January, The 2% per cent increase offered was "deplorable" he added. Threat to Trawlermen's Holidays. Concern is growing among Britain's 12,000 trawlermen that the Ministry of Labour may try to stop an agreement for them to have longer holidays with pay which has already been passed by the TUC wage-vetting committee, At present they have 26 paid days holiday a year, but early last month a sliding scale was agreed between the owners and the T&GWU for between 31 and 46 days a year depending oon the number of days spent at sea. There were calls for a strike from Hull and Grimsby, the two largest trawling ports, before this agreement was reached. Trawlermen are recognised as having to suffer among the worst conditions of any industry and resent the fact that the Ministry seems to think the agreement may not be allowable under the incomes policy. The union claims that there would be increased productivity because second crews could take the trawlers out when the first were ashore, thus ensuring that maximum use was made of the ships. Carpenters' Leader Reinstated. Jack Rusca has been reinstated as London district secretary by the "lay" general council of the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers, Rusca was removed from office in May by the union's executive council, seven full-time officials, for supporting A.S.W,. members on strike at the Myton and Sunley sites. It is believed that the general council, considering his appeal against the executive, substituted a three-month suspension which means that Jack Rusca will be able to resume his duties early next month. Trade Union Rally. ---~ Sunday July 30th, 3pm. Meeting on trade union rights in relation to CBR lockout. Speakers include Dennis Hobden,MP, and Tom Jackson, Post Office Union. Meeting is at Peace Statue, Seafront, Brighton/Hove Boundary; 3pm,July 30.