One hundred years ago
THE Omnibus Strike in London ended on Saturday, and on Monday the men returned to work. They have secured the shorter hours, and the right of a day's holiday in the fortnight without pay, and a slight rise of wages, the drivers receiving 45s. 6d. for a week of seven days, and the conductors 35s. The horsekeepers, who were at the last thrown over, remain as before. As these rates are quite reasonable in the present state of the labour market, this is a satisfactory conclusion, though we wish it had been practicable to secure one rest-day a week. Nobody ought to work on continuously, even if he is fool enough to wish it. The only bad feature in the strike, as the horses were regular- ly fed, is the fresh evidence it afforded of the improvidence of English work- men. It was perfectly well understood that the 'busmen, on the whole a well-paid class, could not have held out for a month, from want of money. Frenchmen or Germans on the same wages would make themselves compa- ratively rich and independent men.
The Spectator, 20 June 1891
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