It was cosmetic rather than structural rust but terrible for the cars reputation. Your email address will not be published. Hello there we are looking for witnesses to the fire next door can you help. Robinson was not reinstated. Judge for yourself. The Daily Mail claimed that the car firm British Leyland was paying bribes, and was exposed for printing a ludicrous hoax. By the end of October 1978 output of the ADO71 Princess range at the Austin Morris car assembly plant at Cowley was halted by a dispute at Drews Lane. Ray Horrocks (right), the head of BL Cars, told Chairman Michael Edwardes: We talk of regaining management control and applying proper discipline. He worked variously for Morris, Austin, BMC, BLMC, BMLH, Leyland Cars, Austin-Morris and Jaguar-Rover- Triumph Thats roughly a new corporate brand every 10 months and on the launches of the Allegro, 18-22 Series, TR7 and XJ-S. At that time, BL had the biggest advertising budget in the UK, he says, and we gave Saatchi its first-ever car account, which was the Princess., Dapper, silver-haired Alan Zafer, who began at MG, goes further: It was probably the greatest range of cars under one umbrella. Not really, its just moved from BL to the NHS. People were not being properly paid and rewarded so they got together and formed their own alliance. Says Pearson: We had quite regular contact with DGS as he was known internally. . Mr Alan Walters, a Supervisor, said he had seen another man come from the office carrying a Land Rover seat capable of being used as a bed. 1970 Ferrari 512M track test Group 5 great driven at Paul Ricard, Driving the legendary Bentley 3 Litre and Bentley 4 Litre. Absenteeism is simply defined as an individual's frequent pattern of evasion from an obligation or duty. Lancashire's workers have increased the amount of hours they put in by 1.5% since . He was dressed. A company statement on the Superintendents discovery, said they had all completed their work quota. Two of them had clocked 24 or 25 cards. Mr John Shayler, plant protection manager, said that at dawn on, June 14 he had seen a day-shift worker come in to their factory and knock on the door of the foremen's office. Buried deep somewhere in that automotive salmagundi: an old Punch magazine. I pointed out that we paid them until 4.30pm. Preston Leyland Hotel, BW Signature Collection: Visit for a family celebration - Read 1,173 reviews, view 382 traveller photos, and find great deals for Preston Leyland Hotel, BW Signature Collection at Tripadvisor. Heal opens up on shock mid-season move. I realised that it wasnt going to sell somehow it had no presence. In 1975 Robinson succeeded Dick Ethridge, a fellow Communist Party member, as the AEU convenor at Longbridge. He added that communists active in Unite "mourned the loss of their most distinguished veteran, a mentor and guide to us all". Often this meant DJs talked too much to keep within the restrictions, which annoyed listeners, until finally in 1987 needletime was axed. These were blamed by managers for delays to production of 62,000 cars and 113,000 engines, costing the business an estimated 200m. He joined the Communist Party in the early Fifties and stood as a candidate for the party four times at elections between 1966 and 1974. Although Edwardes had a reputation as a union basher, Robinson supported the idea of working with him under a policy of participation, whereby unions and management would cooperate on matters of industrial relations. These were dark times indeed.Harold Musgrove. Slight wear at extremities of boards. The response was:Theyve been doing it for years., Wed been establishing targets, establishing line rates and achieving 60 per cent of the target, which meant that the track stopped for 40 per cent of the day. British Leyland trade union leader. Shop stewards representing various tool room shops meet to discuss how they can support the British Leyland shop and propose a series of one day token strikes. In the 1980s and 90s, Mr Robinson worked as a tutor in trade union studies, teaching shop stewards. He left school aged 14 to begin work at the Austin plant at Longbridge, initially as an apprentice toolmaker. Mr John Share, personnel manager, said the company was satisfied that Mr Yates had allowed men to sleep on a night shift and had allowed clocking offences in which he had taken part. Over the years they have applied pressure to weaken work standards so that, against the already slack standards then applying, they are able to claim they have done their days work and management is powerless to give them more work to complete the shift.. When we walked the shop floor, I think 90 per cent of the employees had actually gone home. Red Robbo speaks to striking workers at Longbridge in the 1970s. Mr Robinson was elected shop steward soon after the end of his apprenticeship and by the late 1940s was a member of the Communist Party "in which he remained for the rest of his life", Mr Stevenson said. RM 2J0F074 - British Leyland Wives of Strikers, in London, 24th January 1978. BL began selling its interests in the 1980s, and by 1990 the Ford Motor . No mention was made of any disciplinary action against the workers. Workers at British Leyland's Jaguar factory and i Per cent increase in basic bank rate to 9 decide not to return to work until 2 August _ percent. It seemed that if they werent being caught sleeping on the night shift they were standing on a picket line, the enduring images of TV news bulletins if your memory goes back that far. Security officers kept watch from behind an extractor fan in a paint shop from where they could see a clocking point. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. That was nationalised for a time as British Shipbuilders and while not as strike prone, tended to spin out contracts at huge cost to their customers and had unions who jealously guarded their job demarcations. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Dubbed Red Robbo by the press, the Communist Party memberrepresented workers in car manufacturing during the pre-Thatcher era, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. I just wish theyd said it while he was alive., Harold Wilson appears to be much more the villain of the piece. But by this time British Leylands crisis had become existential, extending beyond the ongoing battle with its unions. A firebrand union leader and former British Leyland worker has died aged 90. Thatcher provided British Leyland with 2.9 billion pounds ($4.4 billion) of taxpayer money from 1979 to 1988, Rhys said. Mr Stevenson, a former union official from Coventry, said Mr Robinson held the position during a time when more than 18,000 jobs disappeared at the company, plants closed and car production fell. The company remained a ward of the state for 13 years. How did you not hear that he said to which my friend blatantly lied I had ear muffs on we were grinding most of the night! NICKNAMED Red Robbo, Derek Robinson became one of the most famous trade unionists of the 1970s and as the shop stewards' convener at British Leyland was the man responsible for no fewer than 523 . 2023 BBC. "He may well have had absolute belief in what he was doing, but few others did," Mr Cox added. Only British Rail and its curly-edged sandwiches ranked lower in the publics estimation. For many, Mr Robinson is remembered "very badly", according to Chris Cowin, an expert on British Leyland's history. Where can you get cheap classic car insurance? Where can you get quick classic car insurance quotes? When we were given more money to buy, say, new transfer lines, says Seth Smith, we were restricted by government rules to buying sometimes inferior local tooling., Then there was the way that the cars were produced. 13 November 1979. There is a long-standing tradition known as stint and finish. Read about our approach to external linking. Former Leyland worker Stephen Cox said Mr Robinson was regarded by many as "way out on an extreme". Robinson was born in Cradley Heath, near Birmingham, in 1927, to a family of chainmakers. That was not the responsibility of the employees, that was not the responsibility of the workforce. Am I being targeted by an overpayment scam? Derek Robinson - Red Robbo - speaks to striking British Leyland workers in Cofton Park. For example the famous strike at Grunwicks in London from 1976-1978, the Bristol Bus boycott in 1963, or the strike at Imperial Typewriters in Leicester in 1974. "He's seen as a troublemaker, someone who resisted attempts to modernise," he said. This has not happened easily and Black and Asian people have often had to fight for their rights. A motion for a strike in favour of his reinstatement was overwhelmingly defeated - 14,000 votes against to just 600 in favour. Exterior view of British Leyland Strandard Triumph works entrance and gatehouse at Canley, Coventry . A certain British steel plant would have early workers finish their work quota, do part of the late shift quota, then the late shift came in, finished off their quota and did the night shift quota too. However, someone should have really gone at Lyons (head of Jag) and put him firmly in his place. A little later, through a window, he saw two men, naked from the waist up. DAILY MIRROR. Pay and Contract. NICKNAMED Red Robbo, Derek Robinson became one of the most famous trade unionists of the 1970s and as the shop stewards' convener at British Leyland was the man responsible for no fewer than 523 . for only $11.00 $9.35/page. Sell Your Car On Honest John Classics For Free. Even today, there are certain professions where . Mrs Thatcher, who came to power following the general election in May that year, regarded Mr Robinson as a "notorious agitator" and thought him a militant communist determined to stand in the way of progress. Doubling up as it was known-working extra fast so you could bunk off-wasnt confined to BL either. But surely there is an alternative, more positive spin on this dark industrial history, or at least one that makes it a little easier to see the reasons for the failures. Its just a shame that for a lot of the 70s they were rightly derided for their quality. Security officers kept watch from behind an extractor fan in a paint shop from where they could see a clocking point. Appointed in 1977, the combative South African businessman Sir Michael Edwardes cut the number of workers almost in half at British Leyland, from 172,000 to 90,000. Stories from those at the coalface. British Leyland was an automotive engineering and manufacturing conglomerate formed in the United Kingdom in 1968 asBritish Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd . Michael Edwardes, who has died aged 88, was the chair of the car giant British Leyland during the critical period of the company's transformation from 1977 to 1982. He was in charge of 32 men on the night shift who were dismissed, disciplined, or 'who resigned rather than be dismissed. Mr Robinson, one of the most famous trade unionists of the 1970s, was dubbed Red Robbo by the media. He hopes his friend will be remembered as "one of those stalwarts in the post-war era that maintained a better life for ordinary people", not as an "agitator" or "destroyer" which he said was "a complete invention". Fearing that its collapse would leave a million workers unemployed, the Labour government nationalized it. The general secretary of Unite, Len McCluskey, said: Derek Robinson was a dedicated lifelong trade unionist who fought, as convenor, for the rights and future of the then British Leyland workforce at the Longbridge plant in Birmingham during the 1970s. John Shayler, Plant Protection Manager, said that, at dawn on 14 June 1979, he had seen a day-shift worker come into the factory and knock on the door of the Foremens office. Location: Leyland, Lancashire. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, India anti-corruption crusader fighting to clear his name, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. "He's to be hugely respected.". The men at Drews Lane had worked to rule for several weeks in protest at management attempts to stop them leaving early. I am worried sick." The British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC), was a vehicle manufacturing company formed in the United Kingdom in 1968. Underinvestment and a lack of new models had resulted in BLs car market share falling dramatically. The paint turned dull and flat quite quickly. Leyland Dozers Sacked. The Stokes-era management had paid a high price to rid themselves of piecework but, in the climate of early 1970s Britain, the Shop Stewards had the upper hand, and British Leylands finances were too weak to withstand a major dispute, so to berate management is perhaps a bit unfair. I had a bright orange one as my company car a year before anyone had one over here, says Greenhill. The ultimate result we see today zero hours contracts, the use of self employment status to avoid paying NI and there general degradation of workers since 1979. That kind of thing went on a lot in the 70s. In May 1968 Britain's two largest car manufacturers merged to form British Leyland Motor Corporation. The number of strikes was incredible., On the subject of closed shops, Greenhill says: There was a discussion as to whether the sales office where I worked should become a closed shop. The ADO15 MINI IS LAUNCHED TODAY Some extracts from the Times description of the new, NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY NEWS; Jaguar Is Planning To Cut Production AP Published: Thursday, February, Production of British Leylands new Morris Marina was at a standstill last night following a, British Motor Holdings the joining of BMC and Jaguar, Opinion : Celebrating 40 years of the Austin Maestro, The cars : Austin Maestro (LC10) development story, The cars : Land Rover Freelander (CB40) development story, Opinion : Austin Maestro a tale of unfulfilled promise, Opinion : Why unrest plagued the Maestros launch, The cars : Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 development story, eBay Find of the Week : Rover 45 with less than 2k miles on the clock, Archive : Jaguar Is Planning To Cut Production, Archive : Strike by 80 halts Marina output. Mr Yates, of Coplow Close, Balsall Common, Warwickshire, claims that he was unfairly dismissed. From the Shop Stewards point of view BL management had entered into an agreement with them to end piecework and, a few years later, they were trying to renege on the deal. A stalwart of the Norfolk Mini Owners Club for nearly a decade he is an enthusiast for all things Issigonis. Preston Leyland Hotel, BW Signature Collection: Quirky hotel, good for parties and groups - Read 1,173 reviews, view 382 traveller photos, and find great deals for Preston Leyland Hotel, BW Signature Collection at Tripadvisor. Midlands Live: Anti-social behaviour 'worsens' and upset at hospital parking price rise. Learn how your comment data is processed. Similar incidents had occurred before and appropriate action had been taken. The behavior of absenteeism is normally evidenced in work places where some workers may decide to make absenteeism their habit. What fire was my friends answer to which the policeman pointed to the mess of the building next door and the thirty fire engines surrounding it! "We all worked like hell to make it work" Inside British Leyland. Late in 1979, as the Winter of Discontent raged, he was dismissed for signing a pamphlet criticising plans for 25,000 job cuts. He was the main spokesman for the British Leyland combine committee which united about 40 different plants around the country, for most of the 1970s. In my opinion Stokes was let down by his board. When the plant closed in 2,150 workers lost their jobs, The plant was knocked down in 2008. . History will show that Derek was unfairly maligned by the media as he aimed to find solutions to British Leyland's industrial disputes and turn around the car company." Derek Robinson, trade . He was a controversial figure throughout his lifetime but Derek Robinson remains a working class hero to many. Manage Settings The former British Leyland worker and trade unionist Derek Robinson has died, aged 90. The former British Leyland worker and trade unionist Derek Robinson has died, aged 90. I am worried sick." 1983 Cowley Moles. after annual holidays (see 5 July). Then, on 16 November 1979, another BL plant was in the news for similar reasons. Seth Smith joined Leyland Motor Corporation as Triumph press officer in 1967, and in 1968 helped with the famous announcement of the Leyland and BMH merger. Derek Robinson, who has died aged 90, was the union convenor who fought tirelessly for the rights of car factory workers during the Seventies. ( Somehow an orchestra trying to perform a punk record would be comical). Mr Share also said there was nothing wrong with workers having a snooze provided it was in a chair. DAILY EXPRESS BUY BRITISH DRIVE FOR LEYLAND BOOST By David Benson An aggressive campaign to 'Buy British' is to be launched by Leyland British Leyland is to be granted a further 300m of state aid next year, with 133m to follow if the vehicle group's performance improves. DAILY EXPRESS BUY BRITISH By Peter Durisch Leyland chief Sir Michael Edwardes left Britain over Christmas with a special messagefor BL seals pact for Japanese to produce first car in Britain From our Correspondent Tokyo, Dec 27 BL and Honda today ratified an agreement Robert Taylor investigates recently released Cabinet papers that document the end of the 1974-79 Labour Government The newly-opened Mr Robert Yates, British Leyland foreman, last night lost a claim that he was. Mr Robinson worked as an engineering apprentice during the Second World War, progressing on to become shop steward at a plant in Longbridge. International Socialism, April 1977. We ask Birmingham: How can bus services improve in the city? "His legacy ought to be that you've got to fight," said Mr Loach. After two days of disciplinary hearings and appeals, BL dismissed 13 Land Rover car workers, who had been caught sleeping on the night shift. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. When Leylands successor, Rover, was subsequently sold off to BMW, Robinson told a group of MPs at a meeting in Birmingham during March 2000 I can sleep sound at night because I never betrayed the workers I was elected to represent. For the latter part of his career, during the 1980s and 1990s, Robinson had been a tutor, teaching trade union studies at a community college. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Only three men, none of them Mr Yates, had gone to the clocking point before 6.45 am, the end of the shift. Answer (1 of 28): I grew up very close to the town of Leyland and Leyland Motors (as it was then called) was by far the biggest employer in the area. Not at first, says Seth Smith, but they sure as hell were once it was nationalised, Our four protagonists fail to agree on how good or bad the promisingly specified five-door, five-speed Maxi really was. Email Print. One factor perhaps not widely understood is that chronic under-investment meant that many major components were being built on pre-war tooling, whereas the Germans, for example, had all the latest kit. She said: "My husband rang to tell me that they have all lost their jobs.". Yesterday they faced a disciplinary hearing. Mr Alan Walters, a supervisor, said he had seen another man come from the office carrying a Land-Rover seat capable of being used as a bed. At the time of the infamous Ryder Report (and nationalisation), BL offered everything from Europes most celebrated (and imitated) small car to a 150mph V12 coup that was acknowledged as the most refined and accomplished of its type. Kearsley has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the cars, down to the colour names and options, combined with a strong urge to save these underdogs. What's he waiting for? The long-standing custom and practice of allowing men to go home early once they had completed their quota of work was a thorny industrial relations issue. DeSantis won't say he's running. We must develop a campaign that involves every BL worker, every component worker and the wider Labour movement. However, despite this rallying call and a walkout by thousands of workers in support of their dismissed convenor, an official strike vote failed. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Mr Robert Yates, British Leyland foreman, was dismissed for allowing men to sleep on the night shift at the Rover works in Solihull, West Midlands, an industrial tribunal was told yesterday. Seven years ago Tony Cliff wrote, 'The aim of the . A shame really as improvements to the Maxi, Princess and Allegro had made these cars as good as many of their European rivals and certainly British Leyland never had to endure the sort of scandal that was engulfing Lancia at the time, where poor rustproofing was causing the engines to fall out of relatively new cars. "These words are a suitable epithet for a stalwart of the trade union movement, whose passing we mourn.". A mass meeting of the men desided by a massive vote to ignore an official Union call for a strike. He will give evidence today. A little later, through a window, he saw two men, naked from the waist up. The Musicians Union, which was the union for musicians employed directly by the BBC, dictated that Top of the Pops had to employ a staff orchestra and singers, even if their services werent needed, which in most cases they were not. 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