from Mike Martin. About 30 porters at the Lucas furniture works at Bow ast London, voted over=whelmingly to coninue their unofficial strike in support of their demand for a pay cise of 6d an hour, The porters walked out following a lunch-time meeting on Tuesday, when it became clear that the company was unwilling to discuss the matter seriously, Officials from N.U.F.T.0O. and A.S.W., urged the men to return to work so that talks could begin, However, the porters believe that the intransigence of the management rules out effective talks, and that in the abscence of a firm offer, the strike must continue, It has been a bone of contention at the factory for many years that the porters rate of pay has lagged behind that of journeymen who are on a bonus scheme and who benefit from increased production, whilst porters do not. Work has virtually ceased at the works, which produces office furniture on contract, Lucas Ltd., have large contracts with a number of public authorities, including Sussex University, B.0O.A.C., and the Central Electricity Generating Board,
NOTE: Of interest to Socialist in the Midlands:
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