THE executive of Amalgamated Union Engineering Workers decided on Wednesday last week to back the demand for reinstatement of the convenor British Leyland's Longbridge plant.
But the executive little enthusiasm for the against Robinson's victimisation. Se wishy-washy is the AUEW's report that Leyland management have •been able to use portions of it in a propaganda war. As a result the strike action recommended for Longbridge by the union executive has postponed.
was November supposedly signed a booklet issued by Leyland management's sack 25,000 workers recovery plan' of Leyland boss Michael Edwardes.
The AUEW leadership responded to the spontaneous strike wave which broke out after Robinson's sacking by ordering their members back to work and inquiry into Robinson's While last week's report declared that. Robinson should be reinstated, it also provided Leyland management with enough ammunition to argue why he had to stay sacked.
inquiry criticised Robinson for action', said he had no right to sign the combine booklet on the 'recovery plan', and concluded that he had been guilty of 'serious failings and lack of responsibility in relation to his duties' as a convenor.
These the of strike action the Derek at Reflecting showed other plants: all a foregone whole refusal of Michael Edwardes been sacked last because he this view.
the The district committee promised plane - the so-called to be taken to the shop floor in Longbridge Leyland plants. strike action to mass meetings. their UWi The activities.
contied 'disruptive Derek prospect of the dole queue, trade attacks have now been reproduced in management notices given out to Leyland workers in an attempt to fuel a shop floor revolt against the union executive's call for at Longbridge. The inquiry team hardly helped to build support for a strike when it noted that such action would be 'extremely damaging' and a 'drastic step'.
such attitudes, the AUEW executive limited its call for strike action to the Longbridge plant itself, whereas the initial strike wave in November spread to a number of What this means is that it is not at conclusion that Robinson will get back his job: The to -re employ the convenor is based on a gamble that Leyland workers bave no stomach for a prolonged fight on this issue. The postponentent of the strike call by the AUEW district committee appears to give some substance to committee has build support for Robinson with the utmost vigour' To be effective, this campaign needs - both and at all other The date for all-out should be named as soon as possible and should be taken victimisation of Derek Robinson raises issues which are not to the Longbridge plant. Involved is the basic right of trade unionists to elect their own representatives, and the right of those representatives to carry out their work free faces the but all anionists at Leyland face the prospect of a severe wounding of their union organisation. It is a fight not one worker at Leyland can afford An estimated 1,500 people demonstrated in Middlesbrough on Saturday 9 February against the cuts and steel closure: London Socialist Picton, opponents.
Rank executive by The patters Cats the LEFT-wing teachers scored a notabi victory in this year's elections for th officers of the 15,000 strong Inner Teachers Association (Nationa] Union of Teachers).
Teachers Alliano candidates Mike Lossely and Dan standing for vice-presides and treasurer respectively, defeater their Broad Left/Communist Party Unfortunately Amanda Leon el and File lost to nationd member Bob • Rickardo the cector fo generai secretary broad hated cort als beft victory and File refused to st with the • of 4 Forumy Bal
Socialist Challenge 14 February 1980 Page 8
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SNATCHER IS EVEN KIES MILK