Walthamstow the Members of the Brigade Have Been Represented at an Inquiry Held Following Public Criticism ; and Elsewhere Membe

38 Walthamstow the members of the brigade have been represented at an inquiry held following public criticism ; and elsewhere members have been represented in cases of a disciplinary character. Abortive efforts have been made at Croydon and Ilford for the establishment of the Two-Shift System, these being areas rather reactionary in character ; also at Willesden we are giving attention to the present scheme of duty; and at Dagenham we have secured the Two-Shift System of a proper basis of twelve-hour shifts (or equivalent ) with weekly leave day instead of the 24 hours about system with no leave day. Unfortunately this brigade has been exceedingly difficult to organise, and our present membership there is exceedingly low. Represen tations Were made at East Ham with regard to the pay of men engaged on special duties of Gamewell Fire Alarms, as to unappointed motor drivers being required to drive brigade vehicles and objecting to inclusion in a joint staff committee. At Wallsend an increase in pay of 7s. 6d. a Week for firemen was gained. At Bedwellty (Mon.) small increases in pay have been secured, but at Gellygaer we have been faced with this new type of committee. It has made its appearance also at Tottenham. In character this committee consists broadly of one-half representatives of the Council and one-half representing the employees ; and while in one case it is claimed that it not intended in any way to affect the ordinary Trade Union negotiation, yet in others it does appear to be calculated to form a buffer between the Trade Union and the Local Authority. In these latter circumstances it can represent a serious restriction on effective Trade Union action, and we are endeavouring, as far as lies in our power to avoid what appears to be an unnecessary and compli cating entanglement. Unfortunately, at Tottenham for instance, the members are not organised in sufficient numbers in the Union to enable us to make any really effective resistance. Among other questions which may be referred to are a reduction in “ working ” hours at Twickenham, improvement of mess room at West Ham, and the provision of other facilities in the same brigade. It would not be possible to detail the whole of the Union’s activities, and this report must be accepted as a broad indication that we are as far as possible moving in the desired direction for the improvement of the conditions of service of our profession. As can be imagined some areas are more fertile for our efforts than others, yet everywhere the best possible effort is put forward to over come the difficulties encountered. Briefly we refer to the following brigades in which matters have arisen during the year : London, Ilford, Barking, West Ham, East Ham, Dagenham, Walthamstow, Willesden, Southampton, Mitcham, Epsom, Twickenham, Acton, Leyton, Billingham, Greenock, Brighouse, Bradford, Paisley and Glasgow. Some of these will probably be reported on more fully next year. As regards the membership of the Union we are pleased to report that there has been an increase of 42 members, so far as the statistics for the year ending 31st December, 1934, are concerned. It may be mentioned that during the year we issued a pamphlet dealing with the concessions gained by the Union. As regards the Political Fund, here there is a decrease in membership. This is to some extent due to the progressive downward tendency noticeable with this Fund, but is also due to the recent disappointments which have been felt by members with the political side, already referred to. We have however, by no means lost confidence in the value of political affiliations and activities in that direction ; set-backs there will always be, but these are as milestones in our Trade Union career, and we must retain the will and determination to overcome them..

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