Definitive Report - Report No 105, 1968

1. 14. The Committee has already submitted interim reports on this case to the Governing Body in paragraphs 136 to 243 of its 67th Report, paragraphs 280 to 284 of its 70th Report, paragraphs 222 to 271 of its 76th Report, paragraphs 122 to 126 of its 87th Report and paragraphs 213 to 217 of its 101st Report.

A. A. The complainants' allegations

1. 15. When it last examined the case at its session in November 1967 the Committee noted the information supplied by the Government according to which representatives of employees and employers in the banking industry, who had been engaged in discussions concerning the practicability of setting up national negotiating machinery, had been unable to reach an agreement. The Committee also noted, however, that it was expected that a further opportunity for reviewing the position would arise when the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers' Associations had submitted its report.
2. 16. The Committee consequently recommended the Governing Body to take note of the above information and to request the Government to continue to keep it informed of further developments in the matter.
3. 17. The Government, having been acquainted with these conclusions by a letter dated 24 November 1967, replied by a communication dated 15 February 1968, followed by a communication dated 24 May 1968.
4. 18. In the first communication the Government stated that following strikes called by the National Union of Bank Employees in a number of areas in November and December 1967, the Ministry of Labour had informal talks with representatives of the three parties: the National Union of Bank Employees, nine members of the Committee of London Clearing Banks, and the Central Council of Bank Staff Associations. The Government stated that these talks led to meetings between the nine clearing banks and the staff associations, a Ministry of Labour observer having been present to assist the parties. Agreement was reached to set up national negotiating machinery on the basis of proposals drawn up in 1967 by the joint working party, amended so as to provide that certain additional matters, such as working hours and overtime, would become negotiable. The Government stated that this agreement had still to be ratified by the parties.
5. 19. In its second communication the Government states that national negotiating machinery in the banking industry has now been established and that it is already functioning.