agreements, with 1s. 6d. to boys under 18. If that was not acceptable they agreed to any arbitrator appointed by the Government. If that was not acceptable it was useless to continue the negotiations.
Resolved: "That in view of the difficult position which has arisen, this Executive desires to continue negotiations, and to settle the question of war bonus, without the calling of an arbitrator, and while we cannot think that the offer of 3s. now made by the companies is their final offer, we suggest, as a means of bringing us nearer together, that failing the granting of the full 10s., there shall be arranged, over and above any settlement arrived at being less than 10s., an automatic sliding scale, which in the event of food prices rising after the agreement being signed, and with a view to preventing the necessity of further meetings on this question, shall operate as follows:—1s. 3d, per week to men, and 8d. per week to boys, for every ten per cent. increase in the price of commodities."
The N.U.R. Executive broke off negotiations at this point to call a Special Conference, and the Associated Executive was next summoned to meet Mr. Runciman at the Board of Trade. He was accompanied by Sir Wm. Robertson and others, including Mr. A. Henderson, and the serious military danger of even a temporary railway strike was pointed out. The General Secretary promised to use every possible endeavour to prevent a strike, pending the completion of negotiations. Later the Managers were met again, but without result, and on September 19th the General Managers appealed for some counter offer to bridge the gulf between 10s. and 3s. They adjourned to the 20th, when the sub-committee stated that unless the sliding scale or the full 10s. were conceded, they would have to return to the full E.C. before agreeing to any settlement. The companies had advanced to 4s., and the Chairman said the sliding scale suggestion appealed to him, but as it was new it would require close consideration. For this purpose there was a retirement, after which the Managers offered 5s. additional bonus to adults and 2s. 6d, to boys, with a further conference to
